Reference Library-Technical Note

AlfaSIP™ - Sanitization by Pure Chlorine Dioxide

AlfaSIP products inactivate microorganisms by oxidizing key components in the membrane protein. Cell death is caused by a loss of permeability control and ultimately membrane potential. By oxidizing protein components, chlorine dioxide is reduced to inactive byproducts. Also, since it goes through simple oxidation and does not proceed through electrophilic substitution, as do bleach and other halogenating compounds, no carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs) or haloacetic acids (HAA5) are formed.

When used as directed, this chlorine dioxide-generating product is proven effective as: a disinfectant against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium bovis (TB) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (athlete's foot); a virucide against Corona virus, Feline Calicivirus, Hepatitis A, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), Poliovirus-1, and Rotavirus; and a sanitizer against E. coli (and E. coli O157:H7), S. aureus, Salmonella typhimurium (MDRS), and Klebsiella pneumonia.

What is chlorine dioxide?
It isn't chlorine, hypochlorous acid, or bleach

In water, all of these compounds, including chlorine gas, rely on hypochlorous acid for biocidal effects

HOCl --><-- H+ + OCl-
                   speciation is pH dependent

HOCl is the active biocide
                   OCl- is approximately 1% as effective as HOCl

HOCl reacts with natural organic matter (NOM) through substitution reactions to produce chlorinated byproducts.

Some byproducts are hazardous, e.g., trihalomethanes (THMs)

"In contrast to the use of chlorine or hypochlorous acid or bleach, chlorine dioxide is not a chlorinating agent. It does not form chlorinated organic by-products. This is an important distinction between the use of chlorine (Cl2, HOCl, OCl -), and chlorine dioxide (ClO2). In reactions with organic materials, chlorine invariably forms volatile chlorine-containing organic by-products."

Observations and Comments on the Use of Chlorine Dioxide for the Decontamination of the Hart Office Building", Gilbert Gordon, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH.

Biocidal Efficacy

Chemical properties and purity make a difference

Chlorine Dioxide has less than ½ the oxidation potential of ozone, is 36% lower than bleach and 47% lower than peracetic acid
Safer for materials prone to oxidation
Because it can gain 5 electrons, chlorine dioxide has a higher oxidation capacity than bleach, ozone, peracetic acid, or peroxide


Properties of Chlorine Dioxide Advantageous in Biopharm Applications

Chlorine dioxide presence is easily, accurately measured using inexpensive, readily available detectors and test strips.

Pure gas: Permits quick and easy evacuation

Rapid flushing from tanks and piping, usually in 1 to 1½ volumes of water

Unused solution can normally be sent to sewer without additional treatment (check first)

Accommodates heat-sensitive equipment that cannot currently be effectively sterilized

Nearly all salt/buffer solutions are compatible with AlfaSIP regardless of the molarity of the solution.

Able to penetrate and remove established biofilms

Decontamination of closed vessels, even in the head space

More user-friendly than other chemical disinfecting solutions

Leaves no residue or film

Usable in aqueous and gas phases depending on application

Generated on-site without the need for capital equipment

"Just add water!!!"

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Technical Notes

AlfaSIP™ - Sanitization by Pure Chlorine Dioxide

Custom Installation

Gradient Materials

Linear Scale-up Rotors for KII & PKII Ultracentrifuges

Protocol Development Technology on the AW Promatix 1000™

The Reorienting Gradient Technique

Single Step Clarification, Concentration and Purification

Application Notes

K Series Rotors for KII Production Scale Ultracentrifuges

PK Series Rotors for PKII Pilot Scale Ultracentrifuges

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