MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Medicine

Group members: Group No: 8

Dugay, Cherrie Ann Date: August 31, 2023
Santos, Sebastian Jose Rating: ___________
Valdez, Celestine
Villas, Kate Mariohn Daryl

Laboratory Activity # 1
Inactivation of Microorganisms

RESULTS/OBSERVATION:

Legend:
1 - Control 5 - Chlorine
2 - Heat 6 - Dishwashing liquid
3 - Hand sanitizer 7 - Hand washing liquid
4 - Alcohol 8 - Muriatic acid

Questions:
 MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Medicine

1. Identify different chemical agents that inactivate microorganisms (except those that were used
already).Give at least 3 chemical agents and discuss their mode of action.

Hydrogen Peroxide

-By generating harmful hydroxyl free radicals, hydrogen peroxide is able to destroy DNA, membrane
lipids, and other vital cell constituents. By converting hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen,
catalase, which is produced by facultative anaerobes and aerobic species with cytochrome
systems, can shield cells from metabolically produced hydrogen peroxide. However, the
concentrations required for disinfection overpower this protection.

Glutaraldehyde

-The mechanism of action of glutaraldehyde is extensively reviewed in journals. The sulfhydryl,

hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups of bacteria are alkylated by glutaraldehyde, which changes
the production of RNA, DNA, and proteins.

Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)

-According to preliminary research, OPA’s interactions with amino acids, proteins, and microbes are
all involved in its mode of action which is similar to glutaraldehyde. However, OPA is a less effective
cross-linking agent. This is made up for by OPA's ability to absorb through the outer layers of gram-
negative and mycobacterial cells due to its lipophilic aromatic nature. OPA appears to destroy
spores by impeding their ability to germinate.

2. Which among the agents (one from physical and one from chemical) used is the most effective
according to your group and why?

Our group evaluated the efficacy of different agents for inactivating bacteria. Our observation
revealed that heat and muriatic acid are the most effective. Heat is considered as the simplest
means of sterilizing materials. A temperature of 100 degrees celsius will kill all but the spores of
eubacteria within 2-3 minute in laboratory scale cultures; a temperature of 121 degrees celsius for
15 minutes is used to kill spores. Under these conditions heat acts by denaturing cell proteins and
nucleic acids and by disrupting cell membranes. This treatment, if performed appropriately, is
sporicidal.

Arayan LT, Reyes AWB, Hop HT, Xuan HT, Baek EJ, Min W, Kim S. The Bactericidal Effect of High
Temperature Is an Essential Resistance Mechanism of Chicken Macrophage against Brucella
abortus Infection. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2017 Oct 28;27(10):1837-1843. doi:
10.4014/jmb.1705.05061. PMID: 28813778.

3. What are the factors that can affect the efficiency of a chemical disinfectant/antiseptic?
● The concentration of the chemical agent.
● The temperature at which the agent is being used. Generally, the lower the temperature, the
longer it takes to disinfect or decontaminate.
 MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Medicine

● The kinds of microorganisms present. Endospore producers and acid-fast bacteria are
harder to eliminate.
● The number of microorganisms present. The more microorganisms present, the harder it is
to disinfect or decontaminate.
● The nature of the material bearing the microorganisms. Organic material such as dirt and
excreta interferes with some agents.
4. What is the best chemical agent used in OR for sterilizing surgical instruments?

References:

Chemical Disinfectants | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control |
CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html

LibraryTexts Biology. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Kaiser)/
Unit_2%3A_Bacterial_Genetics_and_the_Chemical_Control_of_Bacteria/
4%3A_Using_Antibiotics_and_Chemical_Agents_to_Control_Bacteria/
4.2%3A_Ways_in_which_Chemical_Control_Agents_Affect_
 MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Medicine

References:

Chemical Disinfectants | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control |
CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html

Gaines, S., Luo, J. N., Zaborina, O., & Alverdy, J. C. (2017). Optimum Operating Room Environment for the
Prevention of Surgical Site Infections. Surgical Infections, 18(4), 503–507.
https://doi.org/10.1089%2Fsur.2017.020

Jin Q and Kirk MF (2018) pH as a Primary Control in Environmental Microbiology: 1. Thermodynamic

Perspective. Front. Environ. Sci. 6:21. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2018.00021

Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg's medical microbiology ; Edition: 28th edition View all formats and editions ;
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY, 2019.

Kanemitsu, K., Imasaka, T., Ishikawa, S., Kunishima, H., Harigae, H., Ueno, K., Takemura, H., Hirayama,
Y., & Kaku, M. (2005). A Comparative Study of Ethylene Oxide Gas, Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma, and
Low-Temperature Steam Formaldehyde Sterilization. Infection COntrol & Hospital Epidemiology, 26(5),
486–489. https://doi.org/10.1086/502572

LibraryTexts Biology. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Kaiser)/
Unit_2%3A_Bacterial_Genetics_and_the_Chemical_Control_of_Bacteria/
4%3A_Using_Antibiotics_and_Chemical_Agents_to_Control_Bacteria/
4.2%3A_Ways_in_which_Chemical_Control_Agents_Affect_

STERIS. (2017). What is Sterile Processing?. Retrieved from

https://www.steris.com/healthcare/knowledge-center/sterile-processing/what-is-sterile-processing