BIO 214 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde, Hexachlorophene
Document Summary
The use of chemical methods in control. Is most commonly used as laboratory and hospital disinfectants. The earliest disinfectant compounds to be used. Acts by denaturing proteins (enzyme inactivation) and disrupting the cell membranes. Phenolics are derivatives of phenol that have been altered to reduce irritating qualities or increase antimicrobial activity when combined with detergents. Organic compounds are not able to inactivate phenolics. Good for disinfecting things like pus, saliva, and feces. Are able to kill microbes by denaturing proteins and possibly dissolving membrane lipids. Negative effect: can be beneficial to some microbes which will enhance their survival. Effective antiseptics and disinfectant when used in concentrations between 70% and 80% Family of elements with a high affinity for electrons, which makes them very reactive with biological molecules. They disrupt enzyme activity, break down lipid structure, and produces oxidizing agents. Most commonly used in this course will be iodine and chlorine.
