Main Difference – Betadine vs Iodine
Betadine is a commonly used medicine to treat minor wounds. It is an antiseptic, which can prevent the microbial growth on a surface, especially disease-causing microorganisms. Betadine is used as a disinfectant as well. Iodine is a chemical element that belongs to the halogen group. It is the heaviest among other halogens. Iodine is the only halogen that exists in a solid phase at room temperature. Iodine is also used as a disinfectant and to treat iodine deficiency. The main difference between Betadine and Iodine is that Betadine is a formulation containing povidone, HI (hydrogen iodide) along with elemental iodine (I) whereas iodine is a chemical element.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Betadine
– Definition, Method of Action, Side Effects
2. What is Iodine
– Definition, Elemental Properties, Applications In Medicine
3. What is the Difference Between Betadine and Iodine
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms: Betadine, Disinfectant, Halogen, Hydrogen Iodide, Iodine, Iodine Deficiency, Oxidizing Agent, Povidone
What is Betadine
Betadine is a brand name used to name the antiseptic Povidone-iodine (oriodopovidone). It is used for skin disinfection before and after a surgery and is used to treat minor wounds. This product is available as a liquid solution, a powder or as a cream.
Figure 1: Betadine Liquid
Betadine is a complex chemical compound that consists of povidone, HI (hydrogen iodide) along with elemental iodine(I). Betadine is completely soluble in water, even in cold or mildly warm water. The bactericidal effect of Betadine arises from the slow liberation of free iodine from Betadine; iodine causes the iodinization of lipids in the cell walls of pathogens. Since this iodine release is a very slow process, it cannot harm our skin cells.
The efficiency of Betadine is determined mainly based on the composition. Betadine reduces the transmission of infection by neutralizing it. The bactericidal activity is immediate, and a lasting effect against all pathogens can be observed from Betadine. As the pH of this solution is equal to the neutral pH of the skin, Betadine solution does not cause skin irritation.
But taking higher doses can cause skin irritations, kidney problems, metabolic acidosis, etc. Signs of allergic reactions such as rashes, itching, peeling skin are some other side effects of Betadine. However, it is found that bacteria do not develop any tolerance towards Betadine.
What is Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element having the symbol I and atomic number 53. It is a group 17 element and belongs to the group of halogens. It is the heaviest halogen. It is a nonmetal. At room temperature, iodine is a solid. The melting point of this iodine solid is 113.7oC, and the boiling point is 184.3oC.
The electron configuration of iodine is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p5. By adding one electron to the outermost p orbital of iodine, it obtains a stable electron configuration. Hence, -1 is the most common and stable oxidation state of iodine. It easily forms the iodide anion (I–). Due to the same reason, iodine is a strong oxidizing agent. It reacts with many other compounds, oxidizing those compounds. But among halogens, iodine is the least reactive oxidizer.
Iodine exists as a dark –violet crystalline solid. When melted, it forms a violet colored liquid, and at its boiling point, iodine forms a violet colored gas. Iodine solid is slightly soluble in water. It is highly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as hexane. When iodine crystals are dissolved in a nonpolar solvent, it gives a violet color. But when dissolved in polar solvents, it gives a brown color.
Figure 2: Liquid Iodine
Iodine has the highest melting and boiling points among other halogens. This is mainly because iodine atoms have the largest electron cloud among halogens, resulting in strongest Van der Waal forces. Since iodine crystals are very stable at room temperature, it is the least volatile halogen.
Iodine has many medicinal applications. Elemental iodine is used as a disinfectant (It is used to treat skin disease caused by some fungal species). It is also used to treat iodine deficiency. Iodine shows quick antimicrobial activity. Iodine works even at low concentrations; thus, the efficiency is relatively high. It can penetrate into microorganisms and can attack amino acids, nucleotides and fatty acids. This eventually causes the death of pathogens.
Difference Between Betadine and Iodine
Definition
Betadine: Betadine is a brand name of antiseptic Povidone-iodine (or iodopovidone).
Iodine: Iodine is a chemical element having the symbol I and atomic number 53.
Nature
Betadine: Betadine is a formulation containing povidone, HI (hydrogen iodide) along with elemental iodine (I).
Iodine: Iodine is a chemical element.
Color
Betadine: Betadine has a brown color.
Iodine: Iodine exist as a black crystalline solid (at room temperature), but when dissolved in polar solvents, it gives a brown color; when dissolved in nonpolar solvents, it gives a violet color.
Medicinal Applications
Betadine: Betadine is used as a disinfectant, as a medicine to treat minor wounds, as an antiseptic, etc.
Iodine: Iodine has many uses including medicinal uses (used as a disinfectant), in identification tests (to identify sugar), to treat iodine deficiency, etc.
Mode of Action
Betadine: Mode of action includes the slow liberation of free iodine from Betadine; iodine cause the iodinization of lipids in the cell walls of pathogens.
Iodine: Iodine can penetrate into microorganisms and can attack amino acids, nucleotides and fatty acids. This eventually causes the death of pathogens.
Conclusion
Betadine and iodine are used in medicinal applications. Both these compounds are used as disinfectants. Betadine is composed of several components. The main difference between Betadine and iodine is that Betadine is a formulation containing povidone, hydrogen iodide along with elemental iodine whereas Iodine is a chemical element.
Reference:
1. “Betadine: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings.” Drugs.com, Available here.
2. “Povidone-Iodine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Feb. 2018, Available here.
3. “Iodine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Feb. 2018, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Betadine” By Aneta Crsová – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Liquid iodine” By VelichkoArkadiy – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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