Novel water-based antiseptic lotion demonstrates rapid, broad-spectrum kill compared with alcohol antiseptic

Skin- and Eco-Friendly Hand Sanitizer: A Novel Composition of Natural Extracts to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory diseases caused by viruses are a serious global health threat. Although the use of hand sanitizers containing alcohol and synthetic antiseptic agents is recognized as an effective, simple, and low-cost measure to combat viral transmission, they can harm human health and the environment. Thus, this work aimed to study the efficacy of combining Camellia sinensis and Chamomilla recutita extracts in a skin- and eco-friendly leave-on hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. An oil-in-water emulsion containing C. recutita oily extract (5.0%), C. recutita glycolic extract (0.2%) and C. sinensis glycolic extract (5.0%) showed virucidal activity against HAdV-2 (respiratory virus) and two surrogate viruses of SARS-CoV-2 (HSV-1 and MVH-3), showing great potential to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These natural extracts combined are also promising to combat a broad spectrum of other viruses, in the form of antiseptic mouthwashes or throat sprays, surface disinfectants, and veterinary products, among others. Complementally, the developed hand sanitizer demonstrated efficacy against bacteria and fungus.

Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Changes in Gills and Kidneys of Cyprinus carpio following Exposure to Benzethonium Chloride, a Cationic Surfactant

One cationic surfactant with a wide spectrum of microbiocidal activity is benzethonium chloride (BEC). Despite being widely used, the toxicity data on vertebrate organisms are limited. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate within this study the acute toxicity of BEC on the gills and kidneys of Cyprinus carpio (European carp). An alteration of the antioxidant enzymes activities (glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase) was noticed after 96 h of exposure, along with an elevation of lipid peroxidation and decreased concentration of reduced glutathione, which confirmed that BEC was able to induce toxicity to these tissues. These metabolic effects were correlated with unspecific structural changes observed in gills and kidneys, having moderate degree of severity (such as an increase of melanomacrophages aggregation incidence and cytoplasm vacuolation of goblet cells in collecting tubules) and generally being compatible with life for the exposure time studied. The most severe structural effects were observed in gills after 96 h, noticing a lamellar aneurysm, hemorrhages and lamellar epithelium disruption due to the blood vessels and pillar cells damages and increased blood flow inside the lamellae. By our research we can confirm the utility of biochemical and histological analyses in the fish organs as tools for monitoring the water quality and ecotoxicological potential of chemicals.

Topical Antiseptic Formulations for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are usually acute conditions of inflammatory microbial occupation of the skin layers and underlying soft tissues. SSTIs are one of the most frequent types of infection, typically requiring medical intervention and contribute to morbidity and mortality in both primary care and hospitalised patients. Due to the dramatic rise of antibiotic resistance, antiseptic agents can be potential alternatives for the prevention and treatment of SSTIs. Notably, they are commonly recommended in many global practical guidelines for use in per- and post- operative procedures. A range of antiseptics, including chlorhexidine, triclosan, alcohol, and povidone-iodine, are used and are mainly formulated as traditional, simple dosage forms such as solutions and semi-solids. However, in recent years, there have been studies reporting the potential for nanotechnology in the delivery of antiseptics. In this review, we have collated the scientific literature that focuses on topical antiseptic formulations for prevention and treatment of SSTIs, and have divided findings into traditional and advanced formulations. We conclude that although nanotechnological formulations have demonstrated potential advantages for delivering drugs; nevertheless, there is still scope for traditional formulations and further development of optimised topical formulations to address the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

In Vivo Comparison of Chlorine-Based Antiseptics versus Alcohol Antiseptic for Surgical Hand Antisepsis

Despite being commonly used as effective preparation for surgical hand antisepsis, alcohol solutions have major drawbacks, such as drying effect, emergence of hand eczema, and other diseases. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as antiseptic in comparison to single sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol. In 5-day tests, the effects of 3 antiseptics were established according to standard test methods. The antiseptics were applied to the hands of 82 volunteers, and samples of bacteria were collected on days 1 and 5, immediately after drying and 6 hours later after antiseptic application. Student's t test and ANOVA were applied in a statistical study. The NaOCl with H₂O₂ composition demonstrated noninferiority to both sodium hypochlorite only and alcohol products and superiority to these antiseptics on day 5 (P < 0.05 at a significance level of 5% for each comparative trial in this day) at equivalence margin of 20%. The effectiveness of the NaOCl plus H₂O₂ composition as an antiseptic was explained by the formation of singlet oxygen in the system. Together, these data suggest that NaOCl and H₂O₂ may be an effective hand antisepsis that avoids the drawbacks seen with alcohol solutions.

Developing chlorine-based antiseptic by electrolysis

The use of Alcohol-based antiseptics is efficient and approved, however it has some limitations. This paper examined the possibility of using hypochlorite water as a chlorine-based antiseptic for handwashing in public buildings and healthcare facilities. The electrolysis method was used, which produces Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from mixing drinking water with small amounts of sodium hydroxide. Hypochlorous acid is usually produced by blood cells to surround pathogens when the skin is cut and exposed to pathogens. The methods used were based on hydrolysing drinking water at a different salt concentration (from 0 up to saline water 0.9% NaCl) under the different power supply. The results showed that 0.005-0.01% hydrochloride water can be a perfect antiseptic that can kill most bacteria and pathogenies within 12 s. In one prototype set up one litter of the prepared solution needed the only 2 g of NaCl, 12 V and 3 amps' power. However, the pH value should be maintained to be around 5-6. The results also showed that the most efficient way was to produce the solution on-site. However, if stored properly it can be used for 7-10 days after production.

Effect of hand sanitizer on the performance of fingermark detection techniques

Hand sanitizers have seen a rapid increase in popularity amongst the general population and this increased use has led to the belief that hand sanitizers may have an effect on subsequent fingermark detection. Based on this hypothesis, three alcoholic and two non-alcoholic hand sanitizers were evaluated to determine the effect they had on the detection of fingermarks deposited after their use. The following fingermark detection methods were applied: 1,2-indanedione-zinc, ninhydrin, physical developer (porous substrate); and cyanoacrylate, rhodamine 6G, magnetic powder (non-porous substrate). Comparison between hand sanitized fingermarks and non-hand sanitized fingermarks showed that the alcohol-based hand sanitizers did not result in any visible differences in fingermark quality. The non-alcoholic hand sanitizers, however, improved the quality of fingermarks developed with 1,2-indanedione-zinc and ninhydrin, and marginally improved those developed with magnetic powder. Different parameters, including time since hand sanitizer application prior to fingermark deposition and age of deposited mark, were tested to determine the longevity of increased development quality. The non-alcoholic hand sanitized marks showed no decrease in quality when aged for up to two weeks. The time since sanitizer application was determined to be an important factor that affected the quality of non-alcoholic hand sanitized fingermarks. It was hypothesized that the active ingredient in non-alcoholic hand sanitizers, benzalkonium chloride, is responsible for the increase in fingermark development quality observed with amino acid reagents, while the increased moisture content present on the ridges resulted in better powdered fingermarks.

Efficacy of Instant Hand Sanitizers against Foodborne Pathogens Compared with Hand Washing with Soap and Water in Food Preparation Settings: A Systematic Review

Hands can be a vector for transmitting pathogenic microorganisms to foodstuffs and drinks, and to the mouths of susceptible hosts. Hand washing is the primary barrier to prevent transmission of enteric pathogens via cross-contamination from infected persons. Conventional hand washing involves the use of water, soap, and friction to remove dirt and microorganisms. The availability of hand sanitizing products for use when water and soap are unavailable has increased in recent years. The aim of this systematic review was to collate scientific information on the efficacy of hand sanitizers compared with washing hands with soap and water for the removal of foodborne pathogens from the hands of food handlers. An extensive literature search was carried out using three electronic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Twenty-eight scientific publications were ultimately included in the review. Analysis of this literature revealed various limitations in the scientific information owing to the absence of a standardized protocol for evaluating the efficacy of hand products and variation in experimental conditions. However, despite conflicting results, scientific evidence seems to support the historical skepticism about the use of waterless hand sanitizers in food preparation settings. Water and soap appear to be more effective than waterless products for removal of soil and microorganisms from hands. Alcohol-based products achieve rapid and effective inactivation of various bacteria, but their efficacy is generally lower against nonenveloped viruses. The presence of food debris significantly affects the microbial inactivation rate of hand sanitizers.