Analysis of Iodine and Its Compounds (Iodophors, Povidone-iodine) in Biocidal Products
Iodophors are preparations that are complexed with a carrier and/or a solubilizing agent, such as iodine-containing polycarboxylic acids, surfactants or povidone (PVP, Polyvinylpyrrolidone) polymers.• Iodine rapidly penetrates microorganisms showing a high affinity adsorption pattern.
• Iodine combines with protein substances in the bacterial cell; these may be peptidoglycans in the cell walls or enzymes in the cytoplasm. This causes irreversible coagulation of the protein and consequent loss of function.
• Iodine is known to act on thiol groups in the cell, if a thiol enzyme is part of a metabolic chain, it will cause metabolic inhibition.
• Iodine reacts with key protein groups, especially the free sulfur amino acids cysteine and methionine, nucleotides and fatty acids.
Types of biocidal products in which iodofoors are used are:
Product type 1: Iodine is used in biocidal products for hand sanitizers. The representative biocidal product contains iodine complexed with an iodophor, namely Polyvinylpyrrolidone (iodophor type 2).
Product type 3: Iodine is used in biocidal products for disinfection of udders/udders and animal shelters of animals. Biocidal products contain iodophors, ie either iodine complexed with surfactant (iodophor type 1) or iodine complexed with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (iodophor type 2).
Product type 4: Iodine is used in biocidal products for disinfection of milking equipment and bulk milk tanks. Biocidal products contain iodophors, i.e. iodine complexed with surfactant (iodophor type 1).
Product type 22: Iodine is used in embalming fluids for short-term preservation and hygiene of cadavers until burial/cremation. The representative biocidal product contains iodine complexed with an iodophor, namely Polyvinylpyrrolidone (iodophor type 2).
