Biocidal dose

Definition

A biocidal dose is an oxidant concentration high enough that a cell cannot repair oxidative damage fast enough to survive.

Below this threshold a cell may patch knocked-loose pieces, but at a biocidal dose oxidation outpaces repair. Once enough lipids, proteins, enzymes, and genetic material are oxidized, the cell dies. This is the basis for oxidative disinfection in water systems.

Related concepts

Residual oxidizer · Biological destruction by oxidation

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🦠 biology