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Bactericidal Properties of Some Surface-Active Agents^*

Departments of Dairy Industry, Chemistry and Bacteriology, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station

ABSTRACT

1. The germicidal properties of the following 42 surface-active agents have been investigated: 9 Quaternary ammonium compounds, 3 Phosphonium compounds, 3 Substituted phenols. 10 Alkyl aryl sulfonates, 1 Aryl alkyl polyether sulfonate, 1 Aliphatic sulfonate, 1 Aryl alkyl polyether alcohol, 2 Polyoxyalkylene of fatty acids. 1 Aliphatic sulfate, 1 Aryl alkyl polyether sulfate, 4 Monoesters of polyhydroxy compounds, and 6 Unknowns.
   
2. In the first examination 9 were effective sterilizing agents, 9 were moderately effective, and 24 were ineffective.
   
3. The effective group included only quaternary ammonium and phosphonium compounds.
   
4. The moderately effective group included substituted phenols, alkyl aryl sulfonates, and aliphatic sulfonates.
   
5. One or more of the materials of each class are represented in the ineffective group, with the exception of phosphonium compounds, substituted phenols, and aliphatic sulfonates.
   
6. All of the 9 surface-active agents, with one exception, found to be effective by the first test, remained effective after two and one-half years storage.
   
7. All of the 9 surface-active agents, found to be moderately effective by the first test, had lost much of their germicidal properties after two and one-half years storage.
   
8. There was no correlation between pH value, germicidal property, and stability of the products.
   
9. The 6 quaternary ammonium compounds which remained effective or moderately effective as sterilizing agents after two and one-half years storage were satisfactory in so far as corrosiveness to metals, solubility, odor, taste, and color are concerned.
   
10. All three phosphonium compounds were satisfactory in so far as corrosiveness to metals, odor, and taste are concerned, but they are objectionable because they do not go into solution easily and also form cloudy solutions.
    

^* Contribution No. 597 of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station.