How Antimicrobials Work
The actions of antimicrobials do not always kill all of the microorganisms found in the environment, in which they are used. Some microorganisms can possess DNA or genes that carry the information necessary to destroy, and/or inactivate the action of antimicrobials. The DNA in bacteria capable of inactivating antimicrobials is normally present in only a very small percentage of the total bacterial population. Those bacteria that do not possess the DNA necessary to inactivate the antimicrobial compounds are killed.
So how do antimicrobials work? Basically, they work by disrupting the physical makeup or blocking the energy yielding or synthetic process of the germs. Scientifically speaking, antimicrobials work in one of five ways:
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Disruption of cell wall synthesis
Disruption of cell membrane synthesis
Inhibition of ribosomal protein synthesis
Alteration of metabolism/enzyme system
Inhibition of DNA replication.