Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution Usage Guidelines Sterilex Product Background Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution is a unique two part chemistry specifically designed to remove biofilm and kill food pathogens in food processing plants. As an adjunct to an existing sanitation program, Sterilex products are typically used in addition to the existing detergents and sanitizers in a plant. The Sterilex product is used as an additional high level disinfection step, used after the detergent has been applied and before the use of a final sanitizer (except in the case of drain sanitation). In over 10 years of use, the Sterilex technology is recommended by top food safety experts and has been mandated by a number of corporate food processors to enhance an existing sanitation program by solving difficult sanitation challenges, killing resistant food pathogens, and by chemically scrubbing surfaces that cannot be scrubbed by hand. PerQuat Technology Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution is based off of Sterilex s patented PerQuat technology. PerQuat technology consists of the combination of alkaline hydrogen peroxide and a quaternary phase transfer catalyst that work together synergistically to provide differentiated efficacy. In an alkaline state (unlike PAA), hydrogen peroxide sheds one of the hydrogen (H+) atoms and forms the perhydroxide anion (OOH ). The OOH anion (negatively charged) is a strong hydrolytic agent that can break down polysaccharide bonds. The OOH in combination with the positively charged Quat, work synergistically. This synergistic combination of chemistries is referred to as, PerQuat. In addition to sanitizing properties, Quats are known to be phase transfer agents for anionic compounds (such as OOH ). In essence, when combined together, an anionic peroxide such as OOH and a cationic quat become fully soluble in both aqueous (water based) phases and well as lipid based phases (biofilm environments). Therefore, the PerQuat technology has the unique ability to penetrate directly inside of biofilm, kill biofilm pathogens, and physically remove the biofilm structure from a surface. Currently, the PerQuat technology is the only chemistry in the world approved by the EPA to penetrate and remove biofilm for both public health and industrial applications. In addition, the USDA published a study in 2009 comparing many of the common cleaners and sanitizers used in food plants and recommended the PerQuat chemistry as best practice for Listeria biofilm control in food plants. How Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution is Applied Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution are two concentrates that are mixed together in equal amounts at time of use and then diluted in water.
GENERAL NOTE: ONCE MIXED, THE COMBINED SOLUTIONS MUST BE USED WITHIN 24 HOURS GENERAL NOTE: WATER TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE LESS THAN 145 F GENERAL NOTE: USE CAUTION WHEN USING STERILEX PRODUCTS ON SOFT METALS The Sterilex liquid products can be foamed, sprayed, used as a soak, or run through a CIP system. FOAMING INSTRUCTIONS Foaming Using a Portable Foamer Add equal amounts of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution to a portable air operated foamer at a dilution rate of 1:1:10 (12.8 oz. of each solution per gallon of water). (Note: for precleaning a surface prior to disinfection, you can optionally use 3 6 oz. of each solution per gallon of water.) Foaming Using a Wall Foamer Add equal amounts of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution concentrates into a third container (preferably a clean, unused 5 gallon pail). NOTE: DO NOT DILUTE NOTE: TAKE ALL ORIFICES OUT OF THE WALL FOAMING UNIT The wall foamer will inject the Sterilex solutions into a stream of water that should provide the correct concentration of 1:1:10. Application Generously foam all equipment and conveyor belts, inside and out & top to bottom to ensure thorough coverage of the product Run conveyor belts when possible, focus on sprockets and inside framework Foam overheads, walls, floors Allow the Sterilex solutions to remain wet on a surface for a MINIMUM OF 10 MINUTES. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with a potable water rinse and then follow with a final sanitizer. SOAKING INSTRUCTIONS Add equal amounts of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 and Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution to a COP or similar tank at a dilution rate of 1:1:10 (12.8 oz. of each solution per gallon of water) to soak smaller equipment parts and conveyor belts. (Note: for precleaning a surface prior to disinfection, you can optionally use 3 6 oz. of each solution per gallon of water.)
Allow the parts to soak for a minimum of 10 minutes. Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with a potable water rinse and then follow with a final sanitizer. CIP INSTRUCTIONS The Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product can be run through CIP systems as a disinfectant followed by a rinse. While the Sterilex product has been used successfully without excessive foaming or cavitating pumps, it is strongly recommended that foaming be monitored. Sterilex has also developed a version of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution that has an approved defoamer formulated into the product specifically for CIP applications. DRAIN SANITATION The Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product can be used to fill entire drain cavities with thick foam to disinfect and remove biofilm from drains without hand scrubbing. Numerous studies have linked manual hand scrubbing of drains to cross contamination of pathogens from the drain onto nearby environmental and food contact surfaces. The Sterilex product technology is unique in its ability to chemically scrub a surface and remove biofilm without the need for hand scrubbing. If there are heavy fats and grease in the drain cavity, first foam the drain with a caustic cleaner followed by a thorough water rinse before applying the Sterilex solutions. If there are no heavy fats and greases, the Sterilex solutions act as a one step cleaner/disinfectant/biofilm removal agent for drains. To apply Sterilex solutions as a foam to drains using the optional Drain Foam Attachment, follow instructions in the document Sterilex drain foam instructions. Application Reminder: Drain sanitation should be conducted after proper cleaning of equipment, environmental surfaces, and floors If treating a floor drain, remove basket from drain and empty gross debris into waste receptacle Optionally connect stainless steel drain foam attachment to dedicated tank foamer as outlined in Sterilex drain foam instructions document Add 12 ounces of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 & 12 ounces of Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution per gallon of water to tank foamer o NOTE: Once mixed, the Sterilex solutions MUST be used within 24 hours o NOTE: Water temperature should be in the range of 100 F to 145 F Place drain attachment disk over the top of the drain and apply foam to the drain until the entire drain cavity is covered by thick shaving cream Sterilex foam
If drain basket was removed from the drain, place basket back into drain and foam for a few extra seconds into the drain to ensure that basket is covered with foam There is no need to rinse the drain following the application of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution. The foam should subside on its own in about 10 15 minutes. NOTE: DO NOT FOLLOW THE APPLICATION OF STERILEX PRODUCTS IN DRAINS WITH ANOTHER SANITIZER OR CLEANER. THIS WILL DECREASE THE EFFICACY OF THE STERILEX PRODUCTS How to Test Product A Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution test kit can be purchased from AquaPhoenix. AquaPhoenix can be contacted at: 1 866 632 1291 and the part number is: TK3319 Z. The use of a titration kit is recommended and is strongly recommended when applying Sterilex with a wall foaming unit. A 1:1:10 concentration of Sterilex solutions (12.8 oz. per gallon of each solution) is equal to 13 drops using the titration kit. A calculation is included in with the kit and is shown below: # of oz. per gallon each % of PPM of PPM of drops solution Product product active 3 2.8 1.2% 43000 1300 7 6.5 2.7% 95000 3000 10 9.2 3.8% 130500 4000 13 12 5.0% 163000 5000 Startup Protocol When beginning use of the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product at a plant, it is very important to implement a shock protocol before backing off to maintenance treatments. A shock treatment should also be used whenever a plant has an increase in counts, a new hot spot or experiences a sudden decrease in product shelf life.
SHOCK TREATMENT WITH STERILEX PRODUCTS A shock treatment with Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution involves daily use of the Sterilex products for one two weeks consecutively. When Sterilex products are first used in a plant, there will likely be niche areas where biofilm has formed and must be removed. To ensure optimum efficacy, an initial shock treatment is implemented. Following a successful shock treatment, plants can begin to experiment with use frequencies while continuously conducting environmental monitoring in order to determine a proper/necessary Sterilex use protocol. Plant Testing The use of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution in plants has consistently resulted in significantly improved environmental monitoring metrics including APC counts, ATP failure rates, reduction in pathogen positives, and a contribution to shelf life increases. However, it is not uncommon to see a spike in environmental counts following the initial use of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution in a plant. As a biofilm is initially lysed open, biofilm organisms are released and can result in environmental counts that are initially higher than before the use of Sterilex if not rinsed thoroughly. As a shock treatment is conducted, counts typically plummet drastically and it is not uncommon to hear reports from plants that their environmental monitoring metrics are better than they have ever been following a shock treatment of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution. Maintenance Usage There is no one size fits all recommendation as to ongoing maintenance usage of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution. Every plant is different: plants manufacture different products, some are older than others, some have been poorly designed, and some are just prone to environmental positives more than other plants. That is why an initial shock treatment is critical to the success of a Sterilex program. Following an initial shock treatment, the plant should have a new and improved baseline of environmental monitoring results. Optionally, plants can evaluate decreasing the usage rate of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution to three days per week while continuously monitoring counts. If counts begin to rise, the plant knows that for whatever reason, a three day per week treatment is not a sufficient Sterilex program. If the three day per week regimen has been implemented for a few weeks without an adverse impact on environmental results, the plant can look at decreasing
usage to two days or one day per week. Again, ongoing monitoring is critical. If counts begin to rise, the plant knows that three days per week may be the sweet spot for a Sterilex program. NOTE: NECESSARY USAGE RATES CAN CHANGE WITH THE SEASONS OR OTHER CONDITIONS WITHIN THE PLANT. IF COUNTS BEGIN TO RISE, A SHOCK TREATMENT IS RECOMMENDED!
FAQ s Q) After applying the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product, the customer is still having environmental challenges. What could be some reasons that the product is not working? A) Years of study, EPA registrations, and USDA best practice recommendations have universally demonstrated that when used correctly, PerQuat technology will remove biofilm and kill food pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella. If there are ongoing environmental challenges, I would review the following items: Was the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product used on all surfaces where a harborage area could exist? Was the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product used at the proper 1:1:10 concentration? Were the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution solutions used within 24 hours following their combination? Were surfaces wet with the product for a minimum of 10 minutes prior to a rinse? Were the surfaces rinsed prior to the use of Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution? If not the product can be deactivated by chlorinated compounds or acidic compounds. Was the water temperature used with the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner & Activator Solution product less than 145 F? Was the product used daily for a minimum of one two weeks? Was the Sterilex Ultra Disinfectant Cleaner Solution 1 or Sterilex Ultra Activator Solution past its expiration date? The expiration dates are located on the top of each drum. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT STERILEX AT 800 511 1659 IF THERE ARE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS