PA20024 Classes Of Agent Used For Killing Microbes Flashcards
pH is a major limitation of the organic acids. What pH values will they work effectively up to?
They will only be effective at pH values up to their pKa, so can only be used up to pH values of ~5, most effective at pHs below 4.
What is the more active form of organic (weak) acids?
The undissociated, unionised form is the more active form.
Therefore pH is v.important with organic acids
What is the major advantage of organic esters over organic acids?
They’ll have good activity over a much wider pH range, they overcome the pH dependence of organic acids (their pKa is 8-8.5)
The 2 Disadvantages of organic esters?
they can take a long time to work
they can partition into the oil phase as they’re not that soluble
also they aren’t that active again gram negative bacteria
What is aliphatic alcohols optimal concentration?
70%, they have high activity at this conc, bactericidal at concentrations over 50%.
Remember aliphatic alcohols are active against mycobacteria, some of the most resistant bacteria.
Aliphatic alcohols need the presence of water to work. How do they work?
The alcohol damages the cell membrane of the microorganism, but it’s the water that gets through the membrane and lyses the bacterial cell! Alcohol just allows it to do this.
Examples; ethanol, isopropranol
Aromatic and aliphatic alcohols are less _____ than other alcohols (aliphatics)
Volatile
Therefore they don’t have as rapid killing effect, and take longer to act than aliphatics
What’s a big disadvantage of substituted alcohols? They’re _____
UNSTABLE
Advantages of using aldehydes?
They have rapid killing action
They have broad spectrum activity so kill most things
They’re not effected by organic matter
This makes them good sterilants (to sterilise things) and disinfectants, good for sterile products
What’s the deal with polymerisation and stabilising aldehydes?!
Their activation is decreased by polymerisation. We want to decrease polymerisation, as this makes them less stable, and therefore makes them more active.
You activate them with an alkalising agent ->
Which is the more active aldehyde: Orthopthaldehyde, formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde?
Orthopthaldehyde
No activation needed by alkalisation as with glutaldehyde and formaldehyde.
Not irritant, good stability
What can biguanides (eg chlorhexidine) be deactivated by?
Activity decreased by anionic compounds such as SOAP, and toothpaste (chlorhexidine in corsodyl)
One type of halogen is hypochlorite, aka bleach. It’s inactivated by ______. How is it activated?
Inactivated by organic matter
Bleach is only activated when it’s diluted with water to pH5!! It’s Stored in its inactive form.
Are iodine halogens more or less likely to get inactivated by organic matter than chlorine halogens?
Less likely!!
What are iodophores?
These contain iodine, complexed with a solubilising agent.
They allow slow release of Iodine from the complex over a long time. Eg: povidine-iodine, betadine
They MUST remain in contact with the surface for at least 2 minutes!
Which type of alcohols are often used in combo? Why?
The aromatic alcohols
They’re all active against different things eg benzyl alcohol against gram positive, phenyl alcohol against gram negative, phenoxyethanol against both..
What are acids and esters used as?
Preservatives
They’re both non toxic and cheap
Acids: food and medicines preservatives.
Esters: drugs, food and cosmetics preservatives.
What are the 3 different types of alcohols each used as?
Aliphatic: disinfectant, antiseptic
Aromatic: preservative in cosmetics, also in contact lense solutions
Substituted: preservative for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
