Effects of NaOCl solutions as an anti-infective agent using for sterilization of the tissue

Mustafa YILDIZ
University of Ankara, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops 06110 Diskapi/ANKARA

Abstract:

A wide range of disinfectants, such as ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, bromine water, mercuric chloride, silver nitrate, and antibiotics are used for surface sterilization; however sodium hypochlorite solutions have been most widely used. Sodium hypochlorite is highly effective against all kinds of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. NaOCl has a strong oxidizing property which makes it highly reactive with amino acids, nucleic acids, amines, and amides. The general reaction between amino acids and NaOCl produces the respective aldehyde, NH4Cl and CO2. Thus, during the sterilization process, direct contact of the tissue with NaOCl depending on it’s concentration, temperature, and application period can have a hazardous effect on the health of the tissue. Tissue culture studies aim to obtain high-frequency regeneration, which is also a prerequisite for an efficient gene transformation system. Tissue health is the main factor determining regeneration capacity. The most important treatment prior to culture initiation is the sterilization of the tissue. In medicine and in plant tissue culture, elimination of microorganisms on the tissue has great importance. From one hand, sterilization process aims to eliminate all microorganisms that can easily grow on thetissue; on the other hand, it should guarantee the tisuue’s viability and regeneration capacity. Although this paper will focus on the effect of concentration, temperature and application period of NaOCl solutions used for surface-sterilization on the viability and regeneration capacity of the plant tissues, all living tissues have similar responses against NaOCl using for eliminating microorganisms on the surface of the tissue.