CH 7 chemical methods of controlling microbes

phenol

disrupts membranes

ex:lysol, pine-sol

bisphenols

skin safe pre-operation wash

ex: triclosan

alcohols

denatures proteins and dissolves lipids, evaporates fast

ex: isopropyl, ethanol

essential oils

better against gram+ bacteria, disrupts skin potentially

peppermint, pine orange etc

iodine

oxidizes, denatures enzymes. effective

ex:betadine

chlorine

oxidizing agent

ex:bleach

peroxygens

oxydizes, is able to kill spores. use only on day 1 of wound

ex: hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid

surfactants

mechanical removal

ex:soap

quarternary ammonium compounds (quats)

disrupts membranes

ex:cationic detergents

heavy metals

denatures proteins

ex: agno4, copper, etc

aldehydes

inactivates proteins; very potent, for lab use

ex: glutaldehyde, formaldehyde

gases

denatures proteins, damages dna, sterilizes heat sensitive items

ex: ethylene oxide

plasma

oxidizes microbes and tubular instruments

ex:ionized gases

enzymes

digests peptidoglycan walls

ex:lysozyme in tears and saliva

food preservatives

inhibits spoilage

ex:so2 in wine, benzoic acid, nitrates, nitrites