Quaternary ammonium compounds (CHA) for disinfection: mechanism of action

Mankind has conquered many terrible diseases. But the danger in the form of pathogenic microorganisms lies in wait for a person at every step. Therefore, maintaining cleanliness is a guarantee of health. As a cleaning and disinfectant assistants, often the means are active components of which are quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC).

Disinfection in health care

Few people are familiar with the extensive lists of disinfectants, except for specialists. The townsfolk buy cleaning supplies in stores, paying little attention to their composition. Cleans, disinfects, pleasantly smells - these are the main indicators of such household products.

But public institutions, and in particular such as medical, preventive institutions, swimming pools and similar organizations, require a special approach to the cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces.

Quaternary ammonium compounds are one of many disinfectants. Speaking about disinfection, people often have in mind preparations based on chlorine or alcohol. Few people know that HR is also an active tool for fighting pathogenic organisms. Although almost one-fifth of the drugs used for disinfection contain these substances.

Availability of HR

Disinfectants containing QAC - quaternary ammonium compounds - have absolute, if I may say so, practicality. They are available - this is an important factor for manufacturers of disinfectants. After diluting the substance with additional components to a certain concentration, it is possible to obtain an effective, cheap, cheap product for cleaning and disinfection.

On the other hand, quaternary ammonium compounds are low-toxic substances for humans and animals. Usually during the use of chlorine-containing preparations, extensive washing of the treated surfaces with clean water is required to prevent their destruction under the influence of chlorine and its derivatives, and also due to the release of toxic compounds into the atmosphere. So, the HRC does not have a corrosive effect on all surfaces being treated and have minimal toxicity.

HOUR - what is it?

The abbreviation CC, which can be seen on packages with disinfectants as an active substance, is deciphered as quaternary ammonium compounds. The mechanism of action of these funds allows you to handle household items, medical instruments, surfaces in public places and medical facilities for disinfecting activities. Among the disinfecting agents, HRCs occupy a rather wide niche, due to their availability, almost harmlessness and the absence of destructive action on the treated surfaces.

Chemical formula

One of the available and effective substances used for disinfection in various public premises, as well as in the home are quaternary ammonium compounds. Their formula is based on the combination of tetravalent nitrogen with other chemical organic substances. The general formula for such substances is (RR'R''R '' 'N) ⁺ X ^- . Under natural conditions, quaternary ammonium compounds are crystals. However, they are found in many plants in the form of alkaloids. A quaternary ammonium compound whose chemical composition is read according to the formula [(CH ₃ ) ₄ N] ⁺ X ^- is found in sea anemones.

How does the HR work?

Quaternary ammonium compounds are used as disinfectants to fight many bacteria. This is due to their properties as surface-active antiseptic substances. Influencing microorganisms, quaternary ammonium compounds have an adverse effect on their cells. At low concentrations, QACs affect the ability to divide and multiply pathogenic microorganisms, with sufficient concentration of QAC cause their death. When working with HR, it must be borne in mind that the studies carried out showed an obligatory concentration of the working solution of 0.5-1%. If the concentration of the active substance is less, this is likely to cause the bacteria to become accustomed to the effects of HR, which is fraught with the aggravation of the epidemiological situation in situ.

Working concentration

It turns out that it is not always possible for individuals who decide to treat certain surfaces with disinfectants, can accurately determine the need for a concentration of the working solution with HR. This is due to the ambiguity of such concepts as the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of the working substance.

These two terms, although similar, have absolutely different meanings from the point of view of disinfection of surfaces. Inhibition means inhibition, inhibition of development, and bactericidal activity is the complete destruction of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, different types of bacteria are prone to different concentrations of HR.

Therefore, before you buy and use a particular disinfectant, which includes quaternary ammonium compounds, you should conduct an analysis of the presence of species of pathogenic microorganisms. It should also be taken into account that HRCs do not have a negative effect on mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, if they are available, use other disinfectants.

Features of the use of HR

One of the most popular means for surface disinfection is quaternary ammonium compounds. In medicine, these substances are actively used for disinfection of working surfaces, medical tools. With its availability and low cost, HR actively struggle with pathogenic bacteria, not allowing them to spread and cause harm to human health. The only peculiarity of these disinfectants is their exposure to various organic substances. This requires pre-treatment of surfaces from contamination and rinsing with clean water.

It should also be remembered that the usual soap, which is used for washing hands, is also a substance that destroys the HRC, depriving them of disinfecting qualities. Therefore, the hands should also be rinsed with water. The algorithm of work during disinfecting activities is reduced to a few basic actions:

• Clearing of surfaces of visible pollution with the help of cleaning agents;
• Removal of these funds from the treated surfaces with clean water;
• Replacing rags with clean cloths, washing and rinsing hands;
• Surface treatment with substances with quaternary ammonium compounds as an active disinfectant;
• Exposure of the disinfectant according to the time specified in the instruction;
• Removal of HR (if necessary).

Disinfection of premises and surfaces should be carried out regularly, whether it concerns medical medical institutions, public premises, in the home, for veterinary fields. Quaternary ammonium compounds for the basin are also actively used - the treatment of all surfaces in contact with the human body should be carried out every day in several receptions. If necessary, bacterial analysis is performed before and after treatment.

Accurate observance of the rules of personal and public hygiene, regular competent treatment of various surfaces for the purpose of disinfection will avoid the spread of bacterial, viral and fungal infections.