The Effects of Alcohol on Microorganisms
Alcohol exhibits bactericidal properties, which means it has the ability to kill bacteria rather than just inhibiting their growth. It achieves this by disrupting essential proteins that are crucial for a cell’s survival, rendering it incapacitated and leading to its death within seconds. By preventing the growth of bacteria, alcohol acts as an effective bactericidal agent.
Both ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are capable of eliminating various viruses, including hepatitis B, influenza, and herpes. Ethyl alcohol is also capable of inactivating HIV and the rotavirus, among other viruses. In addition to viruses, alcohol has the ability to kill several types of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella typhosa. Alcohol is also effective against fungi and the bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis.
What Percentage of Alcohol is Effective in Hand Sanitizer?
The effectiveness of hand sanitizer heavily relies on the concentration of alcohol it contains. The most optimal range for ethyl alcohol concentration is between 60% and 90%, with the majority of sanitizers falling within 60% to 80%. Hand sanitizers with lower concentrations, such as those with a 40% alcohol base, take longer to eliminate microorganisms and are not as effective.