Biocatalytic peroxy acid formation for disinfection

Novel peroxy acids were prepared by two methods using Novozyme® 435 as a catalyst; either free carboxylic acids were converted with hydrogen peroxide or carboxylic acid esters were perhydrolyzed by hydrogen peroxide. Afterwards, these peroxy acids (as solutions in their respective ethyl or methyl esters) were tested for their sporicidal activity towards spores of Bacillus subtilis. The sporicidal activity of peroxy acetic acid made by biocatalytic perhydrolysis was found to be the same as one of commercial peroxy acetic acid. Peroxy methoxy acetic acid, peroxy propionic acid, peroxy phenyl acetic acid, and peroxy citric acid showed comparable or slightly lower activities. Sporicidal activities do not directly relate to oxidative power. Under the conditions applied, long-chain peroxy acids like peroxy dodecanoic acid (perlauric acid) and peroxy octadecanoic acid (perstearic acid) were unsuitable as disinfectants due to their very limited solubility at pH 7.