Superoxide involvement in the bactericidal effects of negative air ions on Staphylococcus albus

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Abstract
The physical nature of small air ions is well established and it is recognised that they can produce a variety of biological effects1. However, in only a few instances have any underlying biochemical changes been detected2–4. Theoretically, one can consider the hydrated Superoxide radical anion (O2−) (H2O)n with n ≃ 4–8 as a likely candidate for a biologically active species of negative air ion5. The chemical and biological reactivity of Superoxide is high6 and includes a leading role in bacterial killing caused by radiation7,8, in which Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that catalyses the reaction: O2−+O2−2H→H2O2+O2 protected markedly. Other studies have also demonstrated the bactericidal effect of O2− (refs 9–11). Inasmuch as the bactericidal action of small negative air ions has been repeatedly confirmed, we decided to test for the involvement of O2− in this phenomenon by evaluating the protective effect of SOD. Our results show strong O2− involvement in negative air ion bacterial kill.