Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives

Abstract Surfaces contaminated with pathogens pose a significant risk of disease transmission and infection. Alcohol-based disinfectants are widely utilized to decontaminate high-touch areas across various settings. However, their limited antimicrobial activity and the emergence of alcohol-tolerant...

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Main Authors: Euna Oh, Hyerin Shin, Sumin Han, Soo Jee Do, Younseo Shin, Ji Hee Pi, Youngjin Kim, Dae-Hong Ko, Kyu Hyoung Lee, Hyo-Jick Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87811-0
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author Euna Oh
Hyerin Shin
Sumin Han
Soo Jee Do
Younseo Shin
Ji Hee Pi
Youngjin Kim
Dae-Hong Ko
Kyu Hyoung Lee
Hyo-Jick Choi
author_facet Euna Oh
Hyerin Shin
Sumin Han
Soo Jee Do
Younseo Shin
Ji Hee Pi
Youngjin Kim
Dae-Hong Ko
Kyu Hyoung Lee
Hyo-Jick Choi
author_sort Euna Oh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Surfaces contaminated with pathogens pose a significant risk of disease transmission and infection. Alcohol-based disinfectants are widely utilized to decontaminate high-touch areas across various settings. However, their limited antimicrobial activity and the emergence of alcohol-tolerant strains necessitate the development of highly efficient disinfectant formulations. In this work we test the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities of the salt-incorporated alcohol solution disinfectant against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, spore-forming and non-spore-forming bacteria, and mold and yeast fungi. Specifically, the disinfection capability of the isopropanol (IPA) and ethanol (EtOH) solutions containing NaCl salts was evaluated by measuring (1) antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), and an alcohol-tolerant strain of E. coli; (2) sporicidal activity against Clostridioides difficile; (3) the antiviral activity against enveloped A/PR8/34 H1N1 influenza virus and non-enveloped adenovirus VR-5; and (4) the antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger and Cryptococcus neoformans from the time-dependent viability assays. Additionally, the biocidal activity of the disinfectant formulation was tested by spraying it on the biocontaminated surfaces, including plastics, stainless steel, and glass. Overall, the inclusion of salt in alcohol solutions significantly enhanced their disinfection activities, positioning these solutions as promising candidates for long-term disinfection and maintenance of hygienic environments. This method, which employs mild salt instead of toxic materials, offers a simpler, more cost-effective, and safer alternative to conventional alcohol-based disinfectants. This research is expected to significantly impact on disease prevention and contribute greatly to public health and safety.
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spelling doaj-art-23a7bc4d96d246788f07541aac90a7cf2025-02-02T12:23:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-87811-0Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additivesEuna Oh0Hyerin Shin1Sumin Han2Soo Jee Do3Younseo Shin4Ji Hee Pi5Youngjin Kim6Dae-Hong Ko7Kyu Hyoung Lee8Hyo-Jick Choi9Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of AlbertaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of AlbertaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of AlbertaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of AlbertaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of AlbertaAbstract Surfaces contaminated with pathogens pose a significant risk of disease transmission and infection. Alcohol-based disinfectants are widely utilized to decontaminate high-touch areas across various settings. However, their limited antimicrobial activity and the emergence of alcohol-tolerant strains necessitate the development of highly efficient disinfectant formulations. In this work we test the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities of the salt-incorporated alcohol solution disinfectant against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, spore-forming and non-spore-forming bacteria, and mold and yeast fungi. Specifically, the disinfection capability of the isopropanol (IPA) and ethanol (EtOH) solutions containing NaCl salts was evaluated by measuring (1) antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), and an alcohol-tolerant strain of E. coli; (2) sporicidal activity against Clostridioides difficile; (3) the antiviral activity against enveloped A/PR8/34 H1N1 influenza virus and non-enveloped adenovirus VR-5; and (4) the antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger and Cryptococcus neoformans from the time-dependent viability assays. Additionally, the biocidal activity of the disinfectant formulation was tested by spraying it on the biocontaminated surfaces, including plastics, stainless steel, and glass. Overall, the inclusion of salt in alcohol solutions significantly enhanced their disinfection activities, positioning these solutions as promising candidates for long-term disinfection and maintenance of hygienic environments. This method, which employs mild salt instead of toxic materials, offers a simpler, more cost-effective, and safer alternative to conventional alcohol-based disinfectants. This research is expected to significantly impact on disease prevention and contribute greatly to public health and safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87811-0DisinfectantSalt crystallizationAntibacterialAntiviralSporicidalAntifungal
spellingShingle Euna Oh
Hyerin Shin
Sumin Han
Soo Jee Do
Younseo Shin
Ji Hee Pi
Youngjin Kim
Dae-Hong Ko
Kyu Hyoung Lee
Hyo-Jick Choi
Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
Scientific Reports
Disinfectant
Salt crystallization
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Sporicidal
Antifungal
title Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
title_full Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
title_fullStr Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
title_short Enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
title_sort enhanced biocidal efficacy of alcohol based disinfectants with salt additives
topic Disinfectant
Salt crystallization
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Sporicidal
Antifungal
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87811-0
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