Control of Microbial

Growth
We will talk about antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals,
etc. when we begin to talk about specific diseases.
Definitions

 Sterilization: destruction of all forms of microbial

life (including endospores).
 Disinfectant: destruction of vegetative pathogens
(does not include endospores).
 Antiseptic: destruction of vegetative pathogens
on living tissue (not endospores).
 -cide: this suffix means, kills
 Ie. Germicide: kills germs
 biocide: kills life
 -stasis or static: inhibits bacterial growth.
Ie. Bacteriostatic: inhibits growth of
bacteria.
 Main targets that are used to control
microbial growth are bacterial cell wall,
plasma membrane, DNA, RNA, and protein
synthesis.
 Methods of Sterilization

 Osmotic Pressure: beef jerky (addition of salt or sugar).

 Radiation (UV light): UV light causes lethal mutations in DNA when
exposed for long periods of time. It is frequently used in virology
labs to sterilize rooms where viruses are transferred from old
media to fresh media. It is also used to sterilize equipment such
as goggles.
 Filtration: air filters are used in hospitals to keep patients from
contracting disease while there. This is especially important in
the burn unit where patients are extremely susceptible to
infection. Death among burn patients is usually due to infection.
 Some liquids are heat sensitive and can be damaged if exposed to the
temperatures needed to sterilize it. Filters are used to sterilize those too.
 Dry heat: means using an open flame to kill
organisms, for example.
 In lab flaming loops with the bunsen burner is an example
of dry heat.
 Incineration (or burning) of carcasses is also an example of
dry heat.
 Moist heat: The best example of moist heat is an
autoclave. An autoclave is a machine that uses
water and heat. It creates hot steam by increasing
the pressure inside of it. As the pressure increases,
the temperature increases. It is able to reach very
hot temperatures and is very effective in killing
many organisms and endospores.
 Autoclaves are found in many places. They are used to
sterilize surgical equipment, gowns, towels, media, test
tubes, etc.
 Some Chemicals: Formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde
 Most chemicals are not considered sterilizing
agents.
 Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde are so
effective in killing organisms that they are
included as sterilizing agents.
 They work by inhibiting enzyme function.
 Generally these chemicals are used to disinfect
instruments or materials that may be damaged
by heat. They are also used to preserve tissue
so that it can be studied.
Types of Disinfectants and Antiseptics

 Most chemicals have a particular concentration and length of

exposure to microbes, to be most effective.
 For example, isopropyl alcohol is frequently used in the clinic when
administering injections or drawing blood. It is most effective when the
solution is 65-75% alcohol. Some stores sell 95% alcohol and consumers
buy it because they think that the greater the concentration, the better.
 The other challenge with alcohol is that it evaporates very quickly. So
as an antiseptic, it is not very effective because it evaporates off the
skin so quickly and there is not in contact with the bacteria long enough
to kill it.
 The other challenge with alcohol is that it denatures (or inactivates)
protein but does not remove it very well. So if a surface is particularly
dirty the alcohol just denatures the protein and leaves it on the surface.
 Triclosan: common antibacterial agent added to
soaps, cutting boards and other products.
 Triclosan is a pretty effective antibacterial agent
(antiseptic) but it is being overused. A decreased
sensitivity is being seen in several microorganisms
including Staphylococcus.
 Triclosan is what is added to antibacterial hand soaps.
It kills the organisms but the soap leaves a residue of
triclosan in the sink. As the organisms are continually
exposed to the triclosan it gives them opportunities to
develop resistance.
 In addition, there is no need, particularly in a home, to
use antibacterial soap. Ordinary hand soap removes
the organisms just as effectively and does not
needlessly use an extra chemical to which microbes are
now growing resistant.
 Chlorhexadine: used for surgical hand scrubs and
pre-operative skin preparation as well as other uses.
 This chemical damages the plasma membrane and causes
protein denaturation.
 In medium to high concentrations it is very effective
against vegetative pathogens but not against endospores.
 An advantage to using chlorhexadine is that it has a very
low toxicity. That means that it can be used in large or
amounts as an antiseptic without being toxic.
 Halogens: iodine, chlorine
 Effective against all kinds of bacteria and endospores,
various fungi, and viruses.
 This group interferes with protein synthesis and folding.
 Chlorinecan be used as an antiseptic or a disinfectant
depending upon the form in which it is used.
 It is used to treat drinking water and swimming pools for example.
 Inhigher concentrations it is used to disinfect equipment,
bedding, etc.
 Iodine is used as a disinfectant to sterilize cutting blades,
plastic, and rubber items. (It’s exact method of killing
microorganisms is not really understood yet.)
 It is also used as an antiseptic for wound care.
 Tincture of iodine: combination of iodine and alcohol
 An iodophore is a combination of iodine and an organic molecule
that allows iodine to be released slowly.
 The best example I can think of is those tablets they sell in the pet
stores for feeding fish while your on vacation. The longer the tablet
sits in the water, the more the outer coating is exposed to the water
and wears it away. As it is worn away, the food is gradually
released.
 Betadine, and Isodine are examples of iodophores.
 Hydrogen Peroxide: decomposes in the presence
of light, metals, or catalase into water and
oxygen gas.
 That is why it is stored in dark bottles, to
prevent its decomposition.
 It is more stable now than used to be.
 Itis highly toxic to cells that don’t have the
enzyme, catalase.
 Bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, and can be
sporicidal
 Surface-active agents (surfactants): soaps and
detergents
 Surfactants disrupt cell membranes, more useful in
killing microbes.
 Not an antiseptic but does bind to org. to remove from
skin.
Antibiotics