Description

Supply4GI is proud to offer Sani-ProZyme Enymatic Detergent.

Detergent Information

Cleaning instruments prior to disinfection

According to the SGNA guidelines all reusable medical instruments are required to be properly cleaned and disinfected between each use. Removal of all foreign material such as blood, protein, cellular debris, tissue, respiratory secretions, mucus, saliva, feces, etc. from objects is the definition of cleaning. An instrument not properly cleaned may allow the organic soil to harbor embedded microorganisms. Organic soil can prevent the penetration of the germicide and render the disinfection or sterilization process ineffective.

Properties of enzymes

Not all proteins are enzymes but all enzymes are proteins. What distinguishes enzymes from other proteins is their ability to catalyze certain chemical reactions. In detergents enzymes known as proteases can break up proteins from blood and leftover tissues into components (termed amino acids) or short chains of amino acids (termed peptides). Both are more water soluble than intact proteins, therefore they are much easier to remove.

Catalyst (def) – substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the overall reaction

The benefits of enzymes into detergents

Detergents are more effective with enzymes since they break down large, hard to remove materials into smaller, easy to remove fragments. Since there is a high content of protein in most body fluids (including blood, tissue and mucous) which cannot be easily removed with regular detergents/surfactants and water an enzyme is needed.

Enzymes into a detergent for endoscope cleaning have several benefits in addition to enhancing overall cleaning performance. Consider that clogging of endoscope channels is virtually eliminated with appropriate enzymatic detergents. In turn this reduces the need for costly routine maintenance and results in large savings. Additionally the film which tends to build up on the optical parts of an endoscope after successive use is efficiently removed. This then improves the quality of the image provided by the instrument. A properly formulated enzymatic detergent such as Sani ProZyme, is a non-corrosive detergent that does not attack any metal surfaces on medical instruments. Sani ProZyme efficiently works in mild conditions and will not damage valves, rubber gaskets or any surface of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope or other medical instrument. Enzymes should also be fully biodegradable.

Surfactants in enzymatic detergents

Surfactants are surface active agents with wetting, detergent and emulsifying properties.
Surfactants have both hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water avoiding)
properties and play a key role in soil removal. Since hydrophobic regions on a medical
instrument surface can prevent a disinfectant from contacting and disinfecting the
contaminated surface, it is important to add a carefully selected surfactant as a wetting
agent to the solution. Another benefit of a good surfactant in an enzymatic detergent is
that it will prevent protein fragments from redepositing on a medical instrument.
Surfactants with good wetting properties will facilitate increased enzymatic action in an
enzymatic detergent. Good surfactants can even replace lipase enzymes, which are far
less efficient than surfactants in solubilizing and removing lipid/fat soils. It is for this
reason that soaps and detergent components such as surfactants, rather than lipases,
have been conventionally used for hand cleaners and laundry detergents.

Practical usage of enzymatic detergents

Enzymatic detergents are sold in concentrated form and generally only have one or two active enzymes.
Our product requires 1/2 ounce per gallon dilution but typically 1-2 ounces concentrate per gallon of
warm water prior to use in ultrasonic or manual cleaning systems is required. Enzymatic solutions are also
appropriate for automated endoscope reprocessors and washer sterilizers/decontaminators.

It is important to change the diluted enzymatic detergent daily. In general, the
concentrated form is bacteriostatic (not favorable to bacterial growth). Once the product
is diluted, the solutions are generally not bacteriostatic so it is possible for bacteria to
grow. In addition, the concentrated solution contains stabilizers for the enzymes. When
the product is diluted, the enzymes become less stable and will denature over time. In
layman’s terms, this means the diluted product will develop an unpleasant smell in 2-4
days and can become a breeding ground for bacteria.