How do aldehydes kill bacteria?

Question

Nolan Allen · Accepted Answer

Aldehydes kill bacteria mainly by forming protein-protein crosslinks.

The links form between the amine groups of amino acids (mainly lysine) in one chain and the #"N"# atoms in the peptide linkages of another chain.. Here's how formaldehyde functions, for instance. 1. Methylene glycol, a solution of formaldehyde, exists. #"H"_2"C=O" + "H"_2"O" → underbrace("HO-CH"_2"-OH")_color(red)("methylene glycol") # 2. A protein's amino group interacts with methylene glycol. #"Protein-NH"_2 + "HOCH"_2"OH" → "Protein-NH-CH"_2"-OH" + "H"_2"O"# 3. Two protein chains join together to form a methylene bridge. #"Protein-NH-CH"_2"-OH" + "H-Protein" → "Protein-NH-CH"_2"-Protein" + "H"_2"O"# The bacterial ability to proliferate and function is severely hindered by the protein-protein cross links.

Carter Allen · Answer

undefined Aldehydes kill bacteria by reacting with and damaging proteins and nucleic acids within the bacterial cells, disrupting essential cellular processes and ultimately leading to cell death. Additionally, aldehydes can also disrupt cell membranes, further compromising bacterial viability.