Cleaning Denatured Proteins

Q. We are looking to clean denatured proteins from our medical device along with baked-on desiccated blood that is not removed completely. Manual scraping removes the residual but is not acceptable. Need a cleaner that will dissolve all bio-matter. Cleaning process is to prepare device for autoclave sterilization.

A. To clean denatured proteins use a warm (not exceeding 130F / 55C) 1-2% Tergazyme® Enzyme-Active Powdered Detergent (1.25 – 2.5 oz/gal or 10 – 20 g/L) solution to soak, or ideally, ultrasonically soak the substrates. The detergent contains both powerful emulsifiers for organic and oily residue, along with proteases (protein enzymes) to greatly assist in protein removal.  Visually inspect and scrub as needed to speed up the cleaning process. Soak for at least 20 minutes.  Higher solution concentrations increase the detergent’s capacity or the amount of residue that can be removed.

Be sure to use freshly made Tergazyme solutions that are less than 8 hours old. Older solutions of Tergazyme cleaner may lose some of their enzymatic detergency due to the enzyme digesting itself (autocatalysis) in solution once it is dissolved.   Enzymes are, after all, made of proteins.  Similarly, temperatures above 130F/55C can degrade the enzyme and alter its effectiveness.  Tergazyme detergent in powdered form, unopened or tightly closed, conforms to the standard two year shelf from date of manufacture per all Alconox, Inc. detergents.

Pre-soaking as soon as possible after device use and expedite and make the cleaning process more efficient.

Rinse thoroughly to remove the detergent solution and residues after cleaning.

The Tergazyme detergent will be effective against all manner of proteinaceous residues, denatured proteins, or otherwise, as it targets serine bonds.

To request this or  any Alconox, Inc. detergents for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For more information about any one of our Alconox, Inc. detergents, consult the technical bulletin for each product. Or click here to access each of our detergent’s Safety Data Sheets.

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