Antibacterial and antifungal properties of propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol in vitro.
The antimicrobial properties of three glycols, - propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol - against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes A, Streptococcus mitis, and E. coli were studied in vitro. Within 20 h, 10% and 30% hexylene glycol in fresh tryptic soy broth were able to kill all the micro-organisms listed above. Five percent hexylene glycol showed some antimicrobial properties but the 1% agent had no effect. Thirty percent 1,3-butylene glycol and 30% propylene glycol were approximately as effective as 10% HG. The results speak in favour of using hexylene glycol in cosmetic and dermatological vehicles instead of propylene glycol and 1,3-butylene glycol.
Department of Dermatology, University of Oulu, Finland.
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Kinnunen
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Koskela
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006018:Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002072:Butylene Glycols; D006018:Glycols; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C028491:1,3-butylene glycol; D019946:Propylene Glycol; C011480:hexylene glycol