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Ozone Effects on Pathogens

Ozone Effects on Pathogens are well-documented, as ozone (O₃) is a powerful biocide functioning in a manner similar to chlorine, another well-known oxidant, and applied in comparable ways. Ozone disinfects by directly oxidizing and destroying the cell walls of microorganisms, leading to the leakage of cellular components. This process results in the protoplasmic destruction of the cell, damages nucleic acids, and breaks carbon-nitrogen bonds, causing depolymerization. During this reaction, ozone decomposes into oxygen (O₂) and a single oxygen atom, which is consumed during its interaction with the microorganism’s cell fluids (O₃ → O₂ + O).

This overview is not an exhaustive list of every pathogen that ozone can neutralize but serves as a guide to illustrate the effectiveness of ozone. Due to its direct oxidation mechanism, pathogens cannot develop immunity to ozone as they might with other chemical disinfectants and biocides.

Moreover, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recognizes ozone as an effective biocide, and the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) for ozone officially took effect in July 2024. This regulation underscores the importance and legitimacy of ozone in various disinfection applications across the European Union, ensuring that its use meets stringent safety and efficacy standards.

Ozone Effects on Pathogens
VIRUSES

Ozone destroys viruses by penetrating the protein coat and reaching the nucleic acid core, where it damages the viral RNA. At higher concentrations, ozone can also break down the virus’s outer protein shell, leading to the disruption of its DNA or RNA structures.

  • Adenovirus (type 7a)

  • Coxsackie’s viruses A9, B3 & B5

  • Cryptosporidium

  • Echovirus 1, 5, 12 & 29

  • Encephalomyocarditis

  • Hepatitis A

  • GD V11 Virus

  • Infectious hepatitis

  • Influenza

  • Norovirus

  • Rotavirus

  • Tobacco mosaic

  • Vesicular Stomatitis

  • Legionella pneumophila

  • Poliomyelitis virus 1, 2 & 3

Ozone disrupts bacterial cell metabolism by likely inhibiting the bacteria’s enzymatic control systems, which are essential for their survival and function. When ozone is present in sufficient quantities, it penetrates the bacterial cell membrane, compromising its integrity. This breach allows ozone to reach and damage vital components within the cell, leading to the breakdown of the bacteria’s internal structure. As a result, the bacteria are effectively destroyed, preventing further metabolic activity and reproduction. This potent mechanism makes ozone a highly effective agent for bacterial disinfection and sterilization.

  • Aeromonas harveyi NC-2,

  • Aeromonas salmonicida NC-1102

  • Bacillus anthracis,

  • Bacillus cereus,

  • Bacillus coagulans,

  • Bacillus globigii,

  • Bacillus licheniformis,

  • Bacillus megatherium sp.,

  • Bacillus paratyphosus,

  • Bacillus prodigiosus,

  • Bacillus subtilis,

  • Bacillus

  • Stearothermophilus

  • Clostridium botulinum,

  • Clostridium sporogenes,

  • Clostridium tetoni

  • Cryptosporidium

  • Coliphage

  • Corynebacterium

  • Diphthriae

  • Eberthella typhosa

  • Endamoeba histolica

  • Escherichia coli

  • Flavorbacterium SP A-3

  • Leptospira canicola

  • Listeria

  • Micrococcus candidus,

  • Micrococcus caseolyticus KM-15,

  • Micrococcus spharaeroides

  • Mycobacterium leprae,

  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  • Neisseria catarrhalis

  • Phytomonas tumefaciens

  • Proteus vulgaris

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa,

  • Pseudomonas fluorscens,

  • Pseudomonas putida

  • Salmonella choleraesuis,

  • Salmonella enteritidis,

  • Salmonella typhimurium,

  • Salmonella typhosa,

  • Salmonella paratyphi

  • Sarcina lutea

  • Seratia marcescens

  • Shigella dysenteriae,

  • Shigella flexnaria,

  • Shigella paradysenteriae

  • Spirllum rubrum

  • Staphylococcus albus,

  • Staphylococcus aureus

  • Streptococcus C,

  • Streptococcus faecalis,

  • Streptococcus hemolyticus,

  • Streptococcus lactis,

  • Streptococcus salivarius,

  • Streptococcus viridans

  • Torula rubra

  • Vibrio alginolyticus & angwillarum,

  • Vibrio clolarae,

  • Vibrio comma

  • Virrio ichthyodermis NC-407,

  • Virrio parahaemolyticus

Ozone is believed to destroy fungi and mould by diffusing through the fungal cell wall and penetrating the cytoplasm. Once inside, ozone disrupts the organelles that are crucial for directing and maintaining cell function. This disruption leads to the breakdown of cellular processes, ultimately destroying the fungal or mould cells. This mechanism highlights ozone’s effectiveness in combating a wide range of fungal contaminants.

  • Aspergillus candidus,

  • Aspergillus flavus,

  • Aspergillus glaucus,

  • Aspergillus niger,

  • Aspergillusterreus,

  • Saitoi and oryzac

  • Botrytis allii

  • Colletotrichum lagenariu

  • Fusarium oxysporum

  • Grotrichum

  • Mucor recomosus A & B, Mucor piriformis

  • Oospora lactis

  • Penicillium cyclopium, P. chrysogenum and citrinum,

  • Penicillium digitatum,

  • Penicilliumglaucum,

  • Penicillium expansum,

  • Penicillium egyptiacum,

  • Penicillium roqueforti

  • Rhizopus nigricans,

  • Rhizopus stolonifer

  • Alternaria solani

  • Botrytis cinerea

  • Fusarium oxysporum

  • Monilinia fruiticola,

  • Monilinia laxa

  • Pythium ultimum

  • Phytophthora erythroseptica,

  • Phytophthora

  • parasitica

  • Rhizoctonia

  • Solani

  • Rhizopus

  • stolonifera

  • Sclerotium rolfsii

  • Sclerotinia

  • sclerotiorum

The exact mechanism by which ozone kills protozoa has not yet been fully determined. However, the following table lists protozoan species that have been shown to be susceptible to ozone.

  • Paramecium

  • Nematode eggs

  • All pathogenic and nonpathogenic forms of Protozoa

  • Chlorella vulgaris (algae)

Parasitic cysts are a particular concern in drinking water sourced from surface water because they are resistant to chlorine treatment. However, ozone, when applied at appropriate doses, is effective in destroying the cysts listed in the table below.

  • Cryptosporidium parvum

  • Giardia lamblia, Giardia muris

Algae in drinking water supplies release organic chemicals both during their normal metabolic processes and after they die. While these chemicals typically do not pose a direct health risk to humans, they can cause issues with taste and odour. Additionally, these organic compounds can contribute to the increased formation of trihalomethanes (THMs), which are byproducts of water disinfection processes and are a potential health concern.

  • Chlorella Vulgaris

  • Thamnidium

  • Trichoderma viride

  • Verticillium albo-atrum,

  • Verticillium dahlia

Similarly to moulds and fungi, various types of yeasts can be destroyed by ozone through the same mechanism. Ozone penetrates the yeast cell wall, disrupts the internal cellular structures, and ultimately leads to the breakdown of the cell, effectively eliminating the yeast.

  • Baker’s yeast

  • Candida albicans

  • Common yeast cake

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae,

  • Saccharomyces ellipsoideus,

  • Saccharomyces sp.

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