<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The microbial ecology of different indoor environments determines the human microbiome. Hence, cleaning and disinfection of indoor environments like hospitals, apartments, automobiles, etc. are of great importance. Nonaqueous surface cleaning preparations (SCPs) are often used for this purpose. A cleaning composition may contain the following compounds: primary surfactant, cosurfactant, solvent, cosolvent, organotropic (organic solubilizing) agent, hydrotropic (water solubilising) agent, water and salts, and special additives. In this paper, the efficacy of complex preparations is discussed, focusing on the chemical composition and testing methods. Particular attention is paid to quaternary ammonium compounds, i.e. surfactants with disinfection properties, which are known to act as antistatic agents, detergents, oil-in-water emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, and lubricants. Specificity of target microorganisms, physicochemical properties of surrounding media and treatment mode are the main factors affecting the efficacy of disinfection. Due to the enormous economic importance and massive worldwide use of surfactants and disinfectants, their environmental impact needs to be evaluated and controlled. Increased knowledge and better understanding of the antimicrobial capacity of disinfectants are essential to optimise sanitation procedures, to reduce costs, environment waste and to improve shelf life.</p></abstract>

The microbial ecology of different indoor environments determines the human microbiome. Hence, cleaning and disinfection of indoor environments like hospitals, apartments, automobiles, etc. are of great importance. Nonaqueous surface cleaning preparations (SCPs) are often used for this purpose. A cleaning composition may contain the following compounds: primary surfactant, cosurfactant, solvent, cosolvent, organotropic (organic solubilizing) agent, hydrotropic (water solubilising) agent, water and salts, and special additives. In this paper, the efficacy of complex preparations is discussed, focusing on the chemical composition and testing methods. Particular attention is paid to quaternary ammonium compounds, i.e. surfactants with disinfection properties, which are known to act as antistatic agents, detergents, oil-in-water emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, and lubricants. Specificity of target microorganisms, physicochemical properties of surrounding media and treatment mode are the main factors affecting the efficacy of disinfection. Due to the enormous economic importance and massive worldwide use of surfactants and disinfectants, their environmental impact needs to be evaluated and controlled. Increased knowledge and better understanding of the antimicrobial capacity of disinfectants are essential to optimise sanitation procedures, to reduce costs, environment waste and to improve shelf life.

Waterless Cleaning Compositions with Disinfection Properties: Efficacy and Environmental Aspects / Bezûdens Tîrîðanas Lîdzekïi Ar Dezinficçjoðo Iedarbîbu: Efektivitâte Un Apkârtçjas Vides Aspekti

Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1, Rîga, LV-1004, LATVIA

Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1, Rîga, LV-1004, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The microbial ecology of different indoor environments determines the human microbiome. Hence, cleaning and disinfection of indoor environments like hospitals,...

Waterless Cleaning Compositions with Disinfection Properties: Efficacy and Environmental Aspects / Bezûdens Tîrîðanas Lîdzekïi Ar Dezinficçjoðo Iedarbîbu: Efektivitâte Un Apkârtçjas Vides Aspekti

Published Online: Feb 19, 2016

Page range: 307 - 313

Received: Jun 12, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2015-0047

Keywords
biodegradability, quaternary ammonium compounds, minimum inhibitory concentration, surface cleaning, toxicity

© by Olga Muter

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Waterless Cleaning Compositions with Disinfection Properties: Efficacy and Environmental Aspects / Bezûdens Tîrîðanas Lîdzekïi Ar Dezinficçjoðo Iedarbîbu: Efektivitâte Un Apkârtçjas Vides Aspekti

Published Online: Feb 19, 2016

Page range: 307 - 313

Received: Jun 12, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2015-0047

Keywordsbiodegradability, quaternary ammonium compounds, minimum inhibitory concentration, surface cleaning, toxicity

© by Olga Muter

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
biodegradability, quaternary ammonium compounds, minimum inhibitory concentration, surface cleaning, toxicity