General Disinfectants (Bacteria, Yeasts, and Molds)a
| Microbicidal Activity | Mode of Action |
|---|---|
| Alcohols (e.g., isopropyl and ethanol): Broad-spectrum antimicrobial against vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, viruses and fungi | Alcohols owe their antimicrobial activity to their ability to denature cell proteins leading to a disruption of cellular function, and to a minor extent to their ability to cause membrane damage |
| Alkaline: Bactericidal and virucidal | Hydrolyzes and removes proteins, nucleic acids, endotoxins, and viruses |
| Acidic: Broad spectrum of bacteria | Attack lipid-rich cell walls |
↵a Information sourced from Reference 19.