Bio – Chemical Mechanism

Sodium hypochlorite Bio-Mechanism

Sodium hypochlorite is a popular commercial agent because of its antimicrobial activity.  The high pH of sodium hypochlorite compromises the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterial cell.  It acts on the essential enzymatic sites of the bacterial cell by inactivating the sites; this is caused by hydroxyl ions and a chloramination reaction.  Sodium hypochlorite also degrades fatty acids and lipids into soap and glycerol through a reaction called saponification; this causes dissolution of organic tissue.

 Please reference:  http://www.forp.usp.br/bdj/bdj13(2)/v13n2a07/v13n2a07.pdf