Phenols bacterial spore activity

Corresponding to the mechanism of action, the microbicidal phenol derivatives are effective over a wide spectrum including bacteria, yeasts and fungi. However, there are different effectiveness peaks depending on the type and number of the substituents. Therefore the combined application of various phenol derivatives sometimes allows the application concentrations to be reduced this is to be aimed at for many reasons. Phenol derivatives are not effective against resistant bacterial spores, at least not at room temperature. However, they are very effective against lipophilic viruses but deficient in their activity against viruses with hydrophilic properties. 

Especially remarkable is the high activity of PCMC against lipophilic, enveloped viruses, such as Herpes, simplex, Hepatitis B or HIV viruses. As other phenolic membrane active agents also PCMC exhibits a weak effect only on naked viruses and resistant bacterial spores (e.g. bacillus spores). However, a fully virucidal effect is achievable by combining PCMC formulations with small concentrations of glutaraldehyde (2.5.). 

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