[MurtazaHakim]

Yes the product has Ethanol. Does the ethanol react with CIT/CMIT ?

I checked Ecolab Hydrex Surgical Scrub CHG 4% but did not find any CIT/CMIT in it.

[MurtazaHakim]

I found a product named Acusol 882 from Dow Chemicals. I think it better suits the formulation of fabric softener as a rheology modifier.

[MurtazaHakim]

What should be the minimum dosage of esterquat for producing conventional fabric softeners ? I think the rheology modifier dosage depends upon the % of esterquat in the formulation.

If I were to choose between MHEC, HEC, HPMC, which one is better suited ?

[MurtazaHakim]

This inflation should not take place if I use RO water or DI water for dilution. The product https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4869/smpc#FORM has no such chelating agents indicated in the list of excipients.

Could there be another reason(s) for this inflation ? 

[MurtazaHakim]

Can we use HDPE bottles for packaging of this Hydrogen Peroxide 6% w/w ? I have observed that the filled plastic bottles inflate after a few hours.

[MurtazaHakim]

Please check this product. I intend to make a similar product.

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4869/smpc#FORM

[MurtazaHakim]

The preservative is a blend of MCIT & MIT.

[MurtazaHakim]

The test report of the salt sample received indicates NaCl content as 99.6%. The following data is indicated in the test report.  

1. pH - 7.0

2. Moisture - 0.15 %

3. Insolubles - 0.05 %

4. Calcium - 0.06 %

5. Magnesium - 0.02 %

6. Potassium - 0.01 %

7. Sulphate - 0.09 %

8. NaCl - 99.60 %

9. Iodine - 15-40 MG/KG

This is actually a food grade iodized salt. Is it fine to use iodized salt for cleaning products ?

[MurtazaHakim]

I am still struggling to decipher the cause of precipitation in my formulation of 4% CHG skin cleanser. The formulation has Lauramine oxide and Alkyl Polyglucoside (Caprylyl Glucoside) as surfactants and Hydroxyethyl Cellulose 100 K grade as the thickener, Glycerine as humectant, colorant, fragrance, Ethanol and 4% CHG as the active ingredient.

Initially I thought that the APG being higher in pH is resulting in higher pH of the final product which in turn is responsible for the precipitation of CHG but the precipitation occurs even after adjusting the pH using citric acid.

I think I need to omit the APG and formulate using only one surfactant mainly Lauramine Oxide which is somewhere neutral in nature.

Your thoughts on this subject would be highly appreciated.

[MurtazaHakim]

I respect your opinion Mr. Phil but let us not deviate from the subject which is the precipitate. I posted the above files in order to indicate that CHG 4 % w/v may not require any other preservative. 

The quality of such products is evaluated primarily and most importantly by efficacy testing against bacteria, virus, fungi, yeast etc. The question currently is concerned with the stability of the formulation itself. The efficacy testing can be executed once the formulation is found to be stable. 

[MurtazaHakim]

I understand that there may be contamination but the source of contamination is water. My concern currently is the precipitation in the product which is visually impairing the product. The antiseptic efficacy of the product is a different subject overall.

I am attaching a photograph of Ecolab’s product label for Hydrex Surgical Scrub. The label indicates the active ingredient as well as excipients.

pH adjustment is an issue which I am trying to solve. The document uploaded by Ketchito indicates that lactic acid may inhibit the antimicrobial activity of CHG which discourages me to use it but I have found patents of similar product using lactic acid for pH adjustment. 

[MurtazaHakim]

4% w/v of CHG is the active ingredient. A formulation with such a high % of CHG should not require any other preservative.

[MurtazaHakim]

Its a formulation which is specifically for pre-operative and post-operative hand wash. CHG in this formulation is not intended as a preservative but is an active ingredient for skin antisepsis.

[MurtazaHakim]

Is there a specific sequence of addition I should follow ???

I dissolve HEC in Water in one phase and then add the surfactants diluted in water and then add the fragrance which is dissolved in Ethanol and then water to q.s to 100 vol%.

APG has high pH. That maybe the reason for alkalinity of the finished product. 

[MurtazaHakim]

I have tried formulating my product considering Hydrex Surgical Scrub which is a known product from Ecolab. It has Ethanol too. What could be the reaction between Ethanol and CHG ???

I think the precipitate is chlorhexidine base due to the fact that the pH of my product is slightly alkaline (7.6).

I think gluconic acid or lactic acid should be used to adjust pH to 6. If the precipitate appears even after obtaining pH 6, then the reason for this precipitation may be different.

[MurtazaHakim]

The document shared by Ketchito indicates that a variety of commonly used acids and bases result in inhibiting the activity of CHG. 

Which option remains then to adjust the pH ?

[MurtazaHakim]

It is a medical product. A 4% w/v CHG skin cleanser to be used for pre-operative handwash and surgical skin cleanser.

HCl is a strong acid and may not be suitable for such a product. 

[MurtazaHakim]

The pH of the formulation exceeds 7. It was measured as 7.6. Which pH adjustment agents are suitable for pH adjustment of CHG based products ?

Citric Acid is considered to inhibit the activity of CHG that is why it does not seem to be suitable for the pH adjustment. 

[MurtazaHakim]

I studied a product Hydrex Surgical Scrub from Ecolab. It does not produce much foam and does not contain any surfactant other than dialkylamine oxide. I have tried formulating my product similarly but have added a bit of APG for better foaming and cleansing. Surgical scrubs are not expected to produce much foam. Active ingredient CHG in 4% w/v percentage is the most important component. This product must pass EN 1499 and EN 12791 in order to qualify for use in hospitals. What US standards are equivalent to EN 1499 and EN 12791 ???

[MurtazaHakim]

Yes. It is a Surgical Scrub Formulation. It is a medical product and not a cosmetic product.

[MurtazaHakim]

What is the recommended dosage of Esterquat (Fentacare TEP-90) ??? Which type of thickener should I replace HEC with ??? The mixer operates at lower speed and Esterquat is added after the bulk water reaches temperature above 50 degree Celsius. Are there any changes required like specific sequence of addition ???

[MurtazaHakim]

We are experiencing recurring issue of phase separation in our fabric softener. The formulation is

1. Fentacare TEP 90 
2. Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
3. Preservative
4. Colorant
5. Fragrance 

Is it due to Hydroxyethyl Cellulose ???
The other components appear to be compatible with each other. 

[MurtazaHakim]

The possibility of objection exists due to the application of the product formulated using this strong cetrimide solution. Cetrimide 15% + Chlorhexidine Gluconate 1.5% is applied to burns and wounds to disinfect. A colleague of mine had an opinion that anything applied to skin burns and wounds should be free of IPA but dettol antiseptic liquid contains IPA and is used to clean wounds and burns. 

[MurtazaHakim]

What form of EDTA should be used ??? Is it tetrasodium EDTA solution ???

[MurtazaHakim]

What would be better to use Biocrol WS1 or Lonzaserve ID ???