[MurtazaHakim]

The primary surfactants are majorly anionic in nature. BAC will work with cationic, amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants but will precipitate when used with anionic surfactants like Sodium Laureth Sulphate .

Then for formulation of anti-bacterial hand soap there could be two pathways. 

1. To use cationic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants or a combination thereof.

2. To use an anti-bacterial agent which is anionic in nature and compatible with amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants as well.

Your suggestions on both the pathways are highly appreciated. 

[MurtazaHakim]

@MarkBroussard Which carbomer do you suggest instead of Ultrez 21 ???

Ultrez 21 provides acceptable clarity to the finished product which the other carbomer may not provide. 

[MurtazaHakim]

It is difficult to find Pharmaceutical Grade IPA nowadays. Major producers of Hand Sanitizers prefer Ethanol 96% in producing hand sanitizers. Is there any specific reason for preferring Ethanol over IPA ???

Furthermore which global standards are applicable for efficacy testing of hand sanitizers or alcohol hand rubs ??? 

[MurtazaHakim]

1. Carbopol Ultrez 21 - 0.24 %
2. Water -  29.46 %
3. Ethanol 99.9% - 70 %
4. Glycerine - 0.18
5. Triethanolamine - 0.12 % 

The pH of the final product was 6.35

[MurtazaHakim]

The composition of the blend I worked with was 60 mass% Ethanol and 40 mass% IPA.

[MurtazaHakim]

The technical grade is a blend. Would the efficacy of the product be equivalent to the one which is formulated with Pharmaceutical grade IPA ???

[MurtazaHakim]

Is it appropriate using technical grade Isopropylol for producing Hand Sanitizer gel or liquid ??? Technical grade is a blend of ethanol and Isopropylol.

[MurtazaHakim]

I saw a video (http://youtu.be/PMBqueQebIE ) on UL Prospector which was from Institute of Personal Care Science. It was said that one should use undenatured grade of Ethanol in formulation of Hand Sanitizers. We are using Ethanol 99.9% DB. What does DB mean ??? Is it denatured base or something else ???

[MurtazaHakim]

Chlorhexidine Gluconate used was 20 gm per 500 ml which is 4% w/v. I am unsure of the grade of chlorhexidine gluconate.Ignore 0.5% w/v reported in the previous post. 10-20% of glycerine seems to be a very high percentage. The reference product contains HEC. Is it only present as a rheology modifier ???

Hydrex was foaming just like any other liquid hand wash.

Can you provide any commercial grade of dialkylamine oxide ???

The most important factor is indeed the performance testing of the product without which the product has no commercial standing.

[MurtazaHakim]

The Hand Sanitizer formulation recommended by WHO includes Glycerol and Hydrogen Peroxide as well. I observed a study stating that the presence of glycerol interferes in the virucidal efficacy of the product. Are there any established evidences for that ??? 

[MurtazaHakim]

The availability of 12% NaOCl is not an issue for us. This 12% grade has available chlorine as 140-190 gpl. The density of this 12% grade of NaOCl is 1.22-1.27 kg/lit. The calculation would then be 

Available Chlorine =140 gm/1 litre = 0.140 kg/ 1.22 kg = 0.11475 kg/kg = 11.4754 % (w/w).

We need to dilute this 11.47 % to 1.25 %.

The dilution would then be calculated as 11.47/1.25 = 9.176.

Dividing 1000 kg into 9.176+1 = 10.176 parts, we get as follows

For a 1000 kg batch we would then have to mix 901.73 kg (901.73 lit.) of water and 98.27 kg (80.55 lit.) of this NaOCl 12% grade. The final mixture would then have the density of 1000 kg/ 982.28 lit. = 1.018 kg/lit.

Are the above calculations correct ???

Secondly, how to calculate the surface coverage requirement for disinfection application ???

[MurtazaHakim]

According to CDC’s website, Benzalkonium Chloride is not an effective agent against SARS COVID-19. Most of the products mentioned on the provided link are based on Benzalkonium Chloride.

Secondly, in case of Sodium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide, what concentration is to be used for formulating the final sprayable product ?

[MurtazaHakim]

Is it wise to use alcohol based sanitizer for surface sanitization ?

Are there any other alternatives which are economically better and equally or more efficient than alcohol based sanitizer when it comes to surface sanitization ?

[MurtazaHakim]

Is it appropriate to store Ethanol 99.9 % in IBCs or HDPE drums ???

I observed a company selling Ethanol 96% packed in HDPE drums which was to be used in perfumes Industries. 

[MurtazaHakim]

Considering 96% Ethanol, for achieving the same 70% v/v concentration of the finished product we require 729 liters of Ethanol and 271 liters of demineralized water to make a 1000 liters batch of finished product.

The SDS of both grades of Ethanol contain methanol in trace quantities. Furthermore is it fine if we exclude the addition of glycerol ? 

[MurtazaHakim]

Considering 70% v/v concentration of Ethanol 99.9 % denatured in the finished product, is it 700 liter Ethanol 99.9% and 300 liter demineralized water for a 1000 liter batch of finished product ?

Is it true that if Ethanol 96% is used, it should not have any Methanol content ?

[MurtazaHakim]

In the past, I used RhodapexESB 70 in our batch and surprisingly found that the SLES did not dissolve completely. I had used the same percentage composition though. What could be the reason ? Are all the SLES with same moles of EO not the same ?

[MurtazaHakim]

If I am to add NPE and replace CAPB by LA, What would be a good composition to begin with in order to have a product with enhanced performance ?

[MurtazaHakim]

Is it not true that sodium citrate helps in cutting oil and grease from dirty dishes ?

I think that my formulation is an economical one. I am thinking of replacing CAPB by lauramine oxide and using ethoxylated nonyl phenols for enhancing the detergency. What do you think about the performance ? Will it improve or still be the same after incorporating NPE and LA ?

[MurtazaHakim]

The dye is E-122 Carmoisine 20%. It is a food grade dye. Can food grade dye be used for formulating home care products ?

[MurtazaHakim]

@ngarayeva001

What could be the percentage of ingredients used in the Palmolive handwash ?

The foaming handwash has viscosity similar to that of water. How is such viscosity achieved ? 

[MurtazaHakim]

I met with a person (Sales Manager) a few days ago who said that glucosides are a much better option as primary surfactants and that SLES could be replaced by say decylglucoside without compromising with the performance of the product.

My intention is to prepare a highly foaming handsoap, for example the one simulating the product Palmolive foaming handwash from Colgate-Palmolive.

I do have cost constraints. So yes, I am looking for a mild product with sulfate free story but a reasonable cost at the same time. 

[MurtazaHakim]

I intend to make a premium product which is derived from natural ingredients but at the same time does not compromise with the performance. 

[MurtazaHakim]

The storage temperature varies. In summer the temperatures easily reach 40 degrees Celsius.

[MurtazaHakim]

Unfortunately, I am working as the chemist. Actually l have no experience of surfactants, personal care and household care industry. My actual qualification is a bachelorette in Petrochemical Engineering. 

Coming to your question Aziz, the formula is a multipurpose formula. The product is sold as both handwash and dishwash liquid. I know LABSA is quite harsh and is designated to be a hard surfaces cleaner, but due to financial constraints the company does not use ingredients like CMEA/CDEA,CAPB etc… which are expected to be used for making any moderate liquid handwash. Furthermore the colorants are food grade as well. There are no humectants, preservatives in the product.

Kindly share any economical formula for handwash which I can try and produce the product at a lower cost.