BIOL 2303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Phenol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Heavy Metals
8 Jul 2020
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Document Summary
Phenolics exert their action by injuring plasma membranes e. g. triclosan (over the counter) is widely used in household products. Some halogens (iodine and chlorine) are used alone or as components of inorganic or organic solutions. Iodine may combine with amino acids to inactivate enzymes & cellular proteins. The germicidal action of chlorine is based on the formation of hypochlorous acid (hocl) when chlorine is added to water. Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in gaseous form (cl2) or in the form of a compound, such as calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite (naocl) Alcohols exert their action by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipids. In combined solutions (when used as a solvent ) they enhance the effectiveness of other antimicrobial chemicals. Aqueous ethanol (60-90%) and isopropanol are used as disinfectants. Silver, mercury, copper, and zinc are used as germicidals. They exert their antimicrobial action by combining with -sh groups on the proteins, resulting in protein denaturation.
