Answer to Question #268498 in Microbiology for payal

Question

70-75% ethanol is the most common disinfectant/sterilizing-sanitizing agent used in a microbiology laboratory. Explain why 70-75% ethanol is more effective than 95-99% ethanol. 

Answer 1

70-75 % isopropyl alcohol is by far better at killing bacteria and viruses than 95-99 % isopropyl alcohol. As a disinfectant, the higher the concentration of alcohol, the less effective it is at killing pathogens. ... Coagulation of surface proteins proceeds at a slower pace, thereby allowing the alcohol to enter the cell