TABLE 3.

Mechanism of antimicrobial action of glutaraldehyde

Target microorganism	Glutaraldehyde action
Bacterial spores	Low concentrations inhibit germination; high concentrations are sporicidal, probably as a consequence of strong interaction with outer cell layers
Mycobacteria	Action unknown, but probably involves mycobacterial cell wall
Other nonsporulat-ing bacteria	Strong association with outer layers of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; cross-linking of amino groups in protein; inhibition of transport processes into cell
Fungi	Fungal cell wall appears to be a primary target site, with postulated interaction with chitin
Viruses	Actual mechanisms unknown, but involve protein-DNA cross-links and capsid changes
Protozoa	Mechanism of action not known