Fermentation Science Institute is now producing 'Saluki Sanitizer' for SIU campus

The mixture might not be barley and hops, yet the latest products of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Fermentation Science Institute will serve a vital role on campus beginning this fall.

The first batch of "Saluki Sanitizer" was produced earlier this month and is ready for distribution for use throughout campus.

Given a major shortage of hand sanitizer - and high cost - due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Distilling Institute made mention that some distilleries were moving toward making hand sanitizer.

Matt McCarroll, FSI director, said the article prompted him to investigate the feasibility producing the product at SIU.

McCarroll and Amanda Rothert, FSI lab manager, found that the institute could produce a cleaner product than most available commercial versions at nearly half the cost.

"I think we are in the time of being creative to make things work," McCarroll said.

The university's Plant and Service Operations team provided 55 gallon drums and plans to centrally dispense the product, which allowed the FSI to provide a dependable supply at half the market price. Thus far, FSI has produced 276 gallons of hand-sanitizer.

With students returning for the start of school this month, officials will monitor how much hand sanitizer will be needed.

"We are equipped and ready to produce what is needed on campus," he said.

FSI worked with the university's Environmental Health and Safety office, Plant and Service Operations and building architects and engineers to ensure that the endeavor could be done safely. The 95 percent U.S. pharmaceutical-grade ethanol initially used and the finished hand sanitizer, which contains 80 percent ethanol, are both Class 3 flammable hazardous materials that require proper safety precautions and ventilation. The project also required registering with the FDA as a manufacturer.

Manufacturing the hand sanitizer requires a spirit mixing tank to hold nearly 80 gallons of product and the pump within a closed loop system. Exact amounts of hydrogen peroxide, glycerol, denatonium benzoate and purified water used to dilute the product so it contains 80 percent ethanol are added into the tank before the 55 gallons of ethanol is introduced. The product mixes in the closed loop system and is then sampled to measure for alcohol content. Adjustments to the amount of ethanol or water can be made to reach the proper 80 percent ethanol density, Rothert said.

FSI is following the World Health Organization's formula also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA, which is cleaner than many commercial sanitizers.

McCarroll said noted students will have the opportunity to become involved with the project once they return to campus later this month. Students will receive safety training and learn to implement a standard operating procedure.

McCarroll noted that each batch produces about 66 gallons of hand sanitizer, which leaves about 11 gallons after the 55-gallon drums are filled. The remaining hand sanitizer is being packaged into one-gallon containers and plans are for those to become available for sale, he said.