UCSB Science Line
Sponge Spicules Nerve Cells Galaxy Abalone Shell Nickel Succinate X-ray Lens Lupine
UCSB Science Line
Home
How it Works
Ask a Question
Search Topics
Webcasts
Our Scientists
Science Links
Contact Information
Do antiseptics contain triclosan or triclocarbon? And do they cause resistant-bacteria? Do alcohol-based sanitizers contain these compounds? What are the mechanisms of action for both antiseptics and alcohol based sanitizers as well as antibacterial agents?
Question Date: 2015-05-23
Answer 1:

Some antiseptics contain triclosan or triclocarbon and the ones that do are labeled. It’s controversial whether they can lead to resistant bacteria, though there are bacteria that are resistant to these antimicrobials. Most alcohol-based sanitizers do not contain these compounds because the alcohol is enough to kill microbes on its own. They’re usually in water-based soaps like hand soap. The way triclosan works is that it inhibits fatty acid synthesis which is important for making cell membranes. The enzyme that it targets is in bacteria, but not humans so we aren’t affected. With alcohol-based sanitizers, the alcohol disrupts cell membranes directly leading to death in a wide range of organisms, even including viruses.



Click Here to return to the search form.

University of California, Santa Barbara Materials Research Laboratory National Science Foundation
This program is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and UCSB School-University Partnerships
Copyright © 2020 The Regents of the University of California,
All Rights Reserved.
UCSB Terms of Use