CHEMICAL MECHANISM OF ACTIVE AGAINST USES SPECIAL PROPERTIES

ACTION
ALCOHOLS eg. Denature Bacteria(no Mainly as skin antiseptics Used in a conc of 60-
ethanol bacterial action on spores) 90% in water. Protein
proteins slows down its action
while 1% mineral acid
or alkali enhances it.

Isopropyl sterilize clinical thermometers Better fat solvent, more

alcohol bactericidal, less volatile

Methanol Bacteria, Fungal used for treating cabinets and Vapour is toxic and
spores incubators flammable
ALDEHYDES Active against Bactericidal, Preserve anat specimens, destroying Gas is irritant and toxic
Formaldehyde amino grp of sporicidal, anthrax spores in wool and hair, when inhaled. This is
protein viricidal (in sterilize clean metal instruments(10% nullified by exposure to
molecule aqueous soln) with 0.5% Na tetraborate) ammonia vapour after
Gas is used to instruments and heat completion of
sensitive catheters, fumigating wards, disinfection)
sick-rooms and labs. Clothing bedding,
furniture and books can also be
disinfected.
Glutaraldehyde Tubercle bacilli, Sterilize cystoscopes, bronchoscopes, Less toxic and irritant to
fungi, viruses corrugated rubber anaesthetic tubes the eyes and skin than
and face masks, plastic ET tubes, formaldehyde
polythene tubing, metal instruments
DYES Bacteriostatic in Skin and wound antiseptics
high dilution. Low
bactericidal
activity
Aniline dyes Lethal effect Gram positive> Selective agents in culture media, Non irritant and non
eg. Brilliant due to reaction gram negative malachite green is used in Lowenstein- toxic to tissues,
green, with acid grps in bacteria, no Jensen medium considerably inhibited
malachite the cell activity against by organic matter such
green, crystal tubercle bacilli as pus
violet
Acridine dyes Impair DNA Gram positive> If impregnated in gauze they are slowly Less selective than
eg. Proflavine, complexes of gram negative released in a moist environment, hence aniline dyes, very little
acriflavine, organisms and bacteria their use in clinical medicine affected by organic
euflavine, hence destroy matter. Do not differ
aminacrine the significantly in potency
reproductive
property of the
cell.
HALOGENS Bactericidal with Skin disinfectant Used in aqueous and
Iodine moderate action alcoholic solution,
against spores, compounds of iodine
active against with non ionic wetting
tubercle bacilli or surface active agents
 and viruses known as iodophores
are more active
Chlorine Bactericidal, Water supplies, swimming pools, food Commonly used as
viricidal and dairy industries as disinfectant. hypochlorites
Organic chloramines are used as
antiseptics for dressing wounds.
PHENOLS