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70% alcohol solution is more effective for sterilization compared to higher concentrations like 100% alcohol because it has a lower evaporation rate, allowing it to stay in contact with the bacteria or viruses longer to kill them. A 70% alcohol solution also penetrates the bacterial cell membrane more effectively, denaturing proteins and disrupting cell function. Additionally, 70% alcohol is less likely to damage surfaces or instruments being sterilized.

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Q: Why 70 percent alcohol is used for sterilization?
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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.


Why you use 70 percent alcohol to sterilize laminar airflow chamber?

70% alcohol is commonly used for sterilization as it is more effective at killing bacteria and viruses compared to higher concentrations of alcohol. The 70% concentration allows for better penetration into microbial cells, leading to better disinfection. It also evaporates more slowly, providing more contact time for effective sterilization.


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.


Why 70 percent ethanol is used for sterilization instead of 100 percent?

70 percent ethanol is more effective at killing microbes than 100 percent ethanol. This is because the addition of water helps to denature proteins and disrupt cell membranes in the microbes, leading to better penetration and more efficient sterilization. Additionally, 70 percent ethanol is less volatile and evaporates more slowly, allowing for longer contact time with the microbes.


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!)