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ABSTRACT
Antiseptics and disinfectants are extensively used in hospitals and other health care settings for a
variety of topical and hard-surface applications. A wide variety of active chemical agents
(biocides) are found in these products, many of which have been used for hundreds of years,
This report talks about antiseptics and disinfectants, their mode of action, chemical agent and
also discuss 3 major antiseptics and disinfectants, their mode of preparation, harmful effects and
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
IZAL
DETTOL
CHLORINE BLEACH
RESULTS
REFERENCES
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INTRODUCTION
This report focuses on the chemistry, mode of action and how to prepare different types of
An antiseptic is a substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms. Antiseptics
and disinfectants are extensively used in hospitals, at home, and other health care settings for a
A wide variety of active chemical agents are found in these products, many of which have been
used for hundreds of years, including alcohols, phenols, iodine, and chlorine.
Antiseptics are very diverse in their use and applications. They can be used as bacteriocidal (kills
bacteria) or bacteriostatic (stops the growth of bacteria). Their uses include cleansing of skin and
wound surfaces after injury, preparation of skin surfaces prior to injections or surgical
procedures, and routine disinfection of the oral cavity as part of a program of oral hygiene.
Antiseptics are also used for disinfection of inanimate objects, including instruments and
furniture surfaces.
Commonly used antiseptics include hydrogen peroxides, mercury compounds, alcohol, iodine
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Antiseptics are chemical agents that disrupts or inhibits the growth of microorganisms on a living
tissue while disinfectants are chemical agents that are used on non-living surfaces or inanimate
objects.
A wide variety of active chemical agents are found in antiseptics and disinfectants, many of
which has been in use for hundreds of years. Despite this, not much is known about the mode of
actions of this chemical agents. Examples of chemical agents found in antiseptics include
Fomaldehyde
Hydrogen peroxide
Cresol
Phenol
Ethylene oxide
Triclosan
Hexachlorophene
Texapon
This chemical agents work by deactivating microorganisms, they may be “static” (inhibit growth
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Each Chemical agent has a different mode of action, Hydrogen peroxides work by creating free
hydroxyl radicals which oxidize the thiol group in enzyme and proteins of microorganisms,
While antiseptics are good for protection against microorganisms, they do have some nasty side
Skin Rash
Angioedema
Hives
Itching
Skin Inflammation
Skin Redness etc.
However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor
or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
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HOW TO MAKE ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS
IZAL
Izal is one of the common germicides used regularly at home, it is highly concentrated and very effective
Their uses include cleansing of skin and wound surfaces after injury, preparation of skin surfaces
prior to injections or surgical procedures, and routine disinfection of the oral cavity as part of a
program of oral hygiene. Antiseptics are also used for disinfection of inanimate objects,
Ingredients
130 ml of Lysol
140 ml of Phenol
2 grams of Texapon
4 liters of water
5 grams of whitener
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MIXING THE INGRDIENTS
1 Combine Texapon and water in a plastic bucket. Measure out 4 liters of water and pour it
into the plastic bucket. Add 2 grams of Texapon to the water and stir the mixture carefully with a
chemical-safe spoon or lab stirrer. Keep stirring until the Texapon is completely dissolved.
Texapon is a sodium laureth sulfate frequently used in detergents, soaps, and shampoos.
Texapon can severely irritate the skin, eyes, lungs, and nasal passageways.
2 Add the Phenol to the mixture and stir thoroughly. Carefully measure out 140 ml of
Phenol and pour it into the mixture in your bucket. Stir the ingredients with your chemical-safe
stirrer until they're well combined. The mixture will continue to look frothy and may get frothier
and other consumer products. It's usually clear or light yellow in color.
Phenol can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and eye irritation. Contact with skin
3 Add the Lysol liquid to the mixture and stir continuously. Measure out 130 ml of Lysol
and add it to the mixture in the bucket. Stir continuously as you add the chemical so that it
Lysol liquid is commonly available in grocery stores. It is a powerful germicide, and the
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4 Pour the carbolic acid into the mixture and keep stirring. Measure out 140 ml of liquid
carbolic acid and add it to the mixture in the bucket. Keep stirring so that the carbolic acid
combines with the other ingredients. Continuous stirring is crucial, since it encourages the
necessary chemical reaction to take place quickly. Carbolic acid is highly corrosive and toxic.
Breathing in the vapors can damage the upper respiratory tract and skin contact may cause
chemical burns.
5 Stir in the pine oil. Measure out 100 ml of pine oil and pour it into the mixture. Stir
thoroughly to combine the ingredients in the mixture. Be careful not to create any splash back as
you stir. Pine oil is a highly concentrated essential oil obtained from pine trees. It is commonly
6 Add the Izal booster to the mixture. Measure out 200 ml of Izal booster and carefully pour
it into the bucket with the other ingredients. Stir continuously as you add the booster and
continue stirring after you've poured it in. The solution should still look frothy. Izal booster is a
7 Pour the Izal concentrate into the bucket and keep stirring. Measure out 140 ml of the
Izal concentrate liquid and dump it into the bucket. Continue stirring throughout the entire
process. Izal concentrate is a light pink liquid and highly irritating to the skin and mucus
membranes.
8 Measure out the whitener and stir it into the mixture. Pour 5 grams of whitener into the
bucket as you continue to stir the solution. Keep stirring until the ingredients are fully combined.
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Essentially, this substance binds all of the ingredients in the mixture together and creates a
1 Pour the Izal through a fine mesh strainer to remove particles. Your finished Izal may
have small particles or lumps in it. You can easily remove these solids by pouring the mixture
through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into another large plastic bucket
2 Use the Izal to clean toilets, tiles, and other hard surfaces. Izal disinfects hard surfaces
and also produces a bleaching or whitening effect. It's extremely effective at removing germs
from toilets, tile, hard flooring, kitchen counters, and so on. Use the cleaner to mop and wipe
down surfaces.
o Wear plastic gloves when cleaning with Izal to protect your skin.
3 Store any leftover solution in heavy-duty plastic containers. Use a large funnel to transfer
the leftover cleaner from the plastic bucket into heavy-duty plastic storage containers with air-
tight lids. Store Izal at room temperature out of the reach of children and pets.
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DETTOL
Dettol is a general name for a household antiseptic disinfectant which has been in the world since
1936. Dettol is found in every market in many countries of the world such as America, Australia,
Canada, United Kingdom, India, and in many African countries including Nigeria.
Ingredients
1. Texapon
2. Phenol
3. Chloroxylenol
4. I.P.A
5. Pine oil
6. Castor oil
8. Water
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DETTOL INGREDIENTS AND THEIR MODE OF ACTION
Texapon: It is a surfactant or detergent that forms micelles which allows non polar substance
like oils to be dissolved in water. It acts basically the same as many other liquid soaps that are
Phenol: Phenol is an organic compound or solvent that contains the hydroxyl-OH group attached
to benzene ring. It is an aromatic compound classified as an alcohol and it is colorless and has
sweet odour. Phenol is used in low concentration as a disinfectant in household Dettol and also
in mouthwash. This is also called carbolic acid even though carbolic acid is liquid.
Chloroxylenol: This chemical is the antibacterial in Dettol which kills germs and reduces
inflammation. Chloroxylenol is the main antiseptic ingredient in Dettol with the highest
percentage of about 4.8 of the mixture that makes up Dettol; other percentage is gotten from pine
oil, phenol, castor oil, isopropyl alcohol and water. One has to be very careful when using it
because it could cause mild skin irritation, such as rash, swelling of face, mouth, itchy throat or
tongue, blisters, peeling of skin and difficulty in breathing and please seek medical attention if
I.P.A (Isopropyl Alcohol): This is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with strong
odour, it contains an antiseptic effect, which gives Dettol the ability to kill bacteria, and fungi
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Pine oil: Pine oil is gotten from pine tree and is extracted from the cone, twigs and needles of the
pine tree. When the oil is diluted in water, it forms a cloudy liquid (this also happen when you
use a drop of Dettol in water). Pine oil has an antiseptic and disinfectant substance and a pleasant
odour.
Castor oil: This stabilizes the carbolic acid in the antiseptic solution and makes it not to revert to
Step 1: Gently Pour the texapon into a big empty bowl and dissolve the phenol in it
Step 5: Pour the water into the content and stir it very well
Step 6: Dissolve the colour in water and add to it, mix it properly and leave to settle for a
while before packaging it. Note that the colour should be added last.
To know if your Dettol is well formulated, it should be able to form a milky emulsion of oil
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Harmful effects of Dettol
Dettol is harmful to humans when swallowed and it could cause lethal toxicity and it is
poisonous when intentionally inhale always read the label before using it.
Dettol is also toxic to many animals especially cats as a result of phenol content. Cats are
unable to eliminate the toxins following ingestion, a cat may swallow the product by
licking his paws after they have come in contact with it.
Dettol can cause allergic reactions to skin. It could cause acne on the skin, but this does
not happen with everybody, only on some people. Most times, the reaction is as a result
Always clean off with clean water after disinfecting your kitchen as the chemicals used in
making Dettol disinfectant are poisonous to man when inhaled and it is not proper to
Never use Dettol for washing of Plates or anything that requires swallowing
Dettol comes in different forms that you could use to suit most purpose of protecting yourself
and Family. You could get the Dettol body cream, or Dettol hand wash for sanitizing the hands
or the Dettol spray that you could spray within the room or any surfaces.
You can add a small quantity of Dettol in a bucket of water for washing of clothes and
other linens. It helps to protect you from stubborn germs that are resistant to detergents.
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This is especially good in protecting your baby by using it to wash the baby's wears,
Dettol can be used for cleaning of surfaces. Children are prone to infections because they
are yet develop a strong immunity to infections. This is the reason why mothers are
advised to keep the child's environment clean, especially in children that erupting their
dentition (teeth). This is because, the new tooth itches them and hence anything the pick
on the ground, they will take it to the mouth. This can transmit infections and therefore, it
is good the mother clean the surroundings, the toys, the beds properly with a disinfectant
For people suffering from diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), or those that are prone to
respiratory infections, then Dettol spray will be good to use within the room to help
protect those around the person with TB or to kill the germs in the air that cause
respiratory infections. Please note that it should not be used directly on the body.
After moving out of the home, we often come in contact with various kinds of people
with different infections; we do hug them, shake hands with them and through all these,
we tend to pick up germs from them. It is therefore recommended that you wash your
hands with antiseptics such as Dettol when you come back home. This can go along way
Dettol can also be used in cleaning of the inner surfaces of cars, windows, doors,
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Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is a combination of chemical solutions and water. The mixture is used in various
formats to whiten materials, wash laundry and materials and to disinfect objects and surfaces.
The elements used to make the substance include chlorine, caustic soda and water. The chlorine
and caustic soda create a solution known as sodium hypochlorite, which is a hazardous
substance.
The broad-spectrum effectiveness of most bleaches is due to their general chemical reactivity
against organic compounds, rather than the selective inhibitory or toxic actions of antibiotics.
They irreversibly denature or destroy many proteins, making them extremely versatile
disinfectants.
However, hypochlorite bleaches in low concentration were found to also attack bacteria by
The safety of bleaches depends on the compounds present, and their concentration. Generally
speaking, ingestion of bleaches will cause damage to the esophagus and stomach, possibly
leading to death. On contact with the skin or eyes, it causes irritation, drying, and potentially
burns. Inhalation of bleach fumes can damage the lungs. Personal protective equipment should
always be used when using bleach. Bleach should never be mixed with vinegar or products
containing ammonia as this will create highly toxic chlorine gas and can cause severe burns
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INGREDIENTS
The raw materials for making household bleach are chlorine, caustic soda, and water. The
chlorine and caustic soda are produced by putting direct current electricity through a sodium
chloride salt solution in a process called electrolysis. Sodium chloride, common table salt, comes
from either mines or underground wells. The salt is dissolved in hot water to form a salt solution,
which is then treated for impurities before it is reacted in the electrolytic cell.
PREPARATION OF BLEACH
Step 1
Obtain the sodium hypochlorite chemical solution through a distributor or manufacturer. You
will only need a small bottle as your final solution will be predominately water.
Gather other materials as well, which include protective gloves, an opaque, plastic container for
For a safer alternative, produce non-chlorine bleach by replacing the sodium hypochlorite
chemical with hydrogen peroxide, which is readily available at your local grocery or pharmacy
retailer.
Step 2
Find a well-ventilated area to mix ingredients as the fumes produced can be toxic.
Step 3
Clear the area of other liquids or solutions. There is a danger of toxic gases forming when the
solution combines with specific liquids, specifically acids or alkalis (such as vinegar or
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Step 4
To mix chlorine bleach combine 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and 94.75 percent water. To
mix non-chlorine bleach, combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.
Pour mixture into the plastic container, and secure tightly. Shake to mix ingredients.
Step 5
Be sure to label or use marker to note the substance in the appropriate container. Due to the
handling safety, it is important to easily identify the substance for you and other household
members.
Step 6
Use chlorine bleach to clean and whiten fabrics through a chemical reaction that breaks down
colors and stains in fabrics. Remove the broken down particles by washing the material or
clothing.
The safety of bleaches depends on the compounds present, and their concentration. Generally
speaking, ingestion of bleaches will cause damage to the esophagus and stomach, possibly
leading to death. On contact with the skin or eyes, it causes irritation, drying, and potentially
burns. Inhalation of bleach fumes can damage the lungs. Personal protective equipment should
always be used when using bleach. Bleach should never be mixed with vinegar or products
containing ammonia as this will create highly toxic chlorine gas and can cause severe burns
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MODE OF ACTION OF CHLORINE BLEACH
Whitening
Colors of natural organic materials typically arise from organic pigments, such as beta carotene.
An oxidizing bleach works by breaking the chemical bonds that make up the
chromophore. This changes the molecule into a different substance that either does not
contain a chromophore, or contains a chromophore that does not absorb visible light. This
is the mechanism of bleaches based on chlorine but also of oxygen-anions which react
A reducing bleach works by converting double bonds in the chromophore into single
bonds. This eliminates the ability of the chromophore to absorb visible light. This is the
Sunlight acts as a bleach through a process leading to similar results: high energy photons of
light, often in the violet or ultraviolet range, can disrupt the bonds in the chromophore, rendering
the resulting substance colorless. Extended exposure often leads to massive discoloration usually
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Antimicrobial efficacy
The broad-spectrum effectiveness of most bleaches is due to their general chemical reactivity
against organic compounds, rather than the selective inhibitory or toxic actions of antibiotics.
They irreversibly denature or destroy many proteins, making them extremely versatile
disinfectants.
However, hypochlorite bleaches in low concentration were found to also attack bacteria by
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Results
Antiseptics can very effective as an antimicrobial agent, they can destroy or stop the growth of
all type of microorganisms and can be easily prepared at home in less than 24hrs.
They can also be harmful to health and pose great danger when ingested or on contact with eyes
and skin cause irritation, drying and burns, They should always be kept in a clean and dry area
Antiseptics should always be prepared in a well ventilated area and safety equipment should
Put on protective googles, a dust mask, and disposable plastic gloves. The chemicals
used to make antiseptics are strong, so it's important to take proper safety precautions.
Cover your nose with a dust mask so that you don't breathe in the harmful vapors.
Additionally, wear plastic eye goggles and put on disposable plastic gloves to protect
your skin.
o Keep a fully stocked first aid kit nearby in case you need to treat minor chemical
burns. Working with these chemicals is not advised if you have asthma or other
breathing problems.
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Set up your workspace in a well-ventilated area. Mixing ingredients for antiseptics
sometimes creates potent chemical fumes. Be sure to set up your workspace on a flat,
stable surface near an open window, or in a large room with plenty of air circulation. You
can turn on a ceiling fan or place a box fan in the open window to improve air circulation.
o Don't work near open flames. These chemicals are highly flammable.
o Choose a workspace that children can't access. Store unused chemicals out of
reach of children.
Use proper lab equipment, mixing utensils, and well-packaged chemicals. You will
need a 10-15 liter plastic bucket, measuring utensils, and a variety of chemical-safe
stirring utensils for this project. You can buy the required chemicals and tools from
reputable suppliers or chemical wholesalers. Always buy chemicals that are quality-
o If you don't have a good working knowledge of a basic lab setup or previous
experience mixing chemicals together, you may want to reconsider this project.
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REFRENCES
How bleach is made - material, manufacture, making, history, used, components, steps, product, industry
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88911/
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