Many people think that grain alcohol can be used for sterilization, so when there are wounds, a little grain alcohol is poured on to achieve the purpose of sterilization, but can white wine sterilize? In other words, can grain alcohol replace ethanol for sterilization?

Ethanol is a common disinfectant, and many people in daily life use grain alcohol for sterilization, but in fact, grain alcohol does not have a disinfectant effect. Ethanol is an organic chemical compound, also known as alcohol. The principle of medical alcohol sterilization is due to the large penetration ability of the molecular structure of ethanol, which can penetrate the cell membrane of the bacteria and enter the interior of the bacteria, causing changes in the protein molecules that make up the life of the bacteria, resulting in protein coagulation and denaturation, thereby having a bactericidal effect. In addition, ethanol can also change the molecular structure of pepsin, lose specificity, and lose catalytic activity. Through repeated experiments, we have found that the alcohol with a concentration of 75% has the strongest bactericidal ability, so the disinfectant alcohol for medical equipment is all 75% ethanol. Although grain alcohol contains ethanol, the concentration is generally around 43%-56%, and does not meet the standard of 75%.

One, can white wine sterilize

The alcohol content is generally around 50 degrees or below, which is far less than the alcohol content. Only high-concentration ethanol can produce a protective film on the surface of the bacteria to prevent it from entering the body of the bacteria. Grain alcohol can only kill a part of bacteria and viruses, so it can be used in emergencies, but it cannot replace ethanol.

Two, grain alcohol cannot replace medical alcohol sterilization

The medicinal value disinfectant alcohol used in medicine is a 75% concentration alcohol solution that has undergone strict preparation, with only alcohol and water as its components. This concentration of ethanol has great permeability, can penetrate the membrane of the bacterial surface, enter the interior of the bacteria, cause the proteins that make up the bacteria to coagulate, and thereby kill the bacteria.

The wine and grain alcohol that everyone drinks are generally marked with alcohol content by degree of alcohol. For example, a 60-degree grain alcohol indicates 60% ethanol. Moreover, the composition of grain alcohol is complex, generally in addition to alcohol and water, it also contains high-grade alcohols, citric acid, esters, polyether polyols, phenolic compounds, and other components. The efficacy of these components against bacteria is also complex, with both solving and promoting effects, so it is very unreasonable to use alcohol water to replace alcohol sterilization.

Three, the application and main uses of alcohol sterilization

Grain alcohol does not have disinfectant and bactericidal effects on tableware and skin, but it can be used as a physical therapy in clinical medicine. For example, pouring 40% to 50% grain alcohol concentration into the hands can massage the back, waist, and buttocks of patients who have been lying in bed for a long time, which can promote part of the blood circulation system and prevent bedsores. Using 25% to 50% grain alcohol concentration, gently wipe the neck, chest, armpits, limbs, and soles of the hands and feet of patients with high fever can reduce their fever.