Hydroxyl ions are highly oxidizing free radicals that destroy bacteria by:
The release of hydroxyl ions in an aqueous environment is related to the antimicrobial property. Hydroxyl ions are highly oxidizing free radicals that destroy bacteria by:

Damaging the cytoplasmic membrane
Protein denaturation
Damaging bacterial DNA
Damaging the cytoplasmic membrane
Protein denaturation
Damaging bacterial DNA
All of the above