Glutaraldehyde
Glutaraldehyde is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)3(CHO)2. It is a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent odor and is commonly used as a solution in water[2]. The molecule consists of a five-carbon chain doubly terminated with formyl (CHO) groups, which makes it reactive to primary amine groups. This reactivity allows glutaraldehyde to function as a crosslinking agent, rigidifying and deactivating many biological functions, making it useful as a biocide and fixative.
Uses
Glutaraldehyde has a wide range of applications across various fields:
Biochemistry
In biochemistry, glutaraldehyde is used as an amine-reactive homobifunctional crosslinker and fixative. It is employed to kill cells quickly by crosslinking their proteins, and is often used alone or mixed with formaldehyde as the first of two fixative processes to stabilize specimens such as bacteria, plant material, and human cells. Additionally, glutaraldehyde is used in the inactivation of bacterial toxins to generate toxoid vaccines.
Material Science
In material science, glutaraldehyde is used as a fixing agent before characterization of biomaterials for microscopy. It is also a powerful crosslinking agent for many polymers containing primary amine groups and can be used as an interlinking agent to improve the adhesion force between two polymeric coatings. Furthermore, glutaraldehyde is used to protect against corrosion of undersea pipes.
Medical
Glutaraldehyde is used as a disinfectant and medication in medical applications[2]. It is usually applied as a solution and is used to sterilize surgical instruments and other areas. In dermatological uses, a 10% w/v solution of glutaraldehyde is used to treat plantar warts, drying the skin to facilitate physical removal of the wart. It is also used in the treatment of hyperhidrosis under the control of dermatologists as an alternative to aluminum chloride and formaldehyde.
Other Uses
Glutaraldehyde is also used in various other applications, including as a disinfectant for surgical instruments that cannot be heat sterilized, a cross-linking and tanning agent, a biocide in metalworking fluids and in oil and gas pipelines, an antimicrobial in water-treatment systems, a slimicide in paper manufacturing, a preservative in cosmetics, a disinfectant in animal housing, a tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs, a hardening agent in the development of X-rays, in embalming solutions, and in the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses[2].
Safety and Health Concerns
Exposure to glutaraldehyde can cause a range of health effects, including throat and lung irritation, asthma and difficulty breathing, dermatitis, nasal irritation, sneezing, wheezing, burning eyes, and conjunctivitis[2][3]. Workers may be harmed from exposure to glutaraldehyde through inhalation or skin contact, and the level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done[2]. NIOSH recommends that employers use the Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries and provides resources for managing chemical safety in the workplace[2].
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/glutaraldehyde/default.html
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-115/default.html
[4] https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/glutaraldehyde.pdf
[5] https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0960.pdf