Sporicidal Activity of Alkaline Alcoholic Saturated Dialdehyde Solutions

Abstract

During a search for a sporicidal agent to equal or surpass formaldehyde in activity, a group of saturated dialdehydes ranging from two to six carbons was discovered. These dialdehydes exerted a surprisingly high degree of activity in isopropanol buffered with a carbonate or bicarbonate. Without the proper buffer, practically no activity was observed. A solution of 1% glutaraldehyde, 0.3% NaHCO₃, and 70% isopropanol sterilized stainless-steel penicylinders contaminated with standardized numbers of four spore types in a shorter time than did commercially available 8% formaldehyde solution. Both glyoxal and glutaraldehyde in isopropanol destroyed spores in a relatively short time. Care was taken to eliminate bacteriostasis. Various tests were performed to evaluate accurately experimental and formaldehyde solutions.