Zur bakteriziden Wirkung von komprimiertem Sauerstoff

Summary In this article the writer suggests an explanation for the germicide effect of compressed oxygen. The production of poisonous products of metabolism can be ignored, because the bacterial development is normal after removal of the pressure. Lack of nutritive material through inhibition of metabolism and permanent damage to the enzymes is also not a satisfactory explanation. The possibility is discussed that oxygen as an acceptor of electrones creates an ionisation of important parts of the cell and resulting in the death of the bacteria. The effect seems to be similar but weaker than that of H₂O₂.