(148) Green formulations of benzalkonium chloride with enhanced antibacterial properties.

Introduction: The use of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) in disinfectants and household products is correlated with several drawbacks, in particular arising phenomena of toxicity in humans (e.g. skin and eye irritation) and environmental contamination of water (from domestic, agricultural, industrial, and clinical use) which can lead to increased microbial resistance [1]. We here propose to exploit nanobubbles for the co-encapsulation of BKC and limonene, a natural essential oil with antimicrobial properties, to reduce BKC concentration, according to the green economy principles.