Background/aim: In this study, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the five most commonly used antiseptic formulations were evaluated in terms of different contact times and organic conditions.
Materials and methods: Solutions of chlorhexidine digluconate, povidone iodine, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and tincture of iodine were prepared and tested according to European standards EN 13727 and EN 13624 with different parameters.
Results: The results showed that isopropyl alcohol (70% v/v) and tincture of iodine (2%) had greater bactericidal and fungicidal activity against the four tested bacteria and two fungi in all conditions.
Conclusion: When the results of the five different active substances were quantitatively evaluated regarding their bactericidal and fun-gicidal activities, it was found that contact time and organic load significantly affected the antiseptic efficacy.
Keywords: Antiseptic solutions; microbial efficacy; EN 13727; EN 13624; medical use.
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