A hygiene composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition that is used to primarily disrupt and remove biofilm from surfaces. This is achieved using a composition comprising a bacteriophage capable of lysing bacteria selected from one or more of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus aureus, and E.coli; and a Bacillus bacterial spore in the presence of a specific surfactant of the poloxamer type.

Description

[0001] P0000437 CPL

[0002] 1

[0003] A HYGIENE COMPOSITION

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a composition that is used to deliver hygiene on surfaces

[0006] 5 including the ability to solve the really difficult problem of biofilm disruption and removal.

[0007] Background of the Invention

[0008] Making hard surfaces hygienic 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. This generally involves using a disinfectant composition that is diluted with water before use. Relevant hard surfaces in such places include floors, walls, windows, kitchen platforms, and furniture, among others. Other surfaces include utensils which may be made of steel, ceramic, glass etc.

[0009] Toilets and bathrooms are places which especially require very frequent cleaning and disinfection

[0010] 15 as they are places for excrement and personal cleansing. Toilet cleaners include harsher chemicals like bleaches and strong antimicrobial actives which are not often liked by many consumers.

[0011] Other than the hard surfaces mentioned above, fabrics like carpets, upholstery, kitchen and floor mops which remain wet with water also need to be kept clean and hygienic.

[0012] 20 In addition to keeping these places clean of dirt and stains, and ensuring it is hygienic by way of killing germs, a really difficult problem is that of formation of biofilms on such surfaces which are very difficult to disrupt and remove.

[0013] Biofilms are microbial aggregates which include heterogeneous populations of bacteria, fungi, and algae. They are ubiquitous in nature and represent populations of cells that have functional

[0014] 25 interdependencies upon one another which collectively offer microbial activities that are not possible by any of the individual component species. The biofilm matrix surrounding bacteria and fungi makes them tolerant to harsh conditions and resistant to antimicrobial treatments. The formation of microbial biofilm presents a challenge to the establishment and maintenance of hygienic conditions in public health, the home and in industry. In indoor environments, biofilms are formed on surfaces which include kitchen surfaces, drainages and sinks, dishwash sponges, refrigerators, washing machines, toilets, damp surfaces and ceilings and poses a threat to human health. Biofilms can thus form on hard as well as on soft surfaces. The occurrence of many biofilm-based infections and their multiple antimicrobial resistance is a major concern to human health. It is critically important to design or screen anti-biofilm molecules or compositions that can

[0015] 35 effectively minimize and eradicate biofilm related infections. P0000437 CPL

[0016] 2

[0017] Sometimes very aggressive mechanical scrubbing may be required in addition to harsh chemicals to remove such tough biofilms. It is observed that it is very difficult to disrupt biofilms and kill the germs present therein if one wishes to use agents that are mild on skin and safe for use.

[0018] There is thus, a need in the art, to provide for a solution to the problem of biofilm disruption and

[0019] 5 removal if the compounds and ingredients used are not considered harsh i.e are mild on skin and have acceptable sensory properties like having no offensive chlorine smell. The present inventors have now surprisingly found that a bacteriophage capable of lysing certain specific bacteria in combination with a bacillus bacterial spore in a composition comprising a specific type of surfactant solves the problem mentioned above.

[0020] US2020 / 0038316 (Compa S C) discloses a detergent product for cosmetic use comprising: a base compound having a detergent action, spores of probiotic bacteria mixed with the base compound; and bacteriophage elements mixed with the base compound; and having bactericide activity on predetermined undesired bacterial species present.

[0021] Although the above publication discloses use of a combination of probiotic spores and

[0022] 15 bacteriophage, it does not solve the more difficult problem of biofilm disruption and removal.

[0023] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a composition that is able to remove biofilms from hard surfaces like those in homes, toilets and on utensils as well as on soft surfaces like those on clothes and fabrics, using actives that are safe and mild on skin.

[0024] 20 Summary of the Invention

[0025] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a hygiene composition comprising

[0026] (i) 0.001 to 1 wt% bacteriophage capable of lysing bacteria selected from one or more of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus aureus, and E.colr,

[0027] (ii) 0.000005 to 1 wt% a Bacillus bacterial spore; and

[0028] (iii) a poloxamer surfactant; having the structure where a and b denote the average number of hydrophilic polyethylene oxide and hydrophobic

[0029] 30 polypropylene oxide groups respectively; and P0000437 CPL

[0030] 3 wherein the number ratio of the hydrophilic polyethylene oxide groups to the hydrophobic polypropylene oxide groups in the poloxamer surfactant is in the range of 1 to 6.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of disrupting biofilm from a surface

[0032] 5 for up to 48 hours after cleaning the surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition of the first aspect preferably diluted with water.

[0033] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] 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 nonspecified 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

[0035] 15 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".

[0036] 20 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%”.

[0037] The composition of the invention comprises a Bacillus bacterial spore. The bacterial spore may be one or more of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus thuringiensis. As per a preferred aspect, the bacterial spore may be one or more of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus

[0038] 30 and Bacillus subtilis. As per a further preferred aspect of the invention the composition may comprise at least two bacterial spores selected from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis. As per a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the composition may comprise a combination of bacterial spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis. By a combination P0000437 CPL

[0039] 4 of bacterial spores, as per this invention, is meant that the spores of the bacteria may be included in the composition.

[0040] Yet another preferred aspect relates to a composition which additionally comprises one or both

[0041] 5 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.

[0042] It is preferred that each of the bacterial spores are present in 1 to 70%, more preferably in 5 to

[0043] 10 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.

[0044] 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

[0045] 20 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.

[0046] The composition of the invention comprises a bacteriophage capable of lysing bacteria selected from one or more of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus aureus, and E.coli. Preferably it comprises a bacteriophage capable of lysing two or more bacteria selected from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus aureus, and E.coli. Further more preferably it comprises bacteriophage capable of lysing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli. The composition preferably comprises 102to 109PFU / ml of bacteriophage. The bacteriophage is included in 0.001 to 1 wt% of the composition.

[0047] 30 The composition of the invention comprises a specific class of non-ionic surfactant being a triblock copolymer composed of a central hydrophobic polypropylene oxide) (PPO) core flanked by hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains with a general (PEO)a-(PPO)b-(PEO)a structure, where a and b denote the average number of PEO and PPO units in the block copolymer. These non-ionic surfactants are commercially available under the brand name Pluronic®. As such these P0000437 CPL types of surfactants are known as pluronic surfactants. It is also known as a poloxamer. They generally have the chemical repeating groups as given below:

[0048] 5 They are a class of synthetic block copolymers which consist of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic polypropylene oxide) (PPO), arranged in an A-B-A triblock structure, thus giving PEO-PPO-PEO repeat units. The PEO group is also known as an ethoxylate group and the PPO group is known as a propoxylate group.

[0049] 10 In the above compound, the number ratio of ethoxylate groups (hydrophilic groups) to the propoxylate groups (hydrophobic group) for use in the present invention is preferably equal to or higher than 1.0, more preferably in the range of 1 to 6. The molecular weight of the polymer is preferably in the range of from 1700 to 15000 Da, more preferably in the range of 10000 to 13000 Da. Commercially available polymers which are preferably used in the composition of the present invention include Pluronic F-68, Pluronic F108, or Pluronic 127, more preferably Pluronic F68 or Pluronic 127.

[0050] The preferred polymers have the structures given below:

[0051] 20 Pluronic F68

[0052] Pki ii I- 127 P0000437 CPL

[0053] 6

[0054] The pluronic surfactant is preferably present in 0.1 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition.

[0055] Pluronic surfactants are available either as liquids, pastes or solids.

[0056] 5

[0057] General purpose and toilet cleaning composition:

[0058] 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.

[0059] Preferably, the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium surfactant, preferably the quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from one or more of

[0060] 15 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

[0061] 20 cationic surfactant to be chosen from one or more of BKC or DDAC, preferably BKC.

[0062] 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

[0063] 25 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%, further more preferably 0.1 to 0.8 wt% cationic surfactant.

[0065] Ingredients like amphoteric surfactant and sequestrant may be included in the floor cleaner and

[0066] 35 toilet cleaner composition of the present invention. P0000437 CPL

[0067] 7

[0068] 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

[0069] 5 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.

[0070] 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

[0071] 15 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

[0072] 20 form.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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

[0075] 25 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.

[0076] 30 Dishwash and kitchen cleaning composition:

[0077] The composition of the invention is useful for upkeep of kitchen items e.g. utensils and dishes which may be cleaned using a dishwash composition, preferably in liquid form. The various ingredients other than the essential ingredients claimed in the present invention are summarized below. P0000437 CPL

[0078] 8

[0079] When formulated as a dishwashing composition, it preferably includes 1 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant. Preferred anionic surfactants are of the organic sulfates and sulfonates 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. Examples of such materials include alkyl sulfates, alkyl

[0080] 5 ether sulfates, alkaryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl radicals preferably contain from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulfates may contain from one to ten ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and preferably contain one to three ethylene oxide units per molecule. The counterion for anionic surfactants is generally an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium; or an ammoniacal counterion such as

[0081] 10 monoethanolamine, (MEA) diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA). Mixtures of such counterions may also be employed. Sodium and potassium are preferred.

[0082] Most preferred surfactants are of the alkylbenzene sulfonates type, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Some alkyl sulfate surfactant (PAS) may be used, such as non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulphates with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18.

[0083] Preferably, the composition further comprises an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably, an amphoteric surfactants are the same as the ones listed under General purpose and toilet cleaning compositions. 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

[0084] 20 the above described materials may also be used. A good combination of surfactants for use in the present invention in the form of a dishwash composition is one having 1 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant and 0.1 to 5 wt% an amphoteric surfactant.

[0085] Liquid dishwash composition may preferably comprise an organic acid or its salts . Preferably, the organic acid or its salt may further comprise citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzoic acid, 4-methoxy benzoic acid and mixtures thereof. Examples of salts of organic acid include corresponding salts of these organic acids that are formed preferably with sodium and potassium, more preferably with sodium, e.g. trisodium citrate. More preferably, organic acid or its salt may further comprise maleic acid or its salt. Even more

[0086] 30 preferably, the organic acid or its salt is selected from citric acid or its salt e.g. trisodium citrate. Preferably, the composition does not comprise silver dihydrogen citrate.

[0087] The composition preferably comprises an organic acid or its salts from 0.2 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.3 to 4 wt%, further more preferably from 0.4 to 3 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt%, and optimally from 1 to 2 wt%. P0000437 CPL

[0088] 9

[0089] Liquid dishwash compositions may comprise non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, cosolvents and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water-soluble or water-miscible organic liquids such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n- or i-propanol); C2 to C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9

[0090] 5 triols (such as glycerol); polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkyl aryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as the sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isopropyl benzene (cumene) sulfonates). Nonaqueous carriers, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 3%, preferably from 0.5 to 1% by weight of the composition. The preferred hydrotropes are monopropylene glycol and glycerol.

[0091] Preferably, the liquid dishwash composition further comprises water in an amount ranging from 5 to 99 wt%, more preferably from 10 to 90 wt%, even more preferably from 15 to 80 wt%, further more preferably from 20 to 70 wt%, still more preferably from 30 to 65 wt%, yet more preferably

[0092] 15 from 35 to 60 wt%, yet further more preferably from 40 to 55 wt%.

[0093] Preferably, the liquid dishwash composition further comprises one or more sequestrants. Preferably, the sequestrant may be present in an amount from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.25 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%.

[0094] Sequestrants as described in the section above on General purpose and toilet cleaning

[0095] 20 composition may be used.

[0096] Optionally, liquid dishwash composition further comprises an enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Preferably the composition further comprises an effective amount of at least one enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Examples of suitable enzymes include pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase; with or without an appropriate

[0097] 25 stabilizing agent.

[0098] Preferably, viscosity of the composition may suitably range from about 200 to about 10,000 mPa.s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec1. This shear rate is the shear rate that is usually exerted on the liquid when poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid home care compositions generally have a viscosity of from 200 to 1 ,500 mPa.s, preferably from 100 to 800 mPa.s.

[0099] The liquid dishwash composition for use in the present invention preferably has a pH in the range from 3.0 to 8.0, preferably from 4.0 to 8.0.

[0100] The liquid dishwash composition may further comprise one or more polymers. Preferably, polymers can be cationic, anionic, amphoteric or nonionic types with molecular weights higher than 100,000 Dalton. They are known to increase the viscosity and stability of liquid compositions,

[0101] 35 to enhance in-use and after-use skin sensory feels, and to enhance lather creaminess and lather P0000437 CPL

[0102] 10 stability. Examples of polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, silane, siloxane and mixtures thereof. If present, polymers may be present in the composition in an amount ranging preferably from 0.001 to 10 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 6 wt%, still further more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%.

[0103] 5 Preferably, the composition may be used as is, i.e. neat, or it may be diluted before use. The extent of dilution is generally dependent on market choice. In some markets a more concentrated product is desired while in others a more dilute product is preferred. When the composition is a liquid dishwash compositions it is typically diluted with water in a weight ratio in the range of 1 :1 to 1 :10.

[0104] 10 The liquid dishwash composition may optionally comprise ingredients, such as fragrance, colorant, foam boosting agents, and odor absorbing materials.

[0105] Fabric cleaning composition:

[0106] The composition may be delivered as a fabric cleaning composition which are also known as laundry detergent composition which may additionally comprise 1 to 80 wt% anionic surfactant. The laundry detergent composition may be delivered in the form of a solid or as a liquid.

[0107] The laundry detergent composition in which the present invention may be delivered is preferably in the liquid form. The term liquid may encompass emulsions, suspensions, and compositions

[0108] 20 having flowable yet stiffer consistency, known as gels or pastes. Pourable liquid detergent compositions preferably have a viscosity of from 200 to 1 ,500 mPa.s, preferably from 200 to 700 mPa.s. Such compositions generally have an aqueous continuous phase. Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50% wt. water and more preferably at least 70% wt. water. Water is generally present in an amount of 20% to 99.9% preferably from 40% to 80% by weight of the

[0109] 25 composition.

[0110] Liquid laundry detergent compositions generally comprise 1 to 30%, preferably from 2 to 15% by weight of one or more surfactants. The surfactant is generally anionic in nature. List of anionic surfactants which may be used are the same as the ones which are listed above under Dishwash and Kitchen cleaning composition.

[0111] Most preferred surfactants are of the alkylbenzene sulfonates type, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Some alkyl sulfate surfactant (PAS) may be used, such as non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulphates with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18.

[0112] Liquid laundry detergent compositions also generally comprise agents like soil release polymers,

[0113] 35 hydroptropes, co-surfactants, builders, polymeric thickeners, and shading dyes in addition to the P0000437 CPL

[0114] 11 above described ingredients. Soil release polymers (SRP) help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing. Liquid detergent compositions in which the present invention is delivered is preferably in a pH range of 4.0 to 8.0.

[0115] When the composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition, it may be diluted with water in

[0116] 5 ratios like 1 :50, 1 :100, 1 :200 to form the wash liquor.

[0117] The solid laundry compositions herein can take a variety of physical solid forms including forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste, tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the composition is in the form of powder, granule or a bar.

[0118] The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention may be made via a variety of conventional methods known in the art including dry-mixing, compaction such as agglomerating, extrusion, tableting, or spray-drying of the various compounds comprised in the detergent component, or combinations of these techniques. The powder or granule compositions preferably have a density of more than 350 grams / litre, more preferably more than 450 grams / litre or even more than 570 grams / litre.

[0119] 15 Typical solid laundry detergent compositions comprise one or more of surfactants chosen from anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, cationic, amphoteric types, preferably it is of the anionic type. These compositions in solid form typically comprise from 1 to 30% by weight anionic surfactants. Details on the various ingredients like the anionic and non-ionic surfactants, the SRPs, hydroptopes, builders etc which are described for the liquid detergent composition may also be

[0120] 20 included in the solid detergent composition. Additionally, they may also comprise other adjuvents to provide benefits to the fabric being washed e.g. antiredeposition polymers which together may be included in 0 to 5% by weight of the composition. Builders are generally included especially to counteract the ill effects of hardness of water being used to wash the fabric and these account for up to 50% typically 10 to 30% by weight of the composition. Other fabric benefit agents like

[0121] 25 shading dyes and optical brightener may be included in up to 1 % by weight of the composition. Bleaches may sometimes be included and when it is included it accounts for up to 10% by weight of the composition and fillers generally account for up to 40% by weight of the composition.

[0122] The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably has a pH from 5.0 to 10.0, preferably 5.0 to 9.0, still preferably from 5.0 to 8.0, when measured at 1 wt.% dilution in de-ionised water at 25°C. The composition may preferably include a buffer.

[0123] The composition of the invention will now be illustrated with the help of the following non-limiting examples.

[0124] 35 P0000437 CPL

[0125] 12 A to Z, AA to AF, 1 ,2: Effect of various combinations of bacillus and a surfactant on biofilm di

[0126] 5

[0127] Individual actives and combination as shown in Table -1 below were used to study their ability to inhibit Pseudomonas Aeruginosa induced biofilm.

[0128] The procedure used was as given below:

[0129] 1 ml of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (104cfu / ml ) in Tryptic soya broth was seeded into 24 well plate. This was incubated for 48 hrs at for the biofilm to form. The biofilm was treated with different surfactants / copolymers with combination of bacteriophages and bacillus spores. The treated biofilms were kept for different time points according to the active combination and incubated at ST^C. Shortly, the wells with biofilm were treated with 1 ml of 30% glacial acetic acid

[0130] 15 in water to solubilize the crystal violet stain. The plate was incubated for 15 min at room temperature. Biofilm quantification was done using spectrophotometer taking absorbance values at 540 nm, using 30% acetic acid in water as the blank.

[0131] % Residual Biofilm = (control - treated) *dilution factor X 100

[0132] (control ) *dilution factor

[0133] Percentage Biofilm reduction = 100 - % residual biofilms

[0134] BP in the table below refers to 107cfu / g of Bacillus pumilus.

[0135] M6 in the table below refers to a 104PFU / ml of a bacteriophage capable of lysing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15442) and was sourced from ATCC, USA

[0136] Lialet refers to Lialet 111-10 which is a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, a non-ionic surfactant having

[0137] 25 the chemical name C -Cn Alcohol Ethoxylate 10 EO

[0138] Surfactant or copolymers in the table below were used at 0.2 wt%

[0139] The % biofilm reduction (disruption) is summarized in table - 1 below: P0000437 CPL

[0140] 13

[0141] Table -1 P0000437 CPL

[0142] 14

[0143] The data in the table above indicates that composition as per the invention Examples 1 and 2 delivers vastly superior biofilm disruption compared to various binary and tertiary combinations of bacillus spores, bacteriophage and surfactants which are outside the invention (Examples A

[0144] 5 to Z and AA to AF).

[0145] Examples AG-AN and 3 to 7: Effect of various concentrations of a pluronic surfactant in a composition as per the invention on biofilm disruption

[0146] Various combination of actives as shown in table - 2 below were taken and the biofilm

[0147] 10 disruption was measured using the same procedure as in previous table. The results are summarized in the table below.

[0148] Table - 2 P0000437 CPL

[0149] 15

[0150] The data in the table above indicates that combination of actives as per the present invention (Examples 3 to 7) delivers very high biofilm disruption on increasing the concentration of the pluronic surfactant.

Claims

P0000437 CPL16Claims1. A hygiene composition comprising(i) 0.001 to 1 wt% bacteriophage capable of lysing bacteria selected from one or more of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Staphylococcus aureus, and E.colf,(ii) 0.000005 to 1 wt% a Bacillus bacterial spore; and(iii) a poloxamer surfactant; having the structurewhere a and b denote the average number of hydrophilic polyethylene oxide and hydrophobic polypropylene oxide groups respectively; andWherein the number ratio of the hydrophilic polyethylene oxide groups to the hydrophobic polypropylene oxide groups in the poloxamer surfactant is in the range of 1 to 6.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising bacteriophage capable of lysing Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising 102to 109PFU / ml of bacteriophage.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a bacterial spore selected from one or more of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis.

5. A composition as claimed claim 4 comprising a combination of bacterial spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 5 additionally comprising bacterial spores of one or both of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis.P0000437 CPL177. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bacterial spore is a combination of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus thuringiensis.

8. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising 0.000005 to 1 wt% bacterial spore.

9. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is a general purpose or toilet cleaning composition additionally comprising 0.001 to 3 wt% cationic surfactants.

10. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 which is a dishwash composition additionally comprising 1 to 30% anionic surfactant.

11. A method of disrupting biofilm from a surface for up to 48 hours after cleaning the surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims preferably diluted with water.

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