Isopropyl alcohol, particularly 70% isopropyl alcohol solution kills microorganism by dissolving plasma membrane of the cell wall . The plasma membrane of gram- negative bacteria consist of thin layer of peptidoglycan that easily destroyed by the alcohol. Therefore,70 percentage isopropyl alcohol is known as pharmaceutical alcohol.
The presence of water is a crucial factor in destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms with isopropyl alcohol. Water acts as a catalyst and plays a key role in denaturing the proteins of vegetative cell membranes. 70% IPA solutions penetrate the cell wall more completely which permeates the entire cell, coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies. A 70% solution of alcohol takes more time in evaporation from the surface. Increasing the contact time. Therefore it is more effective.    Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for disinfection drops sharply.  Notably, higher concentrations of alcohol don’t generate more desirable bactericidal, virucidal, or fungicidal properties.
100% isopropyl alcohol coagulates the protein instantly creating a protein layer that protects the remaining protein from further coagulation .Due to this organism is not killed but remains in the dormant stage.

While 70% isopropyl alcohol solution penetrates the cell well at a slower rate and coagulates the all protein of cell wall and microorganism dies. Thus 70%  % isopropyl alcohol in water is more effective than 100�solute alcohol .
 

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