ANTISEPTICS AND DISINFECTANTS

 Antiseptics: Chemical agents applied topically to animate objects / living tissues to reduce the
microbial population.
 Disinfectants: Chemical agents applied topically on inanimate/ non-living surfaces toreduce
pathogenic microorganisms, excluding spores.
 Antiseptics and disinfectants are together called as germicides/ local anti-infective agents.
 Sterilization: Process of complete removal of all forms of microorganisms including spores
from a surface.
 Disinfection: Refers to reduction in the number of viable pathogenic organisms to a level that
they do not pose a risk to individuals with normal host defence.
 Sanitizer: Chemicals which decreases the number of microorganism to a level judged safe by
public health requirements.
 Cleansers: Chemical agents which aid in physical removal of foreign material (dirt and
contaminating organisms). They are not considered as germicides. Removal of gross
contamination prior to antisepsis or disinfection maximizes the efficacy. Ex: detergents and
surfactants- quaternary ammonium compounds.

(Antiseptics and disinfectants should not be used interchangeably as some antiseptics may be
inactivated on inanimate surfaces and disinfectants may be hazardous to the living tissues. Agents
which are used on inanimate surfaces are regulated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
those used as antiseptics should be registered with Food and Drug Administration (FDA)).

Some agents are used both as antiseptics and disinfectants like alcohol, chloroxylenol and iodines.

History

Ancient Egypt- wines, vinegar, volatile oils, myrrh were used as antiseptic and for embalming.
1847- Hungarian obstetrician, Ignaz Semmelweis washed hands with soap and chlorine during
deliveries which resulted in reduced deaths from child birth
1850- Louis Pasteur gave Germ theory.
1867- Joseph Lister introduced aseptic surgery by sterilizing surgical instruments with carbolic acid
(1:20 lotion).

Properties of an ideal antiseptic/ disinfectant

1. High antimicrobial potency (cidal rather than being static, destroying spores)
2. Wide chemotherapeutic spectrum (Active against all pathogens- bacteria, fungi, virus, protozoa)
3. Non-irritating to skin/ tissues, not absorbed into animal system, shouldn’t delay healing
4. Rapid and prolonged action.
5. Active even in the presence of blood, pus, exudates and excreta.
6. Nonstaining/ noncorroding, agreeable odour and colour,Chemically stable,Inexpensive.
7. High penetrability (disinfectants- ability to spread through organic films, folds and crevices)
Factors affecting activity

1. Potency related to
a) Concentration of the agents (Bacteriostatic in lower conc. And bactericidal in higher
conc.)
b) Duration of contact with the organism: longer the better.

2. Temperature and pH : heat ↑ efficacy, moist heat is better than dry heat. Cold ↓
efficacy.Activity is ↑ in alkaline pH for some compounds and some work in acidic pH..
3. Nature of medium: clean surface is ideal. Presence of organic matter (blood, pus or tissue
debris) reduces penetrating power which protects microorganism. Hardness of water for
solution- dissolved minerals inhibit activity of the drug.

General Principles of disinfection

1. Most of the disinfectant act effectively when applied in solution form rather than as emulsion,
powder, aerosol etc., solutions have better penetration power.
2. Germicidal activity of disinfectant solution is greater when they are heated because hot
solution penetrate manure and other organic debris better then cold
3. Organic matter should be removed from the areas to be disinfected.
4. Sunlight should be used as an accessory aid in disinfection
5. Moist heat has better penetrating power than dry heat.

Mechanism of action

(a) Oxidation of bacterial protoplasm.

(b) Denaturation of bacterial proteins including enzymes.
(c) Detergent like action - increasing permeability of bacterial membrane.

Potency of a germicide (antiseptic and disinfectant)is measured by its Phenol coefficient or Rideal
Walker coefficient

Phenol coefficient: It is the ratio of minimum concentration of test drug required to kill a 24 hour
culture of Bacillus typhosa in 7.5 minutes at 37.5 C to that of phenol under similar conditions.
R.W. Coefficient= Dilution of disinfectant killing microbes in 5-7.5 minutes
Dilution of phenol killing microbes in 5-7.5 minutes
Use of antiseptics and disinfectants

Pre surgical use:

1. Washing of hands for aseptic surgery.
- Wash with warm water and soap.
- Rinse hands with 95% alcohol to remove water
- Wash hands with 70% alcohol for 3 minutes. Rubbing the skin thoroughly with gauge or
washed cloth.
 - Lather the hands with medicated soap and rinse with warm water.
- Dry hands with sterile towel.
2. Preparation of site of operation
- Remove hair, scrub with antimicrobial detergent (1:1000 benzalkonium).
- Again wash with alcohol.
- Repeat wash with benzalkonium.
- Wash with 70% alcohol.
- Paint surface with 20% tincture iodine.

Types of Antiseptics/ disinfectants

A. Physical agents:
1. Heat: moist heat is most effective, coagulates proteins. Dry heat incinerates
microorganisms. Used for sterilising surgical instruments.
2. Light energy: U.V. wavelength of 2540-2800 Ȧ is most effective against G-ve and non
sporulating bacteria. Used to disinfect clinics, operation theatre, kennels. Effective only to
exposed surface due to poor penetrating power.
Gamma rays 3,00,000 rads is bactericidal for Pasteurella whereas 15,00,000 rads has
sporicidal activity for anthrax.
Mechanism of action involves denaturation of protein and depolymerisation of nucleic
acid.
B. Chemical Agents:
1. Coal tar derivatives: Phenol, cresol, Resorcinol, Hexylresorcinol,
chloroxylenol, Hexachlorophene
2. Oxidizing agents: Potassium permanganate, Hydrogen peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide
3. Halogens : Iodine, Iodophores, Chlorine, Chlorophores
4. Biguanides: Chlorhexidine
5. Surface active agents: Cetrimide, benzalkonium chloride, Dequalinium chloride
6. Alcohols: ethanol, isopropanolol
7. Aldehydes: Formaldehyde, Glutraldehyde
8. Acids: Boric acid, Acetic acid
9. Alkalies
10. Metallic salts: Silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, Mild silver protein, zinc sulfate ,
calamine, zinc oxide
11. Dyes: gentian violet, acriflavine, Proflavine
12. Furan derivative: Nitrofurazone

1. COAL TAR DERIVATIVES

 Phenol (Carbolic acid): Earliest used antiseptic.Rarely used now.
- Standard for comparing other germicides.
- General protoplasmic poison and acts by disrupting cell walls and denaturing bacterial
proteins.
- Weak in action, Vegetative cells readily killed but poor action on spores.
- 5% solution kills anthrax spores during 48 hr exposure.
 - Best disinfectant for antitubercular activity. Also used to cauterize infected umbilicus,
dog bites and small wounds.
- 0.2% bacteriostatic, 1% bactericidal, 1.3% fungicidal.
- Inactivated slowly by organic matter.

 Cresol (Cresylic acid): Methyl phenol.

-Effective against acid fast bacteria, limited viricidal and no sporicidal action.
- More bactericidal, less caustic and less toxic than phenol.
- Retains activity in the presence of organic matter.
-Inexpensive disinfectant for gutters, excreta, truck boxes, yards, dirt floors.

 Saponated cresol (Lysol): 50% cresol+ 35% soap.

- 2% sol used on animal quarters.
- more active 3-10 times and less damaging to tissues.
- Disinfection of utensils and hand washing.
 Resorcinol: one-third potent than potent than phenol. Keratolytic and antipruritic.
 Hexylresorcinol:more potent derivative of resorcinol. Used as mouth wash , antifungal agent.
 Chloroxylenol: non corrosive, nonirritating to intact skin.
- Efficacy reduced by presence of organic matter.
- Available as 5% sol. with 10% terpineol and castor oil soap in alcohol and water
- Pre-operative skin sterilization.
- 1:4 wound cleaning.
- 2% irrigation of uterus and vagina.
- Available as creams and sol. Ex: Dettol.

 Hexachlorophene:halogenated phenol.
- inhibits bacterial enzymes and in high concentration cause bacterial lysis
- Colorless, nonirritating ,non staining
- Ingredient of soaps and creams.

 Sodium orthophenylphenate: effective against germs of tuberculosis, used in dairy barns.

 Pine tar: consists of phenol, benzene, cresol and xylene.
- Used on hoofs and horns, wound dressing.
- Antiseptic, disinfectant, expectorant, local anaesthetic.

2. OXIDIZING AGENTS
 Potassium permanganate: Purple crystals, highly water soluble.
- Liberate oxygen which oxidizes bacterial protoplasm.
- Germicidal capacity is reduced if solution gets decolorised.
- Promotes rusting therefore not good for surgical instruments.
- Sol are astringent, bacteriostatic.
- In solid form, irritant or caustic.
- 0.1-0.01% so. Of KMnO4 – douching, irrigating cavities, cleansing wounds.
- 0.02% - gastric lavage and poisoning.
- 5% astringent and in foot bath.
- Fumigation along with formaldehyde(1:2).
- Disinfection of ponds and wells.
- 1:5000 destroys snake venom.
- 1: 10,000 destroys bacteria.

 Hydrogen peroxide: Liberates nascent oxygen which oxidizes necrotic matter and bacteria
- Catalase present in tissues speeds decomposition resulting in foaming- helps in loosening and
removing slough, ear wax. Wound cleansing agent.
- Poor permeability, weak transient action.
- Looses potency on keeping.
- As per recent study, 58% sol of H2O2 in presence of electromagnetic field becomes “gas
plasma” which destroys all microbes and spores.

 Sodium Perborate: release oxygen on contact with water.

- 0.2% sol used as mouth wash for stomatitis, glossitis, gingivitis
- Prolonged use burns oral mucosa.
 Metallic peroxide: magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide,calcium peroxide
- Used to disinfect wounds against anaerobic bacteria

 Benzoyl peroxide : keratolytic agents with antibacterial actions.

3. REDUCING AGENTS
 Formaldehyde: pungent gas
- Used for fumigation, powerful antibacterial property.
- 1-2% bactericidal, 4% kills spores, 3-8% disinfectant.
- 37% solution- formalin used for hardening of dead tissues
- Denatures protein
- [Adding 35 mL of formalin (40 percent formaldehyde) to 10 g potassium permanganate per
cubic metre of space for fumigation.(Prior to fumigation, seal all openings and wet the
surfaces. Wear protective clothing, gloves, mask and safety glasses. Beware of splashing as
the reagents react. The reaction generates heat. Avoid inhalation of the fumes. Do not carry
out this procedure alone. Allow 24 hours for the vapour to penetrate all the surfaces.)]
 Glutaraldehyde : saturated dialdehyde.
- High degree of sporicidal activity in alkaline sol
- 1-2% sol destroys Bacillus anthracis less volatile, less pungent, less irritating and better
sterilizing agent than formaldehyde but needs to be activated by alkalinisation.
- Active in the presence of organic matter.
- Effective disinfectant for instruments specially lensed (microscope)
- Broad spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
- 2% glutaraldehyde buffered with 0.3% sodium carbonate at pH 7.5-8.5 used for disinfection
of surgical equipments like endoscope, plastic and rubber equipments.
 4. HALOGENS
High affinity for protoplasm interfere with vital metabolic reaction.
(a) Iodine and its compounds
 Iodine : rapid acting, broad spectrum, most active in presence of organic matter
- Soluble in water with KI
- Acts by iodinating and oxidizing microbial protoplasm
- 1:20,000 solution kills most vegetative forms within 1 minute and used as skin antiseptic.
- Solution of iodine for 1 min. Kills bacteria.
- Solution of iodine for 15 min. Kills spores.
- Applied before surgical incision or hypodermic injection
- Fungal infection and ectoparasite
- Counter irritant
- 0.5% tincture of iodine+ 1:1000 alcoholic cationic detergent- sterilizes clinical
thermometer in 10 min.
- Tincture of iodine: 2% iodine+ 2.4% NaI in 50% ethyl alcohol
- Strong iodine solution: 7gm iodine + 5 gm KI in 100ml of 85% ethyl alcohol
- Lugol’s solution: 5% I2 + 10% KI
 Iodoform: antibacterial action is due to liberation of I2 when in contact with tissue.
- Analogous to chloroform- CHI3
- Insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol
- Used for wound dressing
 Iodophores:
- Reservoirs of iodine/ iodine bearers
- Combination of iodine and surface active agents. Contains 30% iodine by weight.
Soluble complexes of iodine with large molecular organic compounds that serve as
carriers and release free iodine slowly
- Low toxicity.
- Used for foot rot in sheep, ringworm in cattle, treatment of wounds, mastitis, washing
of udders, dairy sanitizer
- Ex povidone iodine: it is a water soluble complex of I2 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone
- Used for general antiseptic action.
- Devoid of irritation, toxicity and stain
- Used as aerosol, spray, ointment and surgical scrub.
 Iodotri ethyl glycol: used as aerosol prophylactically and therapeutically against avian
infectious laryngotracheitis.
- 160-300mg iodine/ m3 space.
(b) Chlorine and its compounds
 Chlorine ; highly reactive element 0.1 – 0.25 ppm kills most pathogens except M .
tuberculosis in 30 seconds
- Used for antiseptic, disinfection. Produces germicidal activity in its elemental form and
as undissociated hypochlorous acid (HOCl)
- 0.0002%: Inhibits glucose oxidation, sulphur containing enzymes
 - More active in acidic or neutral medium
 Chlorophores
- Slowly release hypochlorous acid (HOCl)
 Sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl): 0.5% w/v chlorine.
-5% sol used for wound dressing
-4% for mastitis
- 0.5% used to disinfect dairy equipments etc
- Sol decomposes when exposed to light.
Dakin’s solution: Sodium hypochlorite buffered with boric acid. Cleansing agents for
infected wounds
 Calcium hypochlorite (CaOCl) 5% chlorine
- Used to disinfect infectious diseases like anthrax, T.B. tetanus etc.,
 Eusol: sol. of chlorinated lime (1.25%) with boric acid (1.25%)
 Organic chlorides: chloramines- T (chlorazine)- 12% chlorine
-Used in bovine mastitis and UTI
- 1-2% wound dressing
-0.1 % for mucus membranes
 Chlorinated lime (bleaching powder): obtained by a mixture of chlorine on lime resulting in a
mixture of calcium chloride and calcium hypochlorite.
Disinfectant for drinking water.
 Chlorazodin: 38% chlorine
Less inhbited by serum and organic matter
 Iodine monochloride
Ability to penetrate the bacterial cell and accumulate in the cell wall and protoplast
1% sol kills Cl. Perfringens
(c) Bromine
 Methyl bromide gas: used to disinfect viruses, bacteria and coccidian
- Applied 100g/m3 space.

5. BIGUANIDE
 Chlorhexidine: synthetic compound. non-irritating, cationic antiseptic which disrupts
bacterial cell membrane
- Also cause denaturation of microbial proteins
- Active in the presence of tissues , fluid and pus.
- Mammary gland: 1% sol.
- Dairy: 1:5000.
- Eye Lotion-1:1000
- Metritis- 1 gm pessaries.
- More active against gram positive bacteria
- Used for surgical scrub, skin antiseptic, shampoo.
Savlon : chlorhexidine gluconate 1.5 % + Cetrimide 0.5 %.

6. SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS (DETERGENTS)

Anti-infective action depends upon their ability to lower surface tension of microorganism, denature
proteins and change membrane permeability which results diffusion of water into cell causing cell
disruption.
Classified as Anionic, cationic, non-ionic
 Anionic: soaps (RCOO-Na+) : active in acidic sol.
- soap produce physical emulsification of lipoidal secretion of skin which contains bacteria, get
suspended in lather and rinsed away.
- Antibacterial against G +ve and acid fast
- Efficacy of soap ↑ by inclusion of antiseptics (KI, mercury iodide and phenols)
- Pisophex (anionic soap+ hexachlorophene) used as a pre-operative scrubbing agent
Soaps ( i) hard (ii)soft
- Hard soaps consists of sodium oleate. Produced by reaction of vegetable oil with NaOH.
Soluble in hot water moderately soluble in cold water.
- 1 gm emulsifies 30 ml of volatile oils or 60 ml of fixed oil.
- Used as emulsifying and dispersing agent. Lubricant enema or rectal suppositories(faecal
impaction) or excipients for pills.
- Soft Soaps: brown to yellowish white petroleum jelly like
- Used as emulscent
- 16 gm emulsifies 30 ml of volatile oil or 60 ml of fixed oil.
- Sodium lauryl sulphate: used as dispersing agent in cattle drenches.
- Used in dips in combination with soap.

 Cationic surfactants: quarternary ammonium compounds active in alkaline sol.

R1 CH3 R1- aryl group
+
N R2 long chain carbon residue
R2 CH3
- Broad spectrum of activity- effective against G+ve and G-ve (higher conc)
- Not effective against viruses, fungi, spores
- Non irritant and mild keratolytic.
- Organic matter neutralises their antibacterial activity (they combine with protein, fats, serum,
blood etc.,)
- Used for sanitising egg shells to control Salmonella
- Pre-operative disinfection, dressing of wound.
Ex: Benzalkonium chloride (Zephiran):: 1:100 used for pre-operative disinfection, wound
healing
- Aq. Sol. Of 1:2000-1:10,000 for disinfection of mucus membrane, denuded skin, irrigation of
eye and other sensitive structure.
- 1:1000 solution for sterility of surgical instruments
Benzethonium chloride: 1: 1000 aq. Sol. For ring worm
Cetylpyridinium chloride: 1:100 pre-operative scrubbing, 1:500 skin, mouth wash.
Cetrimide : used in combination with chlorhexidine as antiseptic and disinfectant,
1% sol. Wound and burn dressing, 0.1% sol. Dairy use

 Non ionic surfactants: polyoxyethylene glycol, poly oxy propylene glycol

 7. ALCOHOLS
 Ethanol : effective antiseptic and cleansing agent at 40-90% concentration. Rapidity of action
increases with concentration upto 70% and decreases above 90% (inital dehydration at higher
conc. makes them resistant to denaturation)
- Acts by precipitating bacterial proteins, denature protein and reduce surface tension.
- A cotton swab soaked in 70% ethanol kills 90% bacteria in 2 minutes
- Effective against most vegetative forms of bacteria. Doesn’t kill spores.Not to be applied in
open wounds

 Acid alcohol is effective in inactivating spores.

 Isopropanol: less volatile, 30-90% used for disinfection
- More germicidal than ethanol, less corrosive to instrument.
- Can be used as replacement for ethanol.
- Combination of 30% chloramines T and 20% alcohol is very effective disinfectant.

8. ACIDS
Alter pH and enzyme activities.
Inorganic acids:
 Strong mineral acid: (HCl or H2SO4): 0.1-1N used mainly to disinfect excreta. Corrosive
action limits its use.
 Boric Acid: weak germicidal activity, bacteriostatic
- Non irritating to tissues and can be applied to cornea,
- Used for irrigating eyes 0.1% for corneal opacity, more than 2 % inhibits phagocytosis.
- Powder used for dusting.Douching, 30% boroglycerine paint used for stomatitis and glossitis
Organic acids:
 Benzoic acid: nontoxic, weak bacteriostatic, less potency in alkaline medium.
- Constituent of whitfield ointment (6% BA+ 3% SA), used in fungal infection and as food
preservative.
 Acetic acid : constituent of vinegar. 1% sol. Is used for surgical dressing on skin.bactericidal
above 5%.Weak antiseptic.
 Salicylic acid: weak germicide and fungicide, used mainly as keratolytic agent.
 Mandelic acid: urinary antiseptic in acid urine
- Effective against E. coli.

9. ALKALIES
- Mechanism of action is related to hydroxylation.
- A pH higher than 9 inhibits most bacteria.
 Lye: contains 94% NaOH.
- Disinfectant against viruses, bacteria (Anthrax, Brucella, G-ve not acid fast or G+ve)
- Uses : ordinary disinfection 2%
- 5% against microorganism(bacteria, virus)
 - Cleaning animal houses-1% in hot water
- 2% for cleaning diseased quarters and gum boots.
 Lime(Calcium oxide, quick lime): lime mixed with water Ca(OH)2- slaked lime.
- Best used as dry powder on moist surface such as manure scattered in the yard and swept.
- Burying dead animals.
 Water/ Aqueous slaked lime is used in dairies and animal yards in lieu of chlorine
which has odour.
 Sulfurated lime (sublimed sulphur and water) is used in veterinary medicine to control
skin parasites.
 Chlorinated lime: calcium hypochlorite/ bleaching powder CaOCl2 used to disinfect
dairy equipment and to treat drinking water. (bleaching powder when applied to
organic matter, chlorine gas is evolved which causes disinfection)

10. METALLIC SALTS

React with vital bacterial enzymes to form complexes with protein.
 Silver compounds: caustic, astringent and antibacterial effect due to free Ag++ ions
silver nitrate: rapidly kills microbes, action persists longer because of slow release of Ag+
ions from silver proteinate formed by interaction with tissue proteins.
- Tissues get stained black due to deposition of stained silver.
- Toughened AgNO3 pencils used for cauterization of small wounds, ulcers and destruction of
horn buds
- Silver sulfadiazine: used in burns.

 Zinc compounds:
Zinc sulphate: 0.1 -1 % as eyewash, highly water soluble
- White lotion : 4% zinc sulphate and sulfurated potash
- Calamine and zinc oxide: insoluble, dermal protectives and adsorbants
 Mercury compounds:
- Mercuric chloride- 1:1000 sol is used
- Mercurochrome (Merbromine): mecury ion with dye. Activity reduced in the presence of
organic matter. For minor cuts and burns.
- Merthiolate: (Thiomersal): 49% mercury. 1:1000 skin antiseptic
- Nitromersal(metaphen): mercury ion + cresol. Used as tincture with 0.5% nitromersal
- Phenyl mercuric nitrate (Phenitol): action due to phenyl mercuric ion. Used as ointment
(1:1500) or aq. Sol. (1:1500)
 Copper compounds:
- Copper sulphate : astringent, germicidal and fungicidal. To treat proud flesh in horses. Foot
bath

11. DYES

Acridine derivatives: euflavine, acriflavine, aminoflavine, proflavine- Local antiseptic action

 Azo dyes: insoluble in water
- Active in acid medium against G(-)ve
- Scarlet red ointment: 5%
- Red sulfonate is used as dusting powder
- Phenazopyridine HCl used as urinary antiseptic
 Acridines: coal tar base
- Yellow, action antagonised by hypochlorites
 Gentian violet( crystal violet ): 1% sol in 10% alcohol used in burns.
- Also used in wounds, ulcerated areas and moist eczema.
 Pyoktanin: blue ointment made with gentian violet, zinc oxide and petrolatum
- Used in skin lesions occurring around hooves, hocks, shoulder(gall) and saddle of horses.
 Acriflavine and proflavine : orange yellow acridine dyes active against gram positive bacteria
- 1:1500 used in bovine mastitis
- 1:1000 trichomoniasis in bulls for prepucial washing.
- Dilute aq sol yellow with green fluorescence.
- Acriflavin emulsion 0.1% or jelly used in burn.
 Triphenyl methane:
- Bactericidal against G(+)ve organism
 Triple dye:0.25% gentian violet+0.25% brilliant green+0.1% acriflavine used for burns and
dressing umbilical stump in neonates.

 Diagnostic dyes: fluoroscein dye is used for diagnosis of corneal lesions 2% sol with
3%NaHCO3
- this stains ulcerous areas of the cornea green, doesn’t stain healthy tissues
systemic administration of fluoroscien used for diagnosis of intraocular inflammation
during inflammation the aqueous humor is stained bright green
- dog: 0.5-4 gm-oral
- horse: 2 gm iv
12. FURAN DERIVATIVES
 Nitrofurazone: cidal to both G(+)ve and G(-) ve , aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
- Acts by inhibiting enzymes necessary for carbohydrate metabolism in bacteria. Highly
efficacious in burns