Anti-irritation composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition in powder form, to be incorporated into absorbent sanitary article (e.g., nappies, diapers) for the prevention and / or treatment of erythema and dermatitis caused, for example, by prolonged wearing of nappies.

Description

[0001] “Anti-irritation composition”

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to a powder composition to be implemented within absorbent sanitary article for the prevention of erythema and dermatitis caused by prolonged skin contact with deposited excreta. A product comprising a super-absorbent polymer and the powder composition is also an object of the present invention.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] Absorbent sanitary articles are a viable solution for the collection and containment of biological waste from the body metabolism of pets and / or individuals, whether neonatal, infant, advanced or with incontinence problems, where such biological waste may include not only faeces and urine but also menstrual blood. By means of a cellulose-based draining matrix and a super-absorbent polymer (SAP), contained within an impermeable plastic casing (commonly polyethylene PE), absorbent articles are able to retain the excretion of faeces, urine and menstrual blood, so as to cope with the uncomfortable situations experienced by the person concerned.

[0007] At the same time, however, prolonged contact between the natural excretions and the skin of the pelvic floor, genital, perianal, anal, groin, buttocks and sometimes thigh areas may cause the appearance of “nappy rash”, i.e. a local erythema that induces symptoms of pain, discomfort, itching, irritation and inflammation in the individual.

[0008] This form of dermatitis usually presents itself as small papules, scaling, eroded and markedly reddened areas, or as patches of inflamed skin on the buttocks, thighs and genitals, i.e. on the flaps of skin on which the nappy rests, and may be favoured by sweating, rubbing with the nappy, skin sensitivity, sitting and, last but not least, “fermentation” of collected excrement. This dermatitis can increase the risk of infection by both bacteria and fungi, and in severe cases, can result in the development of painful lesions and deep ulcerations.

[0009] In fact, the moisture and friction generated by the nappy lead to the degradation of the skin, making it more vulnerable to the penetration of microorganisms and irritants.

[0010] The appearance of the so-called skin rash is not only the consequence of prolonged exposure to a hot and humid environment that damages the elasticity and integrity of the dermis, but is at the same time the response to a local increase in pH caused by a natural release of ammonia (NH3).

[0011] In fact, it has been ascertained that faecal bacteria, through the expression of the enzyme urease, are able to catabolise the urea contained in urine by decomposing it to CO2 and NH3. While the former is a gas of low acidity, the ammonia generated is, on the other hand, noticeably basic and is able to raise the alkalinity of the environment and the diaperexcrement-cute system. The condition of discomfort felt by the skin tissue wrapped in the absorbent article for prolonged and repeated times can therefore result in redness, erythema and dermatitis.

[0012] It is guessed that among the primary causes of skin rash is the stagnation of faeces and urine in the soiled nappy, which, not being changed so frequently for reasons of time, cost and convenience, induces maceration / fermentation of organic matter.

[0013] Among the causes of the appearance of dermatitis can also be counted the collection and subsequent accumulation of menstrual losses in the absorbent article. Indeed, due to the intrinsic basicity of the blood flow, menstrual blood is capable of altering the local pH of the medium, raising its alkalinity and consequently triggering, like the “fermentation” of body excrement, the appearance of the skin rash.

[0014] Numerous solutions for the prevention and treatment of this superficial affection have already been studied, ranging from more homemade remedies such as drying irritated skin in the air, to the use of specific products with different functions. One example is barrier ointments, i.e. soothing pastes (e.g. zinc oxide) that once applied to the skin generate a protective film that prevents irritants present in urine and faeces from coming into contact with the individual's bottom, thus preventing nappy rash. Or the use of starches to soothe discomfort and itching, either to be applied directly to the reddened skin or to be dissolved in water beforehand and then gently soaked into the irritated skin areas.

[0015] On the basis of the known art, the solutions identified and proposed for the prevention and / or treatment of nappy dermatitis commonly rely on the topical application of a product, usually in the form of a cream, on the patches of skin affected by the skin irritation.

[0016] However, these skin treatments, be they lotions, creams or powders often require repeated applications throughout an entire day, usually in succession to the replacement of an exhausted nappy and appear as inconvenient and impractical remedies.

[0017] Powders, for example, help to keep the skin dry when sweating but offer no protection from faeces and urine, besides the fact that talcum powders can cause lung problems if inhaled by infants.

[0018] Not only that, because of the continuous rubbing between the skin and the inner surface of the absorbent sanitary article, the applied products are easily removed from the treated skin by friction, losing their effectiveness over time (at least until the next application). Added to this is the fact that many topical treatments do not act as a deterrent to the onset of nappy rash but are instead applied only after the onset of skin redness and dermatitis, i.e. in already advanced inflammatory stages, discomfort and pain. This being the case, there is a clear need to devise more comfortable solutions that avoid the need for continuous application over the course of a day and prevent the onset of skin rash and dermatitis. Further, there is also a need to develop solutions that can simultaneously combine the activity of collecting and absorbing body waste, whether it be blood or metabolic waste, with the activity of protecting the skin, without having to resort to the sequential and repeated use of different products.

[0019] Unless expressly excluded, the contents of this chapter are to be understood as an integral part of the Detailed Description below.

[0020] Summary of the invention

[0021] An object of the present invention is a composition comprising sodium chloride in an amount of between 30 and 45 wt. %;

[0022] • at least one starch in an amount between 15 and 25 wt. %; and

[0023] • at least one acid in an amount of between 30 and 45 wt. %; wherein the at least one starch is chosen from the group comprising maize starch, rice starch, potato starch (starch), wheat starch, manioc starch, the at least one acid having a pka of between 2.5-4.5.

[0024] Additional object of the present invention is a composition which may further comprise a bacterial urease inhibitor.

[0025] Additional object of the present invention is an absorbent core comprising the composition of the invention and a super absorbent polymer (SAP).

[0026] Additional object of the present invention are absorbent sanitary articles (manufactured item) comprising said absorbent core such as nappies, menstrual or post-natal pads, panty liners and sleepers.

[0027] A further object of the present invention is the use of the absorbent core and / or said absorbent sanitary articles comprising said absorbent core, for absorbing and collecting faeces, urine and menstrual blood, for protecting the skin from redness, dermatitis, skin rash, irritation, for pH regulation and for inhibiting bacterial growth.

[0028] Brief description of figures

[0029] The invention will be described below in at least one preferred embodiment for the sole purpose of explaining and not limiting the scope of the present invention by means of the appended figures, of which:

[0030] • Figure 1: Growth of faecal coliforms on VRBGA medium after 24 hours at 37°C in the presence and absence of treatment with the composition of the invention.

[0031] • Figure 2: Growth of faecal coliforms on VRBGA medium after 24 hours at 37°C in the presence and absence of treatment with the Comparison composition. Definitions

[0032] • In this document, the phrases ‘about’ or ‘around’ as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a quantity, time duration, and the like, are intended to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, where such variations are appropriate to perform the methods described.

[0033] • In this document, the percentage quantities of each ingredient in the composition are intended as mass-to-mass percentage ratios (wt. %).

[0034] • In the present document, the acronym SAP (super-absorbent polymer) is to be understood as a generic hydrophilic super-absorbent homopolymer or copolymer capable of absorbing and retaining amounts of liquid (in this case, water) greatly in excess of its mass.

[0035] • In this document, the acronym CFU stands for ‘Colony Forming Units’ and indicates the bacterial load in a sample.

[0036] • In this document, the term “pKa” stands for the negative logarithm (-log) of the acid dissociation constant of the chemical under investigation.

[0037] Detailed Description

[0038] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition in powder form suitable for implementation within absorbent sanitary ware for the prevention of dermatitis and skin irritation caused by prolonged skin contact with biological excreta resulting from body metabolism or menstrual blood, whether of human or animal origin.

[0039] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composition having protective and pH-regulating properties capable of preventing pain and itching triggered by local inflammation, and of modulating / buffering the basicity of the absorbent medium in contact with the anal, perianal and genital areas of the human being (or pet).

[0040] Indeed, the composition according to the invention is advantageously capable of counteracting the development of ammonia liberated from the enzyme-catalysed decomposition of urea contained in urine by faecal bacteria, thereby preventing the pH rise responsible for skin irritation.

[0041] The composition is further advantageously able to buffer an excess of basicity induced by the accumulation of menstrual blood in the absorbent sanitary article.

[0042] Further, the composition according to the invention is capable of slowing down / inhibiting the replication of faecal bacteria resulting in a decrease in the rate of ammonia release and accumulation of basicity components within the absorbent sanitary article. Given that increased basicity is one of the main causes of the onset of skin disorders such as dermatitis and erythema, and that bacterial metabolism is responsible for the production of these basic compounds, controlling microbial proliferation makes it possible to effectively prevent the onset of such skin disorders.

[0043] As will be evident from the Examples Section, the inventors did not merely select the ingredients to be included in the composition subject matter of the invention, but conducted a careful and targeted definition of the optimal quantitative ranges for each component. This considered selection was carried out with the aim of obtaining compositions capable of ensuring an effective simultaneous action both on inhibition of bacterial replication and on prevention and management of skin disorders such as dermatitis and irritation.

[0044] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a product (absorbent core) comprising said composition combined with at least one super-absorbent polymer (SAP) for use in hygienic sanitary articles for the containment of metabolic or menstrual waste excreted by the body, whether human or animal.

[0045] Advantageously, said super-absorbent polymer admixed with the composition according to the invention can be implemented for the manufacture of absorbent products such as by way of non-limiting example nappies, diapers, sleepers, panty liners, absorbent pads, tampons, menstrual pads, post-operative pads, post-natal pads, absorbent pants, pet nappies, pet panties.

[0046] In contrast to the known art, said composition is capable of performing its anti-irritation and anti-bacterial proliferation functions already in the instants following the physiological release of organic excretions, by immediately slowing down and / or inhibiting the development of basic by-products resulting from the fermentative stagnation of organic excrement or by abruptly buffering the basic pH of the menstrual flow.

[0047] Advantageously, being already contained in the absorbent medium of the sanitary article, the composition according to the invention does not require to be previously deposited or adhered, for example, on the inner surface of the nappy and does not require to be applied topically on the inflamed / irritated peri-anal or genital skin, but performs its function simultaneously with the deposition of faeces, urine and blood.

[0048] Advantageously, being formulated as a fine powder, the composition according to the invention can be effectively mixed / amalgamated with the super absorbent polymer (SAP) generating an absorbent core (absorbent core) in the form of a homogeneous and uniform granular mixture capable of simultaneously performing absorbent, protective and pH- regulating activities.

[0049] The composition according to the invention comprises:

[0050] • sodium chloride

[0051] • tt least one starch

[0052] • at least one acid wherein, the at least one starch can be chosen, by way of non-limiting examples, from the group comprising maize starch, rice starch, potato starch, wheat starch, manioc starch, and rice starch is particularly preferred, the at least one acid, preferably organic, has a pka preferably of between 2.5 and 4.5.

[0053] More preferably, the at least one organic acid may be chosen by way of non-limiting example from the group comprising citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, erythorbic acid, formic acid, phosphoric acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, guanylic acid, inosinic acid, metatartaric acid, salicylic acid tartaric acid.

[0054] Even more preferably, the organic acid of choice is lactic acid.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprising lactic acid, sodium chloride and rice starch.

[0056] The composition according to the invention comprising

[0057] - the at least one starch in an amount of between 15-25%,

[0058] - sodium chloride in an amount of between 30-45%,

[0059] - the at least one acid in an amount of between 30-45%.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprising:

[0061] - rice starch in an amount of 20%

[0062] - sodium chloride in an amount of 40%, and

[0063] - lactic acid in an amount of 40%.

[0064] Optionally, the composition according to the invention may comprise at least one bacterial urease inhibitor.

[0065] Preferably, this inhibitor can be chosen, by way of non-limiting example, from the group comprising:

[0066] Atranorina (from Parmelia sulcata, Xanthoria parietina, Cladonia rangiferina, Evemia prunastri, Physcia aipolia, Ramalina farinacea, Usnea spp, Hypogymnia physodes); Scutellarin (from Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria barbata, Erigeron breviscapus, Scutellaria galericulata); Methyl gallate and Glucose 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl (PGG); Coumarins; Sulforaphane; Vemonione; Boswellic acids; Palmatine; Epiberberine; Andrographolide; Allicin; (+)-Catechin and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate; Daphnretusic Acid; Transilitin and Dihydro Luteolin; Gossypol, Gossypolone and Apogossypol; Baicalin and Scutellarin; Kaempferol-3-O-P-D-glucopyranoside and Kaempferol-3-O-a-L- rhamnopyranoside.

[0067] Said bacterial urease inhibitor may be added in an amount of between 0.0001-5%.

[0068] The composition according to the invention can be formulated in powder form or in granular form, preferably in powder form.

[0069] The composition according to the invention is advantageously able to combine an antiirritation action conferred by starch, preferably rice starch, and a pH-regulating action to restore the natural acidity of the skin, preferably achieved by lactic acid. Any lactic acid residues that may come into contact with the skin do not constitute a risk as lactic acid respects the physiological pH of the skin and maintains the balance of its microbiota. This also prevents the development of other undesirable microorganisms such as mycetes.

[0070] Sodium chloride on the other hand, by participating in the reaction

[0071] NaCl + NH3+ H2O + CO2 NaHCCh + NH4CI, is capable of precipitating the bicarbonate anion (resulting from the hydration of CO2 developed from the degradation of urea by bacteria) in the form of sodium bicarbonate, thus contributing to the general lowering of pH.

[0072] Advantageously, the composition according to the invention is capable of containing the proliferation of faecal bacteria contained within the faeces, thereby reducing the rate of metabolic decomposition of urea and slowing the increase in basicity. In particular, as will be evident from Example 4 in the Examples section herein, the composition according to the invention has been shown to reduce the bacterial growth rate by up to 40.9%.

[0073] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent core comprising the composition according to the invention and a super absorbent polymer (SAP), e.g. polyacrylic acid (PAA).

[0074] In an embodiment, said absorbent core comprises said SAP in an amount of between about 83.3% and 95.2%.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, said SAP is present in an amount of about 90.9%, Said absorbent core in the form of a granular mixture, homogeneous and uniform in its components is capable of simultaneously carrying out absorbent activities towards the fluid component of the excreted metabolic residues, of buffering the pH by preventing the growth of alkalinity due to the development of ammonia (NH3) or the presence of basic fluids (e. g. menstrual blood), of protecting genital, peri-anal, anal, pelvic floor, thigh and buttocks areas, and not least to slow down / inhibit the proliferation / replication of faecal bacteria.

[0076] Said absorbent core can be implemented as such for the production of hygienic sanitary article (manufactured item) intended for the containment of faeces, blood and urine, as well as can be combined with cellulose fluff (cellulosic fibres) to form a draining and absorbent matrix for similar purposes.

[0077] More in detail, and to give a further example, assuming that for approx. 1 kilogram (kg) of infant body weight (this estimate is only effective for newborns and infants, the quantities involved change significantly as they get older) 3 millilitres (mL) of urine are generated daily every hour (h), i. e. (3 mL / (Kg*hr)), a 5 kg child (size 3 in table 1) will produce 360 mL of urine (of which 2% urea, i.e. 7.2 mL or 9.5 g) over 24 h.

[0078] Since, for reasons of convenience and capacity, each child wets about 7 nappies per day, each absorbent article should contain sufficient absorbent core (SAP + Mix, where Mix refers to the mixture of sodium chloride, lactic acid and rice starch) to absorb and buffer about 52 mL of urine.

[0079] The following examples (examples 2-3) were realised using an excess sample volume, i.e. about twice the calculated volume, with the intention of wanting to subject the absorbent core of the invention to the conditions of ‘maximum stress’, a situation which could in fact occur if an exhausted nappy was not quickly replaced with a new one.

[0080] Therefore, the following examples (examples 2-3) will be carried out using a sample volume of approx. 107 mL.

[0081] Production method The composition according to the present invention can be obtained by the method described below or by slight modifications of this method which are in any case within the reach of the person skilled in the art. Modifications of the method may include, inter alia, the order of the events described, the timing, the mode of mixing, the temperature and other conditions known to those skilled in the art.

[0082] The powder composition is prepared by weighing the 3 ingredients separately, initially mixing NaCl and the acid, and only then adding the starch. The mixing is carried out using a powder mixer or equivalent until a uniform product is obtained. The entire technical equipment must be thoroughly dried so as not to interfere with the moisture content of the finished product. Once the homogeneous product is obtained, it is packed in bags or airtight containers until it is mixed with SAP.

[0083] EXAMPLES

[0084] Embodiments of the invention are described below which are intended as illustrative and not limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0085] In the following examples, the term ‘Mix’ refers to the composition consisting of sodium chloride, rice starch and lactic acid, wherein rice starch : lactic acid : NaCl = 20 : 40 : 40

[0086] Example 1

[0087] The present embodiment of the invention relates to the amount of the granular composition (consisting of mixing SAP and Mix) to be implemented as an absorbent matrix (absorbent core) and pH adjustment for the manufacture of baby nappies as a function of their body weight (indicated in ‘sizes’). Table 1 below shows the absolute quantities of each ingredient, i.e. SAP and Mix as a function of size (and thus the infant's weight range). Table 1

[0088] For example, according to the present embodiment of the invention, for a size 2 infant (child weight between 3-6 kg), 10 g of SAP and 1 g of composition are used according to the invention within the sanitary article.

[0089] Example 2

[0090] Testing the acidifying power of the composition of the invention (Mix).

[0091] To an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide (107 mL, initial pH 8.34), 1.25 g of Mix was added and allowed to dissolve to assess the pH buffering effect. After addition, the recorded pH value was 3.56, demonstrating the ability of the composition to break down environmental alkalinity and restore the physiological acidity of the skin.

[0092] Example 3 Testing of the acidifying power of the composition of the invention (Mix) on urine samples.

[0093] The acidifying power of Mix was evaluated on urine samples taken from 3 subjects (107 mL of urine per sample). Initial pH values of each urine sample were initially measured. Subsequently, 1.25 g of Mix was added and allowed to dissolve for evaluation of the pH change. Table 2 below shows the results obtained.

[0094] Table 2

[0095] Example 4

[0096] Evaluation of the inhibitory capacity of the composition towards the proliferation of faecal bacteria.

[0097] The test was performed considering an excess amount of faeces per evacuation (approximately twice as much) as is excreted on average by an infant (2-20 weeks of age) per single evacuation (10-15 mL) [1],

[0098] Faeces were taken from a nappy of a 2-month-old infant and stored at +4°C overnight. As faecal coliform bacteria have an average concentration of 107CFU / g faeces [2], 100 mg of faeces were weighed and diluted in 10 mL of distilled water to obtain a stock solution with a concentration of approx. 105CFU / mL. The 10'4and 10'5dilutions of the stock solution (i.e., concentrations of 101CFU / mL and 102CFU / mL) were then sown in culture medium (Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar (VRBGA)), such that the CFU value was less than 300 for the most concentrated dilution.

[0099] After sowing 100 pL of faeces at concentrations of 102CFU / mL and 101CFU / mL (test 1 and test 2 in Table 3, respectively), 100 pL of a Mix solution (1.25 g of Mix diluted in 30 mL of sterile distilled water) was added to the plates indicated with “treated” and 100 pL of sterile distilled water to the plates indicated with “control”. The cultures were placed under favourable growth conditions in an incubator at 37°C for 24 h. The CFU in both “treated” and “control” plates were counted and compared to each other based on seeding density to determine the % reduction in bacterial growth (table 3, figure 1).

[0100] Table 3

[0101] Both ‘treated’ plates showed a lower number of CFU than the ‘control’ plates at the same inoculated seeding density, indicating that the composition of the invention is able to inhibit the proliferation of faecal bacteria, even under the optimal growth conditions given by the culture medium, specific for the needs of this class of microorganisms.

[0102] In particular, as shown in Figure 1, images of ‘control’ plates (top) and ‘treated’ plates (bottom) at the two different seeding densities are shown. At higher seeding density, the CFU of the “control” plate were 281, while in the “treated” plate the number was reduced to 188; at lower seeding density, the CFU of the “control” plate were 66, while in the “treated” plate the number was reduced to 39.

[0103] The reduction in battery growth expressed in % ranged from 33.1-40.9%.

[0104] Example 5

[0105] Comparative evaluation of the ability to inhibit the proliferation of faecal bacteria.

[0106] The purpose of the present experiment is to compare the antibacterial action of the composition of the invention comprising rice starch, lactic acid, sodium chloride in the proportions 20 : 40 : 40 shown in Example 4 with a composition qualitatively identical but characterised by different quantitative proportions, i.e. rice starch, lactic acid, sodium chloride in a ratio of 75:15: 10 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Comparison composition’).

[0107] The faeces for evacuation were taken from a nappy of an infant and stored at +4°C overnight. As faecal coliform bacteria have an average concentration of 107CFU / g faeces [2], 100 mg of faeces were weighed and diluted in 10 mL of distilled water to obtain a stock solution with a concentration of approx. 105CFU / mL. The 10'4and 10'5dilutions of the stock solution (i.e., concentrations of 101CFU / mL and 102CFU / mL) were then seeded in culture medium (Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar (VRBGA)), such that the CFU value was less than 300 for the most concentrated dilution.

[0108] For the preparation of the Comparison composition, a mixture with a total weight of 1.25 g, consisting of rice starch, lactic acid, sodium chloride in a ratio of 75: 15:10 was diluted in 30 mL of sterile distilled water.

[0109] After sowing 100 pL of faeces at the desired dilutions (102CFU / mL for test 1 and 101CFU / mL for test 2), 100 pL of Comparison composition were added for the “treated” plate and 100 pL of sterile distilled water for the “control” plate (i.e., the negative control). The cultures were placed under favourable growth conditions in an incubator at 37°C for 24 hours; after this time, the colony-forming units (CFU) for the “control” and “treated” plates were counted and compared to each other to determine the % reduction in bacterial growth.

[0110] Results

[0111] The results obtained show that the presence of the Comparison composition does not have a significant impact on the reduction in the number of CFU. In fact, the “treated” plates count slightly fewer CFU than the control plates (Figure 2 and Table 4).

[0112] Table 4 As a result of the reported values, an average % reduction in growth compared to the control

[0113] = 3,65% can be calculated.

[0114] Table 3 of the previous example, obtained using the same experimental methods and shown below, demonstrates instead that the composition of the invention is able to induce an average % reduction in bacterial growth of 37%,

[0115] Table 3

[0116] Following the analysis of the reported values, it can be observed that the Comparison composition results in an average reduction of faecal bacteria growth of only 3.65% compared to the control. This figure suggests a minimal and insignificant impact on antibacterial activity.

[0117] In contrast, Table 3 clearly shows that the composition of the invention is able to exert a far more pronounced effect, inducing an average reduction in bacterial growth of 37%. This result represents a more than tenfold improvement over the Comparison composition, and unequivocally demonstrates the high efficacy of the composition of the invention.

[0118] This result therefore indicates that the components of the composition of the invention, only when added according to appropriate dosages, exert an inhibiting action on the proliferation of faecal bacteria.

[0119] References

[0120] [1] Weaver LT, Ewing G, Taylor LC. The bowel habit of milk-fed infants. J Pediatr

[0121] Gastroenterol Nutr. 1988 Jul-Aug;7(4): 568-71. doi: 10.1097 / 00005176-198807000-00015. PMID: 3397847.

[0122] [2] Y. Jiang, S.H. Xie, C. Dennehy, P.G. Lawlor, Z.H. Hu, G.X. Wu, X.M. Zhan, G.E. Gardiner, Inactivation of pathogens in anaerobic digestion systems for converting biowastes to bioenergy: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 120, 2020, 109654, ISSN 1364-0321, https: / / doi.Org / 10.1016 / j.rser.2019.109654.

Claims

Claims1. A composition comprising:• sodium chloride in an amount of 30 to 45 wt. %;• at least one starch in an amount of 15 to 25 wt. %; and• at least one acid in an amount of 30 to 45 wt. %; wherein the at least one starch is chosen from the group comprising corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, wheat starch, manioc starch, and the at least one acid has a pka preferably between 2.5 -4.5.

2. The composition according to the preceding claim wherein the at least one acid is chosen from the group comprising citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, erythorbic acid, formic acid, phosphoric acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, guanylic acid, inosinic acid, metatartaric acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid.

3. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one starch is rice starch and the at least one acid is lactic acid.

4. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims comprising• rice starch in an amount of 20 wt. %,• sodium chloride in an amount of 40 wt. %, and• lactic acid in an amount of 40 wt. %.

5. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising at leastone bacterial urease inhibitor, wherein said inhibitor is added in an amount of 0.0001-5 wt. % and is selected from the group comprising Atranorin (from Parmelia sulcata, Xanthoria parietina, Cladonia rangiferina, Evemia prunastri, Physcia aipolia, Ramalina farinacea, Usnea spp, Hypogymnia physodes); Scutellarin (from Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria barbata, Erigeron breviscapus, Scutellaria galericulata); Methyl gallate and Glucose 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl (PGG); Coumarins; Sulforaphane; Vemonione; Boswellic acids; Palmatine; Epiberberine; Andrografolide; Allicin; (+)- Catechin and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate; Daphnretusic Acid; Transilitin and Dihydro Luteolin; Gossypol, Gossypolone and Apogossypol; Baicalin and Scutellarin; Kaempferol-3-O-P-D-glucopyranoside and Kaempferol-3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranoside.

6. An absorbent core comprising the composition according to any one of the preceding claims and at least a super absorbent polymer (SAP).

7. The absorbent core according to the preceding claim wherein the SAP is present in an amount of about 83.3 to 95.2 wt. %.

8. A sanitary article comprising the absorbent core according to any of claims 6-7 chosen from nappies, diapers, sleepers, panty liners, absorbent pads, tampons, menstrual pads, post-operative pads, post-natal pads, absorbent pants, pet nappies, pet panties.

9. Use of the composition according to any one of claims 1 -5 or the absorbent core according to any one of claims 6-7 for the production of sanitary articles.

10. The absorbent core according to any one of claims 6-7 or the sanitary articles article according to claim 8 for use in a method for preventing skin reddening, dermatitis, skinrash and irritation.

11. Use of the absorbent core according to any one of claims 6-7 or the sanitary article according to claim 8 for absorption and collection of faeces, urine and menstrual blood, for pH regulation and for inhibition of bacterial growth.

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