Macler's tips for effective disinfectant formulation: instructions for a good emulsion, step-by-step

Household disinfectants play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene and public health. In Brazil and South America, these products have great economic relevance, driven by several factors shaping the market.

• Hygiene Awareness: Growing awareness about the importance of hygiene, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the demand for disinfectants. The population is increasingly concerned about cleanliness and protection against disease.
• Urbanization and Population Concentration: Accelerated urbanization and the greater concentration of people in cities increase the risk of disease transmission, intensifying disinfectant use in domestic and public environments.
• Growth of the Middle Class: The increase in the purchasing power of the middle class in South America has increased people's access to higher-quality hygiene and cleaning products, including disinfectants.
• Regulation and Quality Standards: Strengthening regulations on the production and marketing of disinfectants has ensured product quality and consumer protection, making the market more competitive.
• Product Diversity: The variety of disinfectants available on the market, with different formulations and aromas, meets the varied preferences of consumers, ensuring more options.

It is a class of product of high economic relevance for the hygiene and cleaning sector, as shown by the evolution data of this market:

Crucial regulations and technical aspects

Sector-specific regulations recognize disinfectants' importance for public health and economic relevance. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health, through ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency), establishes strict rules for the production and commercialization of these products.
The requirement to register the product with ANVISA stands out. Furthermore, various documentary requirements must be met and authorizations obtained, including a technical report approved by ANVISA and issued by a laboratory proving the disinfectant's bactericidal effectiveness. These measures aim to ensure greater safety and protection for consumers.
To develop a safe and effective disinfectant formulation, in compliance with ANVISA regulations, it is essential to observe some technical details that directly impact the product's performance.
Important factors for developing a formulation for domestic use with cationic surfactants as the bactericidal active ingredient are presented below.

1. Water quality: The quality of the water used is a determining factor in the effectiveness of any hygiene and cleaning product. ANVISA, through Collegiate Board Resolution (RDC) No. 47/2013, establishes requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices for Sanitizing Products, determining the minimum parameters that water must meet. These parameters need to be strictly followed before manufacturing any product, especially disinfectants.

2. Use of sequestrants: The use of sequestrants is essential to guarantee the performance of the disinfectant. They protect the active ingredients metal ions, improve product stability, and help combat bacterial strains that contain calcium and magnesium in their cell walls.

3. Use of preservatives: The cationic active ingredients used in the formulations are biodegradable. These active ingredients are not preservatives; they act as bactericides but degrade naturally. It is therefore essential to use a good preservative. Otherwise, the product may lose its bactericidal action and be contaminated at the time of use. If this happens, instead of disinfecting the environment, it will contaminate it.

4. Adequate amount of active ingredient: To ensure the efficacy of the product, manufacturers must adhere to the concentration limits established by ANVISA, particularly when it comes to disinfectants. Due to cost considerations, manufacturers may opt to use the minimum amount of active ingredient necessary, as reported in the efficacy reports required by ANVISA. The two most prevalent ingredients in Brazil are Alkyl (C12/14) Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, also known as Benzalkonium Chloride, and a blend of this ingredient with Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, also known as 5th Generation Quaternary.To ensure the disinfectant's efficacy, the following minimum concentrations are recommended:

5. When purchasing natural essential oils, be careful: In some cases, some versions of disinfectants use natural essential oils, such as pine or eucalyptus oil. These are used for fragrance purposes only. However, it is important to note that these oils can sometimes have a certain level of contamination. When you add a contaminated oil to the formulation, it immediately consumes some of the active ingredients and reduces its bactericidal capacity.   

To use these oils safely, each time a batch is purchased, it must be verified that the product is free of contamination. This analysis can be done qualitatively using microbiological analysis kits, a very simple and inexpensive test. The use of contaminated oils is often the reason why an ANVISA-approved laboratory fails a bactericidal test.

6. Proper use of fragrance emulsifiers and essential oils: A common mistake in disinfectant formulations is the improper emulsification of fragrances and essential oils. If not emulsified properly, these ingredients can consume the surfactant, thus reducing the bactericidal effect. To avoid this situation, it is essential to follow a correct emulsification process. 

A safe and simple way to ensure a good emulsion is described in this step-by-step guide to be followed by the formulator provided by Macler:

Which bactericidal active ingredient is the most effective?
Which emulsifier is most effective?
Are sequestrants and preservatives more suitable?

To answer these questions, Macler has developed a suggestive formulation that is considered the best option in terms of performance, cost, and sustainable appeal:

Developing an effective disinfectant formulation requires attention to several technical details. By following the guidelines and using the correct ingredients, it is possible to create safe, efficient products that comply with ANVISA regulations. 

Do you still have questions about your disinfectant formulation?

Our SmartLab is ready to help you, whether in determining the best concentration of Isogen E-TEC or another emulsifier or to make your development process more agile, safe and effective.

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