The bactericidal, fungicidal and sporicidal properties of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid

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Abstract
The antimicrobial properties of aqueous solutions of peracetic acid and H2O2 were compared. Peracetic acid exhibited excellent antimicrobial properties, especially under acidic conditions. Reductions by a factor of 106 in the numbers of vegetative bacteria were obtained within 1 min at 25.degree. C using a solution containing 1.3 mmol/l of peracetic acid. Rapid activity against bacterial spores and yeasts also occurred. H2O2 was more effective as a sporicide than as a bactericide, with sporicidal action being obtained using a solution containing 0.88 mol/l. Bactericidal action was poor, but H2O2 was bacteriostatic at concentrations > 0.15 mmol/l.