Acidic Liquid Cleaning Composition with Organic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light duty liquid cleaning compositions often fail to provide effective antibacterial activity while maintaining low toxicity and ease of rinsing, and may leave residues on surfaces, especially when used on delicate or food-contact surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant-based cleaning composition comprising a combination of anionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and an organic acid, specifically designed to achieve a log10 reduction in microbes of at least 3 within 30 seconds, with a stable formulation for over a year at room temperature, and low toxicity, while being biodegradable and hypoallergenic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light duty liquid cleaning compositions are used, then they provide basic cleaning properties, but they fail to provide effective antibacterial activity and may leave residues on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific organic acids (citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid) at controlled concentrations (0.1-5% w/v) alongside conventional surfactants. This parameter change enables the composition to achieve effective antibacterial activity (log10 reduction ≥3) while maintaining low toxicity and minimal residue formation on surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite cleaning composition that integrates multiple functional components: anionic surfactants (for cleaning), zwitterionic surfactants (for foaming and mildness), and organic acids (for antibacterial activity). This composite approach allows the composition to simultaneously deliver effective disinfection, low residue, and surface safety for food-contact surfaces
2Reliability
If strong antibacterial agents are used to achieve effective disinfection, then antibacterial activity is improved, but toxicity increases and rinsing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mild organic acids (citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid) at optimized concentrations rather than harsh antibacterial agents. This parameter selection achieves effective antibacterial efficacy (log10 reduction ≥3 within 30 seconds) while maintaining low toxicity and hypoallergenic properties, eliminating the need for extensive rinsing
Solution Approach 2:
The composition uses biodegradable organic acids that break down rapidly into harmless substances, providing effective antibacterial action during the cleaning process but leaving minimal to no persistent residue. This approach delivers strong disinfection without the long-term toxic effects associated with conventional antibacterial agents
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the composition is designed for low residue and ease of rinsing, then surface safety is improved, but cleaning and foaming performance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite system where anionic surfactants provide robust cleaning performance, zwitterionic surfactants enhance foaming and mildness, and organic acids contribute antibacterial activity. This synergistic combination maintains effective cleaning and foaming properties while the organic acid component ensures low residue formation and ease of rinsing
Solution Approach 2:
The composition delivers different functional properties at different stages: strong cleaning and foaming during application, then rapid rinsing and low residue formation afterward. The organic acid component facilitates this transition by providing antibacterial action without interfering with the rinsing process or leaving harmful residues
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 effectively disinfects surfaces with minimal residue, is safe for use on food-contact surfaces, and exhibits superior foaming and cleaning performance with reduced rinsing requirements, maintaining stability and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant based cleaning composition comprising at least one anionic surfactant, at least one zwitterionic surfactant, and at least one organic acid
Implementation Method 2
have antibacterial activity while at the same time having low toxicity... has a log10 reduction in microbes of at least 3 when a surface containing bacteria is contacted with the composition
Data Source
AI summary
The invention encompasses liquid cleaning compositions, for example, dish washing liquids, and methods of their manufacture and use, which possess enhanced cleaning ability. The cleaning compositions of the invention include acidic light duty liquid cleaning compositions with low toxicity and antibacterial efficacy on surfaces, for example, hard surfaces.