Q. Use of Aldehydes as chemical sterilant?
Formaldehyde: widely employed for the fumigation of operation theatres.
Glutaraldehyde: commercial preparations are active at different pH and have percentage of 2-3.2. They can destroy microbes in 10 hours. They have a surprising resistance to activation by organic matter and do not harm rubber and plastic hence are indicated for impression materials. However they may corrode or discolour metal.
Beta Propiolactone: this is a condensation product of ketone and formaldehyde with a boiling point of 163oC. 0.2 % BPL is used for sterilization. It is more efficient than formaldehyde for fumigation but is carcinogenic. It is also used for sterilizing vaccines, graft tissue and other delicate biological materials.