Modified sanitizing material

Abstract

The invention relates to an effective biodegradable sanitizing and / or disinfecting material comprising a chemically modified fibrous cellulosic substrate and a cationic sanitizing and / or disinfectant composition loaded onto and within said cellulosic 5 material. Chemical modification of the cellulosic substrate reduces adsorption, and thus depletion, of the cationic agent, increasing the effective amount of biocide available to inactivate microorganisms during product usage. Also provided is a kit of parts suitable for making the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, a method or producing the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, and the use of sanitizing and / or 0 disinfectant material to sanitize and / or disinfect a surface.

Description

[0001] Modified Sanitizing Material

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an effective biodegradable sanitizing and / or disinfecting material comprising a chemically modified fibrous cellulosic substrate and a cationic sanitizing and / or disinfectant composition loaded onto and within said cellulosic material. Chemical modification of the cellulosic substrate reduces adsorption, and thus depletion, of the cationic agent, and thus increasing the effective amount of biocide available to inactivate microorganisms during product usage. Also provided is a kit of parts suitable for making the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, a method or producing the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, and the use of sanitizing and / or disinfectant material to sanitize and / or disinfect a surface.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Many disinfectant products, such as wipes, are comprised of an antimicrobial biocide / disinfectant formulation which is delivered via a fibrous material for the cleaning or / and disinfection of animate and inanimate surfaces. The fibres, which may be in the form of a woven or nonwoven material, commonly may be comprised of semi-synthetic or synthetic materials. Synthetic fibres include plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, such wet wipes are estimated to be responsible for 93% of blocked UK sewage pipes. The waste from them is also widely distributed in the environment, for instance 5,463 wet wipes were recovered from 116 m2of the River Thames in April 2018. For this negative environmental reason, there are currently legislative initiatives to ban such wet wipes.

[0006] As an alternative, cellulosic fibres have been proposed and may be classed as natural (e.g., cotton / pulp) or synthetic (e.g., regenerated viscose) and are biodegradable. Therefore, they present a much more environmentally friendly alternative to the non- biodegradable counterparts. However, a significant limitation preventing more widespread use of cellulosic fibres is their incompatibility with some types of disinfectants, particularly cationic biocides such as quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs / quats), biguanides and cationic dyes, which have wide ranging disinfection applications from surface sanitation to skin antisepsis. These biocides are often formulated into liquid disinfectant solutions which are used to impregnate singleuse pre-wetted wipe (PWW) material. These compounds adsorb to cellulose and become depleted from the disinfectant solution (termed ‘biocide depletion’) delivered onto surfaces. Biocide depletion reduces the effective amount of biocide available to inactivate microorganisms during product usage, thus negatively impacting antimicrobial performance. Therefore, to ensure a satisfactory level of performance, plastics are still widely used in disinfectant products such as wipes, either wholly or as a cellulose / plastic blend.

[0007] There is therefore an unmet need for an effective biodegradable antimicrobial material for use in disinfection.

[0008] We herein disclose a process and material overcoming the incompatibility between natural or manmade cellulosic (wipe) materials and cationic biocides by chemically modifying the material surface in order to modify their surface properties and improve compatibility with positively charged compounds, such as antimicrobial agents, in order to improve cleaning and / or disinfection of surfaces. In doing so, we have improved the antimicrobial activity of disinfection / antisepsis cellulosic products, such as wipes, where the use of cellulosic fibres may be preferred (e.g., for environmental / waste management purposes). Without wishing to be bound by theory, the improvement in antimicrobial activity is due to a reduction in the amount of biocide which adsorbs to the fibres, which may be expressed conversely as an increase in the amount of biocide released upon product use. As well as disinfectant / antiseptic wipes, the invention may also be applied to other product types, such as reusable cloths and mop heads, in order to reduce depletion during product usage and improve the residual antimicrobial activity of surfaces treated with cationic biocides (i.e., surfaces retain a level of resistance to recontamination following initial disinfection).

[0009] Statements of Invention

[0010] The present invention, in its various aspects, is as set out in the accompanying claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a biodegradable sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, said material comprising:

[0012] (i) a fibrous cellulosic substrate; and

[0013] (ii) a sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition loaded onto and within said cellulosic substrate, wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and water, and wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

[0014] Such chemical modification of the cellulosic material surface has been found to deplete the number of hydroxyl residues on the surface of the polymeric structure, modifying the surface properties, including charge (i.e. zeta potential) and hydrophobicity, resulting in a significant reduction in adsorption of cationic agent(s) to the modified cellulosic fibres. As will be readily appreciated, this reduction in adsorption serves to increase the amount of active agent released from the cellulosic fibres during use as a sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, thereby improving the sanitising and / or disinfectant activity of the material.

[0015] Surprisingly, when combined with an antimicrobial formulation containing one or more cationic disinfectant I antimicrobial active agents, cellulosic fibres modified as described herein have been found not only to offer improved microbicidal efficacy compared with unmodified cellulosic fibres, but also microbicidal efficacy that is at least equivalent to, and often in excess of, that achieved using non-biodegradable synthetic fibres such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) when evaluated with standard efficacy test protocols ASTM E2967, BSEN 13697 and / or BSEN16615.

[0016] The fibrous cellulosic substrate may be provided in a woven or non-woven form. However, in preferred embodiments, the substrate is a non-woven cellulosic fibre. Non-woven cellulosic fibres are advantageous, particularly in single use applications, as a cloth like feel can be achieved at a much lower weight than required using conventional woven textiles.

[0017] The substrate may be formed from any cellulosic material, including natural (e.g. cotton or wood pulp) or synthetic (e.g. regenerated cellulosic fibres such as viscose / lyocell) cellulosics, all of which are biodegradable. However, in preferred embodiments, the cellulosic substrate is a cellulosic fibre, and more preferably is selected from cotton, wood pulp, viscose, lyocell and combinations thereof.

[0018] The sanitizing or disinfectant material comprises one or more cationic active agents loaded onto and within the cellulosic material. As used herein, the term “active agent” includes any compound that has a property that serves to clean and / or reduce or eliminate one or more pathogenic agents. However, in preferred embodiments, the active agent is an antibacterial, antiviral and / or an antifungal agent. Particularly suitable cationic active agents are biocides, preferred examples of which include quaternary ammonium compounds (“QACs”), amine oxides, diamines; biguanides, Gemini surfactants and combinations thereof.

[0019] QACs are polyatomic atoms of the structure [NR4]+, where R represents an alkyl, aryl or other monovalent organic group. Any antimicrobial QAC may be suitable for use as a cationic active agent, with preferred QACs selected from: alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (benzalkonium chloride; “BZC”), didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (“DDAC”), cetrimide, cetylpyridium chloride, N-(3- chloroallyl)hexaminium chloride, domiphen bromide, benzethonium chloride and methyl benzethonium chloride, with DDAC and BZC being particularly preferred.

[0020] Amine oxides are chemical compounds that comprise the functional group Rs T-O', wherein R represents an alkyl, aryl or other monovalent organic group. Any amine oxide may be suitable for use as a cationic active agent, with preferred amine oxides selected from: 1-dodecylpyrrolidine- / V-oxide, 1-dodecylperhydroasepine- / V-oxide, L- prolinol / V-oxide alkyl derivatives such as C12, C14 and C NOX, lauryldimethylamine oxide (“LDAO”) and N,N-dimethyl-1-tetradecanamine-N-oxide (“TDAO”), with TDAO being particularly preferred.

[0021] Diamines are amine compounds comprising the general structure H2N-R-NH2, wherein R is a divalent organic radical. Any diamine may be suitable for use as cationic active agent, with N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodeyclpropane-1-,3-diamine particularly preferred.

[0022] Biguanides are a class of compounds comprising the functional group HN(C(NH)NR2)2, where R represents hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical. Any biguanide may be suitable for use as a cationic active agent, with preferred biguanides selected from: polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB), alexidine and chlorhexidine, with chlorhexidine being particularly preferred.

[0023] Gemini (dimeric) surfactants are surfactant compounds formed from two amphiphilic moieties connected at, or close to the head group, by a hydrophobic or hydrophilic head spacer. Any Gemini surfactant may be suitable for use as a cationic active agent, with 1 , 1 '-(Decane- 1 , 10-d iy I) bi s ( / -octy I py ridi n-4( 1 / - / )- i m i ne) — hydrogen chloride (octenidine) particularly preferred.

[0024] The surface of the cellulosic substrate is modified by the covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents in order to reduce or prevent adsorption of the cationic active agent(s) onto the surface of the substrate, and thus increases efficacy.

[0025] Suitable zwitterionic grafting agents include amino acids such as glycine and L- alanine. Suitable cationic grafting agents include: amines such ethylene diamine; Polyaminoamide-epichlohydrin (PAE); and, preferably, quaternary ammonium epoxides such as Glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC). Suitable neutral grafting agents include alkyl halides such as bromoacetyl bromide.

[0026] In preferred embodiments, a plurality the hydroxyl residues on the surface of the fibrous cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, zwitterionic or cationic grafting agents, wherein the cationic grafting agent is a quaternary ammonium epoxide, preferably GTMAC.

[0027] In particularly preferred embodiments, the grafting agent is a neutral grafting agent and most preferably is an alkyl halide, in particular bromoacetyl bromide. Bromoacetylation of fibrous cellulosic substrates, in particular viscose, has been shown in proof-of-concept testing to release cationic biocides in amounts 5-times higher than that observed using the analogous non-modified cellulosic material, an amount that approaches that released by non-biodegradable synthetic fibres such as polypropylene.

[0028] As will be readily appreciated, the hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate can be chemically modified by the direct covalent attachment of said grafting agents. Such direct covalent attachment can be via any one of a variety of conventional addition reactions, which can be readily selected by a skilled chemist dependent on need. However, in preferred embodiments, said grafting agents are attached to hydroxyl residues on the surface said cellulosic substrate via an esterification or etherification reaction.

[0029] Alternatively, the hydroxyl residues can be chemically modified by the indirect covalent attachment of said grafting agents via the use of a linker group. Suitable linker groups include, but are not limited to, 1 , 1-N-cabonyldiimidazole.

[0030] The sanitizing and / or disinfectant material may be provided in the form of a variety of different product types, including but not limited to single use disinfectant / antiseptic pre-moistened applicators such as wipes, swabs or pads; cloths; and / or floor mops. In particularly preferred embodiments the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material is provided as a pre wetted wipe. According to a second aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts suitable for making the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material of the first aspect, wherein said kit comprises:

[0031] (i) a fibrous cellulosic substrate; and

[0032] (ii) a sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition for loading onto and within said cellulosic substrate, wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and, optionally, water, and wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

[0033] Preferred features relating to the cellulosic substrate, grafting agents and sanitizing / disinfecting composition are as set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of producing the sanitizing and / or disinfectant wipe of the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:

[0035] (i) providing a fibrous cellulosic substrate;

[0036] (ii) providing an aqueous sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprising one or more cationic active agents; and

[0037] (iii) applying said composition to said fibrous cellulosic substrate; wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and water, and wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

[0038] Preferred features relating to the cellulosic substrate, grafting agents and sanitizing / disinfecting composition are as set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a use of the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material of the first aspect of the invention to sanitize and / or disinfect a surface. In preferred embodiments, the surface is a non-porous worktop, tabletop or floor. Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects.

[0040] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to” and do not exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0041] As used herein, the term “biodegradable” means that the material concerned complies with the requirements for industrial compostability such as set out in EN 13432, and preferable also with the requirements for home compostability.

[0042] All references, including any patent or patent application, cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Further, no admission is made that any of the prior art constitutes part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0043] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following examples. Generally speaking, the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims and drawings). Thus, features, integers, characteristics, compounds or chemical moieties described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith.

[0044] Moreover, unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose.

[0045] The Invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the Examples below and to the following Figures wherein:

[0046] Figure 1. Elimination of surface-associated Staphylococcus aureus by liquid wipe extract (based on BSEN 13697; left) or via a wiping test (based on ASTM E2967; right). Numbers 1-4 denote modifications (Table 1). The tests were performed after 24 hours of contact between a didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC)-based disinfectant formulation and nonwoven materials (PET, untreated cellulose and modified cellulose) as described. Note that reductions exceed 4 logw (99.99%) reductions when using treated articles under ASTM E2967 conditions (5 seconds wiping, 2 minutes residual contact post wiping; 350g weight);

[0047] Figure 2. Relative release of didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) from impregnation solution following 24-hour contact with untreated and treated viscose nonwoven. DDAC concentration was ascertained using the disulphine blue active substance (DBAS) assay (DIN 38 409). Numbers 1-7 represent the modifications in Table 1 . Release factor relative to the untreated article. PET included for comparison;

[0048] Figure 3. Bactericidal performance of unmodified and modified (+) cellulosic nonwovens, under carrier test (EN 13697) conditions, when combined with a commercial disinfectant formulation containing didecyldimethylammonium chloride. In this example, modification was achieved through Modification 2. Notably, wipe extracts were capable of achieving a 4 log (99.99%) reduction in Staphylococcus aureus only when the modified materials were used;

[0049] Figure 4. Comparative release of cationic biocides, QAC (DDAC), gemini surfactant (octenidine), amine oxide (N,N-dimethyl-1-tetradecanamine-N-oxide) and diamine (N- (3-aminopropyl)-N-dodeyclpropane-1-,3-diamine), from PET, unmodified viscose and viscose modified by process 1 (Modified 1). Nonwovens were impregnated with 2 mg / ml solutions of each compound and, after a 24-hour period of storage, the solutions were extracted and quantified;

[0050] Figure 5. Zeta potential ( ) measurements of unmodified viscose (V) and modified materials 1-3 across a range of pH. The pH of a commercial formulation containing the quaternary ammonium compound didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC; pH 7.2) is indicated by vertical line;

[0051] Figure 6. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of untreated viscose and modified materials 1-7. Note that peaks corresponding to the modifying agents are unapparent, indicating that the degree of substitution is low compared to the overall bulk material;

[0052] Figure 7. Chemical shifts in untreated viscose and modified fibres, when analysed by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. Note that a change in shifts (highlighted with circles) were only observed in the case of modified fibre 4, corresponding to treatment with GTMAC, indicating that changes in the chemical composition of the bulk material remains below the limit of detection for most of the described modifications;

[0053] Table 1. Grafting agents used in the preparation of modified materials;

[0054] Table 2. EN 16615-based test results (S. aureus, dirty conditions; contact time 2 minutes post wiping). Under conditions modelling hand-wiping, removal of organisms by modified material 1 increased by approximately 40-fold relative to viscose. Under both wiping conditions, transfer of organisms to sterile fields was within acceptable limits (<50 CFU / transfer field) when using modified materials but exceeded acceptable limits with unmodified viscose;

[0055] Table 3. Residual bactericidal activity (Log reduction; 2 minutes contact time) of treated surfaces against Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 10788. Surfaces were treated by wiping with different materials, which were impregnated with formulation 24 hours prior to use;

[0056] Methods and Materials

[0057] Changes in the surface properties of fibres is achieved through the introduction of charged or noncharged grafting groups onto the fibre. Grafts can be joined directly to the cellulose, through esterification or etherification reactions, or indirectly via a linker group (such as via 1 ,1-N-carbonyldiimidazole). Details of the surface modifications made to cellulosic fibres by the covalent attachment of various grafting groups in advance of initial proof-of-concept test studies are summarised in Table 1.

[0058] As a skilled chemist would readily appreciate, reaction conditions, including solvent systems, can vary substantially depending on the grafting reaction to be prepared. For example, in proof-of-concept work detailed herein, grafting with bromoacetyl bromide was completed in aprotic solvents (e.g., dimethylformamide), whereas reaction with GTMAC or PAE may be completed in water. However, the appropriate reaction conditions would be readily identifiable by a skilled chemist, depend on need, without difficulty. Specific details regarding the chemical grafting procedures undertaken in advance of the test studies detailed herein are found in the Appendix.

[0059] Results When combined with an antimicrobial formulation containing positively charged compounds, in particular cationic biocides, cellulosic fibres modified as described in Table 1 offered a marked improvement in microbicidal activity, with microbicidal efficacy being shown to be at least equivalent to plastics such as PET when evaluated with standard efficacy test protocols ASTM E2967 and BSEN13697 (Figure 1).

[0060] These test protocols are designed to evaluate the microbicidal efficacy of biocidal products under defined conditions. The ASTM E2967 test is a product test designed measure the efficacy of antimicrobial wipe products and mechanical removal against specific bacteria dried on stainless steel surface. The BS EN 13697 is a European test designed to measure the efficacy of a liquid biocidal product with no mechanical removal against specific pathogens dried on a stainless-steel surface. This test allows manufacturers to make a product efficacy claim on label in Europe.

[0061] The use of the modified materials improved elimination of microorganisms from surfaces, for example under BS EN 16615-based test conditions, particularly when a reduced wiping force (modelling hand-wiping: delivered by a 0.35kg weight on surface) was applied (Table 2). The BSEN16615 test is a European test recommended for manufacturers to make product claims in Europe concerning the efficacy of antimicrobial wipes; it assesses the removal of microorganisms from a surface, as well as their transfer to secondary surfaces. Use of the modified materials also substantially reduced the number of microorganisms transferred across surfaces; 10-100-fold decrease compared to untreated viscose, and hence reduced the risk of surface cross-contamination following wiping.

[0062] Surfaces treated using these materials possessed residual activity equivalent compared to the unmodified material (Table 3). The means by which this is achieved is through modifying the surface of cellulosic fibres (described in Table 1), using either non-ionic or cationic grafting groups, which has been shown to enhance the release of cationic biocides (Figure 2).

[0063] The improved biocide release is applicable to a range of natural and synthetic cellulosic fibres, including but not limited to wood pulp and regenerated cellulose (e.g., viscose / lyocell) (Figure 3).

[0064] The modified material has been shown to enhance compatibility with a range of cationic compounds, including but not limited to quaternary ammonium compounds, gemini surfactants, diamines and amine oxides (Figure 4). Changes in the properties of modified fibres were detectable through electrokinetic measurements, where shifts in zeta potential were apparent (Figure 5). The chemical grafting modifications, therefore, resulted in a change in the surface charge of treated fibres when placed in a liquid medium (such as when impregnated with a liquid disinfectant formulation). With the exception of modification 4 (GTMAC), these changes were not apparent through other analyses, such as by infrared (Figure 6) or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Figure 7), indicating that the bulk phase of the modified materials remained predominantly unaltered.

[0065] Appendix: Synthesis chemically modified cellulosic substrates 1-7

Claims

CLAIMS1. A biodegradable sanitizing and / or disinfectant material, said material comprising:(i) a fibrous cellulosic substrate; and(ii) a sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition loaded onto and within said cellulosic substrate, wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and water, and wherein a plurality of the hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

2. The material according to claim 1 , wherein said cellulosic substrate is a nonwoven cellulosic fibre.

3. The material according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said cellulosic substrate is selected from natural cellulosics such as cotton or wood pulp, synthetic I regenerated cellulosics such as viscose or lycocell, and combinations thereof.

4. The material according to claim 3, wherein said cellulosic substrate is selected from wood pulp and viscose.

5. The material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more cationic active agent is selected from quaternary ammonium compounds (“QACs”), amine oxides, diamines; biguanides, Gemini surfactants and combinations thereof.

6. The material according to claim 5, wherein:(i) said QACs are selected from alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (benzalkonium chloride; “BZC”), didecyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride (“DDAC”), cetrimide, cetylpyridium chloride, N-(3-chloroallyl)hexaminium chloride, domiphen bromide, benzethonium chloride, methyl benzethonium chloride, and combinations thereof;(ii) said amine oxide is selected from 1-dodecylpyrrolidine- / V-oxide, 1- dodecylperhydroasepine- / V-oxide, L-prolinol / V-oxide alkyl derivatives such as C12, C14 and Cw NOX, lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO), N,N- dimethyl-1-tetradecanamine-N-oxide (“TDAO”), and combinations thereof;(iii) said diamine is N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodeyclpropane-1-,3-diamine;(iv) said biguanides are selected from polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB), alexidine and chlorhexidine; and / or(v) said Gemini surfactant is 1 ,1'-(Decane-1 ,10-diyl)bis(A / -octylpyridin-4(1 / 7)- imine) — hydrogen chloride (octenidine).

7. The material according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said one or more cationic active agent is a QAC, and is preferably selected from DDAC and BZC.

8. The material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein:(i) said zwitterionic grafting agent is an amino acid, and is preferably selected from glycine and L-alanine;(ii) said cationic grafting agent is a quaternary ammonium epoxide such as glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC); and / or(iii) said neutral grafting agent is an alkyl halide, and is preferably bromoacetyl bromide.

9. The material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said grafting agent is a neutral grafting agent, optionally wherein said is neutral grafting agent is an alkyl halide, preferably bromoacetyl bromide.

10. The material according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said grafting agent is a quaternary ammonium epoxide, preferably GTMAC.11 . The material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are modified by the direct covalent attachment of said grafting agents.

12. The material according to claim 11 , wherein said grafting agents are attached to hydroxyl residues on the surface said cellulosic substrate via an esterification or etherification reaction.

13. The material according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are modified by the indirect covalent attachment of said grafting agents via a linker group.

14. The material according to claim 13, wherein said linker group is 1 , 1-N- cabonyldiimidazole.

15. The material according to any of the preceding claims, provided in the form of a pre-moistened wipe, swab, pad, cloth or floor mop.

16. A kit of parts suitable for making the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said kit comprises:(i) a fibrous cellulosic substrate; and(ii) a sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition for loading onto and within said cellulosic substrate, wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and, optionally, water, and wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

17. A method of producing the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material according to any of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising:(i) providing a fibrous cellulosic substrate;(ii) providing an aqueous sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprising one or more cationic active agents; and(iii) applying said composition to said fibrous cellulosic substrate; wherein said sanitizing and / or disinfecting composition comprises one or more cationic active agents and water, and wherein a plurality of hydroxyl residues on the surface of said cellulosic substrate are chemically modified by the direct or indirect covalent attachment of one or more neutral, cationic or zwitterionic grafting agents.

18. Use of the sanitizing and / or disinfectant material according to any of claims 1 to 15 to sanitize and / or disinfect a surface.

19. Use according to claim 18, wherein said surface is a non-porous worktop, tabletop or floor.

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