Terminal Disinfectants in the Bottling Plant - Hydrogen Peroxide or Peracetic Acid?

In the bottle-wash process, peracetic?acid is often used as terminal?disinfectant before the final water?rinse.?The reasons for choosing?peracetic acid are well known, such as excellent activity?gainst bacteria, spores, yeasts and?moulds, a reasonable price (particularly for larger quantities), good?efficacy even at low temperatures and?harmless decomposition products?(vinegar and water). Although, there?has been some concern that if not rinsed adequately, vinegar could act?as a bacterial nutrient.

However, if you have a concern about?your chemical effluent and normally?have to use special facilities to cope?with it, hydrogen peroxide is the?friendliest terminal disinfectant to use.?The breakdown products are water?and oxygen, so, if released into?ground water, they will actual have a?beneficial effect by oxygenating the?ground water.

Hydrogen peroxide is used at a?similar concentration to peracetic acid?and the efficacy against bacteria,?yeasts and moulds is the same, with?just a slight reduction in effect on?bacterial spores. Pricing is not as?different as you may imagine.?Normally, bulk hydrogen peroxide is?sold as a 35% concentrate, whereas?peracetic acid is often delivered at?5% or 15%, hence although the drum price is very?different, dilution of hydrogen peroxide down to the use concentration will easily offset the higher drum price.

Peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide?are commonly available from several suppliers.