Water-soluble, short-chain and aliphatic alcohol (having acyclic carbon chains). When used as an active ingredient in disinfectants, propan-2-ol (synonym: isopropanol) denatures the microorganisms‘ protein components by attacking their outer cell membrane, penetrating the cell, destroying proteins of the cytoplasm and thus triggering cell death. This non-specific mode of action ensures that bacteria cannot develop resistance to propan-2-ol.
As the sole active ingredient and from a concentration of approx. 60 % w/w, propan-2-ol yields rapid and broad activity against bacteria, (yeast) fungi and selected viruses — and serves as the reference alcohol in the European test procedure EN 1500 for hygienic hand disinfection at this concentration. Propan-2-ol — also in combination with propan-1-ol and/or ethanol — is used as the active ingredient in alcohol-based hand disinfectants and surface disinfectants.
Click here to learn more about our hand and surface disinfection products.
