The present study investigated the inactivation effect and mechanism of stable chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) combined with slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) against Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens). The inactivation effect of ClO 2 combined with SAEW against S. putrefaciens was evaluated by the growth curve.The changes in alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, transmembrane electrical potential, Na + K + -ATPase activity, confocal laser scanning micrographs (CLSM), β-galactosidase activity, nucleic acid and protein release, respiratory chain dehydrogenase activity, fluorescence spectra, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were measured to evaluate the inactivation mechanism.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of bacterial cells. The results showed that S. putrefaciens was effectively inactivated after single and combined treatments of ClO 2 and SAEW, and the inactivation effect of combined treatment was the best. The cell wall and cell membrane of bacteria were destroyed by ClO 2 and SAEW, resulting in the release of nucleic acid, protein, AKP, and β-galactosidase. The results of transmembrane electrical potential, Na + K + -ATPase activity, and FT-IR further showed that ClO 2 and SAEW could change cell membrane permeability and destroy cell structural proteins. The results of fluorescence spectra indicated that ClO 2 and SAEW could bind to the DNA of S. putrefaciens. The results of SEM further proved the destructive effects of ClO 2 and SAEW on the bacterial morphology. Therefore, ClO 2 combined with SAEW has the potential to become a preservation method of aquatic products.
Novelty impact statement:• This article explored the inactivation effect and inactivation mechanism of single and combined treatments of ClO 2 and SAEW on Shewanella putrefaciens.• ClO 2 combined with SAEW had a synergistic effect on the instantaneous inactivation of S. putrefaciens.• ClO 2 combined with SAEW mainly destructed the protective barriers of bacteria and the ORP of SAEW had an important effect on the transmembrane potential of bacteria.