What do Charcoal Swabs primarily neutralize?

Charcoal swabs are primarily used to neutralize fatty acids and bacterial toxins. The activated charcoal contained in these swabs has a high surface area and a porous structure, which allows it to adsorb various harmful substances, particularly those produced by bacteria. When used in a laboratory or clinical setting, charcoal swabs can effectively reduce the impact of toxins, making them valuable in specimen collection and transport, especially in microbiological testing.

This ability to adsorb toxins is particularly critical in preventing the degradation of specimen quality and ensuring that the microbiological testing results are accurate. By neutralizing these harmful substances, the swabs support a more effective growth environment for pathogens if cultured from the swabs later.