Inactivation of fungal spores by performic acid in water: Comparisons with peracetic acid

Yuzhao Lin; Xiangqian Xu; Shiqi Tian; Jingyi Wang; Shumiao Cao; Tinglin Huang; Weiping Xie; Zhilin Ran; Gang Wen

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131929

Inactivation of fungal spores by performic acid in water: Comparisons with peracetic acid

J Hazard Mater. 2023 Sep 15:458:131929. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131929. Epub 2023 Jul 3.

Authors

Yuzhao Lin¹, Xiangqian Xu², Shiqi Tian¹, Jingyi Wang¹, Shumiao Cao¹, Tinglin Huang³, Weiping Xie⁴, Zhilin Ran⁵, Gang Wen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China.
² Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, PR China.
³ Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Pollution Control and Water Quality Security Assurance of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China.
⁴ School of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518000, PR China.
⁵ School of Transportation and Environment, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, PR China.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Pollution Control and Water Quality Security Assurance of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China. Electronic address: hitwengang@163.com.

PMID: 37418965
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131929

Abstract

Performic acid (PFA) has received increasing attention in water disinfection due to its high disinfection efficiency and fewer formation of disinfection by-products. However, the inactivation of fungal spores by PFA has not been investigated. In this study, the results showed that the log-linear regression plus tail model adequately described the inactivation kinetic of fungal spores with PFA. The k values of A. niger and A. flavus with PFA were 0.36 min^-1 and 0.07 min^-1, respectively. Compared to peracetic acid, PFA was more efficient in inactivating fungal spores and caused more serious damage on cell membrane. Compared to neutral and alkaline conditions, acidic environments demonstrated a greater inactivation efficiency for PFA. The increase of PFA dosage and temperature had a promoting effect on the inactivation efficiency of fungal spores. PFA could kill the fungal spores by damaging cell membrane and penetration of cell membranes. In real water, the inactivation efficiency declined as a result of the existence of background substances such as dissolved organic matter. Moreover, the regrowth potential of fungal spores in R2A medium were severely inhibited after inactivation. This study provides some information for PFA to control fungi pollution and explores the mechanism of PFA inactivation.

Keywords: Disinfection; Fungal spores; Inactivation mechanism; Performic acid.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Disinfectants* / analysis
Disinfection / methods
Peracetic Acid*
Spores, Fungal
Water

Substances

Peracetic Acid
Disinfectants
Water
peroxyformic acid