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Modes of action of three disinfectant active substances: a review

Stephen Wessels1, Hanne Ingmer

  • 1DHI, Agern Allé 5, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP
|October 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Understanding disinfectant modes of action (MOA) is key to predicting microbial resistance. Peracetic acid and PHMB show low resistance risk, while quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have well-documented resistance issues.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Disinfectant Chemistry

Background:

  • Disinfectant product approval in the EU will soon require data on mode of action (MOA) and microbial resistance.
  • Understanding the MOA of active substances is crucial for predicting their propensity for resistance development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review three categories of disinfectant active substances.
  • To analyze their MOA and predict resistance potential.
  • To inform future disinfectant applications and regulatory submissions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of peracetic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB).
  • Analysis of reported mechanisms of action against microorganisms.
  • Evaluation of documented cases of microbial resistance.

Main Results:

  • Peracetic acid's non-specific oxidation MOA suggests low resistance development potential, supported by literature.
  • QACs exhibit specific cytoplasmic membrane disruption, with well-documented resistance and cross-resistance to antibiotics.
  • PHMB's surface membrane interaction MOA also shows low resistance development, but carries inhalation toxicity risks.

Conclusions:

  • Disinfectant MOA directly correlates with resistance potential.
  • Peracetic acid and PHMB are promising for low-resistance applications.
  • QACs require careful use due to documented resistance, and PHMB necessitates caution due to toxicity.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial resistanceBiocideDisinfectantEuropean directiveEuropean regulationMode of actionPHMBPeracetic acidQuaternary ammonium

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