Why 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) is used as Disinfectant in Pharmaceuticals? : Pharmaguideline

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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. The plasma membrane of gram-negative bacteria consists of thin layer of peptidoglycan that easily destroyed by the alcohol. Therefore, 70 percent isopropyl alcohol is known as pharmaceutical alcohol.

IPA - Disinfectant
Water is also required to denature the proteins of the cell membrane and acts as a catalyst for the reaction. The contact time of the alcohol with the organism also plays 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 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 a dormant stage. 

While 70% isopropyl alcohol solution penetrates in the cell wall at a slower rate and coagulates the all protein of the cell wall and microorganism dies. Thus 70% IPA solution in water is more effective than 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 the 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).






Ankur Choudhary is India's first professional pharmaceutical blogger, author and founder of pharmaguideline.com, a widely-read pharmaceutical blog since 2008. Sign-up for the free email updates for your daily dose of pharmaceutical tips.
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19 comments: Post Yours! Read Comment Policy ▼

  1. Very informative article. indian pharma and quality medicine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. very usefull information.

    ReplyDelete
  3. very interesting information

    ReplyDelete
  4. very valuable article for pharma and to produce quality medicines.Thanks for sharing information
    J Narayana Reddy

    ReplyDelete
  5. VERY VALUABLAE ARTICLE FOR PHARMA THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  6. its all about quality of the medicine that the manufacturing companies producing

    ReplyDelete
  7. very useful and informative.



    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for this important information.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Replies
    1. That's what he explains in the article 🙄

      Delete
  10. Thank you very useful information

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this important information.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there, I am currently writing my thesis and this article is very closely related, I was just wondering what references or resources you used as need academic references
    Thank you
    Loren

    ReplyDelete
  13. very useful information thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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