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6161334 
Book/Book Chapter 
4 Aldehydes as Biocides 
Power, EGM 
1997 
1 
Progress in Medicinal Chemistry
ISSN: 0079-6468 
Elsevier 
Progress in Medicinal Chemistry 
34 
149-201 
Publisher Summary This chapter deals with biocidal aspects and concentrates mainly on glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde as the vast majority of publications focus on these two compounds. Reference to other aldehydes is made where appropriate. Aldehydes have long been recognized for their biocidal properties. Disinfection and sterilization procedures with formaldehyde as the active agent in aqueous solution or as a gas have been used for many years. Prior to the introduction of aldehydes, few chemical agents had the ability to kill spores within a relatively short period of time. Low temperature surface sterilization in liquid phase was largely restricted to formaldehyde, although, contact times of up to 20 hours were required for sterilization, and had disadvantages such as irritation and toxicity. Today, aldehydes are used for purposes other than as biocides, for example, in leather tanning and electron microscopy. The activity of biocides depends on three main factors; (a) the nature of the physical environment, (b) the nature and condition of the micro-organism, and (c) the ability of the organism to render the biocide inactive. The most significant factors influencing the activity of aldehydes include time of contact, temperature, concentration, pH, and the presence of organic matter (for example, in soiled material). Biocidal efficacy increases with increasing concentration and as the period of contact with micro-organisms lengthens, although, there is considerable variation in activity with different organisms. 
Luscombe, D. K.