as discussed above , the prior art discloses individual compounds or mixtures of compounds which kill or inhibit the growth of a narrow range of organisms such as some bacteria , spores , fungi , or viruses . the synergistic combination of the seven components of the present invention unexpectedly kills all types of the names organisms , hence it is a sterilant . among the classes of organisms killed by the composition of the present invention alone or admixed together are gram - negative bacteria , gram - positive bacteria , algae , protozoa , gram - positive spore - forming bacteria , fungi , and many types of viruses . among the many typos of viruses killed by the composition of the present invention are : orbiviruses , orthomyxoviruses , papovaviruses , paramyxoviruses , parvoviruses , picornaviruses , poxviruses , coronaviruses , flaviviruses , herpesviruses , adenoviruses , arenaviruses , bunyaviridae , caliciviruses , reoviruses , retioviruses , rhabdoviruses , rotaviruses , togaviruses , and various unclassified viruses , plus plant viruses . in addition to the bacteria , spores , protozoa , algae , fungi , and viruses categorized above , the composition of the present invention can kill alone or in combination with the other organisms typified above various miscellaneous organisms from the chlamydia coxiella , ehrlichia , rickettsia , rochalimaea , wolbachia , and thai tick typhus . it is to be emphasized that the composition of the present invention is a sterilant which can kill any or all of the types of organisms described here alone or in any combination . at the end of the examples of this specification and before the claims , several hundred representative specific organisms are listed in tables i to vii on which the synergistic composition of the present invention is effective . the cationic , quaternary salts useful in the present invention may contain either or both of aliphatic and aromatic moieties . although quaternary ammonium salts are preferred , cationic phosphonium , or sulfonium , or any other positive nonmetallic nuclei may be selected . some of the aliphatic or alicyclic substituents for the quaternary ions are alkyl groups containing one to 30 carbon atoms both linear and branched , alkoxy groups also containing one to 30 carbon atoms both linear and branched , alicyclic groups such as cyclohexyl and its alkylated or alkyloxylated derivatives , and halogenated alkyl , halogenated alicyclic , or halogenated alkyloxy derivatives . aromatic moieties , which may themselves be substituted by aliphatic , alicyclic , alkyloxy groups , useful as substituents for the quaternary cationic salts of the present invention are benzyl , tolyl , xylyl , naphthyl , pyridyl , benzal , quinolyl and the like . more specifically , some aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts which are useful in the present invention are : tetramethyl ammonium halide , trimethylethyl ammonium halide , dimethyldiethyl ammonium halide , methyltriethyl ammonium halide , tetraethyl ammonium halide , cetyldimethylethyl ammonium halide , trimethyln - propyl ammonium halide , dimethyldin - propyl ammonium halide , methyltrin - propyl ammonium halide , tetran - propyl ammonium halide , methylethyln - propyln - butyl ammonium halide , ethyln - propylnpentyl ammonium halide , trimethylallyl ammonium halide , dimethyldiallyl ammonium halide , methyltriallyl ammonium halide , tetraallyl ammonium halide , n , n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- hexaethyl - 1 , 2 - ethylene diammoniumhalide , n , n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- hexaethyl - 1 , 4 - butylenediammonium halide , n , n , n &# 39 ;- dibenzyl - n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;, tetramethyl - 1 , 2 - ethylene diammonium halide , n , n &# 39 ;- di ( 4 - chlorobenzyl )- n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- tetramethyl - 1 , 2 - ethylenediammoniumhalide , n , n , n &# 39 ;- tetraethyl - n , n &# 34 ;- dioctadecyl - 1 , 2 - ethylene diammonium halide , n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- tetraethyl - n , n &# 39 ;- dihexadecyl - 1 , 4 - butylene diammonium halide , octadecyltrimethyl ammonium halide , dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium halide , trioctadecylmethyl ammonium halide tetraoctadecyl ammonium halide , hexadecyltriethyl ammonium halide , hexadecyldimethylethyl ammonium halide , hexadecyldiethylmethyl ammonium halide , didecyldioctyl ammonium halide , didecyldihexyl ammonium halide , and hexyloctyldecyldodecyl ammonium halide . some representative useful quaternary ammonium salts containing an aromatic moiety include : benzylodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , o - tolyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , m - tolyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , p - tolyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 3 - xylyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 4 - xylydodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 5 - xylyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 , 4 - xylyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 , 5 - xylyldodecyldimethyl ammoniuim halide , 2 - chlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 - chlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 4 - chlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 3 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 4 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 5 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 6 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 , 4 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 , 5 - dichlorobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 - nitrobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 - nitrobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 4 - nitrobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 , 4 - dinitrobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 , 5 - dinitrobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 - sulfobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 - sulfobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 4 - sulfobenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 2 - carboxybenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 3 - carboxybenzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , 4 - carboxybenzyldodecyldimethylammoniumhalide , benzylhexyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzyloctyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzyldecyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzyldodecyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzyltetradecyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzylhexadecyldimethyl ammonium halide , benzyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium halide . some representative , useful quaternary ammonium salts containing heterocyclic , aromatic moieties include : n - hexylpyridinium halide , n - octylpyridinium halide , n - decylpyridinium halide , n - dodecylpyridinium halide , n - tetradecylpyridinium halide , n - hexadecylpyridinium halide , n - hexyllutidinium halide , n - octyllutidinium halide , n - decyllutidinium halide , n - dodecyllutidinium halide , n - tetradecyllutidinium halide , n - hexadecyllutidinium halide , n - hexylpicolinium halide , n - octylpicolinium halide , n - decylpicolinium halide , n - dodecylpicolinium halide , n - tetradecylpicolinium halide , n - hexadecylpicolinium halide , n - hexylquinolinium halide , n - octylquinolinium halide , n - decylquinolinium halide , n - dodecylquinolinium halide , n - tetradecylquinolinium halide , n - hexadecylquinolinium halide , n - hexylisoquinolinium halide , n - octylisoquinolinium halide , n - decylisoquinolinium halide , n - dodecylisoquinolinium halide , n - tetradecylisoquinolinium halide , n - hexadecylisoquinolinium halide , n - hexylquinazolinium halide , n - octylquinazolinium halide , n - decylquinazolinium halide , n - dodecylquinazolinium halide , n - tetradecylquinazolinium halide , n - hexadecylquinazolinium halide , n - hexylquinoxalinium halide , n - octylquinoxalinium halide , n - decylquinoxalinium halide , n - dodecylquinoxalinium halide , n - tetradecylquinoxalinium halide , n - hexadecylquinoxalinium halide , n - hexylpyridopyridinium halide , n - octylpyridopyridinium halide , n - decylpyridopyridinium halide , n - dodecylpyridopyridinium halide , n - tetradecylpyridopyridininum halide , and n - hexadecylpyridopyridinium halide . the preferred counter ions for the quaternary cationic salts are halides , especially chloride and bromide . particularly useful for practicing the present invention are alkylbenzyldimethyl ammonium chlorides , wherein the alkyl groups contain between 10 and 18 carbon atoms , and cetyldimethylethyl ammonium bromide . the useful range of quaternary cationic salts in an effective amount of sterilant is from about 0 . 05 % to 3 % in actual use by weight . other counter ions , anions , useful in the practice of the present invention to neutralize the positive charge of the ammonium , phosphonium , sulfonium , or other positive moieties can be found in the following list bicarbonate , bisulfite , fluoride , borate , carbonate , nitrite , nitrate , phosphite , phosphate , sulfite , sulfate , chloride , hypochlorite , chlorite , chlorate , perchlorate , hydroxide , fluoborate , iodide , iodate , periodate , and bromate . the solubility of the various solutes in the novel sterilant of the instant invention is improved by using small amounts of alkanols having from one to six carbon atoms and / or glycols having from two to four carbon atoms . these alkanols and glycols also have concomitant and peripheral biocidal effect . especially useful alkanols are methanol , ethanol , and isopropyl alcohol . especially useful polyols are glycols such as ethylene glycol , propylene glycol , diethylene glycol , as well as glycerine . in the diluted solution for actual use , the effective amount for the alkanol is from about 0 . 1 % to 3 % by weight , and the effective amount for the polyol or glycol is from about 0 . 1 % to 3 % by weight . other alcohols having eight or less carbon atoms useful in the practice of the present invention are : 1 - propanol , 1 - butanol , 2 - butanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - propanol , 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol , 1 - pentanol , 2 - pentanol , 3 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 2 - butanol , 2 - methyl - 3 - butanol , 2 - methyl - 4 - butanol , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 1 - propanol , 1 - hexanol , 2 - hexanol , 3 - hexanol , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 3 - butanol , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 4 - butanol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 2 - butanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 2 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 3 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 4 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 5 - pentanol , 3 - methyl - 1 - pentanol , 3 - methyl - 2 - pentanol , 3 - methyl - 3 - pentanol , 2 , 2 - diethyl - 1 - ethanol , 1 - heptanol , 2 - heptanol , 3 - heptanol , 4 - heptanol , 2 , 2 , 3 - trimethyl - 3 - butanol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 3 - pentanol , 2 , 4 - dimethyl - 3 - pentanol , 3 - ethyl - 1 - pentanol , 3 - ethyl - 2 - pentanol , 3 - ethyl - 3 - pentanol , 4 - ethyl - 1 - pentanol , 4 - ethyl - 2 - pentanol , 4 - ethyl - 3 - pentanol , 2 - ethyl - 1 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - hexanol , 2 - methyl - 2 - hexanol , 2 - methyl - 3 - hexanol , 2 - methyl - 4 - hexanol , 3 - methyl - 1 - hexanol , 4 - methyl - 1 - hexanol , 5 - methyl - 1 - hexanol , 3 - methyl - 2 - hexanol , 4 - methyl - 2 - hexanol , 3 - methyl - 3 - hexanol , 3 - methyl - 4 - hexanol , 1 - octanol , 2 - octanol , 3 - octanol , 4 - octanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 3 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 4 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 5 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 5 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 6 - methyl - 1 - heptanol , 2 - methyl - 2 - heptanol , 3 - methyl - 2 - heptanol , 4 - methyl - 2 - heptanol , 5 - methyl - 2 - heptanol , 6 - methyl - 2 - heptanol , 2 - methyl - 3 - heptanol , 3 - methyl - 3 - heptanol , 4 - methyl - 3 - heptanol , 5 - methyl - 3 - heptanol , 6 - methyl - 3 - heptanol , 2 - methyl - 4 - heptanol , 3 - methyl - 4 - heptanol , 4 - methyl - 4 - heptanol , 5 - methyl - 4 - heptanol , 6 - methyl - 4 - heptanol , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 3 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 4 , 4 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 5 , 5 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 2 , 4 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 2 , 5 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 3 , 4 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 3 , 5 - dimethyl - 1 - hexanol , 2 - ethyl - 1 - hexanol , 3 - ethyl - 1 - hexanol , 4 - ethyl - 1 - hexanol , and 5 - ethyl - 1 - hexanol . other glycols having eight or less carbon atoms useful in the practice of the present invention are : 1 , 2 - propanediol , 1 , 2 - butanediol , 1 , 3 - butanediol , 1 , 4 - butanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 2 - propanediol , 2 , methyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol , 1 , 2 - pentanediol , 1 , 3 - pentanediol , 1 , 4 - pentanediol , 1 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 2 - butanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 3 - butanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 4 - butanediol , 2 - methyl - 2 , 3 - butanediol , 2 - methyl - 3 , 4 - butanediol , 1 , 2 - hexanediol , 1 , 3 - hexanediol , 1 , 4 - hexanediol , 1 , 5 - hexanediol , 1 , 6 - hexanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 2 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 3 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 4 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 1 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 2 , 3 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 2 , 3 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 2 , 4 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 2 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 3 , 4 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 3 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 - methyl - 4 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 , 2 - butanediol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 , 3 - butanediol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 , 4 - butanediol , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 2 , 3 - butanediol . certain salts with anions at less than full oxidation state , such as nitrite , bisulfite , or chlorite , may be optionally employed in the novel sterilant solution of the instant invention to prevent corrosion , as well as for their biocidal activity . also useful in the practice of the present invention are cations wherein the metal oxidation state is lower than its chemically possible maximum . some useful compounds with less than full oxidation states are found in the following salts first some with reduced anions and then some salts with less oxidized cations , as follows : sodium phosphite , sodium sulfite , sodium hypochlorite , sodium chlorite , sodium chlorate , sodium selenite , sodium arsenite , sodium hypobromite , sodium bromite , sodium bromate , sodium stannite , sodium antimonite , sodium tellurite , sodium ferrocyanide , sodium manganite , sodium manganate , potassium phosphite , potassium , sulfite , potassium hypochorite , potassium chlorite , potassium , chlorate , potassium selenite , potassium arsenite , potassium hypobromite , potassium bromite , potassium bromate , potassium stannite , potassium antimonite , potassium tellurite , potassium ferrocyanide , potassium manganite , potassium manganate , lithium phosphite , lithium sulfite , lithium hypochlorite , lithium chlorite , lithium chlorate , lithium selenite , lithium arsenite , lithium hypobromite , lithium bromite , lithium bromate , lithium stannite , lithium antimonite , lithium antimonite , lithium tellurite , lithium ferrocyanide , lithium manganite , lithium manganate , rubidium nitrite , rubidium phosphate , rubidium sulfite , rubidium hypochlorite , rubidium chlorite , rubidium chlorate , rubidium selenite , rubidium arsenite , rubidium hypobromite , rubidium bromite , rubidium bromate , rubidium stannite , rubidium antimonite , rubidium tellurite , rubidium ferrocyanide , rubidium manganite , rubidium manganate , cesium nitrite , cesium phosphite , cesium sulfite , cesium hypochlorite , cesium chlorite , cesium chlorate , cesium selenite , cesium arsenite , cesium hypobromite , cesium bromite , cesium bromate , cesium stannite , cesium antimonite , cesium telurite , cessium ferrocyanide , cesium manganite , cesium manganate , ferrous ferrocyanide , ferrous ferricyanide , cuprous chloride , ferrous phosphate , stannous chloride , ferrous sulfate , manganous sulfate , plumbous sulfate , and chromous chloride . particularly useful are sodium , potassium , lithium , and ammonium salts of nitrite , bisulfite , and chlorite ; especially useful is sodium nitrite . these optional salts may be employed in the range from 0 . 05 % to about 2 . 0 % by weight of the actual solution employed . a chelating agent may be optionally employed in the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention from 0 % to 0 . 025 % by weight to aid in solubility of the other components , to counteract any deleterious effects from diluting concentrated commercial strengths with hard water for use , and to help break down the coatings of spores , which have a high concentration of multivalent ions . the preferred chelating agent to practice the current invention may range from 0 % to 0 . 025 % by weight and is ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid ( edta ). partial esters or salts of edta may also be used . an example of a salt of edta is tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate . other useful chelating agents may be found in the following acids , full salts , or partial salts of : oxalic acid , malonic acid , oxaldihydrixamic acid , diaminoglyoxime , dithiomalonic acid , glyoxime , maleic acid , fumaric acid , oxalacetic acid , diglycolic acid , tartaric acid , oxalenediuramidoxime , thiodiglycolic acid , iminodiacetic acid , nitrilotriacetic acid , dimethylglyoxime , hydrazine - n , n &# 39 ;- diacetic acid , citraconic acid , itaconic acid , 2 , 4 - pentanedione , glutaric acid , n - methyliminodiacetic acid , glutamic acid , aconitric acid ( trans ), gluconic acid , 1 , 2 - cyclohexanediamine - n , n , n &# 39 ;- tetraacetic acid ( cis & amp ; trans ), 1 , 2 - ethylenediamine - n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- tetraacetic acid , n &# 39 ;- benzylethylenediamine - n , n , n &# 39 ;- triacetic acid , diethylenetriamine - n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 34 ;, n &# 34 ;- pentaacetic acid , hexamethyldiamine - n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- tetraacetic acid , 2 , 2 &# 34 ;- ethylenedioxybis ( ethyliminodiacetic acid ), 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- oxybis ( propyliminodiacetic acid ), triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid , 1 , 3 , 5 - triaminocyclohexanehexaacetic acid , and ethyl acetoacetate . a dialdehyde containing up to six carbon atoms is a component of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention . dialdehydes include malonaldehyde , succinaldehyde , oxaldehyde ( glyoxal ), adipaldehyde , and preferably glutaraldehyde . alternatively , these compounds may be termed aliphatic dials , e . g . 1 , 5 pentanedial . by themselves , these compounds are effective germicides to some degree , at high ph , but they fail to have the wide breadth and speed of killing of the mixture of the current invention . this is especially true for the killing of the sporulent bacteria , where the dialdehydes alone can take up to ten hours to kill spores , and for many viruses , where dialdehydes are ineffective . in the final dilution as used , in the present invention , an effective amount of the dialdehyde is from about 0 . 5 % to about 7 % by weight . a concentration of dialdehyde of about 2 . 6 to 5 weight % is preferred and a concentration of dialdehyde of 3 . 2 weight % is especially preferred . some useful dialdehydes in the practice of the present invention are the following compounds and their mixtures : 1 , 2 - ethanedial , 1 , 3 - propanedial , 1 , 4 - butanedial , 1 , 5 - pentanedial , 2 - methyl - 1 , 4 - butanedial , 2 - methyl - 1 , 3 - propanedial , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 1 , 3 - propanedial , 2 , 3 - dimethyl - 1 , 4 - butanedial , 2 , 2 - dimethyl - 1 , 4 - butanedial , 1 , 6 hexanedial , 2 - methyl - 1 , 5 - pentanedial , 3 - methyl - 1 , 5 - pentanedial , 2 - ethyl - 1 , 3 - propanedial , 2 - n - propyl - 1 , 3 - propanedial , furan - 2 , 5 - dialdehyde , furan - 3 , 4 - dialdehyde , thiophene - 2 , 5 - dialdehyde , thiophene - 3 , 4 - dialdehyde , pyrrole - 2 , 5 - dialdehyde , pyrrole - 3 , 4 - dialdehyde , imidazole - 4 , 5 - dialdehyde , pyrazole - 3 , 4 - dialdehyde , 1 , 2 , 3 - triazole - 4 , 5 - dialdehyde , pyrazine - 2 , 3 - dialdehyde , pyrimidine - 4 , 5 - dialdehyde , pyridazine - 3 , 4 - dialdehyde , pyridazine - 4 , 5 - dialdehyde . aliphatic dialdehydes are preferred , but aromatic dialdehydes such as those names about may also be employed . as a practical matter , it is preferred to produce the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention in the form of one or more concentrated solutions prior to transport and storage . the concentrations of these solutions would be 50 to 100 - fold higher strength than the actual use - strengths given above . after transport and storage , the user , normally a medical or dental technician , will dilute the concentrate to produce an effective amount at the ultimate dilution and then add the dialdehyde . in concentrated form , a preferred embodiment of the sterilant concentrate of the present invention would have the following approximate concentrations by weight : ______________________________________ weight % ______________________________________alkyl * benzyldimethylammonium chloride 7 * 50 % c - 12 , 30 % c - 14 , 17 % c - 16 , 3 % c - 18cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide 7isopropyl alcohol 14propylene glycol 12sodium nitrite 7edta 1 . 5water , balance up to 100 % ______________________________________ in actual practice , the user will have prepared a desired quantity of the diluted sterilant concentrate by diluting the sterilant concentrate with distilled or tap water . this resulting solution will serve , further , as the diluent for the dialdehyde concentrate then to be added thereto . the diluted sterilant solution after combination is an exceptionally broad - spectrum sterilant on a wide variety of metal , plastic , cross - linked resin , rubber , composite , coated , painted or natural wood , ceramic , or glass non - adsorbent surfaces , exemplified by but not limited to the following : stainless steels ( various ), steels , not stainless ( various ), galvanized iron , copper , brass , aluminum , chromium plated metals , tinned plating metals , enameled metals , polyethylene , polypropylene , polystyrene , acrylics , polyacetals , nylons , &# 34 ; epoxy resin &# 34 ;- coated wood , polyurethane - coated wood , alkyd resin painted wood , alkyd resin - coated metal , oil - based painted wood , phenolformaldehyde resin laminates (&# 34 ; formica &# 34 ; type ), polyvinyl chloride - based furniture surfaces (&# 34 ; naugahyde &# 34 ; type ), gum rubber surgical / dental adjuncts ( dental dam , tubing , catheters , gloves ), hard rubber devices ( bite blocks ), water - based , latex - painted wood , glazed porcelain and other ceramics and various types of glass such as lime , flint , and borosilicates . the present invention will now be described by reference to the following examples , which are not to be deemed limitative of the present invention in any manner thereof . this example illustrates the preparation of an effective sterilizing amount of a final user solution of the sterilant composition of the invention . a 15 ml ampule of the above sterilant concentrate was diluted with distiled water to a final volume of 1 liter . this was a dilution ratio of about 66 7 : 1 . to this solution was added 50 ml of an aqueous 50 % by weight solution of glutaraldehyde concentrate . on a weight basis , the concentration of glutaraldehyde will be about 2 . 6 % in the final user solution . thus in the final user solution , the concentrations of the various components in the diluted sterilant will be as follows : ______________________________________ wt . % ______________________________________alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride 0 . 1cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide 0 . 1isopropyl alcohol 0 . 2propylene glycol 0 . 16sodium nitrite 0 . 1edta 0 . 02dialdehyde , esp . glutaraldehyde 2 . 6water balance______________________________________ the diluted sterilant composition of the present invention may be employed over a wide , useful ph range from about ph 4 to about ph 9 . the preferred range for use is from about ph 5 to about ph 8 . this is in marked contrast to the use of alkalinized dialdehydes alone , which are effective only from about ph 7 to about ph 8 . 5 . although buffers may optionally be employed to keep the sterilant of the instant invention within a narrow ph range , no buffer is necessary to practice this invention . this example illustrates the preparation of an effective sterilizing amount of a final user solution of the sterilant composition of the invention . a 15 ml ampule of the above sterilant concentrate was diluted with distilled water to a final volume of 750 ml . this was a dilution ratio of about 50 : 1 . to this solution was added 50 ml of an aqueous 50 % by weight solution of glutaraldehyde concentrate . on a weight basis , the concentration of glutaraldehyde will be about 3 . 2 % in the final user solution . thus , in the final user solution , the concentrations of the various components in the diluted sterilant will be as follows : ______________________________________ wt . % ______________________________________alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride 0 . 15cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide 0 . 15isopropyl alcohol 0 . 25propylene glycol 0 . 20sodium nitrite 0 . 15edta 0 . 025dialdehyde , esp . glutaraldehyde 3 . 2water balance______________________________________ the diluted sterilant composition of the present invention may be employed over a wide , useful ph range from about ph 4 to about ph 9 . the preferred range for use is from about ph 5 to about ph 8 . this is in marked contrast to the use of alkalinized dialdehydes alone , which are effective only from about ph 7 to about ph 8 . 5 . although buffers may optionally be employed to keep the sterilant of the instant invention within a narrow ph range , no buffer is necessary to practice this invention . this example illustrates the effectiveness of the sterilant composition of example a for nonsporulating bacteria . the novel sterilant of the present invention was prepared with 400 ppm hard water as the diluent for test purposes : ______________________________________ wt . % ______________________________________alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride 0 . 1cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide 0 . 1isopropyl alcohol 0 . 2propylene glycol 0 . 16sodium nitrite 0 . 11edta 0 . 02glutaraldehyde 2 . 60water balance______________________________________ employing the use - dilution method of the association of official agricultural chemists ( a . oac ) 60 ring carriers were tested on three batchs each for efficacy against the following organisms ( us epa procedure dis / tss - 1 and of jan . 2 , 1982 ); salmonella choleraesius atcc 10708 ( gram - negative ), staphylococcus aureus atcc 6538 ( gram - positive ), and pseudomonas aeruoinosa atcc 15442 ( gram - positive , nosocomial pathogen ). all these microorganisms were killed within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention for killing sporulating bacteria . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 1 for testing against gram - positive , sporulatinq bacteria bacillus subtilus atcc 19659 and clostridium sporogenes atcc 3584 employing us epa procedure dis / tss - 9 of april 1981 ( aoac sporicidal test ). sixty carriers for each type of surface , porcelain penicylinders and silk suture loops , for each of three samples for each of three batches involved a total of 720 carriers . as required , all microorganisms were killed on all carriers in about 5 hours , less than 6 hours at 20 degrees c . in a similar test alkalinized glutaraldehyde can meet this standard only after 10 hours of contact . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention for killing fungi and fungal spores . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 1 for testing against pathogenic fungus trichophyton pentacrophytes atcc 27289 according to the aoac fungicidal test by epa procedure dis / tss - 6 of august 1981 . for this fungus two batches were used for two samples each killing all organisms within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention in killing viruses , some of which none of the components of the novel sterilant can kill individually under the same conditions . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 1 for testing against the following viruses : herpes simplex i and ii , coxsackie virus b1 , coxsackie virus a9 , vaccinia virus , influenza virus a , adenos virus ii , poliovirus i , rhino virus , cytomeqalo virus , and corona virus , all according to epa procedure dis / tssd - 7 . for two batches each , four replicates were carried by ten - fold dilution and measured to three - log diminution . after incubation , the samples were recovered after adsorption time on mammalian cell monolayers . the novel sterilant inactivated all the viruses within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . it is known that alkalinized glutaraldehyde fails to inactivate at least coxsackie virus and poliovirus i under these conditions . this example illustrates the effectiveness of the sterilant composition of example b for nonsporulating bacteria . the novel sterilant of the present invention was prepared with 400 ppm hard water as the diluent for test purposes : ______________________________________ wt . % ______________________________________alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride 0 . 15cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide 0 . 15isopropyl alcohol 0 . 25propylene glycol 0 . 20sodium nitrite 0 . 15edta 0 . 025glutaraldehyde 3 . 2water balance______________________________________ employing the use - dilution method of the association of official agricultural chemists ( aoac ) 60 ring carriers were tested on three batchs each for efficacy against the following organisms ( us epa procedure dis / tss - 1 and of jan . 2 , 1982 ); salmonella choleraesius atcc 10708 ( gram - negative ), staphylococcus aureus atcc 6538 ( gram - positive ), and pseudomonas aeruginosa atcc 15442 ( gram - positive , nosocomial pathogen ). all these microorganisms were killed within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention for killing sporulating bacteria . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 5 for testing against gram - positive , sporulating bacteria bacillus subtilus atcc 19659 and clostridium sporogenes atcc 3584 employing us epa procedure dis / tss - 9 of april 1981 ( aoac sporicidal test ). sixty carriers for each type of surface , porcelain penicylinders and silk suture loops , for each of three samples for each of three batches involved a total of 720 carriers . as required , all microorganisms were killed on all carriers in about 5 hours , less than 6 hours at 20 degrees c . in a similar test alkalinized glutaraldehyde can meet this standard only after 10 hours of contact . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention for killing fungi and fungal spores . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 5 for testing against pathogenic fungus trichophyton mentagrochytes atcc 27289 according to the aoac fungicidal test by epa procedure dis / tss - 6 of august 1981 . for this fungus two batches were used for two samples each killing all organisms within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . this example illustrates the efficacy of the broad - spectrum sterilant of the present invention in killing viruses , some of which none of the components of the novel sterilant can kill individually under the same conditions . the novel sterilant solution was prepared as in example 5 for testing against the following viruses : herpes simplex i and ii , coxsackie virus b1 , coxsackie virus a9 , vaccinia virus , influenza virus a , adenos virus ii , poliovirus i , rhino virus , cytomegalo virus , and corona virus , all according to epa procedure dis / tssd - 7 . for two batches each , four replicates were carried by ten - fold dilution and measured to three - log diminution . after incubation , the samples were recovered after adsorption time on mammalian cell monolayers . the novel sterilant inactivated all the viruses within 10 minutes at 20 degrees c . it is known that alkalinized glutaraldehyde fails to inactivate at least coxsackie virus and poliovirus i under these conditions . the sterilant composition of the present invention has the advantages of being effective to kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms very rapidly with low concentrations of the active ingredients . the sterilant composition as a combination of ingredients is more effective against several microorganisms together at the same time than would be possible by using each active ingredient separately against the combination of microorganisms . the sterilants of the disclosure above exemplified by the preferred embodiments of the various examples are effective against a wide variety of microorganisms such as those of tables i through vii . table i______________________________________viruses______________________________________ adenoviruses avian adenovirus types 1 - 10 marble spleen disease virus bovine adenovirus types 1 - 8 canine adenovirus infectious canine hepatitis human adenovirus types 1 - 41 mouse adenovirus swine adenovirus baboon adenovirus chimpanzee adenovirus simian adenovirus types 1 - 39 arenaviruses amapari junin latino lymphocytic choriomeningitis bolivian hemorrhagic fever parana pichinde virus tacaribe virus tamiami virus bunyaviridae anopheles group bunyamwera super group bwamba group california group capim group gamboa group guama group koongol group patois group simbu group tete group turlock group phleboviruses nairoviruses hantaviruses caliciviruses feline conjunctivitis feline picornavirus feline stomatitis coronaviruses calf diarrheal coronavirus canine coronavirus feline infectious peritonitis hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis human coronavirus infectious bronchitis mouse hepatitis virus rabbit coronavirus rat coronavirus sialodacryoadenitis virus transmissible gastroenteritis turkey enteritis coronavirus flaviviruses banzi bukalasa bussuquara cowbone ridge dakar bat dengue types 1 - 4 edge hill entebbe bat ilheus japanese encephalitis kokobera kyasanur louping iii modoc montana myotis leukoencephalitis murray valley encephalitis ntaya powassan rio bravo russian spring - summer encephalitis sepik simian hemorrhagic fever st . louis encephalitis stratford tenbusu uganda s west nile yellow fever zika herpesviruses avian laryngotracheitis duck enteritis falcon herpesvirus lake victoria cormorant marek &# 39 ; s disease parrot herpesvirus pigeon herpesvirus turkey herpesvirus bovine herpesvirus infectious bovine rhinotracheitis canine herpesvirus equine cytomegalovirus equine herpesvirus feline herpesvirus feline rhinotracheitis virus channel catfish herpesvirus salmonis guinea pig herpes - like virus guinea pig salivary gland virus guinea pig x virus burkitt &# 39 ; s lymphoma cytomegalovirus herpes simplex types 1 & amp ; 2 varicella varicella - zoster b virus hepatitis a , b & amp ; c virus herpesvirus aotus herpesvirus ateles herpesvirus saguinus herpesvirus saimiri monkey cytomegalovirus simian herpesvirus 2 & amp ; 3 squirrel monkey cytomegalovirus pseudorabies caprine herpesvirus frog virus 4 mouse salivary gland virus rabbit herpesvirus orbiviruses bluetongue all types changuinola colorado tick fever corriparta epizootic hemorrhagic disease of deer ieri irituia lebombo tribec wad medani orthomyxoviruses avian influenza horse influenza a human influenza a , b & amp ; c swine influenza thogoto papovaviruses human polyoma bovine papilloma human papilloma jc virus k - virus lymphotropic papovavirus papilloma polyoma simian papovavirus sv - 40 paramyxoviruses bluegill bovine morbillivirus - like bovine respiratory syncytial virus canine distemper canine parainfluenza fer de lance virus measles mumps nariva newcastle disease parainfluenza pneumonia virus of mice respiratory syncytial simian paramyxovirus subacute sclerosing panencephalitis yucaipa parvoviruses adeno - associated virus aleutian disease avian adeno - associated bovine parvovirus canine parvovirus feline panleukopenia hemorrhagic encephalopathy porcine parvovirus picornaviruses poliovirus 1 , 2 & amp ; 3 coxsackievirus , all types echovirus , all types enterovirus , all types human rhinovirus , all types avian encephalomyelitis baboon enterovirus bovine enterovirus , all types bovine rhinovirus , all types encephalomyocarditis mouse encephalomyelitis porcine enterovirus , all types rat encephalomyelitis simian picornavirus , all types poxviruses alastrim ( variola minor ) bovine papular stomatitis canary pox cotia cowpox embu fibroma fowlpox milker &# 39 ; s nodule virus monkeypox myxoma rabbit fibroma rabbitpox raccoonpox smallpox swine pox tanapox vaccinia yabu tumor poxvirus reoviruses avian reovirus , all types feline reovirus reovirus , all types turkey enteric reovirus retroviruses avian leukosis - sarcoma complex avian reticuloendotheliosis group feline leukemia group murine leukemia - sarcoma group bovine syncytial virus caprine arthritis - encephalitis virus feline syncytia - forming human t - cell leukemia virus human immunodeficiency virus mouse mammary tumor simian foamyvirus squirrel monkey retrovirus syncytium - forming virus of marmosets visna virus rhabdoviruses aruac bovine paralytic rabies chaco chandipura cocal virus hart virus infectious hematopoietic necrosis jurona kern canyon klamath kwatta lagos bat march mokola mossuril mount elgon bat navorro piry virus rabies sawgrass timbo vesicular stomatitis rotaviruses bovine rotavirus calf rotavirus human rotavirus porcine pararotavirus porcine rotavirus rhesus rotavirus simian rotavirus togaviruses alphavirus group pestiviruses rubeviruses unclassified viruses anaplasma marginale creutzfeldt - jakob duck hepatitis eretmapodites equine infectious anemia virus frog virus 3 golden shine virus grunt fin agent hepatitis a virus hepatitis b virus ichampadi infectious bursal disease of chickens infectious pancreatic necrosis of trout infectious pancreatic necrosis virus kuru lymphocystis matucare nodamura virus quaranfil tadpole edema virus tembe venkatapuram wanowrie plant viruses agropyron mosaic alfalfa mosaic apple chlorotic apple mosaic artichoke latent barley stripe mosaic barley yellow dwarf bean common mosaic bean golden mosaic bean pod mottle bearded - iris mosaic beet curly top beet mosaic beet western yellows belladonna mottle bidens mottle broad bean broccoli necrotic carnation mottle cherry leaf rool chrysanthemum aspermy citrange stunt cowpea chlorotic mottle desmodium yellow mottle elm mosaic glycine mottle grapevine fanleaf henbane mosaic lettuce mosaic lychnis ringspot maize rough dwarf myrobalan latent ringspot nasturtium ringspot oat blue dwarf onion yellow dwarf pangola stunt panicum mosaic passionfruit woodiness peanut stunt plantago mottle poa semilatent pokeweed mosaic prunus necrotic ringspot raspberry bushy dwarf scophularia mottle tobacco mosaic tomato aspermy tulip breaking watermelon mosaic white clover mosaic wound tumor______________________________________ table ii______________________________________miscellaneous organisms______________________________________ chlamydia psittaci chlamydia trachomatis coxiella burneti ehrlichia risticii richettsia akari richettsia canada rickettsia conori rickettsia montana rickettsia mooseri rickettsia prowazeki rickettsia rickettsii rickettsia sennetsu rickettsia tsutsugamushi rochalimaea quintana rochalimaea vinsonii thai tick typhus wolbachia persica______________________________________ table iii______________________________________gram negative bacteria______________________________________acetobacter acet flavobacteriumacholeplasma laidlawii meningosepticumachromobacter viscosus francisella tularensisacidiphilium cryptum fusobacterium necrophorumacinetobacter calcoaceticus gardnerella vaginalisacinetobacter anatratus haemophilus aegyptiusacinetobacter lwoffii hafnia alveiactinomyces bovis klegsiella oxytocaactinomyces israelii klebsiella pneumoniaeactinomyces pyogenes legionella cherriiactinoplanes violaceus legionella feeleiaeromonas hydrophila legionella pneumophilaaeromonas salmonicida leptospira biflexaagrobacterium tumefaciens moraxella phenylpyruvicaalcaligenes denitrificans morganella morganiialcaligenes faecalis mycoplasma canisanaerorhabdus furcosus mycoplasma hyorhinisaquaspirillum anulus mycoplasma pneumoniaearachnia propionica neisseria gonorrhoeaarthrobacter ilicis neisseria meningitidisazotobacter beijerinckii oligella urethralisbacteroides bivius pasteurella multocidabacteroides fragilis proteus mirabilisbacteroides levii proteus vulgarisbdellovibrio solpii providencia rettgeribeggiatoa alba providencia rustigianiibeijerinckia indica providencia stuartiibifidobacterium boum pseudomonas aeruginosabordetella bronchiseptica pseudomonas avenaebordetella pertussis pseudomonas cepaciaborrelia burgdorferi pseudomonas pseudomalleibrucella abortus pseudomonas putidacampylobacter coli salmonella choleraesuiscampylobacter jejuni salmonella typhicampylobacter pylori salmonella typhimuriumchlamydia psittaci serratia liquefacienschlamydia trachomatis serratia marcescenschromobacterium violaceum shigella boydicitrobacter freundii shigella dysenteriaecomamonas terrigena shigella flexnerideleya aesta shigella sonneideleya venusta thiobacillus thiooxidansdermatophilus congolensis treponema hyodysenteriaeedwarsiella tarda treponema pallidumeikenella corrodens ureaplasma galloraleenterobacter aerogenes veillonella caviaeenterococcus avium vibrio choleraeenterococcus faecalis wolinella succinogenesenterobacter cloacae xanthobacter flavuserwinia citreus xanthomonas campestrisescherichia coli yersinia pestisewingella americana zymonnas mobilis______________________________________ table iv______________________________________gram positive bacteria______________________________________deinococcus erythromyxa mycobacterium bovisdeinococcus proteolyticus mycobacterium fortuitumerysipelothrix insidiosa mycobacteriumerysipelothrix rhusiopathiae intracellulareeubacterium aerofaciens mycobacterium lepraeeubacterium angustum mycobacterium tuberculosiseubacterium combesii norcardia asteroideseubacterium eligens norcardia brasiliensiseubacterium fossor paracoccus denitrificansjonesia denitrificans pediococcus dextrinicuskurthia gibsonii peptostreptococcuslactobacillus agilis asaccharolyticuslactobacillus brevis peptostreptococcus microslactobacillus buchneri phormidium splactobacillus carnis planococcus citreuslactobacillus casei propionibacterium acneslactobacillus divergens propionibacteriumlactobacillus helveticus freudenreichiilactobacillus jensenii rhodococcus equilactobacillus kefir rhodococcus erythropolislactobacillus xylosis sarcina maximalactococcus garviae staphylococcus aureuslactococcus lactis staphylococcus epidermidislactococcus plantarum staphylococcus hominisleptothrix buccalis staphylococcus warnerileuconostoc lactis stomatococcusleuconostoc mesenteroides mucilaginosusleuconostoc oenos streptobacilluslisteria grayi moniliformislisteria innocua streptococcus dysgalactiaelisteria monocytogenes streptococcus equimicrococcus agilis streptococcus equisimilusmicrococcus cryophilus streptococcus faecalismicrococcus halobius streptococcus pyogenes micrococcus luteus streptomyces albulusmycobacterium aurum streptomyces vulgarismycobacterium avium______________________________________ table v______________________________________gram positive spore forming bacteriabacillus clostridium______________________________________acidocaldarius acetobutylicumalcalophilus acidiuricialvei aerotoleransaminoglucosidicus barkerianeurinolyticus beijerinckiianthracis bifermentansbadius botulinumbrevis cadaveriscapitovalis carniscereus cellulolyticumchitinosporus chauvoeicirulans clostridiiformecirroflagellosus coccoidescoagulans collagenovoransepiphytus cylindrosporumfastidiosus difficilefilicolonicus durumfirmus flavumfreudenreichii formicoaceticumfrustosus haemolyticumglobigii hastiformeglobisporus histolyticumgordonae indolisimplexus kaneboiinsolitus kluyverilaevolacticus lentoputrescenslarvae limosumlaterosporus lortetiilentimorbus perfringenslentus putrificumlichentiformis septicummegaterium sordelliimycoides sporogenespumilus tetanischlegelii tetanomorphumstearothermophilus thermocellumsubtilis thermolacticumthuringiensis tyrobutyricumxerothermodurans villosum______________________________________ table vi______________________________________fungi______________________________________absidia blakesleeana entonaema liquescensachaetomium luteum epidermophyton floccosumachlya hypogyna filobasidiella neoformansaciculoconidium aculeatum fonsecaea pedrosoiacladium castellanii fusarium solaniacemoniella lutzi geotrichum candidumacrodontium salmoneum gibberella baccataactinodendron verticillatum gymnosporangium globosumactinomucor elegans histoplasma capsulatumacytostelium elipticum kluyveromyces wickerhamiiagaricus abruptibulbus madurella mycetomiagaricus campestris melampsora medusaeakenomyces costatus microsporum canisalternaria alternata mucor hiemalisalternaria citri nectriella pironiiarmillaria limonea neurospora tetraspermaarthrobotrys oligospora paecilomyces lilacinusanthroderma benhamiae penicillium aurantiogriseumanthroderma gypseum phialophora richardsiaeanthroderma incurvatum phycomyces nitensarticulospora tetracladia pichia membranaefaciensaspergillus carneus pityrosporium ovaleaspergillus fischeri pseudallescheria boydiiaspergillus fumigatus puccinia graminisaspergillus niger pyrenophora trichostomaaureobasidium mansonii rhizoctonia repensbasidiobolus haptosporus rhizomucor pusillusblastobotrys aristata rhizopus microsporusblastomyces dermatitidis rhodotorula rubrablastoschizomyces capitatus rhynchosporium secalisbotrytis squamosa saccharomyces cerevisiaebyssochlamys fulva sclerotium rolfsiicandida albicans sporothrix schenckiicandida tropicalis sporotrichum thermophilecephalosporium deformans stemphylium botryosumceratocytis ulmi torula thermophilachaetomium globosum torulopsis pintolopesiichrysosporium pannorum trichoderma polysporumcladosporium carpophilum trichophyton mentagrophytescladosporium resinae trichophyton rubrumcoccidioides immitis ulocladium botrytiscronartium fusiforme uromyces phaseolicryptococcus neoformans verticillium nigrescenscurvularia prasadii xylohypha bantianadictyostelium discoideum yarrowia lipolytica zygosaccharomyces bailii______________________________________ table vii______________________________________protists - algae / protozoa______________________________________acanthamoeba astronyxis leishmani hertigia . castellanii leishmania mexicanaa . culbertsoni leishmania tropicaa . hatchetti leptomonas pyrrhocorisa . lenticulata lingulamoeba leeia . polyphaga lohomonas piriformisa . royreba monocercomonas colubrorumbabesia microti muriella aurantiacabotrydium cystosum naegleria australiensiscephaleuros virescens naegleria fowlerichlamydomonas dorsoventralis naegleria gruberichlorella protothecoides naegleria jadinichlorella saccharophilia nosema necatrixchlorella sorokiniana ochromonoas malhamensischlorella variegata paramecium primaureliachlorella xanthella parameciumchlorella zopfingiensis multimicronucleatumchlorogonium elongatum pentatrichoimonas hominiscrithidia fasciculata plasmodium brasilianumdientamoeba fragilis plasmodium coatneyidunaliella tertiolecta plasmodium cynomolgientamoeba coli plasmodium falciparumentamoeba gingivalis plasmodium vivaxentamoeba histolytica prototheca wickerhamiieuglena gracilis tetracystis disociatagiardia intestinalis tetrahymena borealisgiardia lamblia tetrahymena thermophilahaematococcus lacustris trichomonas gallinaehartmannella limax trichomonas vaginalisherpetomonas mariadeanei tritrichomonas foetusleishmania braziliensis trypanosoma bruceileishmania donovani trypanosoma cruzi______________________________________
a biocidal , aqueous composition for killing bacteria , spores , fungi , and viruses on nonabsorbent surfaces comprises at least one quaternary ammonium compound , at least one aliphatic dialdehyde having from two to six carbon atoms , and at least one aliphatic hydroxyl compound having form one to eight carbon atoms . this sterilant is stable for weeks , is especially useful between ph 4 to 9 , and may additionally comprise a chelating agent .