Why 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is used
as Disinfectant in Pharmaceuticals?
Know why 70%
isopropyl alcohol ( IPA solution ) is used for disinfection of hands and
equipment surface instead of 100% in pharmaceuticals.
70%
isopropyl alcohol is most commonly used disinfectant in pharmaceutical
industries. The important thing is that only 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol
acts as a disinfectant killing all
surface microorganisms. It is used to disinfect hands and equipment surface in
pharmaceuticals.
70 %
isopropyl alcohol solution kills microorganisms by dissolving plasma membrane
of the cell wall. Plasma membrane of gram negative bacteria consist of thin
layer of peptidoglycon that easily destroyed by the alcohol. Therefore, 70
percent iso propyl alcohol is known as pharmaceutical alcohol.
Water is
also required to denature the proteins of cell membrane and acts as a catalyst
in the reaction. Contact time of the alcohol with the organism also play an
important role. A 70% solution of alcohol takes more time in evaporation from
the surface, increasing the contact time. Therefore, 70% isopropyl alcohol
fulfills the both requirements.
100%
isopropyl alcohol coagulates the protein instantly creating a protein layer
that protects the remaining protein from further coagulation. Due to this
organism is not killed but remains in dormant stage. While 70% isopropyl
alcohol solution penetrates in the cell wall at slower rate and coagulates the
all protein of the cell wall and microorganism dies.
Thus 70% IPA
solution in water is more effective then 100% absolute alcohol and have more
disinfectant capacity.
Following
points should be considered while using 70% Isopropyl Alcohol:
1. 70%
Isopropyl Alcohol should be prepared on daily basis.
2.
Preparation should be done in controlled area by production.
3. Freshly
prepared 70 % isopropyl alcohol solution should be used.
4. For the
preparation of the 70% IPA, purified water should be
used.
5. The bulk
container (used for distribution) of the 70% IPA should have the label with the
details like name, prepared on, prepared by and checked by. While the small
container label should have the details like name, prepared on and prepared by.
6. The
prepared 70 % IPA should be analyzed chemically and microbiologically (by
membrane filtration method).
