Antimicrobial Compositions And Related Methods

Abstract

A liquid antimicrobial composition comprising an organic acid and one or more anionic surfactants is disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic acid is lactic acid and the anionic surfactant is sodium octane sulfonate. In a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial solution is formulated as a teat dip for lactating animals, particularly cows. In other embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions may be used in personal care, hard surface care including hard surface disinfection in households, food processing, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, showers, or topically as hand soaps, surgical scrubs, and hoof disease mitigators.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to commonly-owned and copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 843,113, filed 8 Sep. 2006, and 60 / 888,243, filed 5 Feb. 2007, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention pertains to antimicrobial compositions of the type that may be used to control or destroy pathogenic microorganisms. More particularly, various antimicrobial agents are shown to work with cooperative effects against microorganisms in a wide variety of applications.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Antimicrobial compositions are used to reduce the risk of infection. For example, antimicrobials are used to disinfect surfaces in hospitals, lavatories, food preparation facilities, and offices. Other uses include the control of pathogenic organisms on skin, where they may be used to reduce the transmission of disease or infection, e.g., as surgical sc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]There is a need for compositions that are effective broad spectrum antimic

Problems solved by technology

Mastitis is always a potentially serious infection.

Severe cases may cause death to the dairy animal.

Milder cases are more common, but may have serious consequences, such as long term damage to the animal, loss of milk production for the dairy farmer and an unacceptable increase in veterinary costs.

Some of the available teat dip agents suffer from serious drawbacks.

Additionally, the use of overly powerful disinfectants may contribute to the mastitis problem by causing irritation of the teat skin, thus providing an opportunistic site which promotes infection.

On the other hand, less powerful teat dip agents, such as fatty acids and anionic surfactants, are often not broad enough in their antimicrobial spectrum to provide complete germicidal protection.

From a consumption point of view, it is known that relatively small quantities of iodine and chlorhexidine can result in taste changes of the milk as well as problems in the manufacture of dairy products.

Also, iodine associates with problems of staining, and some operators / users develop allergic symptoms such as skin irritation and sensitization from iodine-based product use.