70% IPA (Iso Propyl Alcohol)

In pharmaceuticals 70% IPA (Iso Propyl Alcohol) is commonly used disinfectant

Mechanism of action of IPA is it enters the cell wall and dissolves the plasma membrane of cell wall as well as denaturates the proteins layer present in cell wall as well as inside cell thereby causing cell Lysis. It is very effective against gram negative bacteria .

Iso Propyl Alcohol is effective disinfectant in the concentration of 70% with water . if concentration of IPA is more than 70% the IPA will Evaporate before it enters the cell wall to kill microorganism.

If concentration of IPA is less than 70% it will not be able to penetrate cell wall to kill microorganisms .

If concentration of IPA is more than 70% .  IPA will coagulate the cell wall proteins instantly and than it will not enter further in cell as the cell wall after coagulation will not allow any further entrance of IPA and the cell will go in Dormant stage as the IPA is removed the cell will again become active.

Remember while preparing 70% v/v IPA

• IPA should be prepared in Clean room.
• IPA should be prepared daily as it is volatile in nature .
• Labeling of IPA should be done properly as it is transparent in nature and could be misunderstood with another agents like Teepol which are also transparent in nature .
• Purified water should be used for preparation of IPA .
• Membrane filtration method is used for microbiological and chemical analysis of IPA .