Alcohol Testing

What are the Common Types of Alcohol Used in Biocidal Products?

1. Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol): Has antibacterial and antivirus properties.
2. Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol): Has broad spectrum microbial inactivation capacity.
3. Methanol: Banned in some products because of its toxic effects.

Importance of Alcohol Tests:

• Effectiveness Guarantee: Alcohol provides the antimicrobial effect of the product. Without the right concentration, the product may become ineffective.
• Regulatory Compliance: Various regulations require a specific alcohol content in biocidal products. For example, the minimum recommended alcohol content for hand sanitizers in the COVID-19 process is usually 60-70%.
• User Safety: High concentrations of alcohol may cause skin irritation. Low concentrations can reduce microbial activity.
• Cheating Detection: Inappropriate alcohol types (e.g. methanol) or incorrect concentrations can be detected.

Standards for Alcohol Concentration:

1. Hand Sanitizers:
   • Recommended Alcohol Content: 60-70% (for Ethanol).
   • Compliance Requirements: Must comply with limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.
2. Surface Disinfectants:
   • Recommended Alcohol Content: 70-80% (isopropanol or ethanol)

Evaluation of Analysis Results:

• Active Concentration Range: The biocidal product must comply with the alcohol content indicated on the label.
• Stability Tests: There should be no decrease in the alcohol concentration in the product over time.
• Combination Effect: The effectiveness of other substances used in combination with alcohol in products should be evaluated (e.g. moisturizers, surfactants).

In our laboratories serving in many parts of Turkey, "Alcohol Tests" on biocidal products are carried out in accordance with legal regulations and standards related to TÜRKAK accreditation..

Alcohol content (% by volume)

Total acidity (grams / hectolitre in acetic acid in 100% alcohol)

Esters (grams / hectoliters in terms of ethylacetate in 100% alcohol)

Aldehydes (grams / hectoliter in acetaldehyde in 100% alcohol)

High alcohols (methyl-2 propanol in 100% alcohol in grams / hectolitre)

Methanol (grams / hectoliters in 100% alcohol)

Evaporation Residue (grams / hectoliters in 100% alcohol)

Volatile nitrogenous bases (grams / hectoliters of nitrogen in 100% alcohol)

Determination of Furfural

Determination of Denatonium Benzoate

Determination of Tertiary Butyl Alcohol

Determination of Diethylphthalate

Determination of Isopropanol

Determination of Gasoline

Determination of Density

Evaporation Residue

Amount of C14 Content

Determination of Permanganate

UV Test

Determination of Refractive Index (20 o C)

Specific Weight Determination

Determination of Distillation Weight

Determination of Non-Volatile Matter

Determination of Water Amount