Biocides and preservatives are chemical substances designed to prevent material spoilage and deterioration by killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. They primarily exert their antimicrobial function by denaturing proteins, interfering with intracellular enzymatic activity, or inducing genetic mutations. These agents are broadly classified into two categories: inorganic types (such as hypochlorites and sulfites) and organic types (such as isothiazolinone compounds). Representative active ingredients include 2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT) and methylisothiazolin-3-one (MIT); within a pH range of 4 to 8, these compounds demonstrate significant efficacy in eradicating Gram-negative bacilli. Consequently, they are widely utilized in applications involving paper pulp, coating systems, and marine antifouling paints.
This class of preservatives requires broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and chemical stability; furthermore, formulations must be tailored to suit specific application scenarios. For instance, paint preservation necessitates a primary focus on inhibiting *Enterobacter* and *Pseudomonas* species, whereas marine hull paints require the incorporation of algaecides. The European Union's Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) mandates that active substances undergo evaluation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and be included in a list of approved suppliers; additionally, finished product formulations must be supported by data regarding their efficacy and associated health risk assessments. Industry development trends encompass the development of biological biocides, the application of nanocarrier technologies, and the expansion of intelligent functionalities; the global market for food preservatives is projected to reach a value of US$4.034 billion by 2025.
