Safe selection of biocides

Cleaning | Cleaning Agents | Cleaning Systems | Measurement and Analysis | Validation |

Abstract

Consideration of the antimicrobial efficacy of different biocides is an important basis on which to choose an effective disinfectant regime appropriate to the hygiene requirements in a production plant. Alcohols act rapidly and effectively against bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi and viruses but do not possess sporicidal efficacy. Quaternary ammonium compounds have no effect against bacterial spores or mycobacteria, while guanidines have better efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria, but are poorer against yeasts and moulds. Sources of contamination are also a crucial factor.

Choosing an effective disinfectant regime can be a complex process

Production hygiene relates directly to the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products, and in line with the rising significance of hygiene in production processes, international hygiene standards are becoming ever more important. An example is the growing influence of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in international pharmaceutical manufacturing. At the same time, the harmonisation of international testing regulations (e.g. European Norms, EN) opens up new options for disinfectant risk assessment.

Choosing an effective disinfectant regime appropriate to the hygiene requirements in a production plant can be a complex process. In this context, consideration of the antimicrobial efficacy of different biocides is an important basis on which to make such decisions. Not all disinfectant actives have the same spectrum of effect and when systematically using disinfectants, it is vital to take into account the effect of different disinfectants. Table 1 gives an overview of the spectrum of antimicrobial efficacy of different biocides on selected actives, with a distinction being made between bactericidal, fungicidal, sporicidal, mycobactericidal and virucidal efficacy.¹

• Schuelke and Mayr UK