DKSH presents premium Antimicrobial Solutions
In pharmaceutical formulations, antimicrobial agents are essential for ensuring safety, hygiene, and product efficacy. Among them, Benzalkonium Chloride 50% BP (BKC/BAK) stands out as a versatile, highly effective ingredient used as both an active antiseptic and a preservative in topical products. DKSH is proud to distribute this premium pharmaceutical-grade ingredient, enabling manufacturers to create safe, reliable, and high-performance formulations.
What is Benzalkonium Chloride 50% BP?
Benzalkonium Chloride is a cationic surfactant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Its concentrated 50% BP grade offers proven efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, moulds, and enveloped viruses, including adenoviruses, influenza, herpes simplex, and even SARS-CoV-2. As a non-volatile, highly stable compound, it remains active on surfaces and within formulations for extended protection, making it ideal for both human and veterinary applications.
Key Benefits and Applications
Benzalkonium Chloride 50% BP provides multiple advantages for topical formulations:
Benzalkonium Chloride 50% BP provides multiple advantages for topical formulations:
- Proven Antimicrobial Efficacy: Effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including multidrug-resistant strains such as MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for hand sanitizers, antiseptic creams, wound care solutions, medicated shampoos, and surgical glues. Typical concentrations range from 0.01% to 1% depending on the product type.
- Stable and Safe: Maintains activity across a wide pH (4–11) and temperature range. Non-mutagenic, non-genotoxic, and non-carcinogenic, BKC/BAK is approved for topical use by health authorities worldwide.
- Enhanced Formulation Performance: Its surfactant properties improve active ingredient delivery and residual antimicrobial activity on skin and surfaces.
Why BKC/BAK is a Preferred Choice
Compared to other antiseptics like Benzethonium Chloride (BZT), Parabens, and Triclosan, BKC/BAK offers several advantages:
Compared to other antiseptics like Benzethonium Chloride (BZT), Parabens, and Triclosan, BKC/BAK offers several advantages:
- Broader Efficacy: Effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, while BZT is primarily active against gram-positive bacteria.
- Regulatory Acceptance: Extensively tested for safety and efficacy, with approvals from the FDA, EU (REACH registered), and other authorities.
- Cost-Effective and Available: Its long-standing presence in the market ensures high availability and cost advantages driven by economies of scale.
- Replacement Potential: Can substitute Triclosan or Parabens in formulations without compromising antimicrobial activity.
Formulation Compatibility
BKC/BAK is highly adaptable in multiphase products like creams, gels, and ointments. Its positively charged surfactant nature enhances contact with microorganisms and supports other active ingredients’ efficacy. Formulators can further optimize activity by:
BKC/BAK is highly adaptable in multiphase products like creams, gels, and ointments. Its positively charged surfactant nature enhances contact with microorganisms and supports other active ingredients’ efficacy. Formulators can further optimize activity by:
- Adjusting pH or concentration.
- Combining with complementary actives or chelators like EDTA.
- Using synergistic ingredients to target specific microorganisms.
Safety and Environmental Profile
Safety is paramount. BKC/BAK is:
Safety is paramount. BKC/BAK is:
- Non-irritating at recommended concentrations.
- Approved for use in topical medicinal products by global health authorities.
- Environmentally stable with minimal bioaccumulation risk, as assessed by decades of scientific research.
Applications Across Industries
BKC/BAK is widely used in:
BKC/BAK is widely used in:
- Healthcare & Wound Care: Surgical antiseptics, wound irrigation, and cleaning solutions.
- Consumer Health & Personal Care: Hand sanitizers, medicated creams, shampoos, and skincare products.
- Veterinary Products: Topical antiseptics for animals.
Its flexibility and broad-spectrum efficacy make it the first-choice antimicrobial ingredient for formulators seeking robust, reliable, and safe solutions.
For manufacturers seeking a proven, safe, and versatile antimicrobial solution, Benzalkonium Chloride 50% BP, delivers unmatched efficacy, stability, and regulatory compliance. Whether for healthcare, personal care, or veterinary applications, BKC/BAK empowers brands to create products that protect consumers and meet the highest standards of quality.
Explore our range of premium antimicrobial solutions at DKSH and partner with us for safe, reliable, and innovative formulations.
Andrea Triana (General Manager - Pharmaceutical Industry)
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