What is it about?
Researchers tested how well a disinfectant, a mixture of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, kills highly resistant germs called spores. Spores are dormant, tough versions of bacteria and fungi that are very hard to eliminate. The experiment was designed to mimic real-world conditions in a pharmaceutical factory, where cleanliness is essential to prevent medicine contamination. The team applied two different concentrations (a weaker 1% solution and a stronger 2% solution) of the disinfectant onto vinyl surfaces, similar to the flooring and walls in these facilities. They tested it against two types of spores: Aspergillus brasiliensis, a common mold. Bacillus subtilis, a very tough type of bacteria. They found that the 2% disinfectant solution was very effective, killing the mold spores in about 5 minutes and the tougher bacterial spores in about 15 minutes. In contrast, the 1% solution was not strong enough to kill a significant number of spores from either microbe, even after 20 minutes. The study confirmed that the bacterial spores were more resistant to the disinfectant than the fungal spores.
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Why is it important?
Keeping pharmaceutical manufacturing areas sterile is critical for patient safety. Microbial contamination can ruin entire batches of medicine, costing companies millions and, more importantly, posing a health risk to consumers. Spores are particularly worrisome because they can survive for long periods and are resistant to many cleaning agents. This study is important because it provides a practical guide for pharmaceutical companies to validate their cleaning procedures. It shows that simply using a disinfectant isn't enough; using the correct concentration and leaving it for the right amount of time (contact time) is essential to effectively kill the most stubborn germs. The findings help companies develop scientifically-backed sanitization programs that comply with strict health regulations and ensure the medicines they produce are safe.
Perspectives
This research underscores that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution for disinfection. The effectiveness of a cleaning agent depends heavily on its concentration and the specific type of microbe it is up against. It highlights the need for companies to perform their own in-house testing ("disinfectant qualification") to confirm that their chosen disinfectants work on the actual surfaces in their facility against the germs found in their environment. Relying solely on a product's label is not enough to guarantee sterility in a critical environment like a cleanroom. Ultimately, this study provides a simple and cost-effective method that facilities can use to design and verify their own disinfection programs. This ensures not only the maximum killing effect on germs but also considers factors like worker safety and the long-term wear and tear on equipment caused by harsh chemicals.
Independent Researcher & Consultant Mostafa Essam Eissa
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Bacterial vs. fungal spore resistance to peroxygen biocide on inanimate surfaces, Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University , December 2014, Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University,
DOI: 10.1016/j.bfopcu.2014.06.003.
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