Glutaraldehyde is a saturated dialdehyde widely used as a potent sterilant and high-level disinfectant. Its broad spectrum, covering bactericidal, sporicidal, fungicidal and virucidal activity, makes it an ideal chemical for the low-temperature disinfection and sterilisation of critical and semi-critical equipment such as endoscopes, dialysers and surgical tools.
Glutaraldehyde is also mycobactericidal, and glutaraldehyde formulations with phenols (Sporicidin from Sporicidin International) and alcohols (Aldahol III from Healthpoint) have better usage life, while maintaining excellent microbicidal activity. Glutaraldehyde exposure should be monitored to ensure a safe working environment. Acute or chronic exposure, resulting in skin irritation, mucous membrane irritation and multiple pulmonary symptoms such as occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis have been reported in healthcare workers.
Aqueous solutions of glutaraldehyde when activated (rendered alkaline at 7.5- 8.5pH) become sporicidal, while its microbicidal action is attributed primarily to its strong association with the outer layers of bacterial cells and the alkylation of sulphydryl, hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups, which alter RNA, DNA and protein synthesis within microorganisms.
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