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A 70% alcohol solution is effective as a disinfectant because it has the optimal concentration to penetrate bacterial cells and denature proteins, effectively killing them. Higher concentrations of alcohol can evaporate too quickly and be less effective at killing bacteria, while lower concentrations may not be as potent.

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Q: Why 70 percent alcohol is used as disinfectant?
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Why only 70 percent alcohol as disinfectant not more or less concentrated?

70% alcohol is considered the most effective concentration for disinfecting because it strikes a balance between killing bacteria and viruses while allowing enough time for the alcohol to penetrate the cell walls. Higher concentrations evaporate too quickly, while lower concentrations are less effective at killing microbes. The 70% concentration also helps to denature proteins and disrupt the cell membrane more effectively.


Why 70 percent alcohol used in laboratory?

70 percent alcohol is used in laboratories because it has a higher penetrative power than higher concentrations, allowing it to effectively disrupt the cell walls of microorganisms. It also evaporates more slowly than higher concentrations, providing more contact time for disinfection. Additionally, 70 percent alcohol is less flammable and less likely to damage surfaces compared to higher concentrations.


Does 70 isopropyl alcohol expire?

Yes, 70 isopropyl alcohol can expire over time, typically within 2 to 3 years after opening. It may lose its effectiveness as a disinfectant as it degrades.


Why 70 percent alcohol is used for sterilization not 100 percent?

First of all, because technological limits mean that we can only get alcohol at a purity of about 90%. 90% alcohol is also far more expensive than 70%, so it is more cost effective to use 70%. Ignoring all of that, the main reason is that 70% alcohol works just fine and sterilizes object very well.70%alcohol is the efficient concentration to denature the protein.


What is the solvent in 70 percent alcohol?

70% alcohol signifies the amount the alcohol present in 100 ml of the solution. Considering the solvent to be water, 70% alcohol contains 70ml alcohol and 30ml water. Thus, the total comes out to 70 + 30 = 100ml. That's what the "%" signifies - (out of 100!)