01 · mechanism of action
Alcohol swabs with 70 % isopropyl alcohol are standard reagents for surface disinfection in laboratory and research environments. 70 % IPA is scientifically considered the optimal concentration for killing bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses — higher concentrations (> 90 %) dry the cell membrane too quickly and are less effective. The disinfection mechanism is based on protein denaturation and membrane disruption of microbial cells.
