| Cell envelope (cell wall, outer membrane) | Glutaraldehyde | Cross-linking of proteins |
| EDTA, other permeabilizers | Gram-negative bacteria: removal of Mg2+, release of some LPS |
| Cytoplasmic (inner) membrane | QACs | Generalized membrane damage involving phospholipid bilayers |
| Chlorhexidine | Low concentrations affect membrane integrity, high concentrations cause congealing of cytoplasm |
| Diamines | Induction of leakage of amino acids |
| PHMB, alexidine | Phase separation and domain formation of membrane lipids |
| Phenols | Leakage; some cause uncoupling |
| Cross-linking of macromolecules | Formaldehyde | Cross-linking of proteins, RNA, and DNA |
| Glutaraldehyde | Cross-linking of proteins in cell envelope and elsewhere in the cell |
| DNA intercalation | Acridines | Intercalation of an acridine molecule between two layers of base pairs in DNA |
| Interaction with thiol groups | Silver compounds | Membrane-bound enzymes (interaction with thiol groups) |
| Effects on DNA | Halogens | Inhibition of DNA synthesis |
| Hydrogen peroxide, silver ions | DNA strand breakage |
| Oxidizing agents | Halogens | Oxidation of thiol groups to disulfides, sulfoxides, or disulfoxides |
| Peroxygens | Hydrogen peroxide: activity due to from formation of free hydroxy radicals (·OH), which oxidize thiol groups in enzymes and proteins; PAA: disruption of thiol groups in proteins and enzymes |
