[Submicroscopic study of bacteria and spores under the effect of peracetic acid and various aspects of the mechanism of its action].

Microbial cells (E. coli and staphylococcus) and B. cereus spores were used in this work. Peracetic acid in a concentration of 0.005% caused the death of 99% of the microbes in 20 minutes, and 0.1% peracetic acid caused the death of 99% of the spores in 45 minutes. Changes in the surface and internal structures of the cells were revealed on the ultrathin sections of microbial cells and spores after the action of the preparation. The noted changes were explained by disturbance of permeability barrier and a high reactogenic capacity of the activated oxygen of peracetic acid.