Question

a research summerizing the key information about phenoxyethanol biocide including :

1. Physicochemical properties

2. Factors affecting antimicrobial activity

3. Spectrum of activity

4. Mechanism of action

5. Main applications

6. 3 examples on commercial products indicating a brief description and main use/role of the product/biocide.

( please add the referance )

Answer 1

1. Physicochemical properties

Structure

Molecular Formula: C₈H₁₀O₂ or C₆H₅OC₂H₄OH

Molecular Weight: 138.16 g/mol

Density: 1.104 g / cm3.

Boiling Point: 247 °C

Melting Point:−2°C

Odor: Faint aromatic odor

Taste: Burning taste

Chemical Safety:  Eye irritation, headache, tremors, and central nervous system depression.

2) Factors affecting antimicrobial activity

The concentration of phenoxyethanol available for the activity is the limiting factor of antimicrobial activity.

LC50 oral, rat; 1980 mg/kg

LD50 Rabbit dermal 2250 mg/kg

3) Spectrum of activity

At 1% it is used as a preservative. A mixture of phenoxyethanol and hydroxybenzoates is much effective. 2.2% solution or a 2% cream of phenoxyethanol may be used for heavy wounds and burns. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection can also be treated with the same.

It has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeasts, and mold. It show activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa even in presence of 20% of serum concentration (In-vitro). But not effective for Proteus vulgaris, other gram-negative and positive organisms.

4) Mechanism of action

The mechanism of antimicrobial cactivity is attributed to the distortion of membrane potential, membrane enzymatic function or general membrane permeability. This will ultimately leads to the leaking of essential cell constituents leading to cell death.

5) Main applications

Use: Flavouring ingredient, Preservative, and used in many cosmetics, It is antibacterial and insect repellant, so it is verymuch useful in the cosmetics industry. Also used as a preservative for storing animal specimens like formalin. In soap, perfumes and cleaners it is used as a stabilizer.

Ref:

1)  https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2-Phenoxyethanol#section=Relative-Evaporation-Rate

2) https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB11304