Antimicrobial Composition Using p-Menthene Alcohols and Thymol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial compositions require long contact times for effective action, which is inadequate for quick cleaning practices, especially in personal and hard surface disinfection, and often have undesirable side effects such as corrosiveness and strong odors. There is a need for compositions that provide rapid antimicrobial action within a short time frame and are less dependent on intense odoriferous compounds like thymol.

Innovation Solution

The use of selected p-menthene alcohols in combination with thymol, at lower concentrations, provides synergistic antimicrobial action, allowing for fast microbial inactivation in as little as 15 seconds, reducing the required thymol amount and minimizing olfactory disadvantages, with a composition comprising 0.001 to 5% by weight of thymol and 0.001 to 5% by weight of p-menthene alcohols, along with a carrier like water or ethanol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chlorine-based antimicrobial agents such as triclosan are used, then antimicrobial action is provided, but long contact time is required which is inadequate for quick cleaning practices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial actionVSAvoidcontact time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using p-menthene alcohols instead of traditional chlorine-based antimicrobials. This parameter change enables rapid antimicrobial action within 15 seconds while maintaining effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable antimicrobial action and required contact time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite antimicrobial composition by combining p-menthene alcohols with thymol and other complementary substances. This composite formulation synergistically enhances antimicrobial efficacy and speed of action, allowing effective disinfection in under 15 seconds without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If phenolic compounds are used as antimicrobial agents, then antimicrobial action is achieved, but undesirable side effects such as corrosiveness and malodour occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial actionVSAvoidcorrosiveness and malodour

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs p-menthene alcohols which are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing persistent phenolic compounds. These shorter-living, more benign molecules provide effective antimicrobial action without the long-term harmful effects of phenols, including corrosiveness and malodour.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical class from phenolic compounds to p-menthene alcohols, fundamentally altering the properties of the antimicrobial agent. This parameter change maintains antimicrobial efficacy while eliminating harmful side effects such as corrosiveness and unpleasant odors associated with phenols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If thymol is used at high concentrations for rapid disinfection, then antimicrobial action is enhanced, but olfactory disadvantages become more intense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficacyVSAvoidolfactory disadvantages

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses p-menthene alcohols as intermediary substances that work synergistically with thymol. These intermediaries enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of thymol at lower concentrations, reducing the overall odor intensity while maintaining strong disinfection performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite antimicrobial system combining p-menthene alcohols with thymol and other complementary compounds. This composite formulation achieves enhanced disinfection efficacy through synergistic interactions while keeping odor levels acceptable by avoiding reliance on high concentrations of any single odoriferous compound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This combination achieves rapid and effective antimicrobial action, reducing the disinfection time significantly while minimizing sensory issues, making it suitable for quick personal and hard surface cleaning applications without the need for high thymol concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

compositions comprising selected p-menthene alcohols and thymol provide synergistic antimicrobial action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynergistic antimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentEP2787821B2Antimicrobial composition

Publication Date: 2021.12.01 UNILEVER GLOBAL IP LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition and a method for disinfection involving the antimicrobial composition. It particularly relates to an antimicrobial composition for personal cleaning, oral care or hard surface cleaning applications. It was found that compositions comprising thymol, p-menthene alcohols and a carrier provide synergistic antimicrobial action. In a preferred aspect the composition also comprises 1 to 80 %-wt of one or more surfactants.