With the current Covid-19 outbreak, it is difficult to get hold of any hand sanitizers and therefore, having an alcohol-free hand sanitizer is probably better than none at all.
Alcohol-free hand sanitizers are effective in reducing microbes. What are some of the active ingredients suitable for your hand sanitizers? Some regularly used disinfectants are Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC), Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC), Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DODAC) and Chloroxylenol (PCMX).
BKC
BKC is a common alternative to alcohols in alcohol-free hand sanitizers. It offers strong detergency and rapid, safe, powerful antimicrobial activity at low ppm. BKC based disinfectants are non-toxic, non-tainting, non-corrosive, non-staining and odour-free at use dilutions.
DDAC
DDAC are used in many biocidal applications. It can reduce microbes; however, they are less effective in killing germs compared to alcohols and require a longer contact time to show significant effect. Hence, they are typically used as disinfectants in surface disinfecting products.
DODAC
Similar to DDAC, DODAC is a broad-spectrum disinfectant that requires longer contact time to kill germs. It has been used in human and instrument sensitization and industrial applications. Furthermore, it can be used as disinfectant cleaner for linen, recommended for use in hospitals, hotels and industries.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC)
In general, QACs are active towards vegetative bacteria, enveloped viruses and most yeast and moulds. However, they are less effective against spores, Mycobacteria, non-enveloped viruses and some gram negatives. They are membrane active agents and have a similar mechanism to alcohols where they disrupt the lipid structure of the viral envelope.
Characteristics of PCMX
INCI Name & CAS No.
|
Product Characteristics
|
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC)
|
4-Chloro-3, 5-m-Xylenol; PCMX
|
High efficiency, broad spectrum, gram +/- Mildew, low-toxic antiseptic, approved by FDA
|
Household and personal care products, liquid detergent (0.5% – 1%), antibacterial handling detergent (1%), disinfectant (4.5% – 5%)
|
Comparison Between Commonly Used Disinfectants
Halophenols
|
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC)
| |||
Chemical Name
|
Chloroxylenol (PCMX)
|
Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC)
|
Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC)
|
Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DODAC)
|
Mechanism
|
Effective against viruses but mechanism is less studied
| |||
Suitable For
|
Hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants
|
Surface disinfectants
|
Surface disinfectants
| |
Recommended Dosage
|
4.00%
|
0.16%
| 0.15% | 0.15% |
Compatibility Issues
|
More Information to Help You Select a Suitable Active Ingredient
Evolution of QACs
Generation
|
Cell
|
Hard Water Tolerance
|
Fungal Activity
| |
Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
| 1 |
Lowest
| - | - |
Alkyl Dimethyl Ethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
| 2 | - |
- | - |
Alkyl Dimethyl Ethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride / Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
| 3 | - | Better | - |
Alkyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride
| 4 |
Highest
| Best | Best |
Dialkyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride / Alkyl Dimethyl Ethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
| 5 | High | Better | Better |
Antimicrobial Activity and Summary of Properties of Active Ingredients
WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care. (2011, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/
WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care. (2011, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/
Formulation Guide: Alcohol-free Hand Sanitizers
Phase
|
Material
|
INCI Name
|
Supplier
|
% W/W
|
% W/W
|
A |
Propylene Glycol
|
Propylene Glycol
| - | 5.00 | 5.00 |
A |
Glycerin*
|
Glycerin
| - | 5.00 | 5.00 |
A |
Deionized Water
|
Water
| - |
q.s. to 100.00
|
q.s. to 100.00
|
B |
Benzalkonium Chloride
|
Maha Chemicals
|
0.1625
| - | |
B |
4-Chloro-3, 5-Dimethylphenol
|
Maha Chemicals
| - | 4.00 | |
C |
Aloe Vera Extract BG
|
Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Butylene Glycol
|
TEN
|
1.00
|
1.00
|
C |
Chamomile Extract BG
|
Chamomille Recutita (matricaria) Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol
|
TEN
|
1.00
|
1.00
|
D |
AMP 95
|
Aminomethyl Propanol
|
Angus
|
q.s.
|
q.s.
|
Procedures
- Predisperse phase A in room temperature
- Add phase B and phase C while mixing
- Adjust pH to 6 – 7.5 with AMP 95 if necessary
- * Glycerin can be replaced by Aloe Vera Extract
End Product Appearance
|
Clear – Slightly hazy liquid
| |
pH |
7.0-7.5
|
Formulation Guide: Hard Surface Sanitizers
|
Material
|
INCI Name
|
Supplier
|
% W/W
|
% W/W
|
% W/W
|
% W/W
| |
A |
Deionized Water
|
Water
| - |
q.s. to 100.00
|
q.s. to 100.00
|
q.s. to 100.00
|
q.s. to 100.00
| |
B |
K-CARE BKC80
|
Benzalkonium Chloride
|
Maha Chemicals
| - |
3.00
| - | - | |
B |
K-CARE DDAC80
|
|
Maha Chemicals
| - | - | 0.15 | - | |
B |
K-CARE DODAC
|
Dioctyldimethylammonium Chloride
|
Maha Chemicals
| - | - | - | 0.15 | |
C |
GLDA
|
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
| - | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 |
- Predisperse phase A in room temperature
- Add phase B and phase C while mixing
- Adjust pH to 6 – 7.5 with AMP 95 if necessary
- * Glycerin can be replaced by Aloe Vera Extract