Abstract

BROAD SPECTRUM ACTIVITY OF MOLECULAR IODINE: A NEGLECTED MICROBIOCIDAL

Chhaya Bakshi*, Anil Kejriwal, Vaishali Sethi, Amit-Scientific Advisor, Khadija Afrin and Mamta Siroula

ABSTRACT

Molecular iodine (I2) is an effective microbiocide widely used against microbes having activity upto 6 hours showing vigorous activity against bacteria, virus and fungi by interfering with their metabolism leading to cell death. Molecular iodine (I2) when compared to other antimicrobials and iodine formulations containing iodine species like iodide, triiodide, iodate, hypo-iodide, hypoiodous acid has higher diffusibility, is more potent, odorless, stainless, and non toxic. Molecular iodine (I2) exhibits two types of mechanism of action, first on the microbe surface and second reverse diffusion mechanism on the skin. Molecular iodine (I2) when applied topically penetrates the skin's epidermis, creates a barrier against electrolytes and acts as an effective biocide. This flux of I2 is proportional to exposure time and the concentration of I2 applied to the skin. Higher the ppm more is the persistence effect. Iodophors are iodine formulations containing all iodine species responsible for antimicrobial effect with drawbacks of toxicity, odor and stain. The real microbiocidal agent is free molecular iodine (I2) in all iodine species which does not stain or produce odor and is non toxic. The amount of molecular iodine present determines the level of antimicrobial activity of iodophors which is a lesser known fact and needs to be highlighted.

Keywords: I2 - Molecular Iodine, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Immunomodulator, Iodophors, Skin disinfectant.