Antimicrobial Blends for Water-Insoluble Biocide Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial compositions for personal care products face challenges in delivering water-insoluble biocides at high concentrations due to limited aqueous solubility, which affects their preservative activity against bacteria, fungi, and mold spores.
Innovation Solution
A blend of 1,2-diol (such as 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, or 1,2-octanediol) and phenoxyethanol, combined with a co-biocide like sorbic acid or iodopropynyl butyl carbamate, at specific weight ratios and HLB values, to enhance the solubility and efficacy of water-insoluble biocides in aqueous personal care systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-insoluble biocides are used at high concentrations, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but aqueous solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 1,2-diol as an intermediary substance to bridge the incompatibility between water-insoluble biocides and aqueous systems. The 1,2-diol forms a co-solvent system with phenoxyethanol that enables high concentrations of water-insoluble biocides to be delivered in aqueous personal care products while maintaining solubility and antimicrobial activity
2Reliability
If preservative concentration is increased to control microbial growth, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but skin safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative system by using 1,2-diol in specific concentration ranges (0.5-5%) combined with phenoxyethanol, which allows achieving effective microbial control at lower overall preservative concentrations, thereby reducing skin toxicity while maintaining efficacy
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 reduces microbial growth in personal care products, maintaining antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and mold spores, even at high concentrations, thereby extending product shelf life and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A blend of 1,2-diol (such as 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, or 1,2-octanediol) and phenoxyethanol, combined with a co-biocide like sorbic acid or iodopropynyl butyl carbamate, at specific weight ratios and HLB values, to enhance the solubility and efficacy of water-insoluble biocides in aqueous personal care systems
Data Source
AI summary
What is described herein are antimicrobial compositions which are defined blends of a 1,2-diol and phenoxyethanol which show broad activity against bacteria, fungi and mold spores. This activity is potentiated by the addition thereto of small amounts of a co-biocide for which the blend acts as a delivery system for the otherwise water-insoluble co-biocide.