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Antimicrobials - Aldehydes

Formaldehyde and Aldehyde Antimicrobials

Formaldehyde is the most basic form of aldehyde representing this class of antimicrobials.  Formaldehyde and aldehydes can be volatile at room temperature leading to the odor commonly associated with preservation of tissue or tissue samples such as in laboratories, hospitals, and mortuaries. 

As a class of antimicrobials, formaldehydes are known as reactive antimicrobials, in that their predominant mechanism of action for controlling microorganisms is to react with peptides and proteins.  As this reaction progresses throughout an organisms its biochemical processes become increasingly impaired and the organism dies.  This mechanism makes aldehyde types of chemistries very potent for all types of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses.  It also makes this type of chemistry problematic for use around human tissue.  Very selective and stringent guidelines must be followed to manage the appropriate use of aldehyde chemistries.

Given the efficacy and utility of these types of chemistry, manufacturers of aldehyde based antimicrobials have undertaken strategies to produce larger compounds, that when in the presence of water, will break apart (hydrolyze) and release monomers of formaldehyde or aldehyde containing groups.  These molecules can then provide the antimicrobial actions needed but avoiding some of the health, safety and stability issues with formulating the formaldehyde molecule.   

Uses

Due to its tremendous versatility and broad spectrum efficacy as an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, sporicide, antialgal, and protozoacide,  even against macro-organisms such as mollusks and other invasive species.  Aldehyde chemistries are one of the most broadly used in industry.  These chemistries are used as medically registered high level disinfectants, used in animal bio-security for maintenance and to control of viral outbreaks, and as preservatives for cosmetics and personal care products.

 

Formaldehyde and Aldehydes

Diagram of formaldehyde functional group.  Aldehydes can  be represented with the R- indicating a carbon bond to other atoms or more complex molecules.

 

References

Emerg Infect Dis. 2001 Mar-Apr;7(2):348-53.
New disinfection and sterilization methods.
Rutala WA, Weber DJ.

 

Antimicrobial activity, uses and mechanism of action of glutaraldehyde.
Gorman SP, Scott EM, Russell AD.  J Appl Bacteriol. 1980 Apr;48(2):161-90.

We are a contract lab for formulating preservatives for the personal care and cosmetic markets.