Shelf-stable antimicrobial compositions

Inventors

Alderson, Faraz A.

Assignees

Virox Technologies Inc

Abstract

A shelf-stable concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising at least one cyclic carboxylic acid and/or salt thereof in an amount from about 2 wt. % to about 4 wt. %; at least one anionic surfactant and/or salt thereof in an amount from about 22 wt. % to about 32 wt. %; at least one non-surfactant strong acid (i.e. having a pKa less than about 2.3) in an amount from about 8 wt. % to about 18 wt. %; and at least one chelating agent in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. The composition retains at least 90% of its original antimicrobial efficacy after storage for at least five years at room temperature, and is substantially free of additional antimicrobial compounds including hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, parabens, aldehydes, aldehyde releasing agents, phenols, antiseptic alcohols, biguanides, peroxycarboxylic acids, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine compounds, enzymes, and etchants. Also described are methods for using the composition to reduce the microbial load on a surface comprising, optionally, the step of diluting the composition with water and/or an organic solvent and, optionally, adding an additional antimicrobial compound, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, prior to use.

Core Innovation

A shelf-stable concentrated antimicrobial composition is provided that comprises at least one cyclic carboxylic acid and/or salt thereof, at least one anionic surfactant and/or salt thereof, at least one non-surfactant strong acid having a pKa less than about 2.3, and at least one chelating agent. The composition retains at least 90% of its original antimicrobial efficacy after storage for at least five years at room temperature.

The composition is substantially free of hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, parabens, aldehydes, aldehyde releasing agents, phenols, antiseptic alcohols, biguanides, peroxycarboxylic acids, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine compounds, enzymes, and etchants. Optional components include at least one corrosion inhibitor, at least one nonionic surfactant, and/or at least one organic solvent, with water q.s. to 100.

The cyclic carboxylic acid is present in an amount from about 2 wt. % to about 4 wt. %, the anionic surfactant in an amount from about 22 wt. % to about 32 wt. %, the non-surfactant strong acid in an amount from about 8 wt. % to about 18 wt. %, and the chelating agent in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. A method is described for reducing microbial contamination on a surface by applying an effective amount of the composition to the contaminated surface for up to five minutes.

Claims Coverage

The patent contains two independent claims, each directed to a shelf-stable concentrated antimicrobial composition defined by a multi-component blend. Across the independent claims, the core inventive features are the cyclic carboxylic acid, anionic surfactant, non-surfactant strong acid (pKa less than about 2.3), and chelating agent, together with retained efficacy after storage and substantial freedom from specified ingredients.

The independent claims define a shelf-stable concentrated antimicrobial composition based on a specific combination of cyclic carboxylic acid, anionic surfactant, non-surfactant strong acid, and chelating agent, with optional corrosion inhibitor, nonionic surfactant, and organic solvent, while requiring long-term efficacy retention and substantial freedom from listed ingredient classes.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications