Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on Some Effects of Sodium Hypochlorite on Attachment of Bacteria to Stainless Steel .

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to demonstrate the effects of rinsing with water and various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on extracellular attachment fibers of Pseudomonas fragi (ATCC 4793), Salmonella montevideo , and Bacillus cereus (F4165/75) attached to stainless steel chips. Results indicated that use of a water rinse before sanitization with NaOCl was not sufficient to eliminate attached microorganisms and debris.