Résumé : |
When it comes to formulating personal care products, it is critical to select the most effective anti-bacterial agent. Especially when it comes to preservation, no single preservative is equally effective against all types of microorganisms.
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, Figure 1) is a quaternary ammonium compound that a literature search shows to be biodegradable and which offers effectiveness against many organisms. In the US, it may be used as a preservative and the FDA lists it as an antimicrobial agent. Outside the US, it may be used as an antibacterial agent. CPC has also been used widely in in over-the-counter products including mouthwash, throat lozenges, generally at 0.1-0.2%, nasal sprays and antiseptic (first aid) creams and lotions.
Vertellus offers CPC in two forms : powder and liquid. The trade name for the liquid form is ‘Freshstat™ Cetylpyridinium Chloride’ and it is a 40% CPC in propylene glycol solution. This form provides formulation ease and production flexibility. Our CPC is made in the USA, comes in US and European Pharmacopeia forms, and also in technical grades.
Based on common knowledge of commonly used preservatives, Table 1 compares a 40% CPC solution in propylene glycol to a variety of commonly used preservatives, i.e. methylparaben, ethyl paraben, propylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol, imidazolidinyl urea and chlorphenesin. This shows that CPC is effective over a broad pH range and exhibits broad anti-microbial efficacy against grampositive and gram-negative bacteria, broad spectrum activity, where the others have activity against fewer of these microorganisms. |