Summary of mechanisms of antibacterial action of antiseptics and disinfectants

Target	Antiseptic or disinfectant	Mechanism of action
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