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Synergistic sporicidal effect of ethanol on a combination of orthophthalaldehyde and Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
Author(s) -
Yuan G.,
Wei Q.,
Tie J.,
Wang C.,
Rao L.,
Zhang W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.12271
Subject(s) - beijing , china , chinese academy of sciences , disease control , library science , zhàng , research center , control (management) , medical science , center (category theory) , disease prevention , medicine , political science , medical education , environmental health , management , computer science , law , chemistry , economics , crystallography
The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential synergistic effect of ethanol on a combination of orthophthalaldehyde ( OPA ) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride ( DDAC ) against the spores of Bacillus subtilis var. Niger . The quantitative carrier test for sporicidal testing of high‐level disinfectants according to the guideline of China (Technical Standard for Disinfection 2002) was used as method. Considerable synergistic effect was observed after a 30‐min treatment at 20°C. There was an augment in mean log reduction as the concentration of DDAC was increased ranging from 0·2 to 3 g l −1 in combination with 6 g l −1 OPA . Ten and 20% ethanol in combination with 6 g l −1 OPA and 2 g l −1 DDAC caused more than a 3‐log reduction while either 6 g l −1 OPA , 2 g l −1 DDAC and 20% ethanol alone or a combination of two of the three agents produced less than a 1‐log reduction. Further, 40‐min exposure time of combination of OPA , DDAC and 20% ethanol led to greater than a 5‐log reduction in spores, and no spore growth was observed following 60‐ and 90‐min exposures. Significance and Impact of the Study Orthophthalaldehyde ( OPA ) is very effective at concentrations far lower than its recommended in‐use concentration of 0·5% (w/v) and is equally effective against both the gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. However, it shows lower activity against spores. The synergistic sporicidal effect exhibited by ethanol on a combination of OPA and DDAC can be considered to enhance sporicidal activity for using in situations of sterilization, to reduce in‐use concentration of OPA used alone, which may minimize its side effect. OPA may be a more satisfactory and the first‐choice agent to replace glutaraldehyde ( GTA ) as a high‐level disinfectant for medical devices.