Antimicrobial Chemical Agents Chemical Agent Mechanism of Activity Protein inactivation and membrane leakage Antimicrobial Spectrum Broad spectrum (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Iodine Reacts with proteins Broad spectrum (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Phenol and derivatives Denatures proteins, disrupts cell membranes Inactivates proteins Gram positive bacteria, virucidal Copper Disrupts proteins Algae, fungi Alcohols (ethyl, isopropyl) Denatures proteins, dissolves lipids Broad spectrum (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Hydrogen peroxide Oxidizes proteins Bactericidal, virucidal Wound treatment Formaldehyde Fixes (joins) proteins and nucleic acids Broad spectrum (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Embalming, vaccine production, sterilant (as a gas) Glutaraldehyde Fixes (joins) proteins and nucleic acids Sterilizing surgical supplies Ethylene oxide Fixes (joins) proteins and nucleic acids Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) Disrupts cell membranes Broad spectrum, including spores (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Broad spectrum, including spores (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) Gram positive bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses Chlorine Mercury Bacteriostatic, virucidal Applications Limitations Water treatment, skin antisepsis, equipment spraying, food processing Skin antisepsis, preoperative prep Disagreeable taste and odor Inactivated by organic matter Skin antisepsis, surface disinfectant Skin antiseptics, disinfectants Algaecide in swimming pools and municipal water supplies Skin antiseptic, instrument disinfectant Disagreeable taste and odor Inactivated by organic matter Toxic to tissue, objectionable odor Toxic to tissues, inactivated by organic matter, slow acting Inactivated by organic matter Skin irritation, must remove debris to be fully effective Unstable (decreased effectiveness over time) Neutralized by organic matter, allergenic, toxic, respiratory irritation, possible carcinogen Toxic, unstable, respiratory irritation Sterilization of instruments, equipment Explosive, toxic Consumer products (e.g. mouthwashes), surface disinfection Inactivated by organic matter and soaps
