COVID-19 is still here, and preventing actions are seriously important to avoid illness and spreading coronavirus to others. WHO recommends to use alcohol-based sanitizers, if soap and water are not readily available. Alcohol is incredibly effective in killing microorganisms like bacteria and enveloped viruses, including coronavirus. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropanol (2-propanol) and n-propanol (1-propanol) are common alcohols used for disinfecting.
Their mechanism of action includes penetration of alcohol molecules into the bacterial cell wall and viral envelope. The lipid and protein molecules in the membrane easily bond with alcohol molecules, which results in breaking down the membrane and spilling out their content. Also, alcohol denatures protein molecules, which means deformation of their structure and ceasing to function, make the microorganism die.
✅ A solution of 60-90% alcohol is more efficient for disinfection, as water plays a key role in denaturing the proteins of cell membrane.