Phenolic Disinfectants Research Articles

An Examination of the Effect of Three Phenolic Disinfectants on Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The effect of a phenolic disinfectant (o‐phenylphenol 45% w/w) with linseed oil soap or with soya oil soap on Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined by three methods. Neither the geometrical dilution test nor the modified capacity use‐dilution test revealed any differences between the two disinfectants. However, paradoxically both methods proved that the highest concentration of the disinfectants tested (3·5% v/v) exhibited a very low germicidal effect on M. tuberculosis, whereas lower concentrations showed a much better effect. When determining the tuberculocidal effects of various concentrations of the two disinfectants at different exposure times, the higher concentrations showed very low effects, even after the longest exposure time. At concentrations of 2·0 and 1·0% (v/v), the disinfectants displayed the most rapid effects. In the present investigation the disinfectant with the linseed oil soap seemed to destroy the cells more quickly than that with the soya oil soap. The third disinfectant containing p‐chloro‐m‐cresol and o‐benzyl‐p‐chlorophenol with a total of 9·2% (w/w) phenols in a detergent system, did not display, when employing the capacity use‐dilution test, the same phenomenon in the concentrations used, but the experiment showed that the recommended use‐dilution concentration ought to be doubled.

Sanitation in self-service automatic washers.

The potential for microbial transfer in self-service laundry washing machines was investigated by obtaining swab samples from the interior surfaces of commercial machines and wash water samples before and after disinfectant treatment. Three disinfectants (chlorine, a quaternary ammonium product, and a phenolic disinfectant) were used. Four self-service laundry facilities were sampled, with 10 replications of the procedure for each treatment at each location. Although washers were set on a warmwater setting, the wash water temperatures ranged from 24 to 51 degrees C. The quaternary ammonium product seemed most effective, averaging a 97% microbial kill; chlorine was the second most effective, with a 58% kill, and the phenolic disinfectant was least effective, with only a 25% kill. The efficacies of the chlorine and phenolic disinfectants were reduced at low water temperatures commonly experienced in self-service laundries. Interfamily cross-contamination in self-service facilities is a potential public health problem, which is aggravated by environmental conditions, such as water temperature and the practices of the previous users of the equipment. Procedural changes in laundering are recommended, including the use of a disinfectant to maintain adequate levels of sanitation.

Test Method for Determination of Virucidal Efficacy of Liquid Surface Disinfectants

A test method was developed incorporating AOAC use-dilution stainless steel Penicylinders and H.Ep.-2 tissue culture cells for the evaluation of disinfectants as virucides. The subsequent collaborative study using Herpes simplex and poliovirus type 1 in evaluation against a quaternary ammonium compound, phenolic, and iodiphor disinfectants indicated that the basic test procedure is sound. However, an improved virus concentration technique and a modified method for drying virus-contaminated cylinders are recommended. In addition, other types of disinfectants and test viruses should be included in order to demonstrate that the procedure is versatile as well as reproducible.

A membrane filter technique for testing disinfectants.

A membrane filter was used for assessing the surface disinfecting activity of phenolic disinfectants and a chloroxylenol disinfectant. The influence of the type of organism, inoculum size, and hardness of water was investigated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was chosen for the standardized test. Disinfectant solutions were prepared in water of 300 ppm hardness and applied for two and a half minutes and eight minutes to the bacteria deposited from filtration of 1 ml of a suspension containing 10-6 bacteria. The membrane filter test has certain advantages over many tests, eg, all organisms surviving after treatment can be counted and residual disinfectant is easily removed.

Potential metabolites of phenolic disinfectants: Preparation and odour properties of some anisoles

AbstractAs some chlorophenols present in wood shavings have been shown to be microbiologically methylated to form anisoles, which have caused taint in broiler chickens, the anisoles from a number of phenols used in formulations of broiler house disinfectants were prepared. The sensory properties of these compounds were investigated in order to determine their potential for producing taint. None of these anisoles were found to be likely to cause taint if formed within the broiler house.

EVALUATION OF PHENOLICS BY A QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUE

The quantitative technique of the British Standard (BS 3286:1960) has been applied to four phenolic disinfectants. Comparisons showed that regressions made with log‐probit transformations were preferable to log‐log. The British Standard quantitative technique as employed by us has been found to act as a useful adjuvant to Kelsey & Sykes (1969) capacity test in the selection of use‐dilutions for disinfectants.

In-use testing of disinfectants in hospitals.

One hundred and five samples of clear, soluble phenolic disinfectants were obtained from varying sites in the wards of six hospitals. The concentration of disinfectant in each sample was measured by a colorimetric method and bacterial contamination was measured by an ;in-use' test and a membrane filter technique. The concentrations of disinfectant in 24/105 (23%) samples were at the recommended level and 53 (50.5%) were below. Bacterial contamination with Gram-negative bacilli was found in 26/49 (53%) samples containing less than 0.8% of disinfectant and 5/86 (8.9%) samples containing more than 0.8%. The concentrations in two of the heavily contaminated samples were 1.5% and 1.6% respectively.

Phenol concentrations in the air from disinfection solutions.

Phenol concentrations in the air near phenol disinfectant solutions were measured. The concentration of phenol was not excessive, except for hot solutions with which exposure would normally be for a very short time. Adverse physiological reactions may occur at air levels below the threshold limit values which may be especially hazardous to those persons exposed to organisms causing respiratory diseases.

The Activity of Some Chemical Disinfectants Against Talfan Virus and Porcine Adenovirus Type 2

Ten disinfectant compounds were tested for their activity against Talfan virus (a porcine enterovirus) and the 6618 strain of porcine adenovirus type 2. The effects of time and temperature on viral inactivation were determined. Chlorhexidine and an ampholytic surface active agent were found to have little activity against either virus. Cetrimide and a phenolic disinfectant were active against the adenovirus, but not against Talfan virus. Inactivation of the viruses by formaldehyde was relatively slow, and poor at 4°C. Potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide were active against both viruses over a wide range of times and temperatures. An iodophor preparation was rather less active, but sodium hypochlorite and ethyl alcohol inactivated the viruses most efficiently under our test conditions. On a testé l'activité de dix désinfectants sur le virus Talfan (un entérovirus du porc) et sur la souche 6618 de l'adénovirus du porc type 2. On a déterminé les effets du temps et de la température sur l'inactivation des virus. On a constaté que la Chlorhexidine et un agent superficiel ampholyte n'avaient que peu d'action sur l'un ou l'autre de ces virus. La cetrimide et un désinfectant phénolique étaient actifs sur l'adénovirus mais non sur le virus Talfan. L'inactivation de ces virus par la formaldéhyde était relativement lente, et faible à 4°C. Le permanganate de potassium et l'hydroxide de sodium agissaient sur les deux virus à toute une gamme de temps et de températures. Une préparation d'iodophor était plutôt moins active, mais l'hypochlorite de sodium et l'alcool éthylique inactivaient les virus de façon très efficace dans les conditions de notre test. Die Wirksamkeit von zehn Desinfizientia gegen Talfan Virus (ein bei Schweinen vorkommender Enterovirus) und gegen 6618 Stamm des Schweine infizierenden Adenovirus Typ 2. Der Einfluss von Zeit und Temperatur auf die Inaktivierung der Viren wurde bestimmt. Es wurde gefunden, dass Chlorhexidin und ein ampholytisch wirkendes Mittel gegen beide Viren wenig wirksam waren. Cetrimide und ein Phenoldesinfizient wirkten gegen den Adenovirus, nicht aber gegen den Talfan Virus. Inaktivierung der Viren durch Formaldehyd erfolgte zeimlich langsam und mangelhaft bei 4°C. Kaliumpermanganat und Natronlauge waren wirksam gegen beide Viren innerhalb einer weiten Spanne von Zeit und Temperaturen. Ein Jodpräparat war weniger wirksam, aber Natriumhypochlorid und Aethylalkohol inaktivierten die Viren unter unsern Versuchsbedingungen aufs wirksamste. Se probaron diez compuestos desinfectantes en su actividad contra el Virus Talfan (un enterovirus porcino) y la raza 6618 de los adenovirus porcinos tipo 2. Se determinaron los efectos del tiempo y la temperatura sobre la inactivación vírica. Se observó que la Chlorexidina y un agente tensioactivo amfolítico mostraban escasa actividad contra cualquiera de dichos virus. La Cetrimida y un desinfectante de la serie fenólica eran activos contra los adenovirus, pero no contra el virus Talfan. La inactivación de los virus por el formaldehido fué relativamente lenta y escasa a 4 grados centígrados. El permanganato potásico y el hidróxido sódico se mostraron activos contra las dos clases de virus en un amplio margen de tiempos y temperaturas. Un preparado yodofórmico fué bastante menos activo, pero el hipoclorito sódico y el alcohol etílico fueron los que mejor inactivaron estos virus bajo nuestras condiciones de prueba.

Depigmentation Caused by Phenolic Detergent Germicides

To my knowledge, this is the first report of depigmentation of the skin caused by phenolic germicidal disinfectants. Patch tests with phenolic components of the disinfectants produced depigmentation on 12 affected workers and six volunteer controls. From my data it appears that virtually any moderately irritating phenolic compound can depigment skin, but of those tested, paratertiary butyl and amylphenol most often depigmented skin without producing toxic inflammation. These two phenols are components of many germicidal disinfectants.

Potentially Infectious Agents Associated with Shearling Bedpads: Effect of Laundering with Detergent-Disinfectant Combinations on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Glutaraldehyde-tanned woolskins which are used as bedpads to prevent decubitus ulcers were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). Two methods of exposure, direct contact and aerosol, were used in separate experiments. Attempts were made to decrease the bacterial population placed on the woolskins by laundering them in a quaternary ammonium disinfectant, a phenolic disinfectant, or alkalinized glutaraldehyde, in combination with an anionic or nonionic detergent. The effect of a commercial detergent-sanitizer was also studied. Bacterial populations were significantly reduced in all experiments, but only laundering in glutaraldehyde in combination with either detergent resulted in maximum removal of bacteria. Viable bacteria were usually not detected in the rinse water (<1 viable organism/5 ml of rinse water).

Phenol Concentrations in the Air from Disinfection Solutions

Phenol concentrations in the air near phenol disinfectant solutions were measured. The concentration of phenol was not excessive, except for hot solutions with which exposure would normally be for a very short time. Adverse physiological reactions may occur at air levels below the threshold limit values which may be especially hazardous to those persons exposed to organisms causing respiratory diseases.

Potentially Infectious Agents Associated with Shearling Bedpads

Glutaraldehyde-tanned woolskin pads which are used for the prevention of decubitus ulcers in bed patients were experimentally contaminated with polio or vaccinia viruses. Two methods of exposure, direct contact and aerosol, were used in separate experiments. Attempts were made to remove or inactivate these virus contaminants by laundering the woolskins in a quaternary ammonium disinfectant, a phenolic disinfectant, or alkalinized glutaraldehyde, in combination with an anionic detergent or a nonionic detergent. The effect of a commercial detergent-sanitizer was also studied. The virus titers were significantly reduced in all experiments, but only laundering in glutaraldehyde in combination with either detergent lowered the vaccinia virus titers to below detectable limits. High concentrations of glutaraldehyde altered the texture of the wool and leather apparently by precipitating a component of the detergent onto the fibers. In all the poliovirus experiments, the virus was still detectable on either or both the wool and the leather of the pads after laundering. The rinse water from each experiment was tested for the presence of virus. No vaccinia virus was recovered, but poliovirus was demonstrated in titers up to 10(3) cell culture 50% infectious doses.

Potentially infectious agents associated with shearling bedpads. I. Effect of laundering with detergent-disinfectant combinations on polio and vaccinia viruses.

Glutaraldehyde-tanned woolskin pads which are used for the prevention of decubitus ulcers in bed patients were experimentally contaminated with polio or vaccinia viruses. Two methods of exposure, direct contact and aerosol, were used in separate experiments. Attempts were made to remove or inactivate these virus contaminants by laundering the woolskins in a quaternary ammonium disinfectant, a phenolic disinfectant, or alkalinized glutaraldehyde, in combination with an anionic detergent or a nonionic detergent. The effect of a commercial detergent-sanitizer was also studied. The virus titers were significantly reduced in all experiments, but only laundering in glutaraldehyde in combination with either detergent lowered the vaccinia virus titers to below detectable limits. High concentrations of glutaraldehyde altered the texture of the wool and leather apparently by precipitating a component of the detergent onto the fibers. In all the poliovirus experiments, the virus was still detectable on either or both the wool and the leather of the pads after laundering. The rinse water from each experiment was tested for the presence of virus. No vaccinia virus was recovered, but poliovirus was demonstrated in titers up to 10(3) cell culture 50% infectious doses.

Inactivation of vesicular stomatitis virus by disinfectants.

Twenty-four chemical disinfectants considered to be viricidal were tested. Ten disinfectants were not viricidal for vesicular stomatitis virus within 10 min at 20 C when an LD(50) titer of 10(8.5) virus units per 0.1 ml were to be inactivated. Quantitative inactivation experiments were done with acid, alkaline, and a substituted phenolic disinfectant to determine the kinetics of the virus inactivation. Substituted phenolic disinfectants, halogens, and cresylic and hydrochloric acids were viricidal. Basic compounds such as lye and sodium metasilicate were not viricidal.

Inactivation of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus by Disinfectants

Twenty-four chemical disinfectants considered to be viricidal were tested. Ten disinfectants were not viricidal for vesicular stomatitis virus within 10 min at 20 C when an LD(50) titer of 10(8.5) virus units per 0.1 ml were to be inactivated. Quantitative inactivation experiments were done with acid, alkaline, and a substituted phenolic disinfectant to determine the kinetics of the virus inactivation. Substituted phenolic disinfectants, halogens, and cresylic and hydrochloric acids were viricidal. Basic compounds such as lye and sodium metasilicate were not viricidal.

Bacterial contamination of a phenolic disinfectant.

Twenty ward stock bottles of aqueous 1% Printol were examined and 17 were found to be contaminated with Alcaligenes faecalis. Organisms were present in dead space behind the plastic liners of the bottle caps, where they could have survived washing. A. faecalis was also isolated from 31 out of 34 1% Printol solutions in use in the hospital. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown from two samples of 1% Printol in one ward, but not from stock bottles.The minimal bactericidal concentration (M.B.C.) in aqueous solution of Hycolin, Sudol, and Stericol for A. faecalis and Ps. aeruginosa was 1 in 320. The M.B.C. of Printol for both organisms was 1 in 80. The activity of all four disinfectants was reduced in the presence of large amounts of organic matter. Sudol was the least affected. Polyethylene, of which stock bottles were made, did not reduce the activity of the disinfectants. It is suggested that, ideally, stock bottles of disinfectant diluted ready for use should be autoclaved before they are refilled.

Mechanism of Action of Phenolic Disinfectants VIII. Association of Phenolic Disinfectants with Proteins

Association of phenol-14C (P-C-14), p-tert-amylphenol-14C (PTAP-C-14), and 2, 4-dichlorophenol-14C (DCP-C-14) with human serum and bacterial (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) proteins was investigated by means of density gradient ultracentrifugation and Sephadex gel filtration. Definite association between the phenols, PTAP-C-14 and DCP-C-14, and human serum proteins could be demonstrated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and with Sephadex gel filtration. The major protein in human serum involved in this association appeared to be albumin. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation provided data indicating association of bacterial proteins with the three phenolic compounds, but most clear-cut in the case of PTAP-C-14. Protein binding could explain interference of serum with germicidal effects of phenolic disinfectants and enzyme inhibition and structural damage may account for bactericidal action. Association of phenol-14C (P-C-14), p-tert-amylphenol-14C (PTAP-C-14), and 2, 4-dichlorophenol-14C (DCP-C-14) with human serum and bacterial (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) proteins was investigated by means of density gradient ultracentrifugation and Sephadex gel filtration. Definite association between the phenols, PTAP-C-14 and DCP-C-14, and human serum proteins could be demonstrated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and with Sephadex gel filtration. The major protein in human serum involved in this association appeared to be albumin. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation provided data indicating association of bacterial proteins with the three phenolic compounds, but most clear-cut in the case of PTAP-C-14. Protein binding could explain interference of serum with germicidal effects of phenolic disinfectants and enzyme inhibition and structural damage may account for bactericidal action.

Mechanism of Action of Phenolic Disinfectants VII: Factors Affecting Binding of Phenol Derivatives to Micrococcus lysodeikticus Cells

Whole cells of Micrococcus lysodeikticus ATCC 4698 bound approximately 2–4 per cent of phenol-14C (P-14C), 20 per cent of 2,4-dichlorophenol-14C (DCP-14C), and 30 per cent of p-tert-amylphenol-14C (PTAP-14C) when exposed to the latter in trace amounts. Protoplasts bound approximately 20 per cent less, respectively, of each of the phenol derivatives. With increasing pH (from 4.9 to 9.6), whole cells bound decreasing amounts of DCP-14C, but binding of P-14C and PTAP-14C was relatively constant over the same pH range. Human serum decreased binding of DCP-14C and PTAP-14C by M. lysodeikticus cells and a similar effect, although less marked, was found with crystalline human serum albumin. The decrease was proportional to protein concentration. Human serum γ globulin in the same concentration as serum albumin did not reduce binding of the labeled phenols to the bacterial cells while a sonic disintegrate of M. lysodeikticus cells caused some reduction in binding. Whole cells of Micrococcus lysodeikticus ATCC 4698 bound approximately 2–4 per cent of phenol-14C (P-14C), 20 per cent of 2,4-dichlorophenol-14C (DCP-14C), and 30 per cent of p-tert-amylphenol-14C (PTAP-14C) when exposed to the latter in trace amounts. Protoplasts bound approximately 20 per cent less, respectively, of each of the phenol derivatives. With increasing pH (from 4.9 to 9.6), whole cells bound decreasing amounts of DCP-14C, but binding of P-14C and PTAP-14C was relatively constant over the same pH range. Human serum decreased binding of DCP-14C and PTAP-14C by M. lysodeikticus cells and a similar effect, although less marked, was found with crystalline human serum albumin. The decrease was proportional to protein concentration. Human serum γ globulin in the same concentration as serum albumin did not reduce binding of the labeled phenols to the bacterial cells while a sonic disintegrate of M. lysodeikticus cells caused some reduction in binding.

Mechanism of Action of Phenolic Disinfectants VI: Effects on Glucose and Succinate Metabolism of Escherichia Coli

A representative group of phenols was examined as to effects on aerobic and anaerobic utilization of glucose and aerobic utilization of sodium succinate. At low concentrations, p -chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, p -chloro- o -cresol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol stimulated oxygen uptake with glucose as the substrate; phenol and p -chloro- m -xylenol were inhibitory, and p - tert -amylphenol had no measurable effect. At the higher concentrations used, all compounds except 2,4-dinitrophenol were inhibitory. Anaerobic metabolism of glucose was inhibited by concentrations of the compounds tested similar to those inhibiting glucose oxidation. Oxidation of sodium succinate was stimulated by low concentrations of p -chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, p -chloro- o -cresol, dichloro- m -xylenol, and p - tert -amylphenol. All compounds were inhibitory at higher concentrations. In general, sodium succinate oxidation was the most sensitive to phenolics, and glucose oxidation the least sensitive. There was some correlation between phenol coefficients and inhibition of glucose and succinate metabolism. It is hypothesized that the lethal action of phenolic disinfectants is due to damage of permeability mechanisms, the repair of which is prevented by concomitant inhibition of energy-yielding metabolic reactions.