CHEMICAL ALCOHOLS eg.

ethanol

MECHANISM OF ACTION Denature bacterial proteins

ACTIVE AGAINST Bacteria(no action on spores)

USES Mainly as skin antiseptics

SPECIAL PROPERTIES Used in a conc of 6090% in water. Protein slows down its action while 1% mineral acid or alkali enhances it.

Isopropyl alcohol

sterilize clinical thermometers

Better fat solvent, more bactericidal, less volatile

Methanol ALDEHYDES Formaldehyde Active against amino grp of protein molecule

Bacteria, Fungal spores Bactericidal, sporicidal, viricidal (in aqueous soln)

Glutaraldehyde

Tubercle bacilli, fungi, viruses

DYES

Aniline dyes eg. Brilliant green, malachite green, crystal violet Acridine dyes eg. Proflavine, acriflavine, euflavine, aminacrine

Lethal effect due to reaction with acid grps in the cell

Bacteriostatic in high dilution. Low bactericidal activity Gram positive> gram negative bacteria, no activity against tubercle bacilli Gram positive> gram negative bacteria

used for treating cabinets and incubators Preserve anat specimens, destroying anthrax spores in wool and hair, sterilize clean metal instruments(10% with 0.5% Na tetraborate) Gas is used to instruments and heat sensitive catheters, fumigating wards, sick-rooms and labs. Clothing bedding, furniture and books can also be disinfected. Sterilize cystoscopes, bronchoscopes, corrugated rubber anaesthetic tubes and face masks, plastic ET tubes, polythene tubing, metal instruments Skin and wound antiseptics

Vapour is toxic and flammable Gas is irritant and toxic when inhaled. This is nullified by exposure to ammonia vapour after completion of disinfection)

Less toxic and irritant to the eyes and skin than formaldehyde

Selective agents in culture media, malachite green is used in LowensteinJensen medium

Non irritant and non toxic to tissues, considerably inhibited by organic matter such as pus Less selective than aniline dyes, very little affected by organic matter. Do not differ significantly in potency

Impair DNA complexes of organisms and hence destroy the reproductive property of the cell.

If impregnated in gauze they are slowly released in a moist environment, hence their use in clinical medicine

HALOGENS Iodine

Bactericidal with moderate action against spores, active against tubercle bacilli

Skin disinfectant

Used in aqueous and alcoholic solution, compounds of iodine with non ionic wetting or surface active agents

and viruses Chlorine Bactericidal, viricidal Water supplies, swimming pools, food and dairy industries as disinfectant. Organic chloramines are used as antiseptics for dressing wounds.

known as iodophores are more active Commonly used as hypochlorites

PHENOLS