Acidic / anionic antimicrobial and antiviral compositions and their use

Abstract

To provide antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant.SOLUTION: In particular, food contact antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant provide efficacious virucidal activity, for example activity against Norovirus, that has acceptable use solution pH that do not require use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are surface compatible and do not leave residues on treated surfaces. Methods of cleaning a surface with the compositions are also provided. This method can beneficially eliminate the need to rinse the antimicrobial compositions after use.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications This application claims priority under § 119 of the United States Patent Act to Provisional Application No. 62 / 563,461, filed on 26 September 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition comprising at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant. In particular, a food-contact (or non-food-contact) antimicrobial composition comprising at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant provides a no-rinse composition that has an acceptable working solution pH that does not require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is surface-compatible, and does not leave streaky, cloudy, or sticky residues on the treated surface, and is effective against norovirus. The composition is particularly suitable for use as a hard surface antimicrobial composition, including equipment cleaning applications, third-sink disinfectants, food-contact and non-food-contact applications, and biofilm treatment compositions, and includes alternatives to quaternary ammonium compounds. Methods for cleaning surfaces with the composition are also provided. [Background technology]

[0003] Microbial and viral pathogens are a growing public health concern. Pathogenic viruses pose a significant health concern because they can persist on surfaces for extended periods and require complete and reliable inactivation to halt disease transmission. Viruses can be identified according to a hierarchy corresponding to their level of resistance to inactivation. Three virus subgroups include small non-enveloped viruses, large non-enveloped viruses, and enveloped viruses. Antimicrobial products capable of inactivating small non-enveloped viruses can also inactivate any large non-enveloped virus or any enveloped virus. Similarly, antimicrobial products capable of inactivating large non-enveloped viruses can also inactivate any enveloped virus. Therefore, it is desirable to identify and develop antimicrobial compositions capable of inactivating small non-enveloped viruses and then to enable them to have antimicrobial efficacy corresponding to the entire viral hierarchy.

[0004] Norovirus is an exemplary small, non-enveloped virus that requires additional antimicrobial compositions for surface treatment. Formerly known as "Norwalk-like virus" (NLV) or small spherical virus, non-enveloped norovirus (NoV) is the most important viral pathogen of epidemic acute gastroenteritis occurring in both developed and developing countries. NoV belongs to the Calciviridae family and is an icosahedral single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus whose capsid consists of 180 copies of a single major structural protein. Norovirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, with an estimated 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis annually. Of all viruses, only the common cold is reported more frequently than viral gastroenteritis (norovirus). Norovirus causes nausea, vomiting (sometimes accompanied by diarrhea), and stomach cramps. The infection is usually spread from person to person through direct contact.

[0005] Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. People can become infected with norovirus in several ways, such as by eating or drinking food or liquids contaminated with norovirus, touching a surface or object contaminated with norovirus and then putting their hands in their mouth, or by having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (e.g., caring for a sick person or sharing food or utensils with a sick person). Several modes of transmission have been recorded when norovirus gastroenteritis develops, for example, initial foodborne transmission in restaurants followed by secondary person-to-person transmission through household contact.

[0006] Quaternary ammonium compounds have become common antimicrobial agents and are widely used in the food service industry as food contact disinfectants and bactericides with disinfection claim sets requiring follow-up rinsing. However, recent regulatory scrutiny of quaternary ammonium compounds may alter the use of these disinfectant and bactericide compositions.

[0007] Quaternary ammonium compounds and other chemicals are used in products to treat norovirus, which is highly contact-perfect and poses a significant public health burden. Norovirus is one of the most difficult viruses to disinfect. It is the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis, accounting for at least 50% of all outbreaks, and is the leading cause of foodborne illness, with an estimated 20 million cases annually in the United States. The financial impact is significant. While the cost per norovirus case is lower than that of other foodborne illnesses, its high incidence means the total cost of norovirus disease is substantial. Norovirus is transmitted through the feces or vomit of infected individuals and spreads in various ways, including contact with unwashed hands, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Studies show that infected individuals remain contact-transmitting for two weeks after recovery and may continue to shed viral particles in their feces for up to two months. Given the persistence of norovirus, surface decontamination should be carried out long after an infected person has no longer shown symptoms.

[0008] Products with a no-rinse function are desirable, but these present challenges because all active and inactive ingredients have designated list tolerances for chemicals used as components in antimicrobial disinfectants applied to food contact surfaces in public eating and drinking places, dairy processing equipment, and food processing equipment and cookware. A variety of commercially available products offering norovirus no-rinse options exist on the market, including, for example, Purell Professional Food Service Sanitizer disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,143,309, and Pure Bioscience Pure Hard Surface disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 6,197,814 and No. 6,583,176, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. However, various challenges are presented by these products. For example, various products present flammability concerns, impart poor surface appearance with cloudy and / or sticky residues and / or limited compatibility with soft metal surfaces (including aluminum), and are only available as ready-to-use (RTU) formulations instead of concentrates and / or solids, which limits the applications of these uses. As a result, there are various limitations in establishing a demand for improved compositions. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, the objective of the composition and method is to provide a product that can provide rinse-free disinfection without using quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0010] A further object of the composition and method is to provide an antimicrobial and disinfectant composition that provides antiviral efficacy against norovirus (and against other small non-enveloped viruses, and also against large non-enveloped and enveloped viruses), comprising a short contact time, preferably 10 minutes or less, more preferably 5 minutes or less, and most preferably 1 minute or less.

[0011] A further objective of the compositions and methods is a treatment option that provides an acceptable material compatibility that supports good cleaning performance without cloudy, streaky, or sticky residues on the treated surface.

[0012] A further objective of the compositions and methods is a treatment option that has a use solution pH that does not require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

[0013] A further objective of the compositions and methods is to provide effectiveness against biofilms.

[0014] Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] The benefits of the compositions and methods are that the antimicrobial composition provides a dilutable, non-flammable, no-rinse effect against microbial pathogens including viruses such as norovirus, while providing a surface compatibility formulation that leaves no cloudy, streaky, or sticky residues on the treated surface. A further benefit of the compositions and methods using the pH of the solution is that the user does not need to use PPE. As a further advantage, compositions including, inter alia, those that are alternatives to quaternary ammonium compounds are suitable for use as hard surface antimicrobial compositions including, inter alia, supply washing applications, third sink disinfectants, food contact and non-food contact applications, biofilm treatment compositions.

[0016] In one embodiment, the solid antimicrobial composition comprises at least one acid in about 10% to about 70% by weight, at least one sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate anionic surfactant, and at least one nonionic surfactant and / or solidifying agent, and the solution of the solid composition has an acidic pH and is nonflammable. In a further embodiment, the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, and one or more acids include strong acids, weak acids, or combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the anionic surfactant constitutes about 0.1% to about 38% by weight of the solid composition, the acids include weak acids constituting about 8% to about 55% by weight of the solid composition and strong acids constituting about 2% to about 75% by weight of the solid composition, and the solidifying agent is urea, PEG, and / or a solidifying polymer.

[0017] In further embodiments, a method of using the antimicrobial composition comprises contacting a solution of the solid antimicrobial composition with a surface to be treated, and this method achieves a reduction of at least three times the number of microorganisms. Contact may include wiping, dipping, immersion, or spraying. In various embodiments, the surface may be a hard surface, a pre-cleaned hard surface, human tissue or mammalian tissue, and / or contaminated with biofilms and / or small non-enveloped viruses, large non-enveloped viruses, and / or enveloped viruses. In preferred embodiments, contact provides complete elimination of norovirus in less than one minute.

[0018] In further embodiments, the solid antiviral composition comprises at least one acid in about 10% to about 70% by weight, including a weak acid, a strong acid, or a combination thereof; at least one anionic surfactant of a sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate; and at least one nonionic surfactant and / or solidifying agent, wherein the solid composition provides a work solution that is a dilutable acidic liquid concentrate that is nonflammable. In preferred embodiments, the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, and the work pH of the composition is about 1.5 to about 4. In further embodiments, the weak acid constitutes about 8% to about 55% by weight of the solid composition, the strong acid constitutes about 2% to about 75% by weight of the solid composition, and the anionic surfactant constitutes about 1% to about 40% by weight of the solid composition.

[0019] Additional embodiments include a method for inactivating a virus, comprising: contacting a solid virus-killing composition with an aqueous source to produce a working solution; and contacting the working solution with a surface requiring virus inactivation, wherein the surface contact provides inactivation effectiveness from at least a 3-logarithmic reduction to complete inactivation within less than about 1 minute. In preferred embodiments, the virus is a small non-enveloped virus, a large non-enveloped virus, and / or an enveloped virus. In a more preferred embodiment, the virus is norovirus.

[0020] Although several embodiments are disclosed, further embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following embodiments for carrying out the invention, which illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and embodiments for carrying out the invention should be considered as illustrative and not limiting in nature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1]This document presents the results of a cleaning performance evaluation comparing the effectiveness of commercially available products against norovirus with the acid / anionic surfactant compositions disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where similar reference numerals in some figures represent similar parts. References to various embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. The figures shown herein are not limited to various embodiments of the present invention and are presented for illustrative purposes.

[0023] The present invention relates to a non-flammable antimicrobial composition, comprising solid and dilutable liquid compositions, that provides a rinse-free effect against microorganisms and viral pathogens, including norovirus, while leaving no cloudy, streaky, or sticky residue on the treated surface and requiring no PPE. Embodiments are not limited to specific compositions and their uses, and are modifiable and will be understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be understood that all technical terms used herein are intended solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit them in any form or scope. For example, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may refer to multiple subjects unless otherwise clearly indicated. Furthermore, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be expressed in their SI-acceptable forms.

[0024] Numerical ranges enumerated herein include numbers within a defined range. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention are presented in range form. It should be understood that descriptions in range form are for convenience and conciseness only and should not be construed as inflexible limitations on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the descriptions of ranges should be considered to specifically disclose the individual numbers within that range (for example, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5) along with all possible subranges.

[0025] Certain terms are defined first so that the present invention may be more easily understood. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to whom embodiments of the present invention relate. Many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein may be used in carrying out embodiments of the present invention without excessive experimentation, and preferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing and claiming embodiments of the present invention, the following terms are used according to the definitions set forth below.

[0026] As used herein, the term “approximately” refers to variations in quantity that may occur, for example, due to typical measurement and liquid handling procedures used in the real world to prepare concentrates or working solutions, due to careless errors in these procedures, or due to differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the components used to prepare the composition or to carry out the method. The term “approximately” also encompasses different quantities resulting from different equilibrium conditions for compositions arising from a particular initial mixture. Whether modified by the term “approximately” or not, the claims include equivalent quantities.

[0027] The terms “active substance,” “percent active substance,” “weight percent active substance,” or “active substance concentration” are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of the cleaning component expressed as a percentage after subtracting inert components such as water or salt.

[0028] As used herein, the terms “alkyl” or “alkyl group” refer to saturated hydrocarbons having one or more carbon atoms, including linear alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.), cyclic alkyl groups (or “cycloalkyl” or “alicyclic” or “carbocyclic” groups) (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc.), branched alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl-substituted alkyl groups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, the term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyl" and "substituted alkyl." As used herein, the term "substituted alkyl" refers to an alkyl group having substituents that substitute one or more hydrogens on one or more carbon atoms of a hydrocarbon skeleton. Examples of such substituents include alkenyl, alkynyl, halogeno, hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxyl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, cyano, amino (including alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, and alkylarylamino), acylamino (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, and ureido), imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, sulfate, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, azide, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or aromatic (including heteroaromatic) groups.

[0030] In some embodiments, the substituted alkyl group may include a heterocyclic group. As used herein, the term “heterocyclic group” includes a ring-closed structure similar to a carbocyclic group in which one or more carbon atoms in the ring are elements other than carbon, such as nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen. The heterocyclic group may be saturated or unsaturated. Exemplary heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, aziridines, ethylene oxides (epoxides, oxiranes), thiiranes (episulfide), dioxiranes, azetidines, oxetanes, thiethanes, dioxetanes, dithiethanes, dithiates, azolidines, pyrrolidines, pyrrolines, oxolanes, dihydrofurans, and furans.

[0031] The distinction between "bactericidal" and "bacteriostatic" antimicrobial activity, the definitions describing the degree of effectiveness, and formal laboratory protocols for measuring this effectiveness are considerations for understanding the relationship between antimicrobial agents and compositions. Antimicrobial compositions can affect two types of microbial cell damage. The first type is lethal and irreversible, resulting in the complete destruction or incapacitation of microbial cells. The second type of cell damage is reversible, and therefore, once the organism is released from its agent, it can grow again. The former is called bactericidal, and the latter bacteriostatic. Sanitizers and disinfectants are, by definition, agents that provide antimicrobial or bactericidal activity. In contrast, preservatives are generally described as inhibitors or bacteriostatic compositions.

[0032] As referred to herein, antimicrobial compositions are more preferable with respect to bactericidal activity against viral pathogens, for example, norovirus. For the purposes of this patent application, a reduction in the amount of virus killed is successfully achieved when the viral population is completely inactivated.

[0033] As used herein, the term “biofilm” refers to the extracellular matrix in which a population of microorganisms disperses and / or colonizes. Biofilms are typically composed of polysaccharides and other polymers, often called exopolysaccharides, and are understood to be concentrated at interfaces (usually solid / liquid) and act as binders surrounding such microbial populations. Biofilms are further understood to include complex associations of cells, extracellular products, and debris (or non-viable granular organic matter) that are trapped within or released from cells within the biofilm. As used herein, the term biofilm further refers to the ASTM definition of a biofilm as an accumulation of bacterial cells fixed on a substrate and embedded in an organic polymer matrix of microbial origin. Biofilms are understood to be a dynamic, self-organized accumulation of microorganisms and a byproduct of the microorganism and the environment in which the microorganisms live.

[0034] As used herein, the term “cleaning” refers to methods used to facilitate or assist in the removal of dirt, bleaching, reduction of microbial populations, rinsing, and any combination thereof.

[0035] As used herein, the term “microorganism” refers to any non-cellular or unicellular (including colonies) organism. Microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, lichens, fungi, protists, virinos, viroids, viruses, phages, and some algae. As used herein, the term “microbe” is synonymous with “microorganism.”

[0036] When using a cleaning product or system to address typical soiling conditions on a typical substrate, “commercially acceptable cleaning performance” generally refers to the degree of cleanliness, the range of effort, or both, that a typical consumer would achieve or expect to expend. This degree of cleanliness may, depending on the specific cleaning product and substrate, correspond to a general absence of visible dirt or a somewhat lower degree of cleanliness. Cleanliness may be evaluated in various ways depending on the specific cleaning product used (e.g., supplies detergent or laundry detergent, rinsing aid, hard surface cleaner, vehicle wash or rinse agent, etc.) and the specific hard or soft surface being cleaned (e.g., supplies, laundry, fabrics, vehicles, etc.), and is usually determined using generally agreed industry standard tests or localized variations of such tests. If no such agreed industry standard tests exist, the cleaning performance of phosphorus-containing cleaning products marketed under the brand may be evaluated using tests already employed by the manufacturer or distributor. In some embodiments, the method provides commercially acceptable cleaning performance while ensuring that the formulation does not leave a cloudy, streaky, or sticky residue on the treated surface.

[0037] As used herein, the term “corrosive” refers to an agent or composition that causes chemical attack, oxidation, discoloration, dimensional change and / or weight loss, and / or surface pitting corrosion of a surface. Various corrosion mechanisms, including, for example, metal corrosion by redox attack, attack and penetration of the passivation layer of a metal, and surface pitting corrosion, are disclosed in Corrosion Basics, National Association of Corrosion Engineers, 1984. Non-corrosive compositions that do not cause or exhibit chemical attack, oxidation, discoloration, dimensional and / or weight loss, and / or surface pitting corrosion of a surface are beneficial. Exemplary methods for evaluating the corrosive or non-corrosive properties of a composition are shown in the examples and may include weight evaluations that measure surface change and / or gloss measurements.

[0038] As used herein, the term “fungicide” means a substance that kills all vegetative cells, including most recognized pathogenic microorganisms, using the procedures described in AOAC Use Dilution Methods, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 955.14 and applicable parts, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2). As used herein, “high-level bactericidal” or “high-level bactericide” means a compound or composition that kills substantially all organisms except high levels of bacterial spores, using a chemocidal agent authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to be sold as a sterilizer. As used herein, the term “intermediate-level bactericidal” or “intermediate-level bactericide” means a compound or composition that kills mycobacteria, most viruses, and bacteria using a chemocidal agent registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a tuberculosis bactericide. As used herein, the terms “low-level disinfectant” or “low-level fungicide” refer to compounds or compositions that kill certain viruses and bacteria using chemical pathogens registered by the EPA as hospital disinfectants.

[0039] As used herein, the term “food processing surface” refers to the surface of tools, machinery, equipment, structures, buildings, etc., used as part of food processing, cooking, or preservation activities. Examples of food processing surfaces include the surfaces of food processing or cooking equipment (e.g., slicing equipment, canning equipment, or transport equipment, including water channels), food processing supplies (e.g., the surfaces of kitchen utensils, dishes, washing supplies, and bar glasses, and the surfaces of floors, walls, or fixtures of structures where food processing takes place). Food processing surfaces are found and used in food spoilage prevention air circulation systems, aseptic packaging disinfection, cleaners and disinfectants for food refrigeration and coolers, supplies cleaning and disinfection, blancher cleaning and disinfection, food packaging materials, cutting board additives, third-sink disinfection, beverage coolers and warmers, water for meat cooling or hot water treatment, automatic dish disinfectants, disinfectant gels, cooling towers, antimicrobial clothing sprays for food processing, and non-aqueous to low-aqueous food processing lubricants, oils, and rinsing additives.

[0040] As used herein, the term “food product” includes any food substance that may require treatment with an antimicrobial agent or composition, and which may be eaten after further cooking or without further cooking. Foods include meat (e.g., red meat and pork), seafood, poultry, agricultural products (e.g., fruits and vegetables), eggs, live eggs, egg products, instant foods, wheat, seeds, roots, tubers, leaves, stems, corn, flowers, buds, seasonings, or combinations thereof. The term “agricultural product” refers to food products such as fruits and vegetables and plants or plant-derived materials that are typically uncooked, often sold unpackaged, and sometimes eaten raw.

[0041] The term "hard surface" refers to solid, substantially inflexible surfaces such as countertops, tiles, floors, walls, panels, windows, sanitary fixtures, kitchen and bathroom furniture and appliances, engines, circuit boards, and dishes. Hard surfaces may also include, for example, medical surfaces and food processing surfaces.

[0042] As used herein, the term “medical surface” refers to the surface of instruments, equipment, carts, cages, furniture, structures, buildings, etc., used as part of medical practice. Examples of medical surfaces include the surfaces of medical or dental instruments, medical or dental instruments, the surfaces of electronic devices used to monitor patient health, and the surfaces of floors, walls, or fixtures in structures where medical care is performed. Medical surfaces are found in patient rooms, operating rooms, infirmity rooms, delivery rooms, morgues, and clinical diagnostic rooms. These surfaces may be represented as “hard surfaces” (walls, floors, toilets, etc.), or fabric surfaces, such as knitted, woven, and nonwoven surfaces (e.g., surgical gowns, curtains, bed linens, bandages, etc.), or patient care equipment (respiratory devices, diagnostic equipment, shunts, body scopes, wheelchairs, beds, etc.), or surgical and diagnostic equipment. Medical surfaces also include articles and surfaces used in veterinary medicine.

[0043] The term "improved cleaning performance" generally refers to the degree of cleanliness achieved by an alternative cleaning product or system, when using an alternative cleaning product or system instead of a conventional cleaning product to address typical soiling conditions on a typical substrate, with generally higher cleanliness, generally reduced effort, or both. Depending on the specific cleaning product and substrate, this level of cleanliness may correspond to the complete absence of visible dirt and a treated surface free from cloudy, streaky, or sticky residues.

[0044] When used in reference to a list of materials, the terms “contains” and “contains” refer to, but are not limited to, the materials listed in that way.

[0045] As used herein, the term “instrument” refers to any medical or dental instrument or device that can obtain benefits from cleaning with the compositions of the present invention.

[0046] As used herein, the term “microorganism” refers to any non-cellular or unicellular (including colonies) organism. Microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), lichens, microfungi, protists, bilinus, viroids, viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped), and some algae. As used herein, the term “microbe” is synonymous with “microorganism.”

[0047] As used herein, the term “disinfectant” refers to an agent that reduces the number of bacterial contaminants to a safe level, as determined by public health requirements. In one embodiment, the disinfectant used in the present invention will provide a reduction of at least 3-logarithmic order, more preferably on the order of 5-logarithmic order. These reductions can be evaluated using the procedures described in Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraphs 960.09 and applicable parts, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2). According to this reference, the disinfectant should provide a 99.999% reduction (a reduction on the order of 5-logarithmic order) to several test organisms within 30 seconds at room temperature, 25±2°C.

[0048] As used herein, the term “dirt” refers to polar or nonpolar organic or inorganic substances, including but not limited to carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and oils. These substances may exist in their organic state or complex with metals to form inorganic complexes.

[0049] As used herein, the term “substantially absent” means a composition that is entirely devoid of a component or has such a small amount of a component that does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or contaminant and must not be present in amounts less than 0.5% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1% by weight, and in yet another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.01% by weight.

[0050] The term "threshold agent" refers to a compound that inhibits the crystallization of hard water ions from a solution, but does not require the formation of a specific complex with hard water ions. Examples of threshold agents include, but are not limited to, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and olefin / maleic acid copolymers.

[0051] As used herein, the term “virididant” refers to an agent that reduces the number of viruses on a surface or substrate. In one embodiment, a virucidal composition will provide a reduction of at least three-logarithmic order, preferably five-logarithmic order, or more preferably complete inactivation of the virus. These reductions can be evaluated using the procedure described in ASTM E1053 Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Virucidal Agents Intended for Inanimate Environmental Surfaces, the U.S. standard is described in EPA 810.2200. According to this reference, a virucidal composition must provide a 99.9% reduction in virucidal activity (a reduction of three-logarithmic order).

[0052] As used herein, the term “virus” refers to a type of microorganism that may include both pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses. Pathogenic viruses can be classified into two general types with respect to their viral structure: enveloped viruses and non-enveloped viruses. Well-known enveloped viruses include herpesviruses, influenza viruses; paramyxoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, coronaviruses, HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and SARS-CoV virus. Non-enveloped viruses, sometimes called “naked” viruses, include those belonging to the Picornaviridae, Reoviridae, Caliciviridae, Adenoviridae, and Parvoviridae families. Members of these families include rhinoviruses, polioviruses, adenoviruses, hepatitis A virus, noroviruses, papillomaviruses, and rotaviruses. In the art, “enveloped” viruses are known to be relatively susceptible and therefore can be inactivated by commonly used disinfectants. In contrast, non-enveloped viruses are substantially more resistant to conventional fungicides and are far more environmentally stable than enveloped viruses.

[0053] As used herein, the term “ware” refers to items such as tableware and cooking utensils, dishes, and other hard surfaces (such as showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transport vehicles, and floors). As used herein, the term “ware cleaning” refers to the washing, cleaning, or rinsing of dishes. The term “ware” generally refers to items such as dishes and cooking utensils, plates, and other hard surfaces. Ware also refers to items made from a variety of substrates, including glass, ceramics, porcelain, crystal, metal, plastic, or natural materials (but not limited to clay, bamboo, and hemp). Types of metals that can be cleaned with this composition include, but are not limited to, aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel. The types of plastics that can be cleaned with this composition include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), sylen acrylonitrile (SAN), polycarbonate (PC), melamine formaldehyde resin or melamine resin (melamine), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and polysulfone (PS). Other exemplary plastics that can be cleaned using this compound and composition include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene polyamide.

[0054] As used herein, the term “water” includes water used for food processing or transport. Water temperatures may range from approximately 40°F to 160°F, approximately 60°F to 140°F, or approximately 70°F to 140°F. Examples of water used for food processing or transport include water used for transporting agricultural products (e.g., as found in waterways, pipe transport, cutters, slicers, spreaders, retort systems, washing machines, etc.), belt sprays for food transport lines, dip pans for boots and handwashing, and third-sink rinse water. Water also includes water used in households and recreational water, such as in swimming pools, hot springs, recreational waterways and water slides, and fountains.

[0055] The term "water-soluble" refers to a compound that can dissolve in water at a concentration of more than 1% by weight. The term "slowly soluble" or "slightly water-soluble" refers to a compound that can only dissolve in water at a concentration of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight. The term "water-insoluble" refers to a compound that can only dissolve in water at a concentration of less than 0.1% by weight.

[0056] As used herein, “weight percent,” “wt%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,” and variations thereof refer to the concentration of a substance obtained by dividing its weight by the total weight of the composition and multiplying by 100. It is understood that, as used herein, “percent,” “%,” etc., are intended to be synonymous with “weight percent,” “wt%,” etc.

[0057] The methods and compositions of the present invention may consist of, essentially consist of, or be made of the components and ingredients described herein, as well as other components described herein. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" means that the methods and compositions may include additional steps, components, or ingredients if such additional steps, components, or ingredients do not substantially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the methods and compositions described herein.

[0058] Furthermore, it should be noted that the term “configured” as used herein and in the appended claims refers to a system, apparatus, or other structure built or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as positioned and configured, built and positioned, adapted and configured, adapted, built, manufactured and positioned.

[0059] Acid / anionic composition Exemplary ranges of antimicrobial and antiviral compositions are shown in Tables 1 and 2, which show liquid and solid formulations based on activity concentration (Tables 1A and 1B) and weight percentage (Tables 2A and 2B). Tables 1A and 1B may include formulations with minimal acid components and deionized water to provide the required acidic pH for ready-to-use formulations. The weight percentages in Tables 2A and 2B are shown for 2-ounce / gallon dilutable liquid formulations incorporating the range of active substances outlined in Tables 1A and 1B. When converting from concentration to weight percentage, it was assumed that all raw materials were 100% active. The 2-ounce / gallon dilution ratio provides ample formulation space for raw materials, supplying any one raw material in the solution of use at a maximum of 6000 ppm.

[0060] Tables 2C and 2D show dilutable liquid formulations in quantities of 0.25 to 1 ounce / gallon. Tables 2E and 2F show solid or liquid concentrate formulations. Tables 2G and 2H show ready-to-use liquid formulations.

[0061] Tables 1B, 2B, 2D, and 2H, which show ranges for both strong and weak acids with a lower threshold of 0% by weight, indicate that either acid can be included in a formulation or a combination thereof. However, within the scope of the disclosure herein, at least one acid is included in a formulation. In exemplary embodiments, a 2-ounce / gallon dilutable formulation containing only a strong acid would require at least about 0.1% by weight, while a 0.25–1-ounce / gallon dilutable formulation containing only a strong acid would require at least about 0.3% by weight of the strong acid. In exemplary embodiments, a 2-ounce / gallon dilutable formulation containing only a weak acid would require at least about 0.1% by weight, while a 0.25–1-ounce / gallon dilutable formulation containing only a weak acid would require at least about 0.8% by weight of the weak acid. Those skilled in the art can adjust the weight percentages of a composition to achieve compositions with different dilution ratios, which fall within the range of disclosed compositions. Beneficiently, within the range of active substances, the composition may be formulated to include a liquid or solid composition that is substantially or completely free of water.

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] [Table 2]

[0064] [Table 3]

[0065] [Table 4]

[0066] [Table 5]

[0067] [Table 6]

[0068] [Table 7]

[0069] [Table 8]

[0070] [Table 9]

[0071] [Table 10]

[0072] Antimicrobial and virucidal compositions may include concentrated compositions that can be diluted to form a composition for use or a ready-to-use (RTU) composition. Beneficially, the compositions overcome the limitations of the prior art in that they can provide dilutable concentrates. Generally, a concentrate refers to a composition intended to be diluted with water to provide a solution for use in contact with an object, thereby providing desired cleaning, antimicrobial efficacy, etc. Antimicrobial and virucidal compositions in contact with an article may be referred to as concentrates or compositions for use (or solutions for use), depending on the formulation used in the methods described herein. It should be understood that the concentrations of additional functional components in the composition, such as acids, anionic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants, will differ depending on whether the composition is provided as a concentrate or as a solution for use.

[0073] The solution to be used can be prepared from a concentrate by diluting the solid or liquid concentrate with water at a dilution ratio that provides a solution to be used with the desired cleaning properties. The water used to dilute the concentrate to form the composition to be used may be called diluent water or diluent and may vary depending on the location. Typical dilution ratios are about 1 to about 10,000. In one embodiment, the concentrate is diluted at a ratio of about 1:10 to about 1:10,000 concentrate to water, about 1:10 to about 1:1,000 concentrate to water, or about 1:10 to about 1:510 concentrate to water.

[0074] In another embodiment, the concentrate may be diluted in proportion to about 1 / 8 ounce / gallon to about 2 ounces / gallon, about 1 / 4 ounce / gallon to about 1 ounce / gallon, or about 1 / 2 ounce / gallon to about 1 ounce / gallon, while providing a food contact disinfectant effect. In one embodiment, the dilutable concentrate composition provides a usable solution pH of about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5 (including ranges in between).

[0075] The liquid composition can be provided in various forms well understood by those skilled in the art. The composition can also be manufactured to include saturated antimicrobial wipes, such as paper or cloth substrates saturated with the liquid composition.

[0076] Solid compositions can be provided in various forms well understood by those skilled in the art. Compositions can be manufactured to include solid blocks, including those produced by pressing, extrusion, casting, tableting, etc. Solids may also include granules and powders, including flowable powders. In certain embodiments, solids may also include applicable packaging materials (e.g., films such as PVA film). Beneficially, solid compositions comprising combinations of acids and anionic surfactants provide effective and stable solid substitutes for solids extruded using quaternary ammonium compounds. In addition to solid blocks, including, for example, packs, tablets, powders, and granules, solids of various forms and sizes can be included.

[0077] Solid compositions may take the form of a solid as well as a size. In exemplary embodiments, solids may have weights of about 50 grams to about 250 grams, about 100 grams or more, and about 1 to about 10 kilograms. In certain embodiments, solid compositions may include unit doses, such as tablets or packs. A unit dose refers to a solid composition unit of a size such that the entire unit is used in a single use. When a solid composition is provided as a unit dose, it is typically provided as a cast solid, extruded pellet, or tablet having a size of about 1 gram to about 50 grams. In other embodiments, solid compositions are provided in the form of multi-use solids, such as blocks or multiple pellets, which can be repeatedly used to produce aqueous compositions for multiple applications or cleaning cycles. In certain embodiments, solid compositions are provided as pressed solids, cast solids, extruded blocks, or tablets having a mass of about 5 grams to about 10 kilograms. In certain embodiments, the multi-use form of a solid composition has a mass of about 1 kilogram to about 10 kilograms.

[0078] The hardness of solid casting compositions and / or pressed solid compositions can range from the hardness of relatively dense and hard fused solid products, such as concrete, to the hardness characteristic of a hardened paste. In addition, the term “solid” refers to the state of the composition under the expected storage and use conditions of the solid cleaning composition. Generally, a composition is expected to remain solid when exposed to temperatures up to approximately 100°F, up to approximately 120°F, or up to approximately 125°F, while maintaining physical and dimensional stability. The dimensional stability of a solid composition is confirmed by exponential growth of less than approximately 3% when heated at temperatures up to approximately 100°F (40°C), up to approximately 120°F (50°C), or up to approximately 140°F (60°C) for at least 30 minutes or at least 1 hour, for up to 2 weeks, up to 4 weeks, up to 6 weeks, or up to 8 weeks, and at a humidity of approximately 40-65%.

[0079] acid The composition contains at least one acid. In embodiments, the composition contains two acids. In such embodiments, the acids may be a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid. For the purposes of the present invention, the acid is a component that can be added to an aqueous system and results in a pH of less than 7. A strong acid that can be used is an acid that substantially dissociates an aqueous solution. "Weak" organic and inorganic acids are acids or acid components in which the initial dissociation step of protons from the acidic moiety is not essentially completed when the acid is dissolved in water at ambient temperature at a concentration within a range useful for forming the present composition.

[0080] While not bound by theory, the acids in the compositions work to protonate carboxylate functional groups on the bacterial phospholipid membrane, reducing the membrane's tendency to electrically repel anionic surfactants contained in antimicrobial and virucidal compositions. With regard to viruses, the acids are thought to similarly affect the lipid envelope and / or capsid. Furthermore, the acids disclosed herein promote the generation of low-pH buffers on the surface of the substrate, thereby extending the residual antimicrobial and virucidal activity of the compositions and products in which they are incorporated.

[0081] Examples of strong acids suitable for use in compositions include methanesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sodium bicarbonate, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, nitric acid, sulfamic acid, hydrochloric acid, trichloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, glutamic acid, etc.; methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid ,tree Examples include alkanesulfonic acids such as silenesulfonic acid and cumenesulfonic acid. In a preferred embodiment, to provide a useful acidic composition having a pH of less than about 4, preferably less than about 3, the composition contains a strong acid having a pKa of less than about 2.5. In one embodiment, the composition contains a strong acid in combination with an anionic surfactant, and optionally a weak acid.

[0082] For example, exemplary weak acids suitable for use in compositions can also be used, including alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and gluconic acid; carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid; and other common organic acids such as ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, and levulinic acid. In a preferred embodiment, to beneficially provide an acidic composition having a pH of less than about 4, preferably less than about 3, the composition contains a weak acid having a pKa greater than about 2.5. In one embodiment, the composition contains a weak acid in combination with an anionic surfactant and optionally contains a strong acid.

[0083] In some embodiments, the composition does not contain fatty acids.

[0084] In certain embodiments, a combination of a strong acid and a weak acid dramatically improves antimicrobial and antiviral efficiency. In preferred embodiments, the acids include lactic acid and methanesulfonic acid. While not bound by a specific mechanism of action, it may be desirable to have a buffered acidic composition. For example, if the surface to be treated is not sufficiently clean, a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid may provide a buffered composition that can advantageously assist in the inactivation of pH-sensitive organisms.

[0085] In one embodiment, a composition having a dilution of about 2 ounces / gallon includes, in addition to the ranges listed in the table above, at least one acid in about 0.1% to about 50% by weight, at least one acid in about 0.1% to about 38% by weight, at least one acid in about 1% to about 32% by weight, at least one acid in about 1.5% to about 29% by weight, or at least one acid in about 2% to about 26% by weight. In addition, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer.

[0086] In one embodiment, a composition having a dilution of about 0.25 to 1 ounce / gallon includes, in addition to the ranges listed in the table above, at least one acid in about 0.3% to about 95% by weight, at least one acid in about 1% to about 90% by weight, at least one acid in about 5% to about 80% by weight, at least one acid in about 10% to about 70% by weight, or at least one acid in about 30% to about 60% by weight. In addition, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer.

[0087] In certain embodiments, a composition having a dilution of about 2 ounces / gallon, in combination with a weak acid, comprises about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of a strong acid, about 0.1% to about 19% by weight of a strong acid, about 0.1% to about 13% by weight of a strong acid, or about 0.1% to about 6% by weight of a strong acid, and this composition, in addition to the ranges listed in the table above, comprises about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of a weak acid, about 0.1% to about 38% by weight of a weak acid, about 0.1% to about 32% by weight of a weak acid, about 0.1% to about 29% by weight of a weak acid, or about 0.1% to about 26% by weight of a weak acid. In addition, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer.

[0088] In certain embodiments, a composition having a dilution of about 0.25 to 1 ounce / gallon, in combination with a weak acid, comprises about 0.1% to about 75% by weight of a strong acid, about 0.1% to about 75% by weight of a strong acid, about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of a strong acid, about 0.1% to about 25% by weight of a strong acid, and in addition to the ranges listed in the table above, this composition comprises about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of a weak acid, about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of a weak acid, about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of a weak acid, or about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of a weak acid. Furthermore, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes one.

[0089] In a particular embodiment, any composition before dilution comprises about 10% to about 75% by weight of an acid (including strong and / or weak acids), about 15% to about 75% by weight of an acid, about 20% to about 75% by weight of an acid, about 30% to about 75% by weight of an acid, about 30% to about 70% by weight of an acid, about 40% to about 70% by weight of an acid, or about 40% to about 60% by weight of an acid. In certain embodiments, any undiluted composition contains about 8% to about 55% by weight of a weak acid and / or about 2% to about 75% by weight of a strong acid, about 10% to about 50% by weight of a weak acid and / or about 4% to about 65% by weight of a strong acid, about 10% to about 50% by weight of a weak acid and / or about 5% to about 55% by weight of a strong acid, or about 20% to about 45% by weight of a weak acid and / or about 8% to about 45% by weight of a strong acid. In addition, although not limiting to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer. In certain embodiments, a ready-to-use concentration composition contains an acid (including strong and / or weak acids) in a concentration of about 5 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, an acid in a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, an acid in a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 4,000 ppm, or an acid in a concentration of about 50 ppm to about 2,000 ppm. In certain embodiments, a ready-to-use concentration composition contains a strong acid in a concentration of about 0 ppm to about 4,000 ppm, a strong acid in a concentration of about 0 ppm to about 3,000 ppm, a strong acid in a concentration of about 0 ppm to about 2,000 ppm, or a strong acid in a concentration of about 0 ppm to about 1,000 ppm. In certain embodiments, ready-to-use compositions include weak acids in concentrations of about 0 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, about 0 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, about 0 ppm to about 4,000 ppm, or about 0 ppm to about 2,000 ppm. In addition, although not limiting to the present invention, all listed ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range.

[0090] Anionic surfactants The composition contains at least one anionic surfactant. In embodiments, the composition contains two anionic surfactants. In embodiments, the composition contains more than two anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants are surfactants classified by the negative charge of their hydrophobic components, or surfactants (e.g., carboxylic acids) in which the hydrophobic portion of the molecule has no charge unless the pH rises above neutral. Carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates, and phosphates are polar (hydrophilic) solubilizing groups found in anionic surfactants. Of the cations (counterions) associated with these polar groups, sodium, lithium, and potassium confer water solubility, ammonium and substituted ammonium ions provide both water and oil solubility, and calcium, barium, and magnesium promote oil solubility.

[0091] Suitable anionic sulfonate surfactants for use in this composition include alkyl sulfonates, linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfonates, and aromatic sulfonic acids with or without substituents. In one embodiment, the sulfonate includes sulfonated carboxylic acid esters. In one embodiment, suitable alkyl sulfonate surfactants include C8-C22 alkyl sulfonates, or preferably C10-C22 alkyl sulfonates. In an exemplary embodiment, the anionic alkyl sulfonate surfactant is linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS). In preferred embodiments using LAS as the anionic surfactant, the composition is most effective at a pH of 3.0 or lower.

[0092] Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use in compositions include alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkylphenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, and C5-C 17Examples include acyl-N-(C1-C4 alkyl) and -N-(C1-C2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, as well as sulfates of alkyl polysaccharides such as alkyl polyglucosides. Also included are alkyl sulfates, alkyl poly(ethyleneoxy) ether sulfates, and aromatic poly(ethyleneoxy) sulfates, such as condensation products of sulfate or ethylene oxide with nonylphenol (usually having 1-6 oxyethylene groups per molecule).

[0093] Suitable additional anionic surfactants for the composition include anionic carboxylate surfactants having a carboxylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acid group. Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants for use in the composition include carboxylic acids (and salts) such as alkanes (and alkanoates), ester carboxylic acids (including sulfonated carboxylic acid esters), ether carboxylic acids, and sulfonated fatty acids such as sulfonated oleic acid. In one embodiment, suitable ester carboxylic acids include alkyl succinates such as dioctyl sulfosuccinate. Such carboxylates include alkylethoxycarboxylates, alkylarylethoxycarboxylates, alkylpolyethoxypolycarboxylate surfactants, and soaps (e.g., alkylcarboxylates). Useful secondary carboxylates for the composition include those containing a carboxyl unit bonded to a secondary carbon. The secondary carbon may be in a ring structure, for example, as in p-octylbenzoic acid or as in alkyl-substituted cyclohexylcarboxylates. Secondary carboxylate surfactants typically do not contain ether bonds, ester bonds, or hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, they typically lack a nitrogen atom in the head group (amphiphilic moiety). Suitable secondary surfactants typically contain 11–13 total carbon atoms, but more carbon atoms (e.g., up to 16) may be present. Suitable carboxylates also include acyl amino acids (and salts) such as acyl glutamates, acyl peptides, sarcosinates (e.g., N-acyl sarcosinates), and taurates (e.g., fatty acid amides of N-acyl taurates and methyl taurides).

[0094] Suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl or alkylarylethoxycarboxylates of the following formulas: RO-(CH2CH2O) n (CH2) m -CO2X(3) In the formula, R is C8~C 22 It is an alkyl group, or [Chemical formula] where R 1 is a C4 - C 16 alkyl group, n is an integer from 1 to 20, m is an integer from 1 to 3, X is a counter ion such as hydrogen, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, or an amine salt such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 4 to 10 and m is 1. In some embodiments, R is a C8 - C 16 alkyl group. In some embodiments, R is a C 12 -C 14 alkyl group, n is 4, and m is 1.

[0095] In other embodiments, R is [Chemical formula] where R 1 is a C6 - C 12 alkyl group. In yet other embodiments, R 1 is a C9 alkyl group, n is 10, and m is 1.

[0096] Another class of anionic surfactants includes alpha - sulfonated carboxylic acid esters such as MC or PC - 48 from Stepan.

[0097] In preferred embodiments, the anionic surfactant does not contain a sulfonate surfactant.

[0098] In one embodiment, a composition having a dilution of about 2 ounces / gallon comprises about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, about 0.1% to about 38% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, about 0.3% to about 26% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, about 0.5% to about 13% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, or about 0.6% to about 6.4% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant. In addition, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all enumerated ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer.

[0099] In one embodiment, a composition having a dilution of about 0.25 to 1 ounce / gallon comprises about 0.2% to about 50% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, about 1% to about 40% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, about 2% to about 30% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, or about 2.5% to about 25% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant. In addition, although not limiting to conforming to the present invention, all enumerated ranges include a number defining the range, and each integer within the defined range includes an integer.

[0100] Additional functional ingredients The components of antimicrobial and antiviral compositions can be further combined with various additional functional components. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial and antiviral compositions comprising at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant constitute a large portion, or substantially all, of the total weight of the composition. For example, in some embodiments, the additional functional components are present in small amounts or no amounts at all.

[0101] In other embodiments, additional functional components may be included in the composition. Functional components impart desired properties and functionality to the composition. For the purposes of this application, the term “functional component” includes materials that, when dispersed or dissolved in a concentrated solution such as an aqueous solution, provide beneficial properties in a particular application. Some specific examples of functional materials are described in more detail below, but the specific materials described are shown only as examples, and a wide variety of other functional components can be used.

[0102] In preferred embodiments, the composition does not contain quaternary ammonium compounds. In additional embodiments, the composition does not contain conventional norovirus active substances, such as ethanol, silver citrate, and / or electrolytic chlorine. In additional embodiments, the composition does not contain alcohol and / or other organic solvents in order to beneficially provide a non-flammable product. In other embodiments, the composition may contain solidifying agents, defoaming agents, wetting agents, anti-redeposition agents, solubility modifiers, dispersants, rinsing aids, metal protectants, stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, metal ion sequestering agents and / or chelating agents, threshold agents, fragrances and / or dyes, rheology modifiers or thickeners, hydrotropes or couplers, buffers, solvents, sensor indicators, and the like.

[0103] surfactant In some embodiments, the composition includes additional surfactants. Suitable surfactants for use in the composition include, but are not limited to, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and / or zwitterionic surfactants. In some embodiments, the composition includes additional surfactants in amounts of about 0% to about 40% by weight, about 0.1% to about 38% by weight, about 1% to about 20% by weight, about 1% to about 15% by weight, or about 1% to about 6% by weight.

[0104] Nonionic surfactants Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention include alkoxylated surfactants. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants include EO / PO copolymers, capped EO / PO copolymers, alcohol alkoxylates, capped alcohol alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants for use as solvents include EO / PO block copolymers such as Pluronic and reverse Pluronic surfactants; alcohol alkoxylates such as Dehypon LS-54 (R-(EO)5(PO)4) and Dehypon LS-36 (R-(EO)3(PO)6); capped alcohol alkoxylates such as Plurafac LF221 and Tegoten EC11; and mixtures thereof.

[0105] In exemplary embodiments, a nonionic surfactant, available on the market under the trade name "Pluronic," is included as an additional surfactant in the composition. These compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide and propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of this molecule has a molecular weight of approximately 1,500 to 1,800. The addition of a polyoxyethylene radical to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the overall water solubility of the molecule, and the liquid properties of the product are maintained until the polyoxyethylene content is approximately 50% of the total weight of the condensation product.

[0106] Semipolar nonionic surfactants are another class of nonionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention. Examples of semipolar nonionic surfactants include amine oxides, phosphine oxides, sulfoxides, and their alkoxylated derivatives.

[0107] Amine oxides have the general formula: [ka] It is a tertiary amine oxide corresponding to R, where the arrow is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond. 1 , R2 , and R 3 These can be aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alicyclic, or a combination thereof. Generally, for the amine oxide of the detergent in question, R 1 R is an alkyl radical with approximately 8 to 24 carbon atoms. 2 and R 3 R is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof. 2 and R 3 For example, they can bond to each other via oxygen or nitrogen atoms to form a ring structure, R 4 n is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing 2-3 carbon atoms, and n is in the range of 0 to about 20. Amine oxides can be produced from the corresponding amine and an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide.

[0108] Useful water-soluble amine oxide surfactants are selected from octyl, decyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, coconut, or tallow alkyl di-(lower alkyl)amine oxides, and specific examples include octyldimethylamine oxide, nonyldimethylamine oxide, decyldimethylamine oxide, undecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide, isododecyldimethylamine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, and These are tadecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-dodecoxy-1-hydroxypropylamine oxide, dimethyl-(2-hydroxydodecyl)amine oxide, 3,6,9-trioctadecyldimethylamine oxide, and 3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyldi-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide.

[0109] Amphoteric surfactants Amphoteric or amphoteric electrolyte surfactants contain both basic and acidic hydrophilic groups and organic hydrophobic groups. These ionic entities may be either anionic or cationic groups as described herein for other types of surfactants. Basic nitrogen and acidic carboxylate groups are typical functional groups used as basic and acidic hydrophilic groups. In some surfactants, sulfonates, sulfates, phosphonates, or phosphates provide a negative charge.

[0110] Amphoteric surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, where the aliphatic radical may be linear or branched, and one of the aliphatic substituents comprises about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and another comprises an anionic water-soluble group, e.g., carboxy, sulfo, sulfato, phosphat, or phosphono. Amphoteric surfactants are known to those skilled in the art and are subdivided into two main classes, as described in the "Surfactant Encyclopedia" Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104(2) 69-71 (1989), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The first class includes acyl / dialkylethylenediamine derivatives (e.g., 2-alkylhydroxyethylimidazoline derivatives) and their salts. The second class includes N-alkyl amino acids and their salts. Some amphoteric surfactants may be assumed to fit into both classes.

[0111] Amphoteric surfactants can be synthesized by methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, 2-alkylhydroxyethylimidazoline is synthesized by condensation and ring closure of a long-chain carboxylic acid (or derivative) with a dialkylethylenediamine. Commercially available amphoteric surfactants are derivatized using, for example, chloroacetic acid or ethyl acetate by subsequent hydrolysis and ring opening of the imidazoline ring by alkylation. During alkylation, one or two carboxyalkyl groups react to form ether bonds with a tertiary amine and a different alkylating agent, yielding different tertiary amines.

[0112] The long-chain imidazole derivatives used in the present invention generally have the following general formula: [ka] In the formula, R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation, generally sodium, for neutralizing the charge of the anion. Commercially well-known amphoteric compounds derived from imidazolines that can be used in this composition include, for example, cocoamphopropionate, cocoamphocarboxy-propionate, cocoamphoglycinate, cocoamphocarboxy-glycinate, cocoamphopropyl-sulfonate, and cocoamphocarboxy-propionic acid. Amphocarboxylic acids can be produced from aliphatic imidazolines, where the dicarboxylic acid functional group of the amphodicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and / or dipropionic acid.

[0113] In this specification, the carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) described above are often referred to as betaines. Betaines are a special class of amphoteric compounds described below in the following section entitled Zwitterionic surfactants.

[0114] Long-chain N-alkyl amino acids are readily prepared by the reaction RNH2, where R is C8~C 18These are fatty amines having linear or branched alkyl, halogenated carboxylic acids. Alkylation of the primary amino group of an amino acid yields secondary and tertiary amines. The alkyl substituent may have additional amino groups providing multiple reactive nitrogen centers. The most commercially available N-alkylamine acids are alkyl derivatives of β-alanine or β-N(2-carboxyethyl)alanine. Examples of commercially available N-alkylamino acid amphoteric electrolytes applicable to the present invention include alkyl β-aminodipropionates, RN(C2H4COOM)2 and RNHC2H4COOM. In embodiments, R may be an acyclic hydrophobic group containing about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation for neutralizing the charge of the anion.

[0115] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include those derived from coconut products such as coconut oil or coconut fatty acids. Additional suitable coconut-derived surfactants include, as part of their structure, an ethylenediamine moiety, an alkanolamide moiety, an amino acid moiety, such as glycine, or a combination thereof, and an aliphatic substituent of about 8 to 18 (e.g., 12) carbon atoms. Such surfactants can also be thought of as alkylamphodicarboxylic acids. These amphoteric surfactants are C 12 -alkyl-C(O)-NH-CH2-CH2-N + (CH2-CH2-CO2Na)2-CH2-CH2-OH or C 12 -alkyl-C(O)-N(H)-CH2-CH2-N + It may contain a chemical structure represented as (CH2-CO2Na)2-CH2-CH2-OH. Disodium cocoamphodipropionate is one suitable amphoteric surfactant, marketed by Rhodia Inc. (Cranbury, NJ) under the trade name Miranol® FBS. Another suitable coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant with the chemical name disodium cocoamphodiacetate is similarly marketed by Rhodia Inc. (Cranbury, NJ) under the trade name Mirataine® JCHA.

[0116] A typical list of amphoteric classes and species of these surfactants is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678, published December 30, 1975, to Laughlin and Heuring. Further examples are described in “Surface Active Agents and Detergents” (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

[0117] Zwitterionic surfactants Zwitterionic surfactants can be considered a subset of amphoteric surfactants and may contain anionic charges. Zwitterionic surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Typically, zwitterionic surfactants contain a positively charged quaternary ammonium, or optionally a sulfonium or phosphonium ion, a charged carboxyl group, and an alkyl group. Zwitterionic compounds generally contain cationic and anionic groups that ionize to approximately the same degree in the isoelectric region of the molecule, potentially leading to a strong "internal salt" attraction between positive and negative charge centers. Examples of such zwitterionic synthetic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic group may be linear or branched, and one of the aliphatic substituents contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-soluble group, such as a carboxyl, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.

[0118] Betaine and sultaine surfactants are examples of zwitterionic surfactants for use herein. The general formulas of these compounds are as follows: [ka] And in the formula, R 1Y comprises an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical with 8 to 18 carbon atoms having 0 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties and 0 to 1 glyceryl moiety, Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen atoms, phosphorus atoms, and sulfur atoms, and R 2 x is an alkyl group or monohydroxyalkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, where x is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen atom or a phosphorus atom, and R 3 Z is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or hydroxyalkylene with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a sulfate group, a phosphonic acid group, and a phosphate group.

[0119] Examples of zwitterionic surfactants having the structures listed above include 4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonio]-butane-1-carboxylate, 5-[S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio]-3-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate, 3-[P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxatetracosanphosphonio]-2-hydroxypropane-1-phosphate, 3-[N,N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl-ammonio]-propane-1-phosphonate, 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-propane-1-sulfonate, and 3-(N,N-dimethyl- Examples include N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxy-propane-1-sulfonate, 4-[N,N-di(2(2-hydroxyethyl)-N(2-hydroxydodecyl)ammonio]-butane-1-carboxylate, 3-[S-ethyl-S-(3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)sulfonio]-propane-1-phosphate, 3-[P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio]-propane-1-phosphonate, and S[N,N-di(3-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonio]-2-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate. The alkyl groups contained in these detergent surfactants may be linear or branched and saturated or unsaturated.

[0120] The following zwitterionic surfactants are suitable for use in this composition: [ka] This includes betaines with a general structure. These surfactant betaines typically do not exhibit strong cationic or anionic properties at extreme pH levels, nor do they exhibit low water solubility within their isoelectric point range. Unlike "external" quaternary ammonium salts, betaines are compatible with anionic substances. Examples of suitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyl dimethyl betaine, hexadecyldimethyl betaine, and C 12~14 Acylamidopropyl betaine, C 8~14 Acylamidehexyldiethylbetaine, 4-C 14~16 Acylmethylamide diethylammonio-1-carboxybutane, C 16~18 Acylamide dimethyl betaine, C 12~16 Acylamidopentanediethylbetaine, and C 12~16 Acylmethylamide dimethylbetaine is one example.

[0121] The sultaine useful in this invention is of formula (R(R 1 )2N + R 2 SO 3- The compound comprises a compound having a C6-C6 compound, where R is C6-C6 18 It is a hydrocarbyl group, and each R 1 Typically, independently, R is a C1-C3 alkyl group, such as methyl. 2 These are C1-C6 hydrocarbyl groups, such as C1-C3 alkylene or hydroxyalkylene groups.

[0122] A typical list of zwitterionic classes and species of these surfactants is provided in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678, published December 30, 1975, to Laughlin and Heuring. Further examples are provided in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry, and Berch). Each of these references is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0123] In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises betaine. For example, the composition may contain cocoamidopropyl betaine.

[0124] defoaming agent Defoaming agents can also be included in the composition. Generally, defoaming agents that can be used according to the present invention preferably include alcohol alkoxylates and EO / PO block copolymers. Other defoaming agents include polyalkylene glycol condensates and propyl glycols, including polypropyl glycol. In some embodiments, the composition may include a food-grade antifoaming agent or defoaming agent, considering the application examples of this method. For this purpose, one of the more effective antifoaming agents is silicone. Silicones such as dimethyl silicone, glycol polysiloxane, methylphenol polysiloxane, trialkyl or tetraalkylsilane, hydrophobic silica defoaming agents, and mixtures thereof can all be used for defoaming applications. These defoaming agents can be present in concentration ranges of about 0.01% to 20% by weight, 0.01% to 20% by weight, about 0.01% to 5% by weight, or about 0.01% to about 1% by weight.

[0125] Solidifying agent A solidifying agent (also called a curing agent) may also be included in the solid composition. The solidifying agent may include an organic or inorganic compound or system of compounds that significantly contributes to the uniform solidification of the solid composition. When mixed and solidified during use to result in the uniform dissolution of the active substance from the solid composition, the solidifying agent must be able to form a homogeneous matrix with the active components of the solid composition.

[0126] An example of a solidifying agent is urea. Urea may be in the form of prillated beads or powder. Prillated urea is generally available from commercial sources, for example, Arcadian Sohio Company, Nitrogen Chemicals Division, as a mixture of particle sizes ranging from about 8 to 15 U.S. mesh. The prillated form of urea is preferably ground to reduce the particle size to about 50 U.S. mesh to about 125 U.S. mesh, particularly about 75 to 100 U.S. mesh, using a wet mill such as a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, Teledyne mixer, Ross emulsifier, etc.

[0127] Further solidifying agents may include, for example, organic curing agents: polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds, including solid polyethylene glycol of the general formula H(OCH2CH2)nOH, where n is greater than 15, particularly about 30 to about 1700, such as PEG4000, PEG1450, and PEG8000. Furthermore, PEG can include various molecular weights, for example, about 1,400 to about 30,000. In certain embodiments, the solidifying agent includes or is solid PEG, for example, PEG1500 to PEG20,000. In certain embodiments, PEG includes PEG1450, PEG3350, PEG4500, PEG8000, PEG20,000, and the like. Suitable solid polyethylene glycol is commercially available from UNION Carbide under the trade name CARBOWAX.

[0128] Additional solidifying agents may include inorganic curing agents containing hydrateable inorganic salts, including but not limited to carbonates, sulfates, and bicarbonates, which may be alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts. Suitable salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, strontium, zinc, manganese, lanthanum, titanium, gallium, aluminum, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, rhenium, rhodium, scandium, tin, and zirconium. Suitable metal salts include but not limited to sulfates, chlorides, phosphates, acetates, nitrates, and carbonates of sodium, lithium, and potassium. Particularly useful metal salts include sulfates, chlorides, and acetates of lithium, sodium, and potassium. The following patents disclose various combinations of solidifying agents, binders, and / or curing agents that can be used in the solid compositions of the present invention. The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Patent No. 7,153,820; No. 7,094,746; No. 7,087,569; No. 7,037,886; No. 6,831,054; No. 6,730,653; No. 6,660,707; No. 6,653,266; No. 6,583,094; No. 6,410,4 No. 95; No. 6,258,765; No. 6,177,392; No. 6,156,715; No. 5,858,299; No. 5,316,688; No. 5,234,615; No. 5,198,198; No. 5,078,301; No. 4,595,520; No. 4,680,134; No. RE32,763; and No. RE32818.

[0129] Furthermore, solidifying agents may include polymers, and thickeners may include natural gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or other gums from plant mucus; polysaccharide-based thickeners such as alginates, starches, and cellulosic polymers (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose); solid EO / PO block copolymers; polyacrylates; and hydrocolloids. In one embodiment, the thickener does not leave a contaminating residue on the surface of the object. For example, the thickener or gelling agent may be compatible with food or other sensitive products in the area of ​​contact.

[0130] The solidifying agent may be present in the composition in amounts ranging from about 0% to 70% by weight, 0% to 50% by weight, about 0.01% to 30% by weight, or about 0.01% to about 20% by weight, or about 1% to about 20% by weight. In other embodiments using a combination of solid acid and anionic surfactant, little to no solidifying agent is required to provide a stabilized solid composition in the various solid formulations disclosed herein.

[0131] How to use Antimicrobial and virucidal compositions are particularly well suited for treating surfaces that require antimicrobial activity, for example, including virucidal activity. In a further embodiment, antimicrobial and virucidal compositions are even better suited for treating surfaces that require virucidal activity against small non-enveloped viruses, large non-enveloped viruses, and / or any enveloped viruses. In a particular embodiment, antimicrobial and virucidal compositions are particularly well suited for treating surfaces that need to be inactivated against small non-enveloped viruses, including norovirus. Thus, the present disclosure encompasses methods of using antimicrobial agents. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of inactivating viruses. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of inactivating small non-enveloped viruses. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses methods of inactivating norovirus.

[0132] Methods of using antimicrobial agents, including antiviral disinfection with inactivation of viruses, include a contact step in which the antimicrobial and antiviral compositions disclosed herein are applied to a surface requiring treatment. In one embodiment, the contact of the composition is with a surface contaminated with viruses, including enveloped viruses and non-enveloped viruses such as calciform viruses, including norovirus. In a preferred embodiment, the method of use provides complete elimination of norovirus. Beneficially, in one embodiment, complete elimination of norovirus on the surface is achieved with a contact time of less than 10 minutes, less than 5 minutes, less than 2 minutes, less than 1 minute, or less than 30 seconds.

[0133] In a further embodiment, the contact of the composition is with a surface contaminated with a biofilm. As referred to herein, biofilms often form on surfaces that come into contact with water, providing a polysaccharide hydration matrix, offering structural protection from biocides and antimicrobial agents, and making the biofilm more difficult to kill than other pathogens. The contact step may include providing an antimicrobial composition and / or a virucidal composition to hard surfaces that come into contact with biofilms, such as walls, floors, sinks, countertops, drainpipes, pipes and other plumbing surfaces, tubes and valves. Exemplary industries in which the method and compositions can be used include, but are not limited to, institutional industries including hotels, housekeeping and food service industries, food processing industries, water care industries, cleaning services, and healthcare. According to embodiments of the method, the contact step reduces and / or eliminates biofilm growth produced by a wide variety of bacteria and other microorganisms. For example, according to one embodiment, a method for treating biofilms is effective for biofilms containing various pathogens, such as both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes.

[0134] In further embodiments, contact of the antimicrobial composition and / or antiviral composition may be to hard surfaces that come into contact with food and / or do not come into contact with food. Such surfaces may further include instruments such as medical instruments. Surfaces may also include those cleaned by disinfection of a third sink, including various supplies. In further embodiments, contact of the composition may be for CIP (clean-in-place) applications.

[0135] In a further embodiment, contact of the composition may be with a cleaning machine for cleaning supplies, such as for cleaning supplies.

[0136] In a further embodiment, the composition may be used for third-sink disinfection applications. In yet another embodiment, the contact may be beneficially compatible with first-sink detergents, thereby allowing it to be used as a water recycling solution to combine the third-sink disinfection process with the first-sink detergent. This is an advantage over conventional compositions containing quaternary ammonium compounds that are not compatible with first-sink detergents.

[0137] In further embodiments, contact of the composition may be with a tissue surface, including in tissue processing applications. Exemplary tissue surfaces include mammalian skin, such as animal or human skin, including, for example, human hands.

[0138] The various surfaces to which the composition can be applied may include any conventional application methods. Application may include, for example, wiping, spraying, dipping, or immersion. Contact may also include providing a solid that is first dissolved in water to form a solution for contact. The contact step allows the composition to be in contact with the soiled surface for a predetermined time. The length of time may be sufficient to allow contact, including a few seconds to one hour, about 30 seconds to about 15 minutes, or any range in between. These methods may include a single step of applying the composition to the surface without direct physical removal, such as a rinsing step. Beneficially, the composition provides a no-rinse application.

[0139] In some embodiments, the method may further include a pre-cleaning step, such that the cleaning composition is applied, wiped, and / or rinsed, followed by the application of the composition. The composition and its method of use may include treating the cleaned or soiled surface. In some embodiments, the length of contact time between the composition and the surface is sufficient to reduce a population of microorganisms (including norovirus) on or within a biofilm-contaminated surface to provide a reduction of more than 90% (a reduction of the order of one-logarithm), more than 99% (a reduction of the order of two-logarithm), more than 99.9% (a reduction of the order of three-logarithm), more than 99.99% (a reduction of the order of four-logarithm), or more than 99.999% (a reduction of the order of five-logarithm) of the population of microorganisms and pathogens.

[0140] Beneficially, these methods do not require a rinsing step. In one embodiment, the composition is approved for contact with food and does not require a rinsing step. As a further advantage, this method does not cause corrosion and / or interfere with surfaces (e.g., cloudy, dull, or other negative aesthetic effects on the surface).

[0141] This method may optionally include the use of various sensors and / or indicators. In one embodiment, the level of the active ingredient in the solution can be monitored in various ways. In one approach, the critical pH of the solution at which the biocide efficacy of the product begins to significantly decrease is visually indicated by a color change, which is achieved by selecting a dye that exhibits a dramatic color change at this pH. The dye can be easily incorporated into the product, and it is preferable to incorporate the dye into a polymer substrate to form a color-changing strip, which can be attached to a container, for example, to indicate a color change when the solution changes. サード When placed in a sink, the solution will change color when it passes the critical pH value. Furthermore, the level of anionic surfactant in the solution can be monitored in the same manner, and the color change will indicate the critical concentration of anionic surfactant required for biocide efficacy.

[0142] In additional embodiments, as an alternative to visual indicators, properties of the solution in use, including pH, anionic activity, fluorescence, and / or conductivity, can be monitored by a sensor that provides a visual or audible signal when the solution falls outside a specified range. In some embodiments, a marker molecule can be added to the composition in which changes in the active ingredient in the solution in use induce changes in the physical and / or chemical properties of the marker molecule, and these changes are quantified through signal processing.

[0143] As a further advantage beyond the use of quaternary ammonium compounds as found in various conventional antimicrobial compositions, the antimicrobial and antiviral compositions disclosed herein do not adsorb onto treated surfaces such as soft surfaces including, for example, microfiber cloths, mops, and coated surfaces.

[0144] All publications and patent applications herein represent the level of a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as each individual publication or patent application is incorporated by reference specifically and individually. [Examples]

[0145] Embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the following non-limiting embodiments. These embodiments illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, but should be understood to be given for illustrative purposes only. From the above considerations and these embodiments, those skilled in the art can identify the essential features of the present invention and make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention to suit various uses and conditions. Therefore, to those skilled in the art, various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description in addition to those shown and described herein. Such modifications are also intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0146] Norovirus testing protocol. (Examples 1-4) Samples were prepared to provide activity levels of the chemicals listed in the table using 400 ppm synthetic hard water. The synthetic water was AOAC hard water with 400 ppm calcium carbonate. The pH of these solutions was measured and recorded.

[0147] Feline calicivirus (FCV) strain VR782 was used as a surrogate for norovirus efficacy evaluation and tested after ASTM E1053-11 5% fetal bovine serum was selected as the organic soil. The chemical was tested twice for three different tests, for a total of six repetitions, and complete inactivation (no viable organisms) requiring all repetitions was considered a pass. In Examples 1-4, viral titers were 6.5-7 logarithmic. If a failure was observed before six repetitions were completed, the test was terminated and reported as a failure. Examples 1-4 represent high-challenge tests that can reliably reduce viral populations in support of public health and food safety in the target area.

[0148] The following abbreviations are used in the examples for the components of the evaluated formulations. LAS: Anionic surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid MSA: Acid, methanesulfonic acid DOS: Anionic surfactant, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate SAS: Acid, sodium bisulfate Pluronic F68: Nonionic surfactant, a difunctional block copolymer surfactant ending in a primary hydroxyl group. Pluronic 17R4: Nonionic surfactant, bifunctional block copolymer surfactant, poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol), PPG-PEG-PPG SXS: Hydrotope, sodium xylene sulfonate

[0149] Example 1 Efficacy evaluation over 5 minutes. Samples were prepared in 400 ppm synthetic water (SW) at the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 3. The efficacy of the compositions was evaluated with a 5-minute contact time according to the norovirus test protocol outlined above. Compositions 1-2, using a blend of weak acid (lactic acid) and strong acid (MSA), were able to provide complete inactivation of the test organism, while composition 1-1, using only strong acid (sulfuric acid), did not provide complete inactivation of the test organism, despite the compositions having very similar pH values ​​(2.4 and 2.5, respectively). [Table 11]

[0150] The results indicate that the choice of acid affects the efficacy outcome for the test organism. Based on the results, it is hypothesized that additional strong acid concentrations in composition 1-1 and / or the addition of a weak acid to composition 1-1 may pass the efficacy test. Therefore, additional tests were conducted.

[0151] Example 2 Evaluation of the effectiveness of FCV norovirus contact at 30 seconds. Samples were prepared in SW at 400 ppm with the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 4. The effectiveness of the evaluated compositions was assessed at a 30-second contact time according to the norovirus test protocol outlined above. [Table 12]

[0152] As shown in the table, composition 1-2, which provided complete inactivation with a 5-minute contact time in Example 1, did not provide complete inactivation of the test organism with a 30-second contact time. In addition, composition 2-2 with 430 ppm LAS did not provide complete inactivation of the test organism with a 30-second contact time, even at a pH of 2.1. When the LAS concentration was increased to 650 ppm, complete inactivation of the test organism was achieved for composition 2-5 at a pH of 2.1. Although complete inactivation was observed, the low pH range may be undesirable for treating certain surfaces, as compositions prepared with low-alkaline feedwater resulted in a working solution pH of less than 2.0. Based on these results, further evaluation was needed to determine the contribution of lactic acid to efficacy performance and the addition of another anionic surfactant in order to identify compositions with a higher pH range that can support the claim of efficacy in 30 seconds.

[0153] Example 3 Evaluation of the effectiveness of FCV against norovirus contact for 30 seconds - Contribution of lactic acid to effectiveness. Samples were prepared in SW at 400 ppm with the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 5. The effectiveness of the compositions was evaluated at contact times of 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 1, 2, and 5 minutes according to the norovirus test protocol outlined above. [Table 13]

[0154] Complete inactivation of the test organism was achieved at a low LAS concentration of approximately 540 ppm at 30 seconds, when lactic acid was increased to 3000 ppm relative to compositions 3-2 and 3-4. Complete inactivation of the test organism was not achieved at low concentrations of lactic acid studied at similar or lower pH values ​​of the solutions used.

[0155] Example 4 Evaluation of additional anionic surfactants. Samples were prepared in SW at 400 ppm with the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 6. The efficacy of the compositions was evaluated at contact times of 30 and 60 seconds according to the norovirus test protocol outlined above. [Table 14]

[0156] The results indicate that incorporating a second anionic surfactant into composition 4-1 supports the complete inactivation of the test organism with a contact time of 60 seconds.

[0157] Example 5 Evaluation of the cleaning performance of residues from cleaning compositions. Samples were prepared with 5 grains of water at the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 7. 0.5 g of the test substance was added to cheesecloth. A hard surface was wiped and air-dried (approximately 10 minutes). The surface was visually evaluated and ranked on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best appearance. [Table 15]

[0158] As shown in Figure 1, the LAS and acid cleaning compositions according to embodiments of this disclosure exhibit significant visual improvement over commercially available products Pure and Purell on all evaluated surfaces. All chemicals using strong acid (LAS 590 ppm MSA), weak acid (LAS 4600 ppm LA), and strong / weak acid (LAS 6A) are superior to commercially available products in terms of visual evaluation of surface cleaning appearance. This evaluation is important to ensure that the cleaning compositions do not result in a cloudy or sticky surface. While the visual evaluation of the weak acid (LAS 4600 ppm LA) and strong / weak acid (LAS 6A) compositions ranked equally, preferred results were obtained for the strong / weak acid (LAS 6A) due to the formulation effect obtained by the acid combination.

[0159] Example 6 Corrosion evaluation. Samples were prepared with 5 grains of water at the activity levels of the chemicals outlined in Table 8. The pH of the solution was measured and recorded. Unless otherwise specified, the test chemicals were prepared with 5 grains of water. [Table 16]

[0160] The weight, height, width, and depth of a 1-inch x 2-inch aluminum 6061 coupon were measured and recorded. The coupon was placed in a sample jar containing 50 mL of the test chemical and exposed in a 50°C oven for 3 days. The exposure time represents the lifespan of the material, approximately 5 years, if exposed to the chemical for 1 minute, twice a day, 365 days a year. After the specified exposure period, the aluminum coupon was removed from the solution, rinsed with DI water, and dried. The samples were visually evaluated and remeasured. Visual evaluations and percentage changes in data are shown in Table 9, representing the results of the 3-day exposure. [Table 17]

[0161] As shown in Table 9, the recorded visual changes indicate that all evaluated compositions using strong and / or weak acids are superior to commercially available Purell products in terms of the lack of corrosiveness on the treated surface.

[0162] Example 7 Corrosion evaluation using various acid pairs. Samples were prepared in DI water by creating 1-ounce / gallon dilutions of the concentrated formulations outlined in Tables 10A-10C. The pH of the solutions was measured and recorded. Aluminum 6061 coupons were added to sample jars containing the test chemicals and exposed in a 50°C oven at approximately 12 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. After the specified exposure periods, the aluminum coupons were removed from the solution, rinsed with DI water, and dried. [Table 18]

[0163] [Table 19]

[0164] [Table 20]

[0165] Samples were visually evaluated, and the gloss of the coupons was measured. Gloss data was used as a metric to capture the dullness of the coupons. Lower gloss values ​​indicated more changes in the coupons. The results are shown in Table 11, which reports the gloss data at pH and 20°. These results indicate preferences for combinations of strong and weak acids according to the embodiment of the composition. For example, the difference in results between B4-MSA and B4-SAS (sodium bicarbonate) indicates that the MSA strong acid-containing composition results in approximately four times less dullness on the treated surface (higher gloss represents a glossy surface as opposed to a dull surface). Similarly, the difference in results between B4-MSA and A4-MSA indicates that the lactic acid-containing weak acid-containing composition results in approximately four times less dullness on the treated surface (higher gloss represents a glossy surface as opposed to a dull surface). [Table 21]

[0166] Example 8 Additional tests were conducted to demonstrate the superiority of the antimicrobial composition compared to commercially available compositions. The same methods and protocols as described in Examples 1-3 were used, with the modification that the titer of these studies was in the range of 5-7. The temperature conditions were ambient temperatures of 20-26°C.

[0167] In the initial study, feline calicivirus (FCV) norovirus surrogate (strain VR782) was evaluated according to Table 13. Formulation 1 shown in Table 12 in this disclosure combines LAS with an acid for antimicrobial efficacy. Formulation 1 was diluted to 0.20% by weight. A commercially available quat formulation containing Bardac 205M multi-quat (3% n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, 2.25% octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, 1-5% ethanol, 1.35% didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 0.9% dioctyldimethylammonium chloride) and chlorine (sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate) were used as controls for efficacy comparison. The commercially available quat formulation contained 15% by weight of the active substance and was diluted to 0.53% by weight. 50 ppm chlorine was diluted to 0.1 g / L. [Table 22]

[0168] [Table 23]

[0169] As shown in Table 13, both chlorine and formulation 1 achieved complete inactivation with a contact time of 30 seconds, while the multi-four-component control formulation achieved only an average reduction of 1.125 logarithm.

[0170] In the second study, murine norovirus (MNV) surrogate strains were evaluated according to Table 14 using formulation 1 from Table 12, diluted to 0.42 wt%. A commercially available quat formulation containing 15 wt% active substance was diluted to 0.53 wt%. 50 ppm chlorine (10% sodium hypochlorite) was diluted to 0.05 wt%. 100 ppm chlorine (sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate) was diluted to 0.18 g / L. 200 ppm chlorine (10% sodium hypochlorite) was diluted to 0.20 wt%. The concentrations selected for chlorine evaluation were based on the permissible concentrations for no-rinse applications and included 400 ppm active quat, 100 ppm when chlorine was supplied from sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate, and 200 ppm when supplied from sodium hypochlorite. In addition, the evaluated concentrations are threshold levels for chemicals with currently acceptable odor, residue, and corrosion profiles. Therefore, a claimed composition that, in addition to the no-rinse application capability with a desirable odor, residue, and corrosion profile, has complete inactivation (or at least a 5-log reduction) of viruses is beneficial. No-rinse application is not mandatory, although it is not limited to the specific advantages of the composition and its method of use. A rinsing step may be used as well. [Table 24]

[0171] As shown in Table 14, formulation 1, combining an acid and anionic surfactant, yielded superior results compared to commercially available multiquat and chlorine compositions used as controls. Formulation 1 demonstrated complete inactivation after a 5-minute contact time. However, under the same conditions, the commercially available multiquat compositions achieved only a 2.5-logarithmic reduction. Under the same conditions, 50 ppm chlorine showed no logarithmic reduction, and 100 ppm chlorine showed a reduction of less than 1 logarithmic.

[0172] Example 9 The solid compositions (formulations 1-11 in this example) were evaluated using solid acids approved for food contact disinfection, which are stable in all environmental testing laboratories while providing a stable solid at the target acidic pH for food contact disinfection. Table 15 shows the evaluated compressed solid formulations. For compressed / tablet / pack formulations, granules were mixed using a Carver hydraulic press, while powders were mixed by hand. [Table 25]

[0173] Table 16 shows formulations produced by both casting and extrusion. Cast formulations were produced using a steam jacket, while extruded formulations were produced using a baking pan. [Table 26]

[0174] Solid formulations 1-8 were analyzed for pH using EMEM buffer to grow norovirus in 500 ppm soft water and 400 ppm soft water (before inoculation) to obtain food contact disinfection levels and confirm their ability to inactivate norovirus, including for use in cases where the elimination of the rinsing step is desirable. EMEM buffer is used to grow and suspend FCV.

[0175] The pH measurements are shown in Table 17. Since formulations 9-11 are similar to formulation 8, their pH was not tested. [Table 27]

[0176] Formulas 1-7, prepared for compression / powder / granule production, were mixed in beakers and observed in a stability testing laboratory for up to two weeks. Formulas 8-11, prepared for casting, were blended using an overhead mixer and a steam jacket for heating, placed in a mold in a freezer for one hour, and thawed in the same location where the observation took place. Formulas 8-11 were also prepared by extrusion; for the extruded formulations, the materials were blended and kneaded in a pan and placed in the mold where the observation took place. The stability results were evaluated according to visual assessment, confirming that there was no leakage of the formulation from the solid material, and the results are shown in Table 18. [Table 28]

[0177] Formulations 1-5 provided sufficient stability with the combination of two acids (strong and weak) in the formulation. Formulations 6-7 showed leaching as a result of the citric acid concentration. Modifications will be needed to provide a stable weak acid-only formulation, such as providing it as an alternative solid formulation (e.g., powder) or as a solid (e.g., non-moisture-permeable) using packaging. Alternatively, it may be possible to select other weak acids that absorb little and / or fatty acids added to the formulation.

[0178] Micro-efficacy data are shown in Table 19. For the Staph, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Salmonella tests, the standard AOAC 960.09: Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfection Methods was used. For the feline calcivirus (FCV) test, ASTM E1053-11: Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Virucidal Activity of Chemicals for Bactericidal Use on Non-Porous Environmental Surfaces of Inanimate Objects was used. [Table 29]

[0179] [Table 30]

[0180] As shown in Table 19, the solid formulation beneficially maintains the antimicrobial activity, particularly the virucidal activity, achieved by the liquid formulation. This composition achieves food contact disinfection and complete inactivation of norovirus.

[0181] Example 10 Additional solid stability tests were conducted to evaluate acid combinations for stable formulations. Stability tests were performed in a humidity test chamber with 65% relative humidity at 40°C. Visual evaluations were performed weekly. The evaluated formulations and results are shown in Tables 20-23.

[0182] [Table 31]

[0183] [Table 32]

[0184] [Table 33]

[0185] [Table 34]

[0186] As the present invention is described in this manner, it will be apparent that the present invention can be modified in many ways. Such modifications should not be considered departures from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the following claims. The above specification provides a description of the manufacture and use of the disclosed compositions and methods. Since many embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the present invention falls within the claims. Examples of embodiments of the present invention are listed in the following items [1] to

[47] . [1] At least one acid in an amount of approximately 10% to 75% by weight, At least one sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate anionic surfactant, An antimicrobial composition containing water, The composition is a dilutable liquid concentrate having an acidic pH that is non-flammable. [2] The composition according to item 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or an alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, and the acid is a strong acid, a weak acid, and / or a combination thereof. [3] The composition according to item 2, wherein the C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate is a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid. [4] The composition according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the acid comprises lactic acid and methanesulfonic acid. [5] A composition according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a nonionic surfactant, preferably an alkoxylated surfactant having an EO / PO block copolymer. [6] The composition according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the composition has a usable pH of about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5. [7] The composition according to any one of items 1 to 6, further comprising the acid in an amount of about 30% to about 70% by weight, the at least one anionic surfactant in an amount of about 0.1% to about 38% by weight, at least one additional functional component in an amount of about 1% to about 38% by weight, and the remainder being water. [8] The composition according to item 7, wherein the at least one acid comprises a weak acid constituting about 10% to about 50% by weight and a strong acid constituting about 0.1% to about 19% by weight. [9] The composition according to any one of items 5 to 8, further comprising a nonionic surfactant constituting about 1% to about 38% by weight of the composition, and / or at least one anionic surfactant constituting about 0.2% to about 50% by weight, and optionally further comprising at least one additional functional component in about 1% to about 75% by weight, and the remainder being water.

[10] The composition according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the liquid composition is saturated on the wiping substrate.

[11] The composition according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the liquid composition comprises at least one acid in a concentration of about 5 ppm to about 10,000 ppm and an anionic surfactant in a concentration of about 10 ppm to about 6,000 ppm, in a ready-to-use concentration.

[12] A method using an antimicrobial composition, The process involves bringing an antimicrobial composition described in any one of items 1 to 11 into contact with the surface that requires treatment. The method wherein the aforementioned method achieves at least a 3-logarithmic reduction in microorganisms.

[13] The method according to item 12, wherein the contact is by wiping, dipping, immersion, or spraying.

[14] The method according to item 12 or 13, wherein the surface is a hard surface, a pre-cleaned hard surface, a surface contaminated with norovirus, a surface contaminated with biofilm, and / or human or mammalian tissue.

[15] The method according to item 14, wherein contact provides complete elimination of norovirus in less than 5 minutes, less than 2 minutes, less than 1 minute, or less than 30 seconds.

[16] The method according to any one of items 12 to 15, wherein the concentrate is diluted in a proportion of about 1 / 8 ounce / gallon to about 2 ounces / gallon, about 1 / 4 ounce / gallon to about 1 ounce / gallon, or about 1 / 2 ounce / gallon to about 1 ounce / gallon to form a working solution, the working solution having a working solution pH of about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5.

[17] The method according to any one of items 12 to 16, wherein the application of the composition does not require the use of personal protective equipment.

[18] The method according to any one of items 12 to 17, wherein a sensor and / or indicator is used to measure and detect at least one of the pH of a solution in which the composition loses its biocide activity, the concentration of an anionic surfactant in the solution used, fluorescence, and / or conductivity.

[19] The method according to any one of items 12 to 18, wherein the contact step is performed at an aqueous operating temperature of approximately 40°F to 160°F, or approximately 60°F to 140°F, or approximately 70°F to 140°F.

[20] The method according to any one of items 12 to 19, wherein the solution used comprises at least one acid in a concentration of about 5 ppm to about 10,000 ppm and at least one anionic surfactant in a concentration of about 10 ppm to about 6,000 ppm.

[21] Approximately 10% to 75% by weight of at least one strong acid and at least one weak acid, At least one sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate anionic surfactant, A virucifixion composition comprising water, A composition wherein the composition is a dilutable acidic liquid concentrate that is non-flammable.

[22] The composition according to item 21, wherein the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or an alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, preferably a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[23] The composition according to any one of items 21 to 22, wherein the pH of use of the composition is about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5.

[24] A composition according to any one of items 21 to 23, further comprising a nonionic surfactant.

[25] The composition according to any one of items 21 to 24, wherein the weak acid constitutes about 10% to about 50% by weight, the strong acid constitutes about 0.1% to about 19% by weight, and the at least one anionic surfactant constitutes about 0.2% to about 50% by weight.

[26] A method for inactivating a virus, wherein the method is This includes bringing a virucidal composition described in any one of items 21 to 25 into contact with a surface that requires treatment. The aforementioned contact provides antiviral inactivation efficacy from at least a 3-logarithmic reduction to complete inactivation within less than 1 minute, or preferably less than 30 seconds. The method described above does not leave any residue on the treated surface.

[27] The method according to item 26, wherein the virus is a small non-enveloped virus, a large non-enveloped virus, and / or an enveloped virus, preferably the virus is a norovirus.

[28] At least one acid in an amount of approximately 10% to 70% by weight, At least one sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate anionic surfactant, A solid antimicrobial composition comprising at least one nonionic surfactant and / or a solidifying agent, A composition wherein the solution used for the solid composition has an acidic pH and is non-flammable.

[29] The composition according to item 28, wherein the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or an alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, preferably a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[30] The composition according to item 28 or 29, wherein the one or more acids include a strong acid, a weak acid, or a combination thereof, and preferably the acids include lactic acid and methanesulfonic acid.

[31] The composition according to any one of items 28 to 30, wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alkoxylated surfactant having an EO / PO block copolymer.

[32] The composition according to any one of items 28 to 31, wherein the solution used of the composition has a pH of about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5.

[33] The composition according to any one of items 28 to 32, wherein the anionic surfactant constitutes about 0.1% to about 38% by weight of the solid composition, and the acid comprises a weak acid constituting about 8% to about 55% by weight of the solid composition and a strong acid constituting about 2% to about 75% by weight of the solid composition, and optionally further comprises at least one additional functional component in an amount of about 1% to about 25% by weight.

[34] The composition according to any one of items 28 to 33, wherein the solidifying agent is urea, PEG, and / or a solidifying polymer.

[35] A method using an antimicrobial composition, This includes bringing a solid antimicrobial composition described in any one of items 28 to 34 into contact with a surface that requires treatment. The method described above does not require a rinsing step and achieves at least a 3-logarithmic reduction in microorganisms.

[36] The method according to item 35, wherein the contact is by wiping, dipping, immersion, or spraying.

[37] The method according to item 35 or 36, wherein the surface is a hard surface, a pre-cleaned hard surface, a surface contaminated with norovirus, a surface contaminated with biofilm, and / or human or mammalian tissue.

[38] The method according to any one of items 35 to 27, wherein the contact provides complete elimination of the norovirus in less than 5 minutes, less than 2 minutes, less than 1 minute, or less than 30 seconds, and the pH of the solution used is about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5.

[39] The method according to any one of items 35 to 38, wherein the application of the solution used and / or the handling of the solid composition does not require the use of personal protective equipment, and / or the contact step is performed at an aqueous operating temperature of about 40°F to 160°F, or about 60°F to 140°F, or about 70°F to 140°F.

[40] The method according to any one of items 35 to 39, wherein a sensor and / or indicator is used to measure and detect at least one of the pH of a solution in which the composition loses its biocide activity, the concentration of an anionic surfactant in the solution used, fluorescence, and / or conductivity.

[41] The method according to any one of items 35 to 40, wherein the solution used comprises a weak acid and a strong acid in concentrations of approximately 50 ppm to approximately 6000 ppm, and an anionic surfactant in concentrations of approximately 10 ppm to approximately 6000 ppm.

[42] At least one acid in an amount of approximately 10% to approximately 70% by weight, wherein the acid includes a weak acid, a strong acid, or a combination thereof, At least one sulfonate, sulfate, and / or carboxylate anionic surfactant, A solid virus-killing composition comprising at least one nonionic surfactant and / or a solidifying agent, A composition that provides a work solution in which the solid composition is a dilutable acidic liquid concentrate that is non-flammable.

[43] The composition according to item 42, wherein the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or an alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, preferably a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[44] The composition according to item 42 or 43, wherein the pH of use of the composition is about 1.5 to about 4, about 2 to about 4, about 2.2 to about 3.5, or about 2.5 to about 3.5.

[45] The composition according to any one of items 42 to 44, wherein the weak acid constitutes about 8% to about 55% by weight of the solid composition, the strong acid constitutes about 2% to about 75% by weight of the solid composition, and the anionic surfactant constitutes about 1% to about 40% by weight of the solid composition.

[46] A method for inactivating a virus, wherein the method is The process involves bringing a solid virus-killing composition described in any one of items 42-45 into contact with an aqueous source to produce a working solution, The method includes bringing the aforementioned solution into contact with a surface where virus inactivation is required. A method for providing antiviral inactivation efficacy, ranging from at least a 3-logarithmic reduction to complete inactivation, by contacting the aforementioned surface within less than one minute, or preferably less than 30 seconds.

[47] The method according to item 46, wherein the virus is a small non-enveloped virus, a large non-enveloped virus, and / or an enveloped virus, preferably the virus is a norovirus.

Claims

1. 30% to 75% by weight of a weak acid and a strong acid, At least one sulfonate anionic surfactant, A virucifixion composition comprising water, The composition is a dilutable liquid concentrate, the solution of the composition having an acidic pH that is non-flammable, and the solution is used to treat a surface requiring virucidal efficacy without a rinsing step. The anionic surfactant constitutes 5% to 20% by weight of the composition, the weak acid constitutes 20% to 45% by weight of the composition, and the strong acid constitutes 8% to 45% by weight of the composition. A composition in which the weak acid comprises lactic acid or citric acid, and the strong acid comprises methanesulfonic acid or sodium bisulfate.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is a C8-C22 alkyl sulfonate and / or an alpha-sulfonated carboxylic acid or an ester thereof.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition further comprises a nonionic surfactant, the nonionic surfactant being an alkoxylated surfactant having an EO / PO block copolymer.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solution used of the composition has a pH of 1.5 to 4, 2 to 4, 2.2 to 3.5, or 2.5 to 3.

5.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising 1% to 25% by weight of at least one additional functional component.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition further comprises a solidifying agent, the solidifying agent being urea, PEG, and / or a solidifying polymer.

7. A method using a virucidal composition, The method involves bringing a solution of the antiviral composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 into contact with a surface that requires treatment. The method described above does not require a rinsing step and achieves at least a 3-logarithmic reduction of the virus.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the contact is by wiping, dipping, immersion, or spraying.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the surface is a hard surface, a pre-cleaned hard surface, a surface contaminated with norovirus, a surface contaminated with biofilm, and / or human or mammalian tissue.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the contact provides complete elimination of the norovirus in less than 5 minutes, less than 2 minutes, less than 1 minute, or less than 30 seconds.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pH of the solution used is 1.5 to 4, 2 to 4, 2.2 to 3.5, or 2.5 to 3.

5.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the application of the solution and / or handling of the composition does not require the use of personal protective equipment, and / or the contact step is performed at an aqueous usage temperature of 40°F to 160°F (4.4°C to 71.1°C), or 60°F to 140°F (15.6°C to 60.0°C), or 70°F to 140°F (21.1°C to 60.0°C).

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein a sensor and / or indicator is used to measure and detect at least one of the pH of a solution in which the composition loses its biocide activity, the concentration of an anionic surfactant in the solution used, fluorescence, and / or conductivity.

14. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the solution used comprises a weak acid and a strong acid in concentrations of 50 ppm to 6000 ppm, and an anionic surfactant in concentrations of 10 ppm to 6000 ppm.

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