Antimicrobial agents as liquid chemosterilizers

Abstract

AbstractMany antimicrobial agents are available for commercial use, but only a few are truly sporicidal and can be used as chemosterilizers. The action of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and β‐propiolactone is well documented. Strong acids, e.g., hydrochloric acid, or alkalis may be used as chemosterilizers but their use is extremely limited. The synthetic phenolics accompanied by boiling were recommended, but heat cannot always be employed. Chlorine and iodine have been used in higher concentrations. The use of 8% formaldehyde or 20% formalin was suggested by Spaulding.17 Other aldehydes possess antimicrobial potency. According to work performed in our laboratories, the sporicidal activity of certain alcoholic, saturated dialdehyde solutions equalled or surpassed that of formaldehyde. These included glyoxal, succinaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde. Aqueous alkaline glutaraldehyde solutions killed the most resistant bacterial spores, e.g., B. subtilis and Cl. tetani, within a few hours (Borick1,2). Glutaraldehyde, a 5‐carbon dialdehyde, was shown to be a chemosterilizer when tested by various methods, destroying bacteria, including M. tuberculosis, fungi, and viruses. Acid glutaraldehyde solutions stored at room temperature are highly stable, whereas alkaline solutions show a significant change in pH and a diminution of glutaraldehyde concentration on alkalinization. For this reason, fresh (not over 2 weeks old) alkaline glutaraldehyde solutions can be used as chemosterilizers.