Description

Glutaraldehyde is a potent bactericide in its alkaline form. When diluted with water to concentrations of 0.1% to 1.0%, it is used as a heat-sensitive cold sterilant. Its effectiveness is more limited against algae and fungi. It is also used as a tissue fixative in histology and pathology laboratories and as a hardener in X-ray development.^[2]

It is also used in water treatment and as a chemical preservative. In the leather industry, it is used as a tanning agent and is a component of embalming fluids.