The growing awareness among consumers about health and sustainability issues has increased the demand for products made of natural ingredients as they are perceived to be eco-friendly and safe for humans. This is equally true for disinfectants, however, it can be challenging to develop natural disinfectants. Common challenges in developing disinfectants with natural ingredients including achieving appropriate potency, sourcing pure ingredients, and regulatory compliance are discussed below.

Challenges in disinfectant development

Scientific and technical challenges

Efficacy and validation

• One of the major challenges in developing disinfectants is to ensure that they are effective. Chemical disinfectants are tested and recorded for their antimicrobial properties. The manufacturers of natural ingredient based disinfectants need to perform thorough research and testing in order to prove that the natural ingredient can potentially kill or inactivate a broad spectrum of pathogens.

Managing resistance challenges

• The overuse/misuse of antimicrobial agents causes development of resistance. This reduces the efficiency of chemical disinfectants against the evolving microbial strains. Similarly, natural disinfectants may also be subject to this problem and require constant monitoring and testing against resistance.

Standardization of ingredients

• Geographic origin, harvesting methods, and processing techniques make natural ingredients vary in their composition. These differences can affect the consistency and efficiency of natural disinfectants, making it one of the critical challenges in the standardization of natural ingredients.

Regulatory and compliance challenges

Regulatory approval

• Regulatory approval of natural disinfectants is quite challenging because different regulatory organizations have varying requirements that a disinfectant needs to meet to ensure effectiveness. It is expensive and time-consuming to prove that natural disinfectants meet the criteria of the required regulatory body.

Labeling and claims

• Accurate labeling is important for consumer trust and regulatory compliance. Claims about the effectiveness and safety of any natural disinfectant product should be supported with scientific evidence. Misleading or unsubstantiated claims can attract regulatory penalties and harm to the brand.

Production and supply chain challenges 

Sourcing and sustainability

• Ethical sourcing of natural ingredients in a sustainable manner is another grave challenge. This issue affects the manufacturing industry by disrupting the supply chain of ingredients. Further, overharvesting of both plants and other sources of natural ingredients can lead to environmental degradation. These issues can be solved by having a harmonious business partnership with suppliers, sustainable harvesting, and investing in regenerative agriculture.

Cost and scalability

• Compared to synthetic disinfectants, natural disinfectants require more expensive raw materials and cumbersome extraction and formulation processes. Increasing the output to meet the market demand is a big challenge. 

Formulation and performance challenges

Formulating natural and eco-friendly disinfectants requires careful consideration of ingredient compatibility. Natural ingredients can interact in ways that affect the overall stability and efficacy of the product. Formulators must conduct extensive compatibility testing to develop stable and effective formulations.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

Research and development

• Research and development can help bypass some challenges posed during the development process of natural disinfectants. This would involve setting up scientific studies that validate the efficacy of various natural ingredients, working out a standard extraction method and formulation process, and exploring new preservation methods to develop stable products.

Efficacy testing

• Efficacy testing of disinfectants should be conducted to ensure that the products effectively kill or reduce microbial load. Natural disinfectants assume special significance due to the variability and potential instability of natural ingredients.

• The antimicrobial efficiency of natural disinfectants should be assessed by adhering to standard testing protocols. Guidelines include testing the product against a wide range of microorganisms, involving bacteria, viruses, and fungi, under various conditions. These tests provide useful data regarding the performance of a product and point out issues if any.

Relevant testing standards

EN 1040 –  A quantitative (phase 1 suspension)  test to evaluate the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics.

EN 1500 – A quantitative (phase 2 step 2 suspension) test for evaluating bactericidal efficacy testing of hand rub products used in the medical area.

EN 14347 – A quantitative (phase 1 suspension) test for basic sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics.

ASTM E1153 – A standard test for evaluating the efficacy of sanitizers intended for inanimate, hard, non-porous, non-food contact surfaces.

EN 14476 – A quantitative (phase 2 step 1 suspension) test for the virucidal activity of disinfectants or antiseptics used in medical areas.

Why Partnering with Expert Labs Matters!

Collaboration with testing labs can accelerate the development of natural disinfectants. Partnerships can provide access to expertise, resources and funding necessary to address technical and regulatory challenges.

At MIS, we provide comprehensive testing solutions to cater to all your queries regarding disinfectant efficacy. Partner with our experts to leverage our expertise and resources to ensure your products meet the required safety and efficacy standards. With our state-of-the-art laboratory and expert knowledge, we ensure to provide you with accurate and reliable test results, thus aiding you in overcoming the challenges faced in developing effective disinfectants.  

For more information on our disinfectant efficacy testing services or to receive a quote, contact our experts today!