Antibacterial potential and mechanism of action of dithiocyano‐methane as a bactericidal agent for farm disinfection

AIMS This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against Aeromonas hydrophila, so as to provide a reference for its application in farm disinfection. METHODS AND RESULTS After exposing the bacteria to dithiocyano-methane, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericide concentration (MBC), activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase and electric conductivity in bacterial suspensions were determined, transmission electron microscope images on cellular structure and SDS-PAGE profile of bacterial proteins were analysed and the expression of genes related to the above experimental observations was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The MIC and MBC of dithiocyano-methane against three tested strains was 1·46 and 2·93 mg l-1 respectively. The results showed that dithiocyano-methane significantly damaged bacterial cell structure, inhibited the biosynthesis of bacterial proteins and changed the integrity and permeability of bacterial cell wall and cell membrane. CONCLUSIONS Dithiocyano-methane showed remarkable antibacterial ability against three tested strains, indicating it is a potential effective bactericidal agent for preventing animal diseases resulted from Aer. hydrophila. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY To our best knowledge, this is the first report to examine the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against bacteria. The results demonstrate the great potential of dithiocyano-methane as a disinfectant against Aer. hydrophila in settings such as aquaculture ponds and livestock farms.