Antimicrobial Mixture Composition Stable in Surfactant-Rich Formulas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food products face challenges such as inactivation by surfactants, solubility incompatibilities, and instability, leading to reduced efficacy and odor issues, necessitating the development of stable and synergistic antimicrobial compositions.
Innovation Solution
A combination of 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one and 4-hydroxyacetophenone, or their organic or mineral base salts and solvates, is used to create an antimicrobial mixture that maintains stability and efficacy over time, even at elevated temperatures, without altering odor or viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If common preservatives are used in cosmetic compositions, then microbial contamination is prevented, but the preservatives are inactivated by surfactants reducing their antimicrobial efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two antimicrobial compounds (4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one and 4-hydroxyacetophenone) into a composite preservative system. This combination creates a synergistic effect where the mixture exhibits enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to either compound alone, while both compounds remain stable in the presence of surfactants, thus resolving the inactivation issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the preservative system by introducing specific molecular structures with hydroxyl and ether groups that confer surfactant resistance. The combination of two compounds with different chemical properties creates a system that maintains antimicrobial efficacy across a broader range of formulation conditions, including the presence of surfactants.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial compounds are combined to enhance activity, then synergistic effect is achieved, but solubility incompatibilities and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratio and chemical parameters of the two antimicrobial compounds to achieve synergistic activity while maintaining compatibility. The specific combination of 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one and 4-hydroxyacetophenone in defined proportions creates a stable mixture that does not exhibit solubility incompatibilities or degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses base salts and solvates (such as hydrates) of the antimicrobial compounds as alternative forms that maintain the same antimicrobial activity while improving solubility and stability characteristics. These derivative forms can be used to achieve the desired synergistic effect without the instability issues of the parent compounds.
3Reliability
If preservatives are used to maintain microbial integrity, then pathogenic microorganisms are prevented, but odor changes and viscosity modifications occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects antimicrobial compounds with specific molecular structures that are chemically stable and do not undergo degradation that would alter odor or viscosity. The combination of 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one and 4-hydroxyacetophenone maintains compositional stability over time, preventing the formation of degradation products that would cause odor changes or viscosity modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns an antimicrobial mixture of i) 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) butan-2-one and ii) 4-hydroxyacetophenone and their base salts, their solvates such as hydrates, and a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or food composition containing i) and ii). It is applicable to the care, make-up and cleansing of keratinous materials; to food preservation and to water treatment.