Stable in light, heat, etc. Inexpensive, available 7. It should not have an unpleasant odor E. Mechanisms of action 1. Denature protein - disrupt hydrogen bonds or disulfide bonds e.g. heat, acids, bases, used in high enough concentrations to permanently denature proteins. Chemical reactions include hydrolysis, oxidizing of disulfide linkages.
Heavy metals attach to sulfhydryl groups.
Alkylating agents donate methyl or ethyl groups. Alkylating agents can affect nucleic acids, dyes like crystal violet inhibit cell division. Agents that control virus must affect their protein or their nucleic acid. Same agents that affect protein of bacteria can also affect viruses. Scrubbing enhances action of soaps and detergents 1.