ß-Propiolactone

β-Propiolactone is an organic compound of the lactone family. It is commonly used to sterilize vaccines, enzymes, tissue grafts, nutrient broths, blood plasma, water, milk, surgical instruments. Its sporicidal action is used against vegetative bacteria,pathologic fungi and viruses. It has been used as an intermediate in the production of acrylic acid and esters. It has also been used to inactivate viruses for use in vaccines for animals and human.  β-propiolactone may be used as a replacement for formaldehyde in gaseous decontamination.It does not condense as a non-volatile residue and thus the time required to aerate an enclosure after application of the disinfectant is considerably less than that for formaldehyde. One more advantage of β-propiolactone over other disinfectants is active even at relatively low temperatures.