The principle of surfactant sterilization is mainly to achieve the effect of sterilization by destroying the cell membrane structure and interference of its metabolic function. The specific principles are as follows:
1. Destroy bacterial cell membrane: Surface active agents have both the characteristics of hydrophobic and hydrophilic. Its molecular structure also contains hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups. When the surfactant is exposed to the bacterial cell membrane, the hydrophobic group can be inserted into the lipid double layer of the bacterial cell membrane. The structure of the interference membrane can cause the destruction and permeability of the cell membrane and cause cell death.
2. Interference bacterial metabolism: Surface active agents can interact with the metabolites of bacterial cells and interfere with the metabolic process of bacteria. Some surfactants can combine enzymes and other metabolites in bacterial cells to block the energy supply and metabolic activities of bacteria, which causes bacteria to not grow and reproduce normally, and eventually die.
3. Destroy the extracellular structure of bacteria: Surface active agents can also destroy the extracellular structure of bacteria through protein, polysaccharides and other substances such as external proteins, polysaccharides and other substances. These substances play an important role in attachment, growth and reproduction of bacteria, destroying them to block the normal living environment of bacteria and make bacteria unable to survive.
Generally speaking, surfactants use a variety of methods such as breaking bacterial cell membranes, interference of bacterial metabolism, and destruction of the extracellular structure of bacteria to make bacteria lose their ability to survive and reproduce normally, thereby achieving the effect of sterilization.