The Science Behind KORRA HygienTabs

Professional Disinfection, Reimagined

Infection prevention is a fundamental part of every professional nail, beauty and podiatry service. Every day, instruments, e-file bits, nippers, scissors and tools come into contact with skin, dust, product residue, natural oils and environmental contamination. While cleaning removes visible debris, cleaning alone does not necessarily eliminate microorganisms. This is where disinfection plays a critical role. KORRA HygienTabs™ were introduced to provide professionals with a simpler, evidence-based approach to instrument disinfection. Powered by advanced In Situ Peracetic Acid (ISPAA) technology, KORRA HygienTabs™ combine broad-spectrum efficacy, professional-grade testing, integrated cleaning technology, visual solution monitoring and simple preparation within a single tablet. This page explores the science behind the technology, how it was developed and why it represents a new generation of professional disinfection.

Why Hygiene Matters

Microorganisms exist everywhere.Many are harmless, however some have the potential to cause infections if transferred between clients through contaminated instruments, surfaces or equipment. These microorganisms include:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Yeast
  • Fungi
  • Mycobacteria
  • Bacterial spores

Some microorganisms are relatively easy to eliminate.Others are highly resistant and require specialised disinfectants to achieve effective control.Understanding this difference is one of the reasons why disinfectant choice matters.

The Search For A Better Disinfectant

For many years, healthcare environments have faced increasing challenges from highly resistant microorganisms, particularly bacterial spores.While many disinfectants perform well against common bacteria, fewer products maintain high levels of efficacy against more resistant microbial challenges, especially when organic contamination is present. This led researchers, microbiologists and healthcare professionals to investigate alternative disinfectant technologies capable of delivering broad-spectrum efficacy while remaining practical for everyday use. During development, extensive work was carried out alongside healthcare professionals, academic institutions and microbiology specialists including Professor Peter Wilson, University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Sheffield Hallam University. The objective was simple: To combine the exceptional efficacy of peracetic acid with a format that was safer, easier and more practical for routine professional use.

What Is Peracetic Acid?

Peracetic acid is a highly effective broad-spectrum biocide that has been used for decades throughout healthcare, agriculture, food production and water treatment industries. It is recognised for its ability to rapidly inactivate a wide range of microorganisms including:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Yeast
  • Fungi
  • Mycobacteria
  • Bacterial spores

Unlike many disinfectant technologies, peracetic acid remains highly effective even in challenging conditions where organic contamination is present.This makes it particularly valuable in environments where reliable high-level disinfection is required.

The Problem With Traditional Peracetic Acid

Despite its excellent efficacy, traditional peracetic acid is typically supplied as a highly concentrated liquid.These concentrated solutions are often manufactured at strengths exceeding 50,000 ppm and must be diluted before use.While highly effective, concentrated peracetic acid presents challenges relating to:

  • Storage
  • Transport
  • Handling
  • Corrosion
  • Material compatibility
  • User safety

The question became: How could the benefits of peracetic acid be retained while improving usability and reducing the challenges associated with concentrated formulations? The answer was In Situ Peracetic Acid technology.

What Is In Situ Peracetic Acid (ISPAA)?

ISPAA stands for In Situ Peracetic Acid. Rather than supplying a highly concentrated liquid disinfectant, ISPAA technology stores the precursor ingredients separately within a tablet. These ingredients include hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid precursors. When the tablet is dissolved in water, these ingredients react together and generate fresh peracetic acid directly within the solution. This process is known as “in situ” generation, meaning the active disinfectant is created only when it is needed. This approach allows professionals to benefit from the efficacy of peracetic acid without needing to handle concentrated peracetic acid solutions.

Why Tablets?

The tablet format was a deliberate design choice.Many disinfectants are supplied as liquids, powders or sachets that require measuring, handling or dilution before use.KORRA HygienTabs™ were developed to simplify preparation while improving consistency.

Accurate Dosing

Each tablet contains a precise quantity of active ingredients, helping ensure consistent solution preparation.

Reduced Preparation Errors

No measuring, weighing or dilution calculations are required.

Safer Handling

The tablet format eliminates the need to handle concentrated liquid disinfectants.

Easy Storage and Transport

Tablets are compact, lightweight and convenient to store.

Consistent Results

Every solution begins with the same accurately measured dose.

Reduced Waste

Only the amount of solution required needs to be prepared.

Why Not A Powder?

During development, the physical behaviour of the ingredients was carefully considered. When supplied as powders, ingredients with different densities can separate in solution. Some particles may float while others sink, reducing the speed and efficiency of the chemical reaction. A tablet keeps the ingredients together during dissolution, allowing a more controlled and consistent generation of peracetic acid. The tablet format also reduces the risk of inhalation and dosing inconsistencies associated with loose powders.

Cleaning & Disinfection In One Solution

One of the unique features of KORRA HygienTabs™ is the combination of cleaning and disinfection technologies within the same solution.The formulation contains both:

  • A detergent system

  • A disinfectant system

The detergent helps loosen and remove light contamination from instruments, while the disinfectant works to reduce microorganisms present on the surface. This helps simplify instrument processing while supporting effective hygiene practices.It is important to understand that no disinfectant should be expected to penetrate heavy visible contamination, dried product build-up or large debris. Where obvious contamination is present, cleaning should always be performed before disinfection. However, for routine professional use, the integrated detergent system assists with the removal of light contamination during the disinfection process.

Why Cleaning Still Matters

Disinfection and sterilisation are not substitutes for cleaning. Any visible contamination should always be removed from instruments before sterilisation. Residual debris left on instruments may become permanently bonded to the surface during sterilisation cycles, making cleaning more difficult and potentially affecting instrument performance over time. This is particularly important for e-file bits, nippers and precision instruments. For this reason, effective cleaning remains a critical part of any professional hygiene protocol.

Low-Foam Technology

Many people assume that more foam means better cleaning. In reality, excessive foam can create challenges during instrument processing. Foam can leave residues on instruments and may require more extensive rinsing to ensure complete removal. Low-foam formulations help:

  • Improve visibility within the solution

  • Reduce residue on instruments

  • Simplify rinsing procedures

  • Support efficient workflow

Following disinfection, instruments should always be rinsed and dried according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Corrosion Inhibitor Technology

Professional instruments represent a significant investment. Repeated cycles of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation place considerable demands on instrument materials. For this reason, the technology utilised within KORRA HygienTabs™ incorporates corrosion inhibitors designed to support material compatibility when used according to instructions. Combined with a controlled pH and modern formulation technology, this helps support instrument longevity while maintaining disinfectant performance.

The Colour Indicator System

One of the most innovative features of KORRA HygienTabs™ is the integrated colour indicator system. Peracetic acid naturally degrades over time. This is completely normal. The challenge is knowing when the solution is active and when it should be replaced. The colour indicator provides a simple visual guide.

Purple

The solution is activating.

Pink

The solution is active and ready for use.

Clear

The solution should be replaced.This helps minimise guesswork and provides users with a visual indication of solution status throughout its lifecycle.

Extensive Independent Testing

The technology utilised within KORRA HygienTabs™ has undergone extensive independent testing against recognised European and British Standards (EN and BS EN). Testing has been performed by independent accredited laboratories and through collaboration with healthcare professionals, microbiologists and academic institutions. To date, the technology has been evaluated through more than 70 microbiological tests covering:

  • Bacteria

  • Viruses

  • Yeast

  • Fungi

  • Mycobacteria

  • Bacterial spores

Testing has been conducted under both clean and dirty conditions.

Why Sporicidal Testing Matters

Bacterial spores are among the most resistant forms of microbial life. Unlike many bacteria and viruses, spores are specifically designed to survive harsh environmental conditions. They can tolerate drying, chemical exposure and environmental stress far better than most microorganisms. For this reason, spores are often considered the ultimate challenge when evaluating disinfectants. Common spore organisms used during testing include:

  • Clostridioides difficile

  • Bacillus subtilis

  • Bacillus cereus

If a disinfectant can demonstrate efficacy against these highly resistant organisms, it provides strong evidence of broad antimicrobial performance.

BS EN 17126:2018

One of the most significant recent results achieved by the technology used within KORRA HygienTabs™ is BS EN 17126:2018 sporicidal efficacy. Recent testing demonstrated:

  • 1,000 ppm concentration

  • 5 minute contact time

  • Dirty conditions

  • Greater than 4 log reduction

Against:

  • Clostridioides difficile

  • Bacillus subtilis

  • Bacillus cereus

This is particularly significant because bacterial spores are among the most resistant microorganisms used in disinfectant testing. Achieving validated sporicidal efficacy at a standard-use concentration demonstrates the strength and versatility of the technology.

Environmentally Responsible

Environmental responsibility was an important consideration during development. Unlike many traditional disinfectant systems, the active chemistry ultimately breaks down into simple by-products including:

  • Water

  • Oxygen

  • Acetic acid

This helps minimise environmental impact while maintaining high levels of antimicrobial efficacy.

Built For Modern Professionals

KORRA HygienTabs™ combine:

  • In Situ Peracetic Acid technology

  • Integrated detergent technology

  • Colour indicator technology

  • Corrosion inhibitor technology

  • Low-foam formulation

  • Professional-grade efficacy testing

  • Pre-measured tablet dosing

The result is a disinfection system designed specifically for professional environments where consistency, simplicity, evidence-based performance and instrument care matter. Because modern professionals deserve more than marketing claims. They deserve science, transparency and evidence.

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