CLEANING PRODUCTS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING ODORS ON SURFACES

Abstract

This invention provides a cleaning preparation used to reduce odors on surfaces. Specifically, the invention provides a preparation that ensures that soft surfaces such as textiles, and hard surfaces such as kitchen utensils, furniture, floors, walls, and toilets remain fresh and odor-free for an extended period after cleaning with this compound. This is achieved through a combination of a rhamnolipid and a Bacillus bacterial spore.

Description

[0001] A CLEANING COMPOSITION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a cleaning composition that is especially useful in reducing malodour on surfaces. Particularly, the present invention relates to a composition that ensures that soft surfaces like those of fabric, and hard surfaces like those on utensils, furniture, floors, walls, and on toilets remain fresh and free of malodours for a long time after the surface is cleaned with the composition.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Hard surface cleaning is important for people inhabiting homes and using other common spaces like offices, restaurants, hotels and public places like bus and train stations and airports. Such cleaning generally involves using a cleaning composition that is diluted with water before use. Horizontal surfaces are cleaned by applying the diluted composition. They may then be left to air dry or are wiped dry with a clean cloth or mop. Vertical surfaces may be similarly cleaned by spraying the composition on to the surface followed optionally by wiping. Other important hard surfaces in such places include floors, walls, windows, kitchen platforms, and furniture among others. Such places also, many a time, leave an unpleasant odour after the step of cleaning, in spite of them having very good perfumes included therein.

[0006] Toilets and bathrooms are places which especially require very frequent cleaning and disinfection as they are places for excrement and personal cleansing. Toilet cleaners include harsher chemicals like bleaches and strong antimicrobial actives which are often not liked by many consumers.

[0007] Washing clothes and other fabrics like bedsheets, linen and other upholstery is also a routine chore for most people in order to keep them clean and hygienic. They are usually washed by hand or in a machine with a laundry detergent composition, rinsed a few times and then dried either in a machine or out in the sun. In spite of using good detergent compositions and sufficient drying, fabric at the end of the process often exudes a dank odour. It is observed that the quality of water e.g. hard water has a significant effect on the odour of the fabric washed in it.

[0008] Hard surfaces in the kitchen like utensils may be made of steel, ceramic, glass etc sometimes have an unpleasant odour although they may have been cleaned well. Additionally, in the kitchen, implements like cleaning cloth, sponges and brushes used to clean utensils also develop malodour as a consequence of the above residues decaying on them.

[0009] Thus, in cleaning most surfaces whether hard surfaces or soft surfaces, there is a need to ensure sufficient cleaning and hygiene while ensuring that malodour developed over a course of time after the cleaning step, is reduced while at the same time using less harsh chemicals. The present inventors while searching for a solution to this problem hit upon a surprising combination of a bacterial spore of the Bacillus genus and a biosurfactant of the rhamnolipid class which not only cleaned the surface well but also ensured the place smells fresh for a long time and develops minimal malodour thereafter.

[0010] Cleaning composition comprising biosurfactant is known e.g. US7556654B1 which discloses a combination of this type of surfactant with an enzyme to product the cleaning benefit. The cleaning composition is shown to be formed by action of a bacteria and a yeast to lipopeptides and sophorolipids and an enzyme derived from sea kelp. It does not disclose that a combination of a rhamnolipid and a bacterial spore of the Bacillus genus ensured that malodour is significantly reduced long after the cleaning is done.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a composition for cleaning surfaces that provides malodour benefits for a long time after they have been cleaned.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition comprising

[0014] (i) 0.05 to 10 wt% a rhamnolipid; and

[0015] (ii) 0.000005 to 1 wt% of a Bacillus bacterial spore comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing malodour on a surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition of the invention preferably diluted with water.

[0017] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0018] For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of” or "composed of'. Thus, the term "comprising" is meant not to be limiting to any subsequently stated elements, but rather to optionally also encompass non- specified elements of major or minor functional importance. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Whenever the words "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". Unless specified otherwise, numerical ranges expressed in the format "x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless specified otherwise, amounts as used herein are expressed in percentage by weight based on total weight of the composition and is abbreviated as “wt%”.

[0019] The composition of the invention comprises a rhamnolipid. Rhamnolipids are a class of glycolipid. They are constructed of rhamnose combined with beta-hydroxy fatty acids. Rhamnose is a sugar. Fatty acids are ubiquitous in animals and plants.

[0020] Rhamnolipids are discussed in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (2010) 86:1323- 1336 by E. Deziel et al. Rhamnolipids are produced by Glycosurf, AGAE Technologies and Urumqi Unite Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. Rhamnolipids may be produced by strains of the bacteria Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Rhamnolipids may also be produced by a recombinant cell of Pseudomonas Putida where the recombinant cell comprises increased activity of at least one of the enzymes a / P hydrolase, rhamnosyltransferase I or rhamnosyl-transferase II compared to the wild-type of the cell.

[0021] There are two major groups of rhamnolipids; mono-rhamnolipids and di-rhamnolipids. Monorhamnolipids have a single rhamnose sugar ring. A typical mono-rhamnolipid produced by P. aeruginosa is L-rhamnosyl-p-hydroxydecanoyl-p-hydroxydecanoate (RhaC C ). It may be referred to as Rha-Cw-Cw, with a formula of C26H48O9. Monorhamnolipids have a single rhamnose sugar ring.

[0022] The IUPAC Name is 3-[3-[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2- yl]oxydecanoyloxy]decanoic acid. Di-rhamnolipids have two rhamnose sugar rings. A typical di-rhamnolipid is L-rhamnosyl-L- rhamnosyl-p-hydroxydecanoyl-p-hydroxydecanoate (Rha2CioC ). It may be referred to as Rha- Rha-C- -C-10, with a formula of C32H58O13.

[0023] The IIIPAC name is 3-[3-[4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(3,4, 5-tri hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2- yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]oxydecanoyloxy]decanoic acid.

[0024] In practice, a variety of other minor components with different alkyl chain length combinations, depending upon carbon source and bacterial strain, exist in combination with the above more common rhamnolipids. The ratio of mono-rhamnolipid and di-rhamnolipid may be controlled by the production method. Some bacteria only produce monorhamnolipid, see US5767090: Example 1 , some enzymes can convert mono-rhamnolipid to di-rhamnolipid.

[0025] In various publications mono-rhamnolipids have the notation Rha-, which may be abbreviated as Rh or RL2. Similarly, di-rhamnolipids have the notation Rha-Rha or Rh-Rh or RL1. For historical reasons "rhamnolipid 2" is a mono-rhamnolipid and "rhamnolipid 1 "is a di-rhamnolipid. This leads to some ambiguity in the usage or "RL1 " and "RL2" in the literature.

[0026] Throughout this patent specification, we use the terms mono- and di-rhamnolipid in order to avoid this possible confusion. However, if abbreviations are used R1 is mono-rhamnolipid and R2 is di- rhamnolipid. For more information on the confusion of terminology in the prior art, see the introduction to US 4814272.

[0027] The following rhamnolipids have been detected as produced by the following bacteria: (C12:1 , C14:1 indicates fatty acyl chains with double bonds).

[0028] Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa (mono-rhamnolipids):

[0029] Rha-C8-C10, Rha-C10-C8, Rha-C10-C10, Rha-C10-C12, Rha-C10-C12:1 , Rha-C12-C10, Rha- C12:1-C10

[0030] Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa (di-rhamnolipids):

[0031] Rha-Rha-C8-C10, Rha-Rha-C8-C12:1 , Rha-Rha-C10-C8, Rha-Rha-C10-C10, Rha-Rha-C10-

[0032] C12:1 , Rha-Rha-C-10-C-12, Rha-Rha-C-12-C-10, Rha-Rha-C-12:1-C-12, Rha-Rha-C10-C14:1 Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa (unidentified as either mono- or di-rhamnolipids): C8- C8, C8-C10, C10-C8, C8-C12:1 , C12:1-C8, C10-C10, C12-C10, C12:1-C10 C12-C12, C12:1- C12, C14-C10, C14:1-C10, C14-C14.

[0033] Rhamnolipids produced by P. chlororaphis (mono-rhamnolipids only):

[0034] Rha-C10-C8, Rha-C10-C10, Rha-C12-C10, Rha-C12:1-C10, Rha-C12-C12, Rha-C12:1- C12, Rha-C14-C10. Rha-C- 14:1-010.

[0035] Rhamnolipids produced by Burkholdera pseudomallei (di-rhamnolipids only): Rha-Rha-C14-C14.

[0036] Rhamnolipids produced by Burkholdera (Pseudomonas) plantarii (di-rhamnolipids only): Rha-Rha-C14-C14.

[0037] There are over 100 strains of P. aeruginosa on file at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). There are also a number of strains that are only available to manufacturers of commercial Rhamnolipids. Additionally, there are probably thousands of strains isolated by various research institutions around the world. Some work has gone into typing them into groups. Each strain has different characteristics including how much rhamnolipid is produced, which types of rhamnolipids are produced, what it metabolizes, and conditions in which it grows. Only a small percentage of the strains have been extensively studied.

[0038] Through evaluation and selection, strains of P. aeruginosa can be isolated to produce rhamnolipids at higher concentrations and more efficiently. Strains can also be selected to produce less byproduct and to metabolize different feedstock or pollutants. This production is greatly affected by the environment in which the bacterium is grown.

[0039] A typical di-rhamnolipid is L-rhamnosyl-L-rhamnosyl-p-hydroxydecanoyl-p-hydroxydecanoate (Rha2CioC with a formula of C32H58O13).

[0040] In practice a variety of other minor components with different alkyl chain length combinations, depending upon carbon source and bacterial strain, exist in combination with the above more common rhamnolipids. The ratio of mono-rhamnolipid and di-rhamnolipid may be controlled by the production method. Some bacteria only produce monorhamnolipid, see US6767090: Example 1 , some enzymes can convert mono-rhamnolipid to di-rhamnolipid. Preferably the rhamnolipid is selected from:

[0041] Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa (mono-rhamnolipids):

[0042] Rha-C8-C10, Rha-C10-C8, Rha-C10-C10, Rha-C10-C12, Rha-C10-C12:1 , Rha-C12-C10, Rha- C12:1-C10

[0043] Rhamnolipids produced by P. chlororaphis (mono-rhamnolipids only):

[0044] Rha-C10-C8, Rha-C10-C10, Rha-C12-C10, Rha-C12:1-C10, Rha-C12-C12, Rha-C12:1- C12, Rha-C14-C10, Rha-C14:1-C10.

[0045] Mono-rhamnolipids may also be produced from P.putida by introduction of genes rhIA and rhIB from Psuedomonas aeruginosa [Cha et al. in Bioresour Technol. 2008. 99(7):2192-9]

[0046] Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa (di-rhamnolipids):

[0047] Rha-Rha-C8-C10, Rha-Rha-C8-C12:1 , Rha-Rha-C10-C8, Rha-Rha-C10-C10, Rha-RhaC10- C12:1 , Rha-Rha-C10-C12, Rha-Rha-C12-C10, Rha-Rha-C12:1-C12, Rha-Rha-C10- C14:1

[0048] Rhamnolipids produced by Burkholdera pseudomallei (di-rhamnolipids only):

[0049] Rha-Rha-C14-C14.

[0050] Rhamnolipids produced by Burkholdera (Pseudomonas) plantarii (di-rhamnolipids only):

[0051] Rha-Rha-C14-C14.

[0052] Rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa which are initially unidentified as either mono- or di-rhamnolipids:

[0053] C8-C8, C8-C10, C10-C8, C8-C12:1 , C12:1-C8, C10-C10, C12-C10, C12:1-C10, C12-C12, C12:1-C12, C14-C10, C14:1-C10, C14-C14.

[0054] Preferably the Rhamnolipid is L-rhamnosyl-(3-hydroxydecanoyl-p-hydroxydecanoate (RhaC Cio with a formula of C26H48O9).

[0055] Preferably, the rhamnolipid comprises at least 50 wt.% di-rhamnolipid, more preferably at least 60 wt.% di-rhamnolipid, even more preferably 70 wt.% di-rhamnolipid, most preferably at least 80 wt.% di-rhamnolipid.

[0056] Preferably the rhamnolipid is a di-rhamnolipid of formula: Rha2Cs-i2C8-i2. The preferred alkyl chain length is from Cs to C12. The alkyl chain may be saturated or unsaturated. The most preferred di-rhamnolipid is an example of a di-rhamnolipid of formula: Rha2Cs-i2C8-i2, known as Rhamnolipid R2 herein, and can be supplied from Evonik. The composition comprises rhamnolipid in 0.05 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%, more preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight of the composition.

[0057] The composition of the invention comprises 0.000005 to 1 wt% of a Bacillus bacterial spore comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis. A preferred aspect relates to a composition comprising a combination of bacterial spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis. By a combination of bacterial spores, as per this invention, is meant that the spores of the bacteria may be included in the composition.

[0058] Yet another preferred aspect relates to a composition which additionally comprises one or both of Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus thuringiensis. An especially preferred aspect of the present invention relates to a combination of bacterial spores which comprises Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus thuringiensis.

[0059] It is preferred that each of the bacterial spores are present in 1 to 70%, more preferably in 5 to 40% of the total number of the the bacterial spores. An even more preferred aspect of the invention relates to the bacterial spores Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis being included in 5 to 40% of the total number of the bacterial spores. An especially preferred aspect of the invention relates to the bacterial spores Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus thuringiensis each being included in 1 to 30%, preferably 5 to 20%, most preferably 5 to 15% of the total number of the bacterial spores.

[0060] The bacterial spore is included in 0.000005 to 1%, preferably 0.00005 to 0.75%, further more preferably 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight of the composition. The bacterial spores for inclusion in the composition of the invention can be in powder form having a count of around 1011cfu / g, but there could be other methods of growing and introducing the spores in the composition which are well known to a person skilled in the art. Thus, in the composition, the bacterial spore is preferably included in 103to 1011cfu / g, more preferably 104to 109cfu / g, and most preferably 105to 108cfu / g of the composition.

[0061] The composition of the invention may be formulated as a general purpose cleaner which is usually used to clean floors (in which case it may be known as a floor cleaner) or used to clean toilets (in which case it may be known as a toilet cleaner). It may also be used to clean other hard surfaces like furniture, table tops, kitchen platforms and other surfaces in homes, offices, restaurants and other public places. Such compositions preferably include a cationic surfactant which in addition to providing cleaning benefit also ensure instant disinfection i.e killing or inactivation of germs.

[0062] Preferably, the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium surfactant, preferably the quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from one or more of alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) which is also known as benzalkonium chloride (BKC), bis (C8-C18) alkyl di methyl quaternary ammonium chloride preferably didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), cetrimonium bromide , benzethonium chloride (BZE); and dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride. Preferred aspect of the invention provides for the cationic surfactant to be chosen from one or more of BKC or DDAC, preferably BKC.

[0063] The quaternary ammonium surfactants mentioned above, are available as a single quaternary ammonium compound, as well as mixtures of two or more different quaternary ammonium compounds e.g. under trademarks BARDAC™, BARQUAT® and HYAMINE® (all by Lonza); and BTC® (by Stepan). Quaternary ammonium compounds available as a single quaternary ammonium compound include didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (available as BARDAC™ 2250 R and BTC® 1010, both 50% active; and BARDAC™ 2280 R and BTC® 1010-80, both 80% active), alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (available as BARQUAT® MB-50, BARQUAT® MX-50, BARQUAT® QJ-50, HYAMINE® 3500, BTC® 50, BTC® 50E, BTC® 65, BTC® 776, BTC® 824, BTC® 835; each 50% active; and the same is available as BARQUAT® MB-80, BARQUAT® MX-80, HYAMINE® 3500-80, BTC® 8248, BTC® 8358; each 80% active

[0064] The composition when formulated as a general purpose or toilet cleaner preferably comprises 0.001 to 3 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 2 wt% cationic surfactant.

[0065] Ingredients like amphoteric surfactant and sequestrant may be included in the floor cleaner and toilet cleaner composition of the present invention.

[0066] Preferably, an amphoteric surfactants is selected from include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. More preferably, an amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amidopropyl betaines, even more preferably cocoamidopropyl betaine. Amphoteric surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0067] A preferred sequestrant is a phosphonic acid or a salt thereof. The phosphonic acid (or salt thereof) sequestrant is preferably selected from the group consisting of 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1 ,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2010), Diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2066), Hexa methylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (HDTMP), Amino tris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), Ethylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP), Tetra methylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (TDTMP); and Phosphono butane tricarboxylic acid (PBTC). The most preferred sequestrant is 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1 ,1 - diphosphonic acid (HEDP). It is preferable that the sequestrant is added to the formulation in acid form.

[0068] General purpose cleaners and toilet cleaners may be diluted before use. When diluted, they may be diluted with water in a weight ratio in the range of 1 :10 to 1 :1000.

[0069] The composition of the invention may also be delivered as a rim block. By a rim block is meant a shaped solid composition that is hung on to the rim of the toilet usually in a plastic cage like container so that every time the toilet is flushed, a quantity of water passes over the solid composition, eroding a part thereof before flushing into the toilet bowl. The toilet rim block preferably additionally includes a perfume to provide a lingering pleasant odour after every toilet flush.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided method of reducing odour on a surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition of the invention preferably diluted with water.

[0071] The invention will now be illustrated with the help of the following non-limiting examples.

[0072] Examples

[0073] Rhamnolipid used in the experiments below was obtained as ZZDL-RHEANCE from Evonik Industries, Germany. The data generated in examples below where only a single type of bacillus spore was used (Examples B, 1 , E-H, and 3-6) were sourced from ATCC while the rest of the data were generated using combination of spores prepared in-house.

[0074] Bacterial spores obtained from ATCC were the following: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ATCC 2350; Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633; Bacillus pumilus ATCC 14884 and Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC10792.

[0075] Examples A-D, 1 ,2: Effect of combination of bacterial spore and rhamnolipid on reduction of urine malodour measured with a sniff test.

[0076] The samples as shown in Table- 1 were taken and the malodour generated was measured using the following protocol.

[0077] Stocks were made in distilled water and filter sterilized and stored appropriately.

[0078] 107inoculum of total bacterial culture was made and mixed in saline.

[0079] Incubation Solution contained 396 ml sterile distilled water, 400 ml of 2x concentrated WSH, 4 ml of 1% dextrose solution, 10 ml of mixed bacterial culture (107cfu / ml), 200 ml artificial urine and 200 ml urine.

[0080] All the components of incubation solution were mixed in sequential order. Into 100 ml sample containers, 40ml of the incubation solution was added and one glass slide was placed in each container. For testing the formulations, they were added into similar containers with incubation solution and appropriate controls. They were incubated at 30°C for 72 hours for odour to develop inside the container.

[0081] Malodour detection by sniff test

[0082] Malodour is measured on a scale from 0 (No urine malodour) and 5 (strong urine malodour). The untreated control has the maximum malodour. The odour scores were given by five expert panellists in a blinded test and the average score is reported in Table - 1 below.

[0083] Table - 1

[0084] In the above table (and in subsequent tables) the following abbreviations are used for the various bacterial spores:

[0085] Ba: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

[0086] Bs: Bacillus subtilis

[0087] Bp: Bacillus pumilus

[0088] Bt: Bacillus thuringiensis

[0089] Bm: Bacillus magetarium.

[0090] The data in the table above indicates that a bacillus species (or a combination of bacillus species) along with a rhamnolipid delivers improved malodour reduction.

[0091] Examples E-K, 3-8: Effect of combination of bacterial spore and rhamnolipid at a different concentration on reduction of urine malodour measured with a sniff test.

[0092] The samples as shown in Table-2 were taken and the malodour generated was measured using the protocol as described hereinabove except as given below.

[0093] 105inoculum of the bacterial culture was made and mixed in saline. When a combination of bacterial culture was prepared as in Examples J and 7, 105innoculum of each of the bacterial spores was used and mixed in saline.

[0094] The average malodour score is reported in Table - 2 below.

[0095] Table - 2

[0096] The data in the table above indicates that several bacillus species (or a combination of bacillus species) along with a rhamnolipid deliver improved malodour reduction. Examples K-N, 8-11 : Effect of other combinations of bacterial spores and rhamnolipid on reduction of urine malodour measured with a sniff test.

[0097] The samples as shown in Table-3 were taken and the malodour generated was measured using the protocol described hereinabove. Table - 3:

[0098] The bacillus spores in the above table were included in the following amounts in each of the examples: Ba, Bm, and Bs at 5 to 40%, and Bp and Bt at 5 to 15% of the total number of the bacterial spores included. The data in the table above indicates that the combination of a specific bacterial spore combination at different concentrations and rhamnolipid at different concentration provide for synergistic interaction in reducing urine malodour.

Claims

Claims1. A cleaning composition comprising(i) 0.05 to 10 wt% a rhamnolipid; and(ii) 0.000005 to 1 wt% of a Bacillus bacterial spore comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising Bacillus pumilus.

3. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 2 additionally comprising one or both of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3 wherein the composition is a general purpose or toilet cleaning composition comprising a cationic surfactant.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cationic surfactant is selected from one or both of alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) or didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC).

6. A composition as claimed in claim 5 or 6 comprising 0.001 to 3 wt% cationic surfactant.

7. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 additionally comprising 0.1 to 3 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant.

8. A method of reducing malodour on a surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims preferably diluted with water.