Laura J.
asked • 09/02/20Biology disinfectant Question
Which of the following is considered a high level disinfectant that would inactivate biological spores?
A. 95% ethanol
B. Quaternary ammonium disinfectant
C. 10% household bleach in water soluntion
D. 100% iodine
More
1 Expert Answer
Christian S. answered • 09/03/20
Tutor
5
(6)
PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Hi Laura,
I don't believe this question has a satisfactory answer.
Alcohol (ethanol) has no sporicidal activity.
Quaternary ammonium disinfectant also has no sporicidal activity.
Bleach does have sporicidal activity, but isn't cleared by the FDA as a high-level disinfectant.
Iodine can kill spores, but diluted typically, and also is not considered a high-level disinfectant.
Here's the CDC's page on disinfectants: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html
Send me a message if you'd like more help.
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Christine M.
To inactivate spores first they must be broken down chemically,they have a shell resistant to outside conditions and the inner core that contains the material that needs specific conditions to become biologically active. The chemicals listed would not work . Ethanol is not a disinfectant and would only cause the spores to remain dormant, the shell would remain intact. Ethanol is used commercially to break down the oil layer where contaminants reside and eases their removal (wipes them away) furthermore that high a concentration of ethanol is highly combustible. It is not too common or it is highly controlled. Iodine in solution is rarely seen nowadays due to the meth amphetamine labs using it to purify their illegal drugs Also that concentration of iodine in water is extremely strong and will probably in or close to crystalline form and also is flammable. Bleach in water solution will remove spores by the same action as ethanol, its chlorine action oxidizes other chemicals, organic an inorganic so they are washed away by water "bleaching" them. Quaternary ammonium disinfectant works in similar ways but does nor render the spore destroyed. Toi keep spores from becoming biologically active the current goal is to prevent conditions where they will return to activity or the physically remove them (clean them off ) if spore reactivate and the bacteria or fungi is again active the goal is to destroy the active bacteria or fungi Ohh nooo!! Cleanliness works. Get rid of the offending spore and it is less likely to cause harm. One goal that is effective is cleanliness or to change the microenvironments pH to prevent the active microbe from growing in the first place, I am revealing my chronological experience here ( my age) but many years ago it was common to buy in the USA Iodine crystals to use to clear up fungal infections in horses hooves. Clean out the infected matter pour in some crystals light a match,hold it to the horse's hoof sole,hold on tight and hold your breath. The crystals would explode and drive the iodine into the hoof tissue rendering the fungus DEAD. The tissue would slough off the surface in a few days revealing healthy tissue underneath. The spore would not be able to become active. Trust me, it worked. Ask me how I kept my eyebrows.. During WW2 purified ethanol was a common combustion agent used by the Resistance fighters. It was virtually untraceable and easily produced by local vintners. Made by distilling down wine grapes and grain to nearly pure alcohol. I can say this now, my great uncle passed away many years ago. he used it very effectively, survived the war intact They weren't too worried about spores in those days. Spores are a worrying condition the goal is too keep the biologically active organism from taking hold in the first place, few organisms, fewer spores.09/04/20