Factors Influencing Bactericidal and Fungicidal Efficacy in Environmental Surface Disinfection

These studies evaluated the impact of different wiping materials (polypropylene, microfiber, and cotton), active liquid ingredients (HP, QAC, and EA) and contact times (30 s, 1-min, 2-min, 3-min, and 10-min) on the bactericidal and fungicidal efficacy throughout the wiping procedure. The results demonstrated that extended contact times greater than 1-min led to better fungicidal activity against C. auris compared to shorter contact times. The material composition and active liquid ingredient for bacteria (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) significantly influenced cross-contamination risk. Meltblown polypropylene wipes transferred significantly fewer bacteria to uncontaminated surfaces compared to microfiber and cotton. HP-impregnated wipes exhibited superior bactericidal efficacy, leading to the lowest bacterial transfer rates to both the surface and glove, while QAC and EA-based chemistries were less effective due to weak antimicrobial activity and QAC binding to negatively charged wiping substrates. The combination of meltblown polypropylene and HP-based disinfectants yielded the lowest cross-contamination risk for both bacteria, emphasizing its potential as the optimal choice for effective surface disinfection.