Evaluation of glycine as an inactivator of glutaraldehyde.

Glycine was evaluated as an inactivator of the sporicidal activity of glutaraldehyde. Spores from glucose depleted cultures of Bacillus stearothermophilus grown in a chemically defined medium were used. When glycine is used as an inactivator of glutaraldehyde, it lowers the pH value of the solution. Glycine 1% failed to inactivate 0.5% or higher concentrations of alkaline glutaraldehyde in sporicidal studies. If viable counts cannot be performed within the first hour after inactivation, the concentration of glycine should be at least 2% to inactivate effectively 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde.