In today's world, it is essential to tackle viruses, bacteria, and germs head-on. Conventional disinfectants, with their harsh and sometimes unstable nature, raise safety concerns. Enter Glyclean® D, which harnesses the distinctive qualities of glycolic acid as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient solution.
Glyclean® D Efficacy and Kill Claims
Glyclean® D combines comprehensive disinfection with efficient one-step cleaning and is approved for use worldwide. Glyclean® D has successfully undergone the stringent testing necessary for acquiring US EPA registrations. Effective against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, and fungi, Glyclean® D achieves hospital-grade disinfection with kill times as short as 30 seconds. PureTech Scientific has performed thorough research and developed Glyclean® D to ensure long-term regulatory compliance.
Modes of Action
Disinfectant actives used in household, industrial, and institutional cleaning eliminate organisms through various mechanisms. Each disinfectant active (biocide) has inherent advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will examine the most widely used disinfectant actives, comparing their modes of action and inherent pros and cons. Glyclean® D, based on glycolic acid, falls into the category of organic acid chemistries.
The table below compares common household disinfectant types.
Disinfectant Type
Mode of Action
Advantages
Disadvantages
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Ruptures cell membranes
Common, low price point, highly effective
Toxic to the environment, regulatory pressures, bacterial resistance concerns
Alcohols
Dissolves/denatures
Biodegradable
Flammable, high VOC, single mode of action
Chlorinated Compounds
Ruptures cell membranes
Ruptures cell membranes
Halogenated compounds (toxic), regulatory issues, high VOC, damaging to surfaces, single mode of action
Peroxides
Oxidizes cell membranes, oxidizes cell structures
Oxidizes/penetrates cell membranes and oxidizes cell structures
Oxidation is non-selective, limited shelf life, requires stabilization, safety concerns
Biodegradable, low to no VOC, stable in formulation, no regulatory pressures
Moderate pricing, lesser kill claims compared to quats
Glyclean® D vs. Other Disinfectant Actives
Glyclean® D is the ideal solution for the next generation of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products. It seamlessly integrates sustainability, safety, cleaning performance, and disinfectant efficacy into a single, user-friendly, and quick-to-market active ingredient.
Chemistry
Regulatory concerns
Sustainability
Safety
Stability
Efficacy
Cleaning performance
Glyclean® D
Quats
Peroxygens
Bleach
Other organic acids
= Very effective/minimal concerns
= Effective/some concerns
= Not effective/many concerns
Glyclean® D vs. Quats
As environmental and safety concerns grow regarding quaternary ammonium–based disinfectants, there is a clear industry need for alternative active chemistries. Glyclean® D offers significant safety advantages over quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), with approximately 100 times lower toxicity than common quats such as ADBAC and DDAC.
Additionally, Glyclean® D can be easily identified and quantified using direct analysis techniques, unlike quats. This simplified identification allows for more precise product labeling regarding hazard class and hazard statement codes.
Glyclean® D vs. Other Acids
Glyclean® D has demonstrated superior effectiveness against common pathogens compared to other common acid-based disinfectants*. This enhanced efficacy enables a lower total acid concentration, facilitating easier formulation and superior cleaning performance.
