LIQUID CLEANING AGENT CONCENTRATE, READY-TO-USE SOLUTION, ITS USES AND CLEANING PROCEDURES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid cleaning agent concentrate, ready-to-use application solutions, their uses for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects and cleaning methods.

[0002] In hospitals, medical and surgical instruments and equipment are typically mechanically cleaned using alkaline cleaning agents and then chemically or thermally disinfected. Strongly alkaline cleaning agents can be aggressive to sensitive surfaces. Therefore, mildly alkaline enzymatic cleaning agents are preferred, but these have the disadvantages of unsatisfactory cleaning performance and high application concentrations.

[0003] In addition, cleaning agents containing anionic surfactants known in the prior art tend to produce excessive foam, which is detrimental to their applicability in automated cleaning processes. Excessive foaming leads to a drop in dosing pump pressure and ultimately to the interruption of the entire cleaning process. Therefore, in the prior art, anionic surfactants are selected for their low foaming, while their disadvantages in terms of cleaning performance are accepted.

[0004] EP 1 327 674 A1 discloses a cleaning agent concentrate and method for cleaning surgical instruments without fatty alcohol alkoxylate.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a liquid cleaning agent concentrate and a ready-to-use application solution thereof, which enable very good cleaning performance with only a low application concentration and at the same time have ideal foaming behavior and high material compatibility on various materials.

[0006] The invention solves these problems by the features of claims 1, 11, 13 and 15. Claim 1 comprises a liquid cleaning agent concentrate for the mechanical cleaning and / or disinfection of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or instruments and / or apparatus, 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, where the pH value of the liquid cleaning concentrate is 9 or >9.

[0007] Preferred embodiments are found in the subclaims.

[0008] Within the scope of the invention, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention can be diluted with water or a water-containing solvent mixture to form a ready-to-use solution. However, this does not preclude the liquid cleaning agent concentrate itself from containing water or a water-containing solvent mixture.

[0009] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate preferably has a pH value of 9-12, more preferably 10-12, even more preferably 10-11. 1. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates

[0010] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate comprises at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate. Preferably, the at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate is selected from 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 (FAEOPOMV), and butyl-etherified fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAEOPOBV). Further preferably, the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is a fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer.

[0011] The at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate can comprise 0-10 EO units, preferably 1-4 EO units, more preferably 1-2 EO units. Furthermore, the at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate can comprise 0-8 PO units, preferably 1-8 PO units, more preferably 4-8 PO units.

[0012] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate may have at least one C6-C16 fatty alcohol residue, more preferably C12-C15 fatty alcohol residue.

[0013] The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably selected from the group consisting of C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 8EO / 4PO units, butyl- or methyl-etherified C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues with 10EO units, C10-C12 fatty alcohol residues with 6EO / 8PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues with 2EO / 4PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residues with 4EO / 5PO units, C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 5EO / 3PO units and methyl-etherified C13-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 5EO / 3PO units, further preferably the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is selected from C12-C15 fatty alcohol residues with 2EO / 6PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 2EO / 4PO units and C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 4EO / 5PO units.

[0014] Preferably, the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is present in the liquid cleaning concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.1 to 9 wt.%, more preferably 0.4 to 2 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning concentrate. 2. Amino acid-based surfactants

[0015] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate comprises at least one amino acid-based surfactant. The amino acid-based surfactant is preferably selected from compounds having a saturated or monounsaturated C10-C18 carbon radical, preferably a saturated C12-C16 carbon radical.

[0016] The amino acid-based surfactant is preferably selected from sarcosine, taurine, glutamic acid, and their salts. The salts can be alkali metal salts, preferably sodium and potassium salts. More preferably, the amino acid-based surfactant is a sarcosine and its sodium salt.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the amino acid-based surfactant are selected from lauroylsarcosine, oleoylsarcosine, myristoylsarcosine, stearoylsarcosine, and lauroylglutamic acid and their sodium salts. Lauroylsarcosine and lauroylglutamic acid and their sodium salts are particularly preferred.

[0018] Preferably, the amino acid-based surfactant is present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.05 to 5 wt.%, more preferably 0.08 to 2 wt.%, even more preferably 0.1 to 2 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate. 3. Hydrotrope

[0019] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate comprises at least one hydrotrope. In the context of the invention, "hydrotropes" are compounds that act as solubilizers. According to the invention, these are, in particular, amphiphilic compounds with a relatively small polar moiety and a larger non-polar moiety, which are soluble in both non-polar and polar solvents. Compared to surfactants, the hydrotropes have less hydrophobic properties and higher solubility in water. The polar moiety ensures higher solubility in water, while the non-polar moiety acts as a functional group. Hydrotropes according to the invention enable, in particular, the formulation of a clear and stable liquid cleaning agent concentrate and a clear, ready-to-use solution.According to the invention, the compounds defined as amino acid-based surfactants and / or fatty alcohol alkoxylates are preferably not hydrotropes.

[0020] The at least one hydrotrope is selected from: Alkyl sulfates, preferably C6-C10 alkyl sulfates and their sodium salts, more preferably sodium octyl sulfate and sodium ethylhexyl sulfate; alkyl sulfonates, preferably C6-C10 alkyl sulfonates; aromatic sulfonates, preferably xylenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and their sodium salts; propionates, preferably iso-octyl iminodipropionate, n-octyl iminodipropionate, caprylic and capric amphopropionate; C4-C10 ether carboxylic acids having 4-10 EO units, preferably alkyl(8)polyethercarboxylic acid having 8 EO units and alkyl(4-8)polyethercarboxylic acid having 5 EO units; Alkyl glycosides, alkyl diglycosides, alkyl polyglycosides and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl radical is preferably a branched or unbranched C4-C16 alkyl radical and the glycoside radical is preferably selected from hexose unit and pentose unit, further preferably selected from glucopyranose unit and xylopyranos unit.

[0021] Particularly preferred hydrotropes are sodium octyl sulfate, sodium ethylhexyl sulfate or a mixture thereof.

[0022] Preferably, the hydrotrope is present in the liquid detergent concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.05 to 13 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 7 wt.%, even more preferably 0.15 to 3.5 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate. 4. Enzym

[0023] Preferably, the enzyme is a proteolytic enzyme or enzyme mixture.

[0024] The enzyme or enzyme mixture is preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.05 to 4 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 2 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. The enzyme activity is preferably 30x10 -2 to 100x10 -2 KNPU / g, more preferably 70x10 -2 to 85x10 -2 KNPU / g. 5. Other components

[0025] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate may further comprise other components selected from alkanolamines, alkali metal hydroxides, complexing agents, solvents, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances and dyes.

[0026] The alkanolamine is preferably selected from monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, and mixtures thereof. The alkanolamine or its mixture can be used, in particular, to adjust the alkalinity of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. Monoethanolamine has the advantage of being a good protein cleaner. The alkanolamine or its mixture is preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 1 to 26 wt.%, more preferably 4 to 18 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0027] The alkali metal hydroxide is preferably sodium hydroxide and / or potassium hydroxide, more preferably potassium hydroxide. Within the scope of the invention, the alkali metal hydroxide serves, 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 proportion of 1 to 8 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 5 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. It has been found that damage to anodized aluminum is not significantly increased despite this high weight proportion of 2 to 5 wt.% of potassium hydroxide.

[0028] The complexing agent can be selected from the group consisting of phosphonates, preferably from salts of phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC), aminotrismethylenephosphonic acid (ATMP), 1-hydroxyethane-1-1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP) and mixtures thereof, more preferably from the sodium salts of phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid, aminotrismethylenephosphonic acid and mixtures thereof; Aminopolycarboxylic acids, preferably from hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), polyaspartic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), nitrilomonoacetic dipropionic acid, nitrilotripropionic acid, β-alaninediacetic acid (β-ADA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-(alkyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid,Ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, cyclohexylene-1,2-diaminetetraacetic acid, serinediacetic acid, isoserinediacetic acid, L-asparticodiacetic acid, their salts, and mixtures thereof, more preferably from the sodium salts of HEDTA, MGDA, and mixtures thereof; and hydroxycarboxylic acids, hydroxypolycarboxylic acids, and their salts, preferably gluconic acid, glucoheptanoic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mucic acid, lactic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, tartronic acid, lactobionic acid, and sucrose mono-, di-, and tricarboxylic acid, and their salts, more preferably from the sodium salt of glucoheptonic acid. The complexing agent is more preferably a mixture of at least one phosphonate and at least one aminopolycarboxylic acid, hydroxycarboxylic acid, or salt thereof. The complexing agent mixture may further comprise another aminopolycarboxylic acid, which is also selected from the previously defined aminopolycarboxylic acids and their salts,wherein the first and second aminopolycarboxylic acids are different from one another. The phosphonate or phosphonate mixture can be present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 1 to 13 wt.%, preferably 2 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 3 to 8 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. The aminopolycarboxylic acids, the hydroxycarboxylic acids, the hydroxypolycarboxylic acids, their salts, or their mixtures can be present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 2 to 8 wt.%, more preferably 3 to 6 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0029] The solvent can be water or a water-containing solvent mixture. Preferred solvent mixtures are those that, in addition to water, comprise organic solvents selected from ethanol, 2-propanol, glycols, glycerin, and mixtures thereof. A preferred glycol is 1,2-propylene glycol. The organic solvent is preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.5 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 3 to 7 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0030] Preferably, water is present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion 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.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0031] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate may also contain phosphoric acid, which preferably serves as a corrosion inhibitor. Phosphoric acid is preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a weight proportion of 0.1 to 20 wt.%, more preferably 0.2 to 7 wt.%, and even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0032] An upper limit for a total weight proportion of fatty alkoxy alcoholate, amino acid-based surfactant and hydrotrope in the liquid detergent concentrate is preferably 30 wt.%, more preferably 20 wt.%, even more preferably 13 wt.%, even more preferably 10 wt.%, even more preferably 8 wt.%, even more preferably 5 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid detergent concentrate.

[0033] Preferably, surfactants (ie cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, non-ionic surfactants) are present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a maximum weight proportion of up to 30 wt.%, more preferably up to 20 wt.%, even more preferably up to 18 wt.%, even more preferably up to 13 wt.%, even more preferably up to 9 wt.%, even more preferably up to 7.5 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

[0034] Anionic surfactants are preferably present in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate in a maximum weight proportion of up to 20 wt.%, more preferably up to 18 wt.%, even more preferably up to 13 wt.%, even more preferably up to 8 wt.%, even more preferably up to 5 wt.%, even more preferably up to 3 wt.%, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. The invention is based on the surprising discovery that the combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant, and hydrotrope in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate has the following technical effects / advantages. The concentrate, containing precisely these three components, represents a low-foam cleaning formulation that achieves very good cleaning performance at only a low use concentration and, at the same time, exhibits high material compatibility when applied to various materials.

[0035] The active ingredients contained in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention can be used in significantly lower dosages than in other cleaning agents known in the prior art. This is primarily due to a synergistic effect with regard to cleaning performance. The cleaning performance achieved by the liquid cleaning agent concentrate containing the combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant, and hydrotrope is significantly better than that of the individual components.

[0036] Anionic and amino acid-based surfactants are generally strong foaming agents and are often used specifically in the prior art to enhance this property in cleaning formulations. However, in the context of the invention, strong foaming is not desired. For use in automated cleaning processes, for example, using instrument washers or washer-disinfectors (WDs), low-foaming components are required. This is because pronounced foaming leads to a drop in dosing pump pressure during automated cleaning and thus ultimately to the interruption of the cleaning process. Surprisingly, foaming is suppressed by the combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant, and hydrotrope.In particular, the foaming effect of the amino acid-based surfactant is dampened by the addition of the fatty alcohol alkoxylate, so that a desired foaming behavior of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate can be achieved.

[0037] In the current state of the art, the dosing of surfactant-containing, enzymatic, mildly alkaline, liquid cleaning agents during machine cleaning typically takes place at a water temperature of around 40°C. This is necessary because the cleaners tend to foam excessively at lower temperatures. The disadvantage, however, is that the cleaning programs take longer to run, as the warm-up time from the inlet temperature (usually around 18-22°C) to 40°C is required before the cleaner can take effect.The liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, however, enables cold dosing directly after the water inlet, at a temperature preferably of 38°C or less, more preferably of 18 to 35°C, even more preferably of 20 to 30°C, even more preferably of 22 to 27°C, and even more preferably at approximately 25°C, without the program being aborted due to excessive foam development. Such cold dosing is currently not possible with the liquid cleaning agents known from the prior art and commercially available. The cold dosing of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate has its own inventive content.

[0038] Another important requirement for liquid cleaning agents is the highest possible material compatibility when used on various materials. Corrosion protection of stainless steel and (color) anodized aluminum parts is particularly important with regard to medical and / or surgical instruments and / or devices. Surprisingly, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention exhibits high material compatibility. In particular, the presence of the amino acid-based surfactant leads to significantly improved corrosion inhibition behavior on stainless steel and (color) anodized aluminum parts. Furthermore, with more frequent use of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, an improved shine and an improved feel, particularly on stainless steel parts, are surprisingly observed.

[0039] Within the scope of the invention, the hydrotrope also acts as a solubilizer for the fatty alcohol alkoxylate and to clarify the formulation within a specific temperature range. The cloud point of the liquid cleaning formulations and the metering pump pressure during a machine dishwashing process can be used as test parameters for this purpose. Surprisingly, the inventive combination of components achieves a cloud point of >40°C. This is particularly advantageous, as this is usually also the application temperature or storage temperature in the washer-disinfector. The cloud point without the inventive combination, in contrast, would be only approximately 20°C.

[0040] The invention further relates to a ready-to-use application solution comprising 0.05 to 99.9% of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, wherein a pH value of the ready-to-use application solution is 9 or >9, preferably 9-12, more preferably 10-12, even more preferably 10-11.

[0041] The ready-to-use application solution preferably comprises 0.05 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 1% of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention.

[0042] The previously listed components, properties, and beneficial effects of the ready-to-use solution correspond to those previously defined for the liquid cleaning agent concentrate. However, the components in the ready-to-use solution are present in the following weight proportions: The fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably present in the ready-to-use solution in a weight proportion of 0.00005 to 0.9 wt.%, more preferably 0.0004 to 0.02 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use solution.

[0043] Preferably, the amino acid-based surfactant is present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.000025 to 0.5 wt.%, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.02 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0044] Preferably, the hydrotrope is present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.000025 to 1.3 wt.%, more preferably of 0.0001 to 0.07 wt.%, even more preferably of 0.00015 to 0.035 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0045] Preferably, the enzyme or enzyme mixture is present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.000025 to 0.4 wt.%, more preferably 0.0001 to 0.02 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0046] The alkanolamine or its mixture may be present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.0005 to 2.6 wt.%, preferably 0.004 to 0.18 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0047] The complexing agent or the complexing agent mixture can be present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.001 to 2.3 wt.%, preferably 0.004 to 0.18 wt.%, more preferably 0.006 to 0.14 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0048] The organic solvent may be present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.00025 to 1.0 wt.%, preferably 0.003 to 0.07 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0049] Water may be present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 90.0 to 99.985 wt.%, preferably 95.0 to 99.98 wt.%, more preferably 99.6 to 99.96 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0050] Phosphoric acid may be present in the ready-to-use application solution in a weight proportion of 0.00005 to 2.5 wt.%, more preferably 0.0002 to 0.14 wt.%, even more preferably 0.0003 to 0.07 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0051] An upper limit for a total weight proportion of fatty alkoxy alcoholate, amino acid-based surfactant and hydrotrope in the ready-to-use application solution is preferably 2.7 wt.%, more preferably 1 wt.%, even more preferably 0.4 wt.%, even more preferably 0.1 wt.%, even more preferably 0.075 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0052] Preferably, surfactants (ie cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, non-ionic surfactants) are present in the ready-to-use application solution in a maximum weight proportion of up to 3 wt.%, more preferably up to 2.7 wt.%, even more preferably up to 1.5 wt.%, even more preferably up to 1 wt.%, even more preferably up to 0.075 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0053] Anionic surfactants are present in the ready-to-use application solution preferably in a maximum weight proportion of up to 2.8 wt.%, more preferably up to 2 wt.%, even more preferably up to 1.8 wt.%, even more preferably up to 1 wt.%, even more preferably up to 0.5 wt.%, even more preferably up to 0.1 wt.%, even more preferably up to 0.055 wt.%, based on the total mass of the ready-to-use application solution.

[0054] The invention further relates to the use of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention or the ready-to-use application solution according to the invention for cleaning and / or disinfecting objects, preferably for mechanical cleaning and / or disinfecting objects. In an advantageous embodiment, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate or the ready-to-use application solution is preferably dosed cold, more preferably at a temperature of 38°C or less, 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.

[0055] Within the scope of the invention, mechanical cleaning takes place without human intervention during an automatic program sequence, preferably in an instrument washer or in a washer-disinfector. The term "cleaning and / or disinfection" expresses that, according to the invention, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate and the ready-to-use application solution can be used both in the combination of cleaning and disinfection in a single process step and in program sequences in which a cleaning step is followed by a separate disinfection step. The objects are preferably medical and / or surgical instruments and / or devices.

[0056] The invention further relates to the method for cleaning medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus, characterized by the following steps: a) preparing a ready-to-use application solution according to claims 11 or 12, b) cleaning the medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus with the ready-to-use application solution.

[0057] In an advantageous embodiment, the ready-to-use application solution is preferably prepared cold, more preferably at a temperature of 38°C or less, even more preferably from 18 to 35°C, even more preferably from 20 to 30°C, even more preferably from 22 to 27°C, and even more preferably at about 25°C. The ready-to-use application solution can be prepared by dosing the liquid cleaning concentrate according to the invention. Optionally, the ready-to-use application solution can also be prepared manually starting from the liquid cleaning concentrate according to the invention.

[0058] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to some advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1: Pressure-time diagrams of a machine rinsing cycle with good pump pressure behavior (top) and poor pump pressure behavior (bottom) Figure 2: Pressure-time diagrams of a machine rinsing cycle with ready-to-use application solutions containing the fatty alcohol alkoxylates according to the invention a) C12-C15 fatty alcohol residue with 2EO / 6PO units, b) C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 2EO / 4PO units and c) C12-C14 fatty alcohol residue with 4EO / 5PO units Figure 3: Corrosion behavior on gray cast iron GG25 tested in accordance with DIN 51360 Part 2 with ready-to-use application solutions 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 surfactants according to the invention and f) sodium cumene sulfonate as reference formulation Figure 4: Bar chart with quantitative results for the extent of corrosion with grey cast iron chips GG25 Figure 5: Quantitative determination of blood residues after immersion tests with sheep blood and a mixture of sheep blood and Betaisodona tincture Figure 6: Pressure and temperature curves for the cold water dosing of a liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention in a concentration of 3 ml / l at 25°C Figure 7: Pressure and temperature curves for the cold water dosing of the cleaners known from the state of the art and commercially available with the standard recommended concentration at 25°C, 1. Fatty alcohol alkoxylate

[0059] Seven different fatty alcohol alkoxylates with variable chain lengths of the fatty alcohol residue 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 for their foam-suppressing properties in a ready-to-use application solution with an otherwise constant cleaning formulation. The respective suitability of the fatty alcohol alkoxylate for use in a mechanical cleaning process was assessed by measuring the dosing pump pressure during an entire cleaning process (cf. Figure 1 ).

[0060] Figure 1 shows a comparison between pressure-time diagrams of a machine rinsing cycle with very good pump pressure behavior (top) and poor pump pressure behavior (bottom).

[0061] The 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 proved to be particularly advantageous. The corresponding pressure-time diagrams of the fatty alcohol alkoxylates according to the invention for the respective machine wash cycle are shown in Figure 2 The fatty alcohol alkoxylates all exhibit very good pump pressure behavior. 2. Amino acid-based surfactant

[0062] Five different amino acid-based surfactants (i.e., sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium stearoyl sarcosinate, and sodium lauroyl glutamate) were tested for their corrosion-inhibiting properties in a ready-to-use solution with an otherwise identical cleaning formulation compared to a reference formulation containing a common non-amino acid-based surfactant (i.e., sodium cumene sulfonate). For evaluation, corrosion tests were conducted with gray cast iron chips GG25 based on DIN 51360 Part 2. 1. Corrosion tests with grey cast iron chips GG25 based on DIN 51360 Part 2 a. Equipment and materials

[0063] Petri dishes Ø 100 mm (glass or plastic) Filter paper Ø 70 mm 589 from Whatman Ash-free, medium-fast filtering Grey cast iron GG 25 chips according to DIN 51360 T2 (Riegger Industriehandel, article 03-39) Deionized water b. Implementation

[0064] Using a spoon spatula, 2 g ± 0.1 g of the chips were weighed onto the filter paper placed in the Petri dish.

[0065] The chips were distributed as centrally as possible over an area of ​​40-50 mm in diameter. The chips and filter paper were evenly moistened with 2 ml of the 2.5% ready-to-use solution, and the Petri dish was sealed with the lid. The prepared samples were stored for 2 hours ± 10 minutes at room temperature (20-25°C) without direct sunlight or drafts. The chips were removed and discarded. The filter paper was rinsed under running deionized water and swirled in acetone for 5-10 seconds. The filter paper was dried at room temperature (20-25°C). The degree of corrosion was determined immediately after drying. Each test was performed in duplicate. c. Evaluation

[0066] For the evaluation, instead of a visual assessment, the area of ​​corrosion was related to the total area of ​​the filter paper used. The integrals of the areas were determined using the ImageJ software. d. Result

[0067] All test batches of the ready-to-use application solutions containing an amino acid-based surfactant demonstrate significantly improved corrosion inhibition behavior compared to the reference formulation without an amino acid-based surfactant. The best results were achieved with the ready-to-use application solutions containing the amino acid-based surfactants sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium lauroyl glutamate. The corrosion behavior on gray cast iron GG25 made of Figure 3 The extent of corrosion in the tests with grey cast iron chips could be quantitatively determined by subsequent integration of the corroded areas (see Figure 4 ). 3. Hydrotropic

[0068] Eight different compounds from different substance classes, each selected from alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, aromatic sulfonates, alkyl-, alkyldi-, and alkylpolyglycosides, were tested for their suitability as hydrotropes in ready-to-use application solutions. The cloud point and the dosing pump pressure during a machine rinsing process were used as test parameters for evaluation.

[0069] Surprisingly, the inventive combination of components achieves a cloud point of >40°C for the ready-to-use solutions. This is particularly advantageous, as this is usually also the application temperature or storage temperature in the washer-disinfector. In particular, the solutions containing alkyl sulfates as a hydrotrope show very good results. In contrast, the cloud point without the inventive combination is only approximately 20°C. 4. Combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant and hydrotrope

[0070] Different combinations of amino acid-based surfactants and hydrotropes with the best fatty alcohol alkoxylate from the above section were investigated in ready-to-use application solutions.

[0071] In immersion bath tests, the formulation variants were tested for their cleaning performance with sheep blood and a mixture of blood and Betaisodona tincture. In automated rinsing tests, the dosing pump pressure was monitored as a measure of foaming behavior during a complete cleaning cycle. An additional 10 ml of blood was added to the cleaning solution, resulting in increased foam formation and simulating the reprocessing of heavily soiled instruments. 1. Cleaning tests in the immersion bath a. Equipment and materials

[0072] Stainless steel plates (slightly roughened, area 1 cm x 9 cm) Sheep blood heparinized with 10 IU / ml protamine sulfate or protamine chloride: ACILA GmbH Betaisodona (10% povidone iodine solution) Marking points Ø 8 mm various colors Deionized water b. Implementation

[0073] Preparation of the test plates from heparinized, reactivated sheep blood: The heparinized sheep blood and the protamine sulfate / protamine chloride were stored in a climate-controlled cabinet at 6°C until the test. For the preparation of the test soil, the sheep blood and the protamine sulfate / protamine chloride should have reached a temperature of 20°C. The grease-free stainless steel plates were mounted on a rack and aligned horizontally as straight as possible.

[0074] 75 µl of protamine sulfate or protamine chloride were briefly mixed with 5 ml of heparinized sheep blood in a 50 ml beaker on a magnetic stirrer. 100 µl of this solution was pipetted onto each plate and distributed evenly using an inoculation loop, avoiding contaminating the mounting holes and the side surfaces. Each batch was then incubated for 1 hour at room temperature in water vapor-saturated air (100% relative humidity). The plate rack can be immersed in the deionized water, but the platelets must be stored above the water level. To achieve 100% relative humidity, the bottom of an 8.5 l plastic container was filled with at least 1 l of deionized water. The deionized water must completely cover the bottom of the horizontally positioned dish. The dish was covered with a lid at least 2 hours before starting the experiment (atmosphere conditioning).After 1 hour, the wet test specimens with the coagulated blood stain were removed from the plastic tray and dried at room temperature.

[0075] The quality of the dry test plates was checked. Plates with air bubbles on the soil or irregularities were discarded. A green marker dot was applied to all other plates. The test plates were stored in screw-capped test tubes at room temperature until use in the immersion test. Production of iodine blood test plates:

[0076] The defibrinated sheep blood was stored in a climate-controlled cabinet at 6°C until the test. For the preparation of the test soil, the sheep blood should have reached a temperature of 20°C. The grease-free stainless steel plates were mounted on a rack and aligned horizontally as straight as possible.

[0077] The defibrinated sheep blood was briefly mixed with Betaisodona in a 50 ml beaker on a magnetic stirrer at a ratio of 1:1. 200 µl of this solution was pipetted onto each slide and evenly distributed using an inoculation loop, ensuring that the holes and sides were not contaminated. The slides were allowed to dry at room temperature for approximately six hours, or at least until all slides were visually dry. The quality of the dry slides was checked. Slides with air bubbles on the soil or irregularities were discarded. An orange marker dot was affixed to each of the remaining slides. The slides were stored in screw-capped test tubes at room temperature until use in the immersion test. Carrying out the diving test:

[0078] Concentration: 2 ml / l Water qualities: demineralized water Temperature: 45°C ± 1°C Holding time: 4 and 10 minutes Stirring speed: 350 rpm (stirrer IKA RCT classic) Template: 1000 ml solution in a 1000 ml beaker Test plate: Heparinized, reactive sheep blood Iodine blood

[0079] The soiled test plates were individually immersed in the solution. After removal, they were briefly immersed in cold deionized water. The plates were left to dry horizontally at room temperature. Visual evaluation was performed using the dried plates. The test plates soiled with heparinized, reactivated sheep blood were stained with a 0.1% amido black solution. c. Evaluation

[0080] The evaluation was performed visually using the dried slides. In addition, the analysis was performed using the integrals of the remaining blood residues relative to the total area of ​​the test specimen using the ImageJ software. d. Results

[0081] The following Table 1 summarizes the test results. In addition to the ingredients listed in Table 1, the tested liquid cleaning concentrates were also made from the following, otherwise identical, ingredients: 3.5 wt.% Endoprotease 8.0 wt.% 45% KOH 16 wt.% 99% triethanolamine 12.0% by weight 40% MGDA, 3Na 10 wt.% 50% PBTC to 100 wt.% Water Table 1: Test results on pump pressure and cleaning performance. Fatty alcohol alkoxylate Amino acid-based surfactant Hydrotropic Pump pressure Cleaning performance 1 0.5 wt% FA C12 / C14 2EO / 6PO 0.5% by weight of 30% sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 0.8% by weight of 42% sodium octyl sulfate very good very good 2 0.5 wt% FA C12 / C14 2EO / 6PO 0.5% by weight of 30% sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 1.6% by weight of 42% Na-ethylhexyl sulfate Good very good 3 0.5 wt% FA C12 / C14 2EO / 6PO - 1.7% by weight of 42% sodium octyl sulfate very good mediocre 4 0.5 wt% FA C12 / C14 2EO / 6PO 0.8% by weight of 30% sodium lauroyl sarcosinate - very bad very bad 5 0.5 wt% FA C12 / C14 2EO / 6PO - 15% by weight of 40% sodium cumene sulfonate very good bad

[0082] The liquid cleaning concentrate comprising a combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate and an amino acid-based surfactant without the addition of a hydrotrope (Comparative Experiment 4) exhibited the poorest cleaning performance and the worst pump pressure response of the test series. The second-worst cleaning result was achieved by the liquid cleaning concentrate containing sodium cumenesulfonate (Comparative Experiment 5), although it exhibited very good pressure response. The liquid cleaning concentrate comprising fatty alcohol alkoxylate and the hydrotrope sodium octyl sulfate (Comparative Experiment 3) exhibited very good pump pressure response with only mediocre cleaning performance. The addition of the amino acid-based surfactant, which performs poorly when combined with the fatty alcohol alkoxylate alone (Comparative Experiment 4), resulted in very good cleaning performance for the liquid cleaning concentrate with a good pump pressure response in the mechanical test (Experiment 2).

[0083] The inventive liquid cleaning concentrates with the combinations of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant, and hydrotrope (tests 1 and 2) achieve the best cleaning performance compared to the respective individual components and the various combinations of two components (comparative tests 3 to 5). A synergistic effect of the inventive combination of fatty alcohol alkoxylate, amino acid-based surfactant, and hydrotrope was observed with regard to the removal of blood residues. The cleaning performance of the three-component combination in the tests conducted was consistently better than that of the sum of the individual components.

[0084] Figure 5 shows a quantitative determination of blood residues after conducting immersion tests with sheep blood and a mixture of sheep blood and Betaisodona tincture. The results are shown for batches 1 to 5 listed in Table 1.

[0085] Another embodiment of a cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, which achieves approximately the same test results as the liquid cleaning agent concentrate from test example 1, consists of the following components: 0.5 wt.% FA C12 / C15 2EO / 6PO 0.1 wt.% 96% cocoyl / lauroyl glutamate 0.7 wt.% 42% sodium octyl sulfate 1 wt.% Endoprotease 14% by weight 99% monoethanolamine 6 wt.% Aminocarboxylate 1 wt.% 75% phosphoric acid to 100 wt.% Water 2. Cold water dosing

[0086] In the current state of the art, the dosing of surfactant-containing, enzymatic, mildly alkaline, liquid cleaning agents for machine cleaning usually takes place at a water temperature of around 40°C. This is necessary because the cleaning agents tend to foam excessively at lower temperatures. However, the disadvantage of dosing at a temperature of around 40°C is that the running time of the cleaning programs is extended, as a certain amount of time must first be allowed for the water to heat up from the inlet temperature (usually around 18-22°C) to a temperature of 40°C before the cleaning agent can take effect.

[0087] The liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention and the ready-to-use application solution, however, enable cold dosing immediately after the water inlet, preferably at a temperature of 38°C or less, even more preferably between 18 and 35°C, even more preferably between 20 and 30°C, even more preferably between 22 and 27°C, and even more preferably at approximately 25°C, without causing the program to abort due to excessive foam development. This is currently not possible with the cleaning agents known from the prior art.

[0088] In Figure 6 The correct and complete program sequence (pressure and temperature curves) from a cleaning and disinfection system (UniClean PL II from MMM) is shown. The liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention was dosed at a concentration of 3 ml / l at 25°C.

[0089] This was carried out analogously for some of the state-of-the-art and commercially available cleaners with the standard recommended concentration at 25°C (including 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 concentrate alkaline cleaner, 3 ml / l, #290186). For these cleaners, a program termination as described in Figure 7 is shown, observed.

Claims

1. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate for machine cleaning and / or disinfection of medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus, 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 proteolytic enzyme, wherein the pH of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate is 9 or >9.

2. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to Claim 1, characterized in that the liquid cleaning agent concentrate has a pH of 9-12, preferably 10-12, more preferably 10-11.

3. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate is selected from fatty alcohol ethoxylates (FAEO), 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), butyl-etherified fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAEOPOBV) and methyl-etherified fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymers (FAEOPOMV), wherein the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is preferably a fatty alcohol-based EO / PO copolymer.

4. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fatty alcohol alkoxylate has at least one of the following features: - comprises 0-10 EO units, preferably 1-4 EO units, more preferably 1-2 EO units, - comprises 0-8 PO units, preferably 1-8 PO units, more preferably 4-8 PO units, - has at least one C6-C16 fatty alcohol radical, preferably C12-C15 fatty alcohol radical, - is selected from the group consisting of C12-C15 fatty alcohol radical having 2 EO / 6 PO units, C12-C15 fatty alcohol radical having 8 EO / 4 PO units, butyl- or methyl-etherified C12-C14 fatty alcohol radical having 10 EO units, C10-C12 fatty alcohol radical having 6 EO / 8 PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol radical having 2 EO / 4 PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol radical having 4 EO / 5 PO units, methyl-etherified C13-C15 fatty alcohol radical having 5 EO / 3 PO units and C13-C15 fatty alcohol radical having 5 EO / 3 PO units, preferably selected from C12-C15 fatty alcohol radical having 2 EO / 6 PO units, C12-C14 fatty alcohol radical having 2 EO / 4 PO units and C12-C14 fatty alcohol radical having 4 EO / 5 PO units.

5. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the amino acid-based surfactant has at least one of the following features: - the amino acid-based surfactant is selected from compounds having a saturated or monounsaturated C10-C18 carbon radical, preferably a saturated C12-C16 carbon radical; - the amino acid-based surfactant is selected from sarcosines, taurines, glutamic acids and salts thereof, preferably sarcosines and sodium salts thereof; - the amino acid-based surfactant is selected from lauroyl sarcosine, oleoyl sarcosine, myristoyl sarcosine, stearoyl sarcosine and lauroyl glutamic acid and salts thereof, preferably lauroyl sarcosine and lauroyl glutamic acid and sodium salts thereof.

6. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one hydrotrope is selected from: - alkyl sulfates, preferably C6-C10-alkyl sulfates and sodium salts thereof, more preferably sodium octyl sulfate and sodium ethylhexyl sulfate; - alkyl sulfonates, preferably C6-C10-alkyl sulfonates; - aromatic sulfonates, preferably xylene sulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate and sodium salts thereof; - propionates, preferably isooctylimino dipropionate, n-octylimino dipropionate, caprylic and capric amphopropionate; - C4-C10-alkyl ether carboxylic acids having 4-10 EO units, preferably alkyl(8) polyether carboxylic acid having 8 EO units and alkyl(4-8) polyether carboxylic acid having 5 EO units; - alkyl glycosides, alkyl diglycosides, alkyl polyglycosides and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl radical is preferably a branched or unbranched C4-C16-alkyl radical and the glycoside radical is preferably selected from hexose unit and pentose unit, more preferably selected from glucopyranose unit and xylopyranose unit.

7. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hydrotrope is sodium octyl sulfate, sodium ethylhexyl sulfate or a mixture thereof.

8. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the liquid cleaning agent concentrate also comprises further constituents selected from alkanolamines, alkali metal hydroxides, chelating agents, solvents, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances and dyes.

9. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to Claim 8, characterized in that the alkali metal hydroxide is potassium hydroxide.

10. Liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the following constituents in the liquid cleaning agent concentrate is in each case present at the following proportions by weight: - the fatty alcohol alkoxylate at a proportion by weight of 0.1 to 9% by weight, preferably from 0.4 to 2% by weight, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate; - the amino acid-based surfactant at a proportion by weight of 0.05 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate; - the hydrotrope at a proportion by weight of 0.05 to 13% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 7% by weight, more preferably from 0.15 to 3.5% by weight, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate; - the enzyme at a proportion by weight of 0.05 to 4% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 2% by weight, based on the total mass of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate.

11. Ready-to-use application solution comprising 0.05 to 99.9% of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the pH of the ready-to-use application solution is 9 or >9.

12. Ready-to-use application solution according to Claim 11, characterized in that the liquid cleaning agent concentrate has a pH of 9-12, preferably 10-12, more preferably 10-11.

13. Use of the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to any of Claims 1 to 10 or of the ready-to-use application solution according to either of Claims 11 or 12 for cleaning and / or disinfection of objects, preferably for machine cleaning and / or disinfection of objects.

14. Use according to Claim 13, characterized in that the objects are medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus.

15. Use according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the liquid cleaning agent concentrate or the ready-to-use application solution is dispensed cold, preferably at a temperature of 38°C or less, more preferably from 18 to 35°C, even more preferably from 20 to 30°C, still more preferably from 22 to 27°C, even further preferably at about 25°C.

16. Method for cleaning medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus, characterized by the following steps: a) preparing a ready-to-use application solution according to either of Claims 11 or 12, b) cleaning the medical and / or surgical instruments and / or apparatus with the ready-to-use application solution.

17. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that the ready-to-use application solution is prepared cold, preferably at a temperature of 38°C or less, more preferably from 18 to 35°C, even more preferably from 20 to 30°C, still more preferably from 22 to 27°C, even further preferably at about 25°C.