Nitrite Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum: Electron Spin Resonance Detection of Iron-Nitric Oxide Complexes

Authors

D. Reddy
J. R. Lancaster, Jr.
Daren P. Cornforth, Utah State University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Science

Volume

221

Issue

4612

Publication Date

1983

First Page

769

Last Page

770

Abstract

Vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum were shown to contain iron-sulfur proteins that react with added nitrite to form iron-nitric oxide complexes, with resultant destruction of the iron-sulfur cluster. Inactivation of iron-sulfur enzymes (especially ferredoxin) by binding of nitric oxide would almost certainly inhibit growth, and thus is probably the mechanism of botulinal inhibition by nitrite in foods.

Comments

Originally published by American Association for the Advancement of Science. Abstract and full text available via remote link.

Recommended Citation

Reddy, D., Lancaster Jr., J.R., and Cornforth, D.P. 1983. Nitrite inhibition of Clostridium botulinum: electron spin resonance detection of iron-nitric oxide complexes. Science 221:769.