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Microbiology
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Chemical Control Methods of Sanitization and Sterilization
Jennifer Kitchen
July 10, 2012
Microbiology
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There are many chemical agents that help control the growth microorganisms. These
chemicals range from simple substances to very complex compounds, some are found in nature
while others are made by chemical companies. The majority of these chemicals result in
sanitation or disinfection. Other chemical compounds result in sterilization. There are a wide
variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses; therefore there is a
need for a large variety of chemical control agents to be used in sanitization and sterilization.
Sanitization or disinfection is the process whereby pathogenic organisms are reduced to
safe levels on inanimate objects as well as on organic materials. Many parents know the
usefulness of bleach, which is a chlorine product, in killing the germs on their babies’ toys.
When diluted in water in a ratio of only 1:127 (one once in one gallon of water) it can disinfect
inanimate objects soaked for two minutes. It kills the majority of the microorganisms living on
these surfaces by oxidizing the cell proteins and causing breakdown of the membrane
(Pommerville, 2010). It may not kill all microorganisms but it reduces their numbers and
reduces the risk of contamination and infection. Another chemical many people are acquainted
with is alcohol, used as a skin antisepsis and to clean instruments (medical as well as tattoo and
piercing). It is commonly used as 70% ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).
It works to kill microorganisms by denaturing proteins, dissolving lipids, and dehydrating the
cells (Pommerville, 2010). This sanitizes skin and objects destroying many microorganisms and
preventing infection. These are only two common chemicals in used in sanitation and
disinfection.
Microbiology
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Sterilization is the process of destruction of all living microorganisms on an object.
Many people are not acquainted with these sterilizing chemical compounds due to their toxic
and unstable natures. Chemical sterilants are used in clinical settings to sterilize surgical
instruments and industrial settings to sterilize processing equipment and products. The
chemical agent ethylene oxide is used in the form of a gas and is used in the sterilization of
medical equipment and instruments, packaging materials and clothing, and surgical and
scientific equipment. It is used in special enclosed facilities as it is explosive and toxic to skin. It
will kill all microorganisms by reacting with functional groups of proteins and nucleic acids
(Pommerville, 2010). Another chemical that reacts in this same way is used for sterilization of
surgical supplies, glutaraldehyde. This chemical is an aldehyde, is colorless and oily, and is
unstable and toxic to skin (Pommerville, 2010). There sterilizing agents must be used properly
using many precaution but kill all microorganisms including spores.
This is but a few of the chemical agents used to help control the growth
microorganisms; bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Some of these chemicals are simple
substances that many people use daily to help disinfect objects and skin. Other very complex
chemical compounds are used in sterilization and can only be used in specific settings using
precautionary efforts. There is a need for a large variety of chemical control agents to be used
in sanitization and sterilization because there a wide variety of microorganisms out there that
can cause disease and illness.
Microbiology
Reference
Pommerville, J.E. (2010). Alcamo’s Fundamentals of Microbiology (9th ed). Burlington, MA:
Jones and Bartlett.
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