Antimicrobial Composition Using Acid and Diol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial compositions that contain oxidizers face challenges such as low antimicrobial activity at lower temperatures, increased foaming, oxidizer gassing out due to bio-load, and reduced longevity due to plant material, leading to safety concerns and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous composition comprising an acid without —NH and —NH2 groups, combined with an organic diol, which maintains acidic pH and includes an oxidizing agent and surfactant, demonstrating synergistic antimicrobial activity and stability across various temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizers are used in antimicrobial compositions, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but stability at lower temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines oxidizing agents with surfactants and other additives to create composite antimicrobial compositions. This composite approach allows the oxidizer to maintain antimicrobial efficacy while the surfactant and other components stabilize the formulation at lower temperatures, preventing premature degradation and maintaining performance across a broader temperature range.
2Reliability
If oxidizers are used in antimicrobial compositions, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but foaming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the oxidizing agent and the aqueous environment. These surfactants control foam formation by modifying surface tension properties, allowing the oxidizer to remain effective against microbes while preventing excessive foaming that would interfere with application and processing.
3Reliability
If oxidizers are used in antimicrobial compositions, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but oxidizer gassing out due to bio-load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates continuous-action compositions where the oxidizing agent is maintained in solution through pH control and stabilizing additives. This continuous formulation prevents the oxidizer from gassing out prematurely, ensuring sustained antimicrobial activity throughout the treatment process and eliminating the need for frequent replenishment.
4Reliability
If higher levels of oxidizers are used to reduce bio-load, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of oxidizing agents within safe ranges by combining them with synergistic additives like surfactants and chelating agents. This parameter optimization allows effective antimicrobial activity at lower oxidizer concentrations, reducing safety risks while maintaining or improving performance through the synergistic effects of the complete formulation.
5Adaptability or versatility
If plant material is present in solutions, then antimicrobial treatment is possible, but longevity of oxidizer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes reactive oxygen species from the bulk solution and concentrates them at the microbial cell surface through surfactant-mediated delivery. This extraction approach allows the oxidizer to remain stable in the bulk solution for extended periods while still delivering potent antimicrobial action when needed, effectively separating storage stability from active function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves effective antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microbes, reduces discoloration, and forms a residual, edible film on surfaces, enhancing shelf life and safety while minimizing environmental and economic impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of the acid alone and the organic diol alone has lower antimicrobial activity compared to antimicrobial activity of a combination of the acid and the organic diol
Implementation Method 2
compositions and methods that contain oxidizers
Implementation Method 3
one or more surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides antimicrobial compositions comprising one or more acid and one or more organic diol. In one embodiment, the invention's compositions have an acidic pH. The compositions may optionally further contain one or more oxidizing agent (including stabilized oxidizing agent and/or unstabilized oxidizing agent), and/or one or more surfactant. In particular embodiments, the acid lacks one or both of —NH group and —NH2 group. The invention's compositions are useful in all stages of handling agricultural products, in hospitals, and in commercial and household applications.