Disinfection Mechanism Of Ethylene Oxide

The mechanism of action of ethylene oxide in killing various microorganisms is mainly alkylation. The target sites are sulfhydryl (-SH), amino (-NH2), carboxyl (-COOH) and hydroxyl (-OH) in protein and nucleic acid molecules. Ethylene oxide can cause these groups to undergo alkylation reactions, making these biomacromolecules inactive and thus killing the microorganisms. [100]
Inhibition of enzyme activity
Ethylene oxide can inhibit the activity of various enzymes of microorganisms, such as phosphate dehydrogenase, cholinesterase and other oxidases, hindering the completion of the normal metabolic process of microorganisms and leading to their death.