The definition of ethanol can explain how ethanol is produced. It is an alcohol-based alternative liquid in which its products are from crops containing cellulose. They include corn, wheat, and barley. Ethanol is generally utilized in various kinds of products, even products with direct exposure to the skin.
The direct contact of ethanol and human skin is actually safe as it becomes the main ingredient for various medicinal products. They include hand sanitizers, hairsprays, astringent, mouthwashes, and household as well as pharmaceutical-related products.
However, some evidence also shows the contradictory impact of ethanol on cosmetics. Some scientific literature shows that alcohol topical applications can be harmful. But, those evidence might be occasional, depending on the percentage of combination between ethanol and other ingredients.
Ethanol has a ‘special place’ in cosmetics. Cosmetic products containing ethanol are very common. This is particularly for cleansing products like astringent, facial wipes, facial toner, and many more. Lately, the use of ethanol has been increasing for hand sanitizer products during the past two years.
How Is Ethanol Produced For Cosmetics?
Ethanol for cosmetics is mostly organic grain alcohol. Its existence is also very safe for the skin. It is not only safe but also has an outstanding effect of antibacterial cleansing to the skin.
However, it is true that it has a drying effect though some cosmetic manufacturers decide to add moisturizing properties to their products.
Some moisturizing properties include Butylene glycol dicaprylate or glycerine. Those ingredients are proven to be the best skin smoothers naturally. They help retain the moisture of the skin during the use of cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol.
Ethyl ethanol is produced naturally from sugar fermentation by yeasts. Ethanol is subsequently concentrated by using the process of fractional distillation. The process of the fermentation process is the anaerobic process in which glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
The fermentation process requires enzymes from yeast as a single-celled fungus. The process of fermentation can occur when sugars are dissolved in water and combined with yeast by using an airlock to let out the carbon dioxide whilst stopping the air to get in.
The overall process requires a warm temperature that doesn’t reach more than 35 degrees Celsius.
As the ethanol concentration attains at least 15%, the yeast dies. The process of fermentation is very slow and takes days or weeks to accomplish. When the air is entering during the process, the ethanol can oxidize to ethanoic acid. Then it should undergo a vinegar test.
There are concerns that relate to topical ethanol applications to the skin. Topical ethanol that has direct contact with the skin has carcinogenic impacts. However, there has been a lack of evidence, or even no evidence at all, so far to relate the use of topical ethanol with an increased skin cancer risk.
The Effects of Topical Ethanol Application
Ethanol is actually safe for the skin because it is actually the process of organic products. Regular ethanol application to the skin is safe, as long as ethanol is combined with several other products like moisturizing-related ingredients. There is no evidence of toxicity taking place during the use of ethanol-based products on the skin.
Basically, the production of ethanol for antiseptics is almost similar to other ethanol production for cosmetic products. It is the main ingredient in cleaning products as well as solvents. Many people usually use this rubbing alcohol as an antiseptic.
How Is Ethanol Produced For Antiseptic
The most potential clarification for the alcohol antimicrobial action is protein denaturation. Absolute ethyl alcohol, based on observation, has fewer bactericidal properties than the combination of alcohol and water. This is due to the fact that proteins can be denatured faster in the water 484, 485 presence.
The denaturation of protein is also reliable with examinations that alcohol diminishes the Escherichia coli 486 dehydrogenases. Ethyl alcohol enhances Enterobacter aerogenes 487 lag phase. Yet, adding certain kinds of amino acids can reverse the lag phase.
Experts believe that this bacteriostatic action is caused by the production of metabolites essential inhibition for fast division of cells.
Ethanol has the ability to kill certain viruses and bacteria at measured concentrations. This is why it becomes an effective ingredient in many hand sanitizers. This flammable liquid can be poisoned when it is swallowed, particularly when it is in high concentrations.
The Concentration Of Ethanol
For topical ethanol products, ethanol-based products may cause irritation whenever they are not combined with moisturized ingredients. Ethanol can be effective in killing bacteria, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. It is also effective in breaking down the bacteria proteins structure.
Experts have proven scientifically that ethanol has antimicrobial effects. They are effective in diminishing bacteria like E. coli, and salmonella typhi that triggers typhoid fever. When ethanol has 60 to 80%, it is effective in killing viruses like influenza and herpes.
However, there will be a significant increase of ethanol antimicrobial properties in a combination of ethanol and water. It makes hand sanitizers as a more effective liquid in killing bacteria than pure ethanol. Yet, all hand sanitizer products that contain isopropyl alcohol are not less effective. It works similarly to ethanol in diminishing bacteria and viruses.
It is very important to notice that hand sanitizer products with ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol are highly recommended. It is a colorless and clear alcohol which becomes the main ingredient in lots of hand sanitizer products.
Hand sanitizer products that contain ethyl alcohol are effective when they utilize at least 60% ethanol. This percentage is effective to clean hands, for those who don’t have a chance to wash their hands. On the other hand, non-ethanol hand sanitizers are not recommended. This is because they may not work effectively in killing viruses or bacteria.
The Effectiveness Of Ethanol Within Hand Sanitizer Products
Researchers have proven that hand sanitizers with alcohol concentrations that are lower than 60% are not very effective in killing germs. They might only decrease the growth of germ rather, instead of destroying them.
One of the best things to consider before buying hand sanitizer products is the percentage of alcohol. It should be higher than 60%. The product should list ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, as well as isopropanol or 2-propanol.
However, some hand sanitizer products might include methanol among its ingredients. Methanol is actually toxic alcohol which causes bad effects. Those effects include a headache, nausea and so forth when it is applied to the skin. It is important to avoid hand sanitizer products containing methanol.
Ethanol is also one of the main ingredients for medical purposes. Basically there are several major processes to produce ethanol. First is the carbohydrates fermentation, in which it is meant for alcoholic drinks. Meanwhile, the ethanol production for medicine is from ethylene hydration.
How Is Ethanol Produced For Medical?
Fermentation process includes carbohydrates transformation into ethanol by developing the cells of yeast. Sugar and grain crops are the main raw materials for the fermentation process. Those crops include sugarcane, beets, and corn or maize.
The process of ethylene hydration is accomplished by overtaking an ethylene mixture with a big steam excess at high temperature. The process also includes pressure above an acidic catalyst. The production of ethanol for medical use can be done by fermentation or synthesis. The production requires a thin aqueous liquid in which it should be concentrated by partial distillation.
Meanwhile, undeviating distillation produces the steady-boiling-point mixture at best that contains 95.6% of ethanol weight. Steady-boiling-point mixture dehydration produces absolute alcohol. Ethanol that is meant for medical use is mostly denatured that is unsuitable to drink. Basically, 100% ethanol is a colorless liquid that is flammable. Its boiling point should reach 78.5 °C with an exact ethereal odor as well as a burning flavor.
Ethanol for medical use is common in radiopharmaceutical injections. It is to enhance the lipophilic tracers solubility highly. But, it can reduce vial adsorption, membrane filters as well as injection syringes. It is also common that ethanol is used as a leftover solvent from the eluent. It is used for radiopharmaceutical elution from an extraction cartridge hard phase.
Another purpose of ethanol is for purifying the radiopharmaceutical by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Mixtures of ethanol–buffers has comparatively high viscosity by using HPLC. It results in a back pressure with the high column.
Yet, ethanol obtains an advantage over other organic solvents. It does not require complete removal necessarily prior to diluted isolated HPLC fraction intravenous injection.
So far, Karsavicta has been the main distributor for various kinds of ethyl ethanol. This company has been the main distributor that many manufacturers trust for years. It provides ethyl ethanol with various technical grades from less than 95% to 99%.
How Karsavicta Can Provide Ethanol for All Purposes
If you are one of the owners of products that need ethanol as the main ingredient, then it is recommended to contact Karsavicta. Get the best offer at the best price possible. All kinds of ethyl alcohol here are ready stock and available at the most competitive prices.
