Quaternary Alkylammonium Salts as Cleaning and Disinfectant Agents

Abstract Monomeric and dimeric quaternary alkylammonium salts are a wide group of cationic surfactants with prominent surface, biocidal and anticorrosion properties. The methods of synthesis, structure and behavior in solution of these compounds is presented in the article. Antimicrobial activity, biodegradability, toxicity, aquatoxicity and hemolytic activity of quaternary alkylammonium salts is discussed. The preparation, application and antimicrobial activity of cleaning and disinfectant products containing alkylammonium salts are described in details. A special attention has been devoted to EU regulations concerning biocidal products. The alkylammonium salts that can be used in biocidal products, placed on the list in Article 95 of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) are given. Maximum residue limits (MRL) for didecyldimethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride are given and commented.