RESEARCHERS from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) have produced a high-level disinfectant known as Diaclean Pera Sterilant to stem the transmission of Covid-19.
It contains peracetic acid – derived from food vinegar – that can kill 99.9% of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa in 30 seconds, the varsity said in a statement.
Prof Datuk Dr Zularisam Ab Wahid, who led the team of researchers from UMP Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, said the effectiveness of the disinfectant was tested by a lab that is accredited to conduct virus testing.
“It’s also been tested for its effectiveness as an antimicrobial through in-vitro testing, ” he said.
The environmentally-friendly product is not only organic, he added, but is user-friendly, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and does not leave any negative effects on the surface of contaminated materials.
The disinfectant, Prof Zularisam said, will decompose to become oxygen gas, food vinegar and water after eight hours of use.
“It meets the ISO 13485 standard (International Quality Management System for Medical Devices), is alcohol and aldehyde-free, and is registered under the Health Ministry Medical Device Authority.”
The research and production of food vinegar-based disinfectants containing peracetic acid has been on-going since 2008, he said, before it was commercialised in 2015.
More than 50 dialysis centres in the country have been using the disinfectant to sterilise synthetic kidney filters and hemodialysis machines, Prof Zularisam added.
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