The objective of this project is to reduce single use plastic waste by packaging disinfectants as a powdered tablet that is readily soluble in water. In this experiment, single use plastic is classified as plastic that is never refilled. This definition applies to the containers of the majority of disinfectants and cleaning supplies. By removing the liquid from products, the need for plastic packaging is eliminated because the liquid no longer needs to be retained. Every opportunity that the industry has to reduce plastic production is essential to the health of our planet today and in the future.<br/>In this project, multiple turbidity and disk diffusion tests will be performed. The growth media includes tryptic soy broth and agar as well as Mueller-Hinton Agar. The bacteria being grown in these media include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus cereus. The solid antimicrobial agents being tested include benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, which is a quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC), as well as citric acid and urea in combination. In the turbidity analysis, a spectrophotometer will be used to analyze the absorbance of each of the solutions to determine the efficacy of the disinfecting agent. The disk diffusion test will be a follow-up test after turbidity testing to ensure accuracy in the experimental results.

Single use plastic reduction and the efficacy of dehydrated disinfectants

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.