Antimicrobial compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biocides used for controlling molds and plant diseases are often toxic to humans and wildlife, leading to environmental and health concerns, prompting the need for natural or biomimetic compositions with antimicrobial properties that are safe for human use.
Innovation Solution
Development of a system utilizing a Muscodor species, specifically M. crispans, and its volatile by-products, combined with non-indigenous media or substrates, to create antimicrobial compositions that are free from naphthalene and azulene derivatives, and incorporating biomimetic man-made compositions for effective microbial control in various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biocides (methyl bromide, synthetic pesticides) are used for microbial control, then effective antimicrobial activity is achieved, but human toxicity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates biomimetic compositions that replicate the antimicrobial properties of Muscodor volatile by-products through synthetic or semi-synthetic formulations. These compositions copy the effective antimicrobial mechanisms while eliminating toxic components, achieving reliable microbial control without human toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of biocides by replacing toxic synthetic compounds with GRAS-certified flavoring substances. This parameter change maintains antimicrobial effectiveness while fundamentally altering the safety profile to eliminate human toxicity and environmental harm.
2Reliability
If Muscodor volatile by-products are used for antimicrobial control, then effective microbial eradication is achieved, but naphthalene and azulene derivatives (toxic compounds) are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only the beneficial antimicrobial components from Muscodor volatile by-products while deliberately excluding the toxic naphthalene and azulene derivatives. This selective extraction creates compositions that retain microbial eradication capability while removing harmful elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the situation by using GRAS flavoring substances that mimic the beneficial antimicrobial effects of Muscodor compounds without producing toxic by-products. This converts the harmful presence of naphthalene and azulene derivatives into a benefit by replacing them with safe alternatives that achieve the same antimicrobial function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If natural compositions are developed to replace toxic biocides, then human safety is improved, but antimicrobial effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite antimicrobial compositions by combining multiple GRAS-certified flavoring substances in specific formulations. These composite materials leverage synergistic effects among different safe components to achieve antimicrobial effectiveness comparable to or exceeding traditional biocides, while maintaining human safety.
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 Muscodor crispans-based system effectively inhibits and eradicates microbial infections in food, agricultural crops, and other organic materials without the toxicity concerns of traditional biocides, demonstrating broad antimicrobial activity and safety for human consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Several members of the Muscodor genus (i.e., M. albus, M. roseus and M vitigenus) have been shown to produce volatile by-products exhibiting antibiotic or insecticidal character
Implementation Method 2
The Muscodor crispans-based system effectively inhibits and eradicates microbial infections in food, agricultural crops, and other organic materials
Data Source
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AI summary
Antimicrobial compositions comprising one or more compound components generally recognized as safe for human consumption, and related methods of use, such compositions and methods as can be employed in a wide range of agricultural, industrial, building, pharmaceutical, personal care and/or animal care products and applications.