Antimicrobial superabsorbent compositions
Inventors
Hall, Thomas • COX, Sophie Constance • GROVER, Liam Michael • Kershaw, David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12225905-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A composition has an enzyme that is able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide; a substrate for the enzyme; and a superabsorbent component, such as a superabsorbent polymer. The composition is in the form of a powder and may form a gel on contact with water.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sterile composition in the form of a powder that includes an enzyme able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide, together with a substrate for the enzyme and a synthetic water-absorbing polymer. The composition is formulated such that the enzyme-containing particles are distinct from the substrate-containing particles. The composition is characterized by a mean and/or modal particle diameter of 50 to 3000 μm and excludes honey.
The described antimicrobial superabsorbent compositions minimize free water for storage stability while allowing gel or hydrogel formation when contacted with water. In this context, the enzyme and substrate are arranged to generate hydrogen peroxide through enzyme-mediated conversion, providing sustained low-level hydrogen peroxide generation after dilution. The powder format and separation of particle populations support stability and controlled release.
The document further describes synthetic water-absorbing polymer systems used in the powder composition, including sodium polyacrylate and combinations involving cyclodextrin and maltodextrin. It additionally addresses constraints relating to hydrogen peroxide content, and preferences for substantially no hydrogen peroxide, peroxidase, and zinc oxide in the composition. Experimental content is described for powder-to-gel hydrogen peroxide detection, particle size characterization, rheology of resulting gels, and antimicrobial efficacy against planktonic MRSA.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim defining a sterile enzyme/substrate hydrogen-peroxide releasing powder with a synthetic water-absorbing polymer and separated enzyme- and substrate-containing particles, together with specified particle size and exclusion of honey. No other independent claims are explicitly provided in the partial content.
Sterile powder enzyme-to-hydrogen-peroxide system with synthetic water-absorbing polymer
A sterile composition comprises an enzyme able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide, the substrate for the enzyme, and a synthetic water-absorbing polymer, wherein the composition is in the form of a powder.
Separated enzyme- and substrate-containing particles with defined particle size
The powder has a mean and/or modal particle diameter of 50 to 3000 μm, and particles comprising the enzyme are distinct from particles comprising the substrate.
Honey exclusion
The composition does not comprise honey.
The identified independent claim covers a honey-free sterile powder that uses an enzyme/substrate pair to release hydrogen peroxide and incorporates a synthetic water-absorbing polymer, with enzyme-containing and substrate-containing particles being distinct and having a defined particle size range.
Stated Advantages
Storage stability is supported by minimizing free water.
Hydrogen peroxide is generated in a sustained low-level manner after dilution.
Antimicrobial activity is demonstrated against planktonic MRSA in synthetic formulations.
Documented Applications
Wound care via antimicrobial superabsorbent powder compositions that form gels/hydrogels upon contact with water.
Treatment or prevention of microbial or biofilm infection using the described powder compositions.
Wound dressing articles where a wound dressing material is impregnated with the stated composition or has the composition immobilized on the wound dressing material.
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