Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Apr 1: Due to the growing global demand for sanitizers, there has been a scarcity in the market for the last one month. However, many expensive sanitizer brands appeared overnight, but their efficacy is yet to be tested.

Sanitizers should effectively destroy bacteria and viruses including their spores. As per WHO, sanitizers must compose of at least 70% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or a mixture of both.

As there is an acute shortage of sanitizers, Dr Arun Isloor, professor and head of the department of Chemistry, NITK Surathkal along with his PhD scholars, Syed Ibrahim and Harsha has developed personal hand sanitizers. These will be distributed from NITK as part of its community and social service activities.

As part of NITK's community service, the first batch was released by Prof Uma Maheshwar Rao, director of NITK and Neeraja Rao, principal Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2, Mangaluru. As part of the first phase, about 390 bottles (each about 70 ml) were distributed to security personnel of NITK, Surathkal police station, staff of State Bank of India NITK and dispensary.

This activity was supported by the team comprising of deans, Prof M S Bhat, Prof Sripathi Acharya, Prof Subhas Yaragal, deputy registrar Ram Mohan, registrar Ravindranath and Prof Muralidhar Kulkarni. In the second phase, distribution will be done for press and media personnel, police commissioner office, patrol bunks along NH 66.

Dr Isloor, followed the composition suggested by World Health Organization comprising of more than 70 % isopropyl alcohol, 20 % distilled water, 1 % hydrogen peroxide, gelatinous agent, fragrance, 2 % glycerol. With the available raw material, Dr Isloor is confident of making around 1000 bottles. He is expecting additional raw material from nearby industries and is ready to distribute the sanitizers to all the health workers in Mangaluru district who are working round the clock to fight COVID-19.