Liquid cleaning agent concentrates, ready-to-use application solutions, their application and cleaning methods

Abstract

A liquid cleaner concentrate comprising: a. at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate, b. at least one amino acid-based surfactant, c. at least one hydrotrope, and d. at least one enzyme, preferably a proteolytic enzyme, wherein the pH of the liquid cleaner concentrate is 9 or >9; a ready-to-use application solution for use in cleaning and / or disinfecting objects and a method for cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid cleaning agent concentrate, a ready-to-use application solution, their use for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects and a cleaning method. Background Art

[0002] Medical and surgical instruments and equipment are usually cleaned mechanically in hospitals using alkaline cleaners and then chemically or thermally disinfected. Strongly alkaline cleaners can have an aggressive effect on sensitive surfaces. Therefore, weakly alkaline enzymatic cleaners are preferred, which, however, have the disadvantage of unsatisfactory cleaning performance and high use concentrations.

[0003] Furthermore, the cleaning agents known from the prior art with anionic surfactants tend to generate a lot of foam, which is disadvantageous for usability in machine cleaning methods. Significant foam formation leads to a drop in the dosing pump pressure, which ultimately leads to an interruption of the entire cleaning process. Therefore, in the prior art, anionic surfactants are selected with a view to low foam formation and suffer their disadvantages in terms of cleaning performance.

[0004] EP 1 327 674 A1 discloses a detergent concentrate free of fatty alcohol alkoxylates and a method for cleaning surgical instruments. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid cleaning agent concentrate and a ready-to-use application solution thereof which enable very good cleaning performance at only low use concentrations and at the same time have ideal foaming properties and high material compatibility with different materials.

[0006] The invention achieves this object by the features of claims 1, 11, 13 and 15. Claim 1 comprises a liquid cleaning agent concentrate for mechanical cleaning and / or disinfection of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment, comprising:

[0007] a. at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate,

[0008] b. at least one amino acid-based surfactant,

[0009] c. at least one hydrotrope, and

[0010] d. at least one enzyme, preferably a proteolytic enzyme,

[0011] Wherein, the pH value of the liquid detergent concentrate is 9 or greater than 9.

[0012] Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] Within the scope of the present invention, the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention can be diluted with water or an aqueous solvent mixture to give a ready-to-use application solution. However, this does not exclude that the liquid detergent concentrate itself can contain water or an aqueous solvent mixture.

[0014] The liquid detergent concentrate preferably has a pH value of 9-12, more preferably 10-12, even more preferably 10-11.

[0015] 1. Fatty alcohol alkoxylate (Fettalkoholalkoxylate)

[0016] The liquid detergent concentrate comprises at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate. The at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ethoxylates (FAEO) and fatty alcohol propoxylates (FAPO), butyl-etherified fatty alcohol ethoxylates (FAEOBV), butyl-etherified fatty alcohol propoxylates (FAPOBV), methyl-etherified fatty alcohol ethoxylates (FAEOMV), methyl-etherified fatty alcohol propoxylates (FAPOMV), fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAEOPO), methyl-etherified fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAE-OPOMV) and butyl-etherified fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAEOPOBV). More preferably, the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is an EO / PO copolymer based on fatty alcohol.

[0017] The at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate can include 0-10 EO units, preferably 1-4 EO units, more preferably 1-2 EO units. In addition, the at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate can include 0-8 PO units, preferably 1-8 PO units, more preferably 4-8 PO units.

[0018] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate can have at least one C6-C16 fatty alcohol residue, more preferably a C12-C15 fatty alcohol residue.

[0019] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably selected from the group consisting of C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 8EO / 4PO units, butyl- or methyl-etherified C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 10EO units, C10-C12 fatty alcohol residues having 6EO / 8PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 4PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 4EO / 5PO units, C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 5EO / 3PO units, and methyl-etherified C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 5EO / 3PO units. The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is more preferably selected from the group consisting of C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 4PO units, and C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 4EO / 5PO units.

[0020] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 0.1 to 9% by weight, more preferably 0.4 to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0021] 2. Amino acid based surfactants

[0022] The liquid detergent concentrate comprises at least one amino acid based surfactant. The amino acid based surfactant is preferably selected from compounds having saturated or monounsaturated C10-C18 carbon residues, preferably saturated C12-C16 carbon residues.

[0023] The amino acid based surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of: sarcosine, taurine, glutamic acid and salts thereof. The salt can be an alkali metal salt, preferably a sodium salt and a potassium salt. More preferably, the amino acid based surfactant is sarcosine and its sodium salt.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of amino acid-based surfactants are selected from the group consisting of lauroyl sarcosine, oleoyl sarcosine, myristoyl sarcosine, stearoyl sarcosine and lauroyl glutamic acid and its sodium salt. Lauroyl sarcosine and lauroyl glutamic acid and its sodium salt are particularly preferred.

[0025] The amino acid-based surfactant is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.08 to 2% by weight, even more preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0026] 3. Hydrotrope

[0027] The liquid detergent concentrate comprises at least one hydrotrope. Within the scope of the present invention, a "hydrotrope" is a compound which acts as a solubilizer. According to the invention, this is in particular an amphiphilic compound having a relatively small polar part and a larger non-polar part, which is soluble in non-polar and polar solvents. Compared to surfactants, hydrotropes have a smaller hydrophobic character and a higher water solubility. The polar part ensures a higher solubility in water, while the non-polar part acts as a functional group. The hydrotropes according to the invention make it possible in particular to formulate clear and stable liquid detergent concentrates and clear, ready-to-use application solutions. According to the invention, compounds defined as amino acid-based surfactants and / or fatty alcohol alkoxylates are preferably not hydrotropes.

[0028] At least one hydrotrope is selected from:

[0029] - alkyl sulfates, preferably C6-C10 alkyl sulfates and their sodium salts, more preferably sodium octyl sulfate and sodium ethylhexyl sulfate;

[0030] - alkyl sulfonates, preferably C6-C10 alkyl sulfonates;

[0031] - aromatic sulfonates, preferably xylene sulfonate, p-toluene sulfonate and their sodium salts;

[0032] - propionates, preferably isooctyl imino dipropionate, n-octyl imino dipropionate, caprylic and capric amphoteric propionates;

[0033] - C4-C10 alkyl ether carboxylic acids having 4-10 EO units, preferably alkyl (8) polyether carboxylic acids having 8 EO units and alkyl (4-8) polyether carboxylic acids having 5 EO units;

[0034] - alkyl glycosides, alkyl diglycosides, alkyl polyglycosides and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl residue is preferably a branched or unbranched C4-C16 alkyl residue, and the glycoside residue is preferably selected from hexose units and pentose units, more preferably selected from pyranose glucose units and xylopyranose units.

[0035] Particularly preferred are sodium octyl sulfate, sodium ethylhexyl sulfate or mixtures thereof as hydrotropes.

[0036] Preferably the hydrotrope is present in the liquid detergent concentrate at 0.05% to 13% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 7% by weight, still more preferably 0.15% to 3.5% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0037] 4. Enzymes

[0038] Preferably, the enzyme is a proteolytic enzyme or a mixture of enzymes.

[0039] The enzyme or enzyme mixture is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 0.05 to 4% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate. The enzyme activity is preferably 30×10 -2 Up to 100×10 - 2 KNPU / g, more preferably 70×10 -2 Up to 85×10 -2 KNPU / g.

[0040] 5. Other components

[0041] The liquid detergent concentrate can also include other components selected from alkanolamines, alkali metal hydroxides, complexing agents, solvents, preservatives, fragrances and dyes.

[0042] The alkanolamine is preferably selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and mixtures thereof. The alkanolamine or its mixture can be used in particular for adjusting the alkalinity of the liquid detergent concentrate. The advantage of monoethanolamine is that it is a good protein detergent. The alkanolamine or its mixture is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 1 to 26% by weight, more preferably 4 to 18% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0043] The alkali metal hydroxide is preferably sodium hydroxide and / or potassium hydroxide, more preferably potassium hydroxide. In the context of the present invention, the alkali metal hydroxide is used in particular to adjust the alkalinity of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. Potassium hydroxide is preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight fraction of 1 to 8% by weight, more preferably 2 to 5% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. It was found that despite such a high weight fraction of 2 to 5% by weight of potassium hydroxide, there was no significant increase in damage to the anodized aluminum.

[0044] The complexing agent can be selected from the group including phosphonates, preferably including phosphonobutane tricarboxylate (PBTC), aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid (ATMP), 1-hydroxyethane-1-1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), diethylenetriamine-penta (methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP) and mixtures thereof, more preferably including phosphonobutane tricarboxylic acid, sodium salt of aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid and mixtures thereof; aminopolycarboxylic acids, more preferably including hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), polyaspartic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA ), nitrilomonoacetic acid dipropionic acid, nitrilotripropionic acid, β-β-alanine diacetic acid (β-ADA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-(alkyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, cyclohexylidene-1,2-diaminetetraacetic acid, serine diacetic acid, isoserine diacetic acid, L-aspartic acid diacetic acid, their salts and their mixtures, more preferably including the sodium salt of HEDTA, MGDA and their mixtures; and hydroxycarboxylic acids, hydroxypolycarboxylic acids and their salts, preferably gluconic acid, glucoheptonic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mucic acid, lactic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, malonic acid, lactobionic acid and sucrose mono-, di- and tricarboxylic acids and their salts, more preferably including the sodium salt of glucoheptonic acid. More preferably, the complexing agent is a mixture of at least one phosphonate and at least one aminopolycarboxylic acid, hydroxycarboxylic acid or its salt. The complexing agent mixture can also contain further aminopolycarboxylic acids, which are likewise selected from the aminopolycarboxylic acids and salts thereof defined above, wherein the first and second aminopolycarboxylic acids are different from one another. The phosphonate or phosphonate mixture can be present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 1 to 13 wt. %, preferably 2 to 10 wt. %, more preferably 3 to 8 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate. The aminopolycarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, hydroxypolycarboxylic acids, their salts or mixtures thereof can be present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 1 to 10 wt. %, preferably 2 to 8 wt. %, more preferably 3 to 6 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0045] The solvent can be water or an aqueous solvent mixture. Preference is given to solvent mixtures which, in addition to water, also include an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol and mixtures thereof. A preferred diol is 1,2-propylene glycol. Preferably, the organic solvent is present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 0.5 to 10% by weight, more preferably 3 to 7% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0046] Water is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 30 to 90 wt.-%, more preferably 35 to 70 wt.-%, even more preferably 35 to 60 wt.-%, even more preferably 35 to 50 wt.-%, even more preferably 35 to 45 wt.-%, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0047] The liquid detergent concentrate can also contain phosphoric acid, which is preferably used as an anticorrosive agent. Phosphoric acid is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of 0.1 to 20 wt. %, more preferably 0.2 to 7 wt. %, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0048] The upper limit of the total weight proportion of fatty alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes in the liquid detergent concentrate, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, is preferably 30% by weight, more preferably 20% by weight, still more preferably 13% by weight, still more preferably 10% by weight, still more preferably 8% by weight, still more preferably 5% by weight.

[0049] Preferably, the surfactant (i.e. cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, nonionic surfactant) is present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of at most 30%, more preferably at most 20%, even more preferably at most 18% by weight, even more preferably at most 13% by weight, even more preferably at most 9% by weight, even more preferably at most 7.5% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0050] The anionic surfactant is preferably present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight fraction of at most 20 wt. %, more preferably at most 18 wt. %, even more preferably at most 13 wt. %, even more preferably at most 8 wt. %, even more preferably at most 5 wt. %, even more preferably at most 3 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate. The present invention is based on the surprising finding that the combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes in the liquid detergent concentrate has the following technical effects / advantages. The concentrate containing these three components is a low-foaming cleaning formulation which achieves very good cleaning effects only at low use concentrations and at the same time has high material compatibility when applied to different materials.

[0051] The active substances contained in the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention can be used in significantly lower dosages than in other detergents known from the prior art. This is attributable in particular to synergistic effects in terms of cleaning performance. The cleaning performance achieved by the liquid detergent concentrate comprising a combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes is significantly better than the cleaning performance of the corresponding individual components.

[0052] Anionic and amino acid-based surfactants are generally strong foaming agents and are often used in a targeted manner in the prior art to enhance this property in cleaning formulations. However, in the context of the present invention, strong foaming is precisely undesirable. For use in mechanical cleaning methods, for example by means of instrument washers or cleaning and disinfection equipment (RDG), low-foaming components are required. This is because a significant foaming formation in machine cleaning leads to a drop in the dosing pump pressure, which ultimately leads to interruptions in the cleaning process. Surprisingly, the combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes suppresses foam formation. In particular, the foaming effect of amino acid-based surfactants is attenuated by adding fatty alcohol alkoxylates, making it possible to adjust the desired foaming behavior of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0053] In the prior art, the dosing of surfactant-containing, enzymatic, weakly alkaline liquid detergents in machine cleaning is usually carried out at a water temperature of about 40° C. This is necessary because at lower temperatures there is an excessive tendency for the detergent to foam. However, this has the disadvantage that the cleaning program runs longer because a heating time from the inlet temperature (usually about 18-22° C.) to 40° C. must be waited for before the detergent can act. On the other hand, the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention enables cold dosing to be performed directly after the water enters at a temperature of preferably 38° C. or lower, more preferably 18 to 35° C., even more preferably 20 to 30° C., even more preferably 22 to 27° C., even more preferably at about 25° C., without interrupting the program due to excessive foam generation. Such cold dosing is currently not feasible with the liquid detergents known in the prior art and commercially available. The cold dosing of the liquid detergent concentrate has its inventive content.

[0054] Another important requirement for liquid cleaning agents is the highest possible material compatibility when used on different materials. In particular, in the context of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment, the corrosion protection of high-quality steel and (color) anodized aluminum parts is important. Surprisingly, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention has a high material compatibility. In particular, the presence of amino acid-based surfactants leads to a significantly improved corrosion inhibition behavior on high-quality steel and (color) anodized aluminum parts. In addition, surprisingly, with more frequent use of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, an improved gloss and an improved feel, especially of high-quality steel parts, were observed.

[0055] In the context of the present invention, the hydrotrope also acts as a solubilizer for the fatty alcohol alkoxylate and clarifies the formulation within a certain temperature range. For this purpose, the cloud point of the liquid cleaning formulation and the dosing pump pressure during the machine rinsing process can be used as test parameters. Surprisingly, a cloud point of >40° C. was achieved by the combination of components according to the invention. This is particularly advantageous since this is usually also the application temperature or storage temperature in RDG. In contrast, the cloud point without the combination according to the invention is only about 20° C.

[0056] The present invention also provides ready-to-use use solutions comprising 0.05 to 99.9% of the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention, wherein the pH value of the ready-to-use use solution is 9 or >9, preferably 9-12, more preferably 10-12, even more preferably 10-11.

[0057] Preferably, the ready-to-use use solution comprises 0.05 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 1%, of the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention.

[0058] The above-listed components, properties and advantageous effects of the ready-to-use application solution correspond to the components, properties and advantageous effects previously defined for the liquid detergent concentrate. Of course, the components in the ready-to-use application solution are present in the following weight proportions:

[0059] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably present in the ready-to-use solution in a weight fraction of 0.00005 to 0.9% by weight, more preferably 0.0004 to 0.02% by weight, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use solution.

[0060] The amino acid-based surfactant is preferably present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.000025 to 0.5% by weight, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.02% by weight, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0061] The hydrotrope is preferably present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.000025 to 1.3 wt. %, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.07 wt. %, even more preferably 0.00015 to 0.035 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0062] The enzyme or enzyme mixture is preferably present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.000025 to 0.4% by weight, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.02% by weight, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0063] The alkanolamine or the mixture thereof can be present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.0005 to 2.6% by weight, preferably 0.004 to 0.18% by weight, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0064] The complexing agent or complexing agent mixture may be present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.001 to 2.3 wt. %, preferably 0.004 to 0.18 wt. %, more preferably 0.006 to 0.14 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0065] The organic solvent may be present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.00025 to 1.0% by weight, preferably 0.003 to 0.07% by weight, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0066] Water can be present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 90.0 to 99.985 wt. %, preferably 95.0 to 99.98 wt. %, more preferably 99.6 to 99.96 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0067] Phosphoric acid can be present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of 0.00005 to 2.5 wt. %, more preferably 0.0002 to 0.14 wt. %, even more preferably 0.0003 to 0.07 wt. %, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0068] The upper limit of the total weight fraction of fatty alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes in the ready-to-use solution, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use solution, is preferably 2.7% by weight, more preferably 1% by weight, even more preferably 0.4% by weight, even more preferably 0.1% by weight, even more preferably 0.075% by weight.

[0069] Preferably, the surfactant (i.e. cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, nonionic surfactant) is present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of preferably at most 3 wt.-%, more preferably at most 2.7 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 1.5 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 1 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 0.075 wt.-%, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0070] The anionic surfactant is preferably present in the ready-to-use use solution in a weight fraction of at most 2.8 wt.-%, more preferably at most 2 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 1.8 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 1 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 0.5 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 0.1 wt.-%, even more preferably at most 0.055 wt.-%, relative to the total mass of the ready-to-use use solution.

[0071] The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention or the ready-to-use application solution according to the invention for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects, preferably for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting objects. In an advantageous embodiment, the liquid detergent concentrate or the ready-to-use solution is preferably dosed cold, more preferably at a temperature of 38° C. or below, even more preferably at 18 to 35° C., even more preferably at 20° C. to 30° C., even more preferably at 22 to 27° C., even more preferably at about 25° C.

[0072] In the context of the invention, mechanical cleaning is performed without human assistance during an automatic program run, preferably in an instrument washer or in a RDG. According to the invention, the expression "cleaning and / or disinfection" is used to express that the liquid cleaning agent concentrate and the ready-to-use application solution can be used both in a combination of cleaning and disinfection in a single method step and in a program run in which a separate disinfection step follows the cleaning step. The objects are preferably medical and / or surgical instruments and / or devices.

[0073] The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

[0074] a) preparing a ready-to-use application solution according to any one of claims 11 or 12,

[0075] b) Cleaning of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment using the ready-to-use application solution.

[0076] In an advantageous embodiment, the ready-to-use application solution is preferably prepared cold, more preferably at a temperature of 38° C. or lower, even more preferably at 18 to 35° C., even more preferably at 20 to 30° C., even more preferably at 22 to 27° C., even more preferably at about 25° C. The preparation of the ready-to-use application solution can be prepared by dosing the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention. Alternatively, the ready-to-use application solution can also be prepared manually starting from the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The invention will now be described according to some advantageous embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. It shows:

[0078] Figure 1 Pressure-time graph showing a mechanical flush cycle with good pump pressure behavior (top) and poor pump pressure behavior (bottom)

[0079] Figure 2Pressure-time diagram showing a mechanical flushing cycle with a ready-to-use application solution comprising a fatty alcohol alkoxylate according to the invention, a) a C12-C15 fatty alcohol residue with 2EO / 6PO units, b) a C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 2EO / 4PO units and c) a C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 4EO / 5PO units

[0080] Figure 3 Shown is the corrosion behavior of grey cast iron GG25 tested according to DIN 51360 Part 2 using a ready-to-use application solution comprising a) sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, b) sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, c) sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, d) sodium stearoyl sarcosinate, e) sodium lauroyl glutamate as amino acid-based surfactant according to the invention and f) sodium cumene sulfonate as reference formulation

[0081] Figure 4 Bar graph showing quantitative results of the degree of corrosion with grey cast iron chips GG25

[0082] Figure 5 The quantitative determination of the residual blood content after the immersion test with sheep blood and a mixture of sheep blood and povidone iodine tincture is shown.

[0083] Figure 6 The pressure and temperature curves of the cold water dosage of the liquid detergent concentrate according to the invention with a concentration of 3 ml / l at 25°C are shown.

[0084] Figure 7 The pressure and temperature curves of cold water dosages of cleaning agents known from the prior art and commercially available at 25° C. with the concentrations respectively recommended by the standards are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] 1. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates

[0086] Seven different fatty alcohol alkoxylates with varying fatty alcohol residue chain lengths and different degrees of ethoxylation or propoxylation (i.e. FA C12-C15 with 2EO / 6PO, FA C12-C14 with 2EO / 4PO, FA C12-C14 with 4EO / 5PO, FA C12-C15 with 8EO / 4PO, butyl-etherified FA C12-C14 with 10EO, FA C12-C12 with 6EO / 8PO, methyl-etherified FA C13-C15 with 5EO / 3PO) were tested with regard to their foam suppression properties in ready-to-use application solutions with otherwise identical cleaning formulations. The respective suitability of the fatty alcohol alkoxylates for use in machine cleaning methods was assessed by measuring the dosing pump pressure during the entire cleaning process (see Figure 1 ).

[0087] Figure 1 A comparison between pressure-time diagrams of a mechanical flushing cycle with very good pump pressure behavior (upper graph) and poor pump pressure behavior (lower graph) is shown.

[0088] Fatty alcohol alkoxylates a) C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 2EO / 6PO units, b) C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues with 2EO / 4PO units and c) C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues with 4EO / 5PO units have proven to be particularly advantageous. The associated pressure-time diagrams of the fatty alcohol alkoxylates according to the invention for the corresponding machine rinse cycles are shown in Figure 2 The fatty alcohol alkoxylates all have very good pump pressure behavior.

[0089] 2. Amino acid based surfactants

[0090] Five different amino acid based surfactants (i.e. sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium stearoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl glutamate) were investigated with respect to their corrosion inhibiting properties in a ready-to-use application solution with otherwise identical cleaning formulations in comparison to a reference formulation containing a common non-amino acid based surfactant (i.e. sodium cumene sulfonate). Corrosion tests with grey cast iron chips GG25 were performed for evaluation according to DIN 51360 part 2.

[0091] 1. Corrosion test using grey cast iron chips GG25 based on DIN51360 Part 2

[0092] a. Equipment and Materials

[0093] - Petri dish 100 mm diameter (glass or plastic)

[0094] -Whatman filter paper diameter 70 mm 589, medium speed filtration

[0095] - Grey cast iron GG 25 chips according to DIN 51360T2 (company Riegger Industriehandel, article 03-39)

[0096] -Deionized water

[0097] b. Execution

[0098] 2 g ± 0.1 g of chips are weighed onto the filter paper inserted into the Petri dish with the aid of a spatula. The chips are distributed as centrally as possible over an area of ​​40-50 mm in diameter. The chips and filter paper are evenly moistened with 2 ml of a 2.5% ready-to-use application solution, and the Petri dish is closed with a lid. The samples prepared in this way are stored at room temperature (20-25° C.) without direct sunlight or draft for 2 hours ± 10 minutes. The chips are removed and discarded. The filter paper is rinsed under running deionized water and pivoted in acetone for 5-10 seconds. The filter paper is dried at room temperature (20-25° C.). The degree of corrosion is determined immediately after drying. Each test is performed as a double determination.

[0099] c. Evaluation

[0100] For the evaluation, instead of a visual assessment, the area of ​​corrosion was correlated to the total area of ​​the filter paper used. The integral of the area was determined with the aid of the software ImageJ.

[0101] d. Results

[0102] All test variants of the ready-to-use application solutions containing amino acid-based surfactants showed significantly improved corrosion inhibition behavior relative to the reference formulation without amino acid-based surfactants. The best results were achieved with the ready-to-use solutions containing amino acid-based surfactants, namely sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium lauroyl glutamate. Here, the corrosion behavior of grey cast iron GG25 could be compared to Figure 3 The degree of corrosion in tests with grey cast iron chips can be quantitatively determined by subsequent integration of the corroded surface (see Figure 4 ).

[0103] 3. Hydrotropes

[0104] Eight different compounds from different substance classes, namely alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, aromatic sulfonates, alkyl glycosides, alkyl diglycosides and alkyl polyglycosides, were tested for their suitability as hydrotropes in ready-to-use solutions. The cloud point during the mechanical flushing process and the dosing pump pressure were used as test parameters for the evaluation.

[0105] Surprisingly, a cloud point of >40° C. was achieved for the ready-to-use application solution by the combination of components according to the invention. This is particularly advantageous since this is usually also the application temperature or storage temperature in RDG. In particular, application solutions comprising alkyl sulfates as hydrotropes showed very good results. In contrast, the cloud point without the combination according to the invention was only about 20° C.

[0106] 4. Combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes

[0107] Various combinations of amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes with the best fatty alcohol alkoxylates from the previous paragraph were tested in ready-to-use solutions.

[0108] In the immersion test, the formulation variants were tested for their cleaning performance with sheep blood and a mixture of blood and povidone iodine tincture. In the machine wash rinse test, the dosing pump pressure was tracked as a measure of the foam behavior over the course of the entire cleaning cycle. In this case, 10 ml of blood was additionally added to the cleaning bleach, resulting in enhanced foam formation and the ability to simulate the handling of heavily soiled equipment.

[0109] 1. Cleaning test in immersion bath

[0110] a. Equipment and Materials

[0111] -High-quality steel plate (slightly roughened, area 1cm×9cm)

[0112] -10IE / ml heparinized sheep blood

[0113] Protamine sulfate or protamine chloride: ACILA Co., Ltd.

[0114] -Povidone-iodine (10% povidone-iodine solution)

[0115] - Different colored marking dots with a diameter of 8 mm

[0116] -Deionized water

[0117] b. Execution

[0118] Prepare the test plate of heparinized, reactivated sheep blood:

[0119] Heparinized sheep blood and protamine sulfate / protamine chloride are stored in a refrigerator at 6°C before testing. For the preparation of the test soil, the sheep blood and protamine sulfate / protamine chloride should reach a temperature of 20°C. The fat-free high-quality steel plates are stretched on a rack and should be aligned horizontally and as straight as possible.

[0120] On a magnetic stirrer in a 50ml beaker, 75μl of protamine sulfate or protamine chloride was briefly mixed with 5ml of heparinized sheep blood. 100μl of the solution was pipetted onto each plate and evenly distributed with an inoculation loop without contaminating the fixed holes and sides. Then, each batch was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature in air saturated with water vapor (100% air humidity LF). The frame of the plate can be immersed in deionized water, but the plate must be supported above the water surface. To adjust 100% LF, the bottom of a 8.5l plastic can was filled with at least 1 liter of deionized water. Deionized water must completely cover the bottom of the dish placed horizontally. The dish was provided with a lid (adjusting the atmosphere) at least 2 hours before the start. After 1 hour, the wet sample with coagulated blood contamination was taken out from the plastic dish and dried at room temperature.

[0121] Check the quality of the dried test panels. Discard panels with bubbles, irregularities, or dirt. Glue a green marking dot to each of the other panels. Store the test panels in test tubes with screw caps at room temperature until they are used for the immersion test.

[0122] Preparation of iodine blood test panel:

[0123] Defibrinated sheep blood is stored in a refrigerator at 6° C. until testing. To prepare the test soil, the sheep blood should reach a temperature of 20° C. A fat-free high-quality steel plate is stretched on a rack and should be aligned as straight as possible in a horizontal position.

[0124] On a magnetic stirrer in a 50 ml beaker, defibrinated sheep blood was briefly mixed with povidone iodine in a 1:1 ratio. 200 μl of the solution was pipetted onto each plate and evenly distributed with an inoculation loop without contaminating the fixed holes and sides. The test plates were then dried at room temperature for about 6 hours, but at least until all plates were visually dry. The quality of the dried test plates was checked. Plates with bubbles or irregularities on the dirt were picked out. An orange marking point was pasted on all other plates respectively. The test plates were stored in test tubes with screw caps at room temperature until they were used for the immersion test.

[0125] Execution of immersion test:

[0126] Concentration: 2ml / 1

[0127] Water quality: deionized water

[0128] Temperature: 45℃±1℃

[0129] Hold time: 4 and 10 minutes

[0130] Stirring speed: 350 rpm (stirrer IKA RCT classic)

[0131] Receiver: 1000ml solution in 1000ml beaker

[0132] Test panels: Heparinized, reactivated sheep blood, iodinated blood

[0133] The soiled test plates were immersed in the solution individually. After removal, they were briefly immersed again in cold deionized water. The plates were laid flat to dry at room temperature. Visual assessment was performed with the aid of the dried plates. The test plates with soiling of heparinized, reactivated sheep blood were stained with a 0.1% solution of amido black.

[0134] c. Evaluation

[0135] The evaluation was performed visually with the aid of the dried plate. In addition, an evaluation was performed here with the aid of integration of the remaining blood residues relative to the total area of ​​the specimen using the software ImageJ.

[0136] d. Results

[0137] The test results are summarized in Table 1 below. In addition to the components listed in Table 1, the liquid detergent concentrates tested were prepared from the following components which were otherwise unchanged for convenience:

[0138]

[0139]

[0140] Table 1: Test results of pump pressure and cleaning performance.

[0141]

[0142]

[0143] The liquid detergent concentrate comprising a combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate and amino acid-based surfactant and without the addition of a hydrotrope (Comparative Test 4) showed the worst cleaning performance and the worst pump pressure behavior in the test series. The liquid detergent concentrate with sodium cumene sulfonate (Comparative Test 5) achieved the second worst cleaning performance, wherein very good pressure behavior was observed here. The liquid detergent concentrate comprising fatty alcohol alkoxylate and the hydrotrope sodium octyl sulfate (Comparative Test 3) showed very good pump pressure behavior, but mediocre cleaning performance. In the case of a good pump pressure curve in the machine test, the addition of an amino acid-based surfactant (Comparative Test 4), which alone in combination with a fatty alcohol alkoxylate cleans poorly, led to very good cleaning performance of the liquid detergent concentrate (Test 2).

[0144] The liquid detergent concentrates according to the invention with a combination of a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an amino acid-based surfactant and a hydrotrope (tests 1 and 2) achieve the best cleaning performance compared to the corresponding individual components and different combinations of the two components (comparative tests 3 to 5). A synergistic effect of the combination according to the invention of a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an amino acid-based surfactant and a hydrotrope in removing blood residues was observed. The cleaning performance of the three-combination in the tests performed was always better than the sum of the individual components.

[0145] Figure 5 The quantitative determination of blood residues after immersion tests with sheep blood and a mixture of sheep blood and povidone-iodine is shown. The results for protocols 1 to 5 listed in Table 1 are shown.

[0146] Another embodiment of the cleaning agent concentrate according to the present invention, which obtained the same test results as the liquid cleaning agent concentrate of Experimental Example 1, is composed of the following components:

[0147]

[0148]

[0149] 2. Cold water ingredients

[0150] In the prior art, surfactant-containing, enzymatic, weakly alkaline liquid detergents are usually dosed at a water temperature of approximately 40° C. for mechanical cleaning. This is necessary because at lower temperatures there is a tendency for overly strong detergents to soak through. However, the disadvantage of dosing at a temperature of approximately 40° C. is that the running time of the cleaning program is prolonged, since a certain waiting period and heating from the inlet temperature (usually approximately 18-22° C.) to a temperature of up to 40° C. must first be performed before the detergent can take effect.

[0151] In contrast, the liquid detergent concentrates and ready-to-use application solutions according to the invention enable cold dosing immediately after water inflow, preferably at a temperature of 38° C. or lower, even more preferably from 18 to 35° C., even more preferably from 20 to 30° C., even more preferably from 22 to 27° C., even more preferably at about 25° C., without interrupting the procedure due to excessive foam formation. This is currently not possible with the detergents known in the prior art.

[0152] exist Figure 6 The correct and complete program sequence (pressure and temperature curves) of a cleaning and disinfection system (UniClean PL II from Munich Medical Instruments AG) is shown in FIG. In this case, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention is dosed at 25° C. in a concentration of 3 ml / l.

[0153] This was performed analogously for cleaning agents known from the prior art and available on the market with concentrations respectively recommended according to the standards at 25° C. (among others, Dr. Weigert, neodisher MediClean forte, 6 ml / l, #681964; Ruhof, Endozyme AW plus, 3.5 ml / l; Dr. Schumacher, thermoshield Xtreme, 3 ml / l, #460764; Borer, deconex Twin pH10+Twin Zyme, 3 ml / l+1.5 ml / l, #0370073+#0.397577; Prolystica, Prolystica 2x concentrated alkaline cleaner, 3 ml / l, #290186). The following observations were made for the cleaning agents: Figure 7 The indicated program is interrupted.

Claims

1. A liquid detergent concentrate for mechanical cleaning and / or disinfection of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment, comprising: a. relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, 0.1% to 9% by weight of the weight fraction of at least one fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer (FAEOPO), b. a weight fraction of 0.05% to 5% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, of at least one amino acid-based surfactant having a saturated C10-C18 carbon residue, c. at least one hydrotrope in a weight fraction of 0.05% to 13% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, wherein the at least one hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of C6-C10 alkyl sulfates and their sodium salts, C6-C10 alkyl sulfonates and their sodium salts, alkyl glycosides with branched or unbranched C4-C16 alkyl residues, isooctyl imino dipropionate, n-octylimino dipropionate, caprylic and capric amphoteric propionate; and d. a weight fraction of 0.05% to 4% by weight of at least one proteolytic enzyme, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, Wherein, the pH value of the liquid detergent concentrate is 9 or greater than 9.

2. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The pH of the liquid cleaner concentrate is 9-12.

3. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The pH of the liquid cleaner concentrate is 10-12.

4. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The pH of the liquid cleaner concentrate is 10-11.

5. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer (FAEOPO) has at least one of the following characteristics: - Includes 1-4 EO units, - Includes 1-8 PO units, - has at least one C6-C16 fatty alcohol residue, - is selected from the group consisting of C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 8EO / 4PO units, butyl- or methyl-etherified C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 10EO units, C10-C12 fatty alcohol residues having 6EO / 8PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 4PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 4EO / 5PO units, methyl-etherified C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 5EO / 3PO units, and C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 5EO / 3PO units.

6. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 5, characterized in that The fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer (FAEOPO) is selected from: C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 2EO / 4PO units, and C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues having 4EO / 5PO units.

7. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The amino acid-based surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sarcosine, taurine, glutamic acid and salts thereof.

8. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 7, characterized in that The amino acid-based surfactant is selected from the group consisting of lauroyl sarcosine, lauroyl glutamic acid and salts thereof.

9. The liquid detergent concentrate according to claim 7, characterized in that The amino acid-based surfactant is selected from the group consisting of lauroyl sarcosine, myristoyl sarcosine, stearoyl sarcosine and lauroyl glutamic acid and their salts.

10. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The at least one hydrotrope is selected from: - sodium octyl sulfate and sodium ethylhexyl sulfate; - isooctyl imino dipropionate, n-octyl imino dipropionate; -Alkyl glycosides, wherein the glycoside residue is selected from the group consisting of a hexose unit and a pentose unit.

11. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The hydrotrope is sodium octyl sulfate, sodium ethylhexyl sulfate or a mixture thereof.

12. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The liquid detergent concentrate further comprises other components selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, alkali metal hydroxides, complexing agents, solvents, preservatives, fragrances and dyes.

13. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The alkali metal hydroxide is potassium hydroxide.

14. The liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The liquid cleaning agent concentrate contains at least one of the following components in the following weight proportions: - a fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer (FAEOPO) in a proportion of 0.4% to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate; - a proportion of 0.1% to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate, of the surfactant based on amino acids having saturated C10-C18 carbon residues; - a fraction of 0.15% to 3.5% by weight of the hydrotrope, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate; A proteolytic enzyme in a proportion of 0.1% to 2% by weight, relative to the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

15. A ready-to-use application solution comprising 0.05% to 99.9% of the liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein The pH value of the ready-to-use application solution is 9 or >9.

16. The ready-to-use application solution according to claim 15, characterized in that The liquid cleaner concentrate has a pH of 9-12.

17. The ready-to-use application solution according to claim 15, characterized in that The liquid cleaner concentrate has a pH value of 10-12.

18. The ready-to-use application solution according to claim 15, characterized in that The liquid cleaner concentrate has a pH value of 10-11.

19. Use of a liquid cleaning concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or a ready-to-use use solution according to any one of claims 15 or 18 for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects.

20. Use of a liquid detergent concentrate according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or a ready-to-use use solution according to any one of claims 15 or 18 for machine cleaning and / or disinfecting of objects.

21. The use according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The objects are medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment.

22. A method for cleaning medical and / or surgical instruments and / or equipment, characterized in that The following steps are provided: a) preparing a ready-to-use application solution according to any one of claims 15 to 18, b) Cleaning said medical and / or surgical instrument and / or equipment using said ready-to-use application solution.

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