Enhanced tuburculocidal activity and decreased fumes from glutaraldehyde disinfectant using acetate salts and alcohol
The addition of alcohol plus acetate salts unexpectedly enhanced the tuberculocidal activity of glutaraldehyde, and decreased the fumes of glutaraldehyde from the formula of a high-level disinfectant.
1. An aqueous, room temperature, low-fumes, disinfecting and/or sterilizing water-based solution having an activated pH of from 7.3 to about 7.9 comprising:
from about 2.0% to about 5.0% glutaraldehyde by volume;
from about 5.0% to about 26.0% alcohol by volume, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol;
an effective amount of a buffer compatible with glutaraldehyde, wherein the buffer is phosphate buffer; and
from about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight of an acetate salt.
2. An aqueous disinfecting and/or sterilizing solution according to claim 1 wherein the alcohol concentration is 24% to about 26% by volume.
3. An aqueous disinfecting and/or sterilizing solution according to claim 2 wherein the acetate salt is present at about 8% by weight of the total solution.
4. An aqueous disinfecting and/or sterilizing solution according to claim 1 further including a surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic, cationic and anionic surfactants at a level of from 0.0025% to 0.01% by weight.
5. An aqueous disinfecting and/or sterilizing solution according to claim 4 wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.
6. An aqueous disinfecting and/or sterilizing solution according to claim 1 wherein the solution comprises above 2% to about 5% by volume of glutaraldehyde.
7. A disinfectant kit comprising:
a first container of storable solution that is stable for up to 12 months containing:
from about 2% to about 5% by volume of glutaraldehyde;
from about 5% to about 26% by volume of alcohol wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropranol; and
a sodium or potassium acetate salt of from about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight;
a second container of phosphate buffer in an amount sufficient to provide a concentration of 4 grams per liter to 7 grams per liter, and to provide a pH when combined with the first container of from 7.3 to 7.9; and
instructions for mixing said storable solution and said phosphate buffer to provide a working disinfecting solution that is stable for up to 14 days.
8. A disinfectant kit according to claim 7 , wherein the first container comprises above 2% to about 5% by volume of glutaraldehyde.
9. A disinfectant kit comprising:
a first container of storable solution that is stable for up to 12 months containing:
from about 2% to about 5% by volume of glutaraldehyde;
from 24% to about 26% by volume of alcohol wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropranol; and
an acetate salt of about 8% by weight;
a second container of phosphate buffer in an amount sufficient to provide a concentration of 4 grams per liter to 7 grams per liter, and to provide a pH when combined with the storable solution of from 7.3 to 7.9; and
instructions for mixing said storable solution and said phosphate buffer to provide a working disinfecting solution that is stable for up to 14 days.
10. A disinfectant kit according to claim 9 , wherein the first container comprises above 2% to about 5% by volume of glutaraldehyde.
11. A method of enhancing kill and decreasing fumes of glutaraldehyde disinfectant water based solution, comprising:
mixing from about 2.0% to about 5.0% glutaraldehyde by volume;
from about 5.0% to about 26.0% alcohol by volume, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol; and an effective amount of a buffer compatible with glutaraldehyde, wherein the buffer is phosphate buffer; with from about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight of an acetate salt,
wherein the resultant mixture has an activated pH of from 7.3 to about 7.9.