Antimicrobial composition and methods of making and using same

Abstract

An aqueous composition adapted to kill bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The composition, which is slightly to moderately acidic, includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. The composition can be applied directly to a site of bacterial growth. Even when the bacteria is in biofilm form, the surfactant component(s) begin to kill the bacteria before the macro-molecular matrix is removed or dislodged from the site.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 103,214 filed 6 Oct. 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]Bacteria is found virtually everywhere and is responsible for a significant amount of disease and infection. Ridding surfaces of bacteria is desirable to reduce human exposure. Bacteria in normal environments have developed self preservation mechanisms and are therefore extremely difficult to remove and / or eradicate.[0003]Bacteria can be found in both planktonic and biofilm forms. In the biofilm form, they interact with surfaces and form surface colonies which adhere to a surface and continue to grow. The bacteria produce exopolysaccharide (EPS) and / or extracellular-polysaccharide (ECPS) macromolecules that keep them attached to the surface and form a protective film that is effective against many forms of attack. Protection most likely can be at...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Broadly, the aqueous composition includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. The pH of the composition preferably is moderately low (about 4 pH 6), although higher concentrations of acidic components can be employed. At least some of the osmotically active solutes include the dissociation product(s) of one or more acids that are effective at interrupting or breaking ionic crosslinks in the macromolecular matrix of the biofilm, which facilitates passage of the solutes and surfactant through the matrix to the bacteria entrained therein and / or protected thereby.

[0014]Without wishing to be bound by theory, the combination of high tonicity (high osmolar concentration) and large amounts of surfactant is believed to induce bacterial membrane leakage, leading to cell lysis. While the ingredients used to prepare such compositions typically are ineffective as bactericides when used at concentrations commonly employed in commercial products, an appropriately formulated composition has been found to be very effective at breaking down or bypassing and disabling biofilm defenses, thereby allowing the composition to access and kill the bacteria, even when it is in a sessile state.

Problems solved by technology

In addition to being lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, the composition also exhibits lethality toward other microbes such as viruses, fungi, molds, yeasts, and bacterial spores.