Compositional Factors Driving Antibacterial Efficacy in Healthcare Wet Wipe Products

Carolina Pineda ^* Jian Ren Lu Sarah Harriet Cartmell Andrew James McBain ^*

• The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Healthcare-associated infections represent a persistent global pathogenic challenge, with surface contamination serving as a critical transmission vector. Antibacterial wet wipes are widely used in public health services settings, but their effectiveness varies depending on their composition and design. Evaluating existing products based on objective criteria provides a valuable foundation for enhancing future functional wet wipe formulations. In this study, a series of compositionally distinct proprietary antimicrobial wet wipes were assessed using objective criteria, to provide a foundation for designing functional and biodegradable wet wipe formulations with enhanced properties. Mechanical properties, chemical composition, surface tension, disinfectant release, and morphological structure of four widely used wet wipe products in UK and European healthcare settings were evaluated. These products, anonymized as HP (containing oxidizing agents), BDB, DPA, and ADM (based on quaternary ammonium compounds), along with several biocides and preservatives, were assessed. Antibacterial performance was tested according to EN 16615, EN 13727, and ASTM E2967 standards (suspension and wiperator-based methods) using contact times of 30 and 60 seconds, against E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA, and A. baumannii. The BDB product underperformed in the analysis based on the EN 16615 standard, particularly at the short contact time, where it was ineffective against E. coli and S. aureus. In contrast, HPE, DPA, and ADM products demonstrated high efficiency, achieving >5 Log bacterial reduction within 60 seconds for all tested strains. The ADM product demonstrated superior antibacterial performance, eliminating A. baumannii in the shortest contact time and avoiding spread of bacteria to clean surfaces. Our findings demonstrate a correlation between the liquid release rate of the wipe and the biocidal agents used, with effectiveness in reducing bacterial viability on surfaces. This research establishes a framework for optimizing disinfectant wipe design by emphasizing the importance of material properties and disinfectant formulation in determining overall effectiveness.