Effects of Ozone Treatment on Cell Growth and Ultrastructural Changes in Bacteria

This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of ozone on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The research evaluates how ozone exposure influences bacterial survival, growth inhibition, and cellular structure over time. Using scanning electron microscopy, the authors demonstrate that ozone causes progressive damage to bacterial cell membranes, leading to deformation, rupture, intracellular leakage, and ultimately cell lysis. The findings provide visual and quantitative evidence of ozone’s powerful disinfecting capabilities and help explain the mechanisms by which ozone inactivates microorganisms in water treatment, food safety, and environmental disinfection applications.