Aqueous Antimicrobial Composition for Elevated-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous antimicrobial compositions for wet wipes face challenges in maintaining antiseptic and antifungal activities at elevated temperatures and suffer from stability issues such as discoloration, particularly when stored at temperatures higher than room temperature.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous antimicrobial composition comprising benzoic acid or its salt, δ-gluconolactone, ketonic acid or its salt, sorbic acid or its salt, and dicarboxylic acids, along with a discoloration inhibitor like sulfurous acid or its salt, which maintains antiseptic and antifungal efficacy and stability by adjusting the pH to 2.4-5.5, preventing discoloration and ensuring long-term storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If wet wipes are stored at elevated temperatures (35-45°C) to maintain suitability for use, then the antiseptic and antifungal activities deteriorate and discoloration occurs, but storage at room temperature maintains stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial composition by selecting specific active ingredients (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, δ-gluconolactone, ketonic acid, and dicarboxylic acids) that maintain stability at elevated temperatures. The pH is adjusted to 2.4-5.5 to optimize both stability and efficacy, resolving the contradiction between storage temperature and activity persistence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite antimicrobial system combining multiple organic acids and their salts working synergistically. This composite approach provides both thermal stability and persistent antiseptic activity, as the combination of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, δ-gluconolactone, ketonic acid, and dicarboxylic acids creates a more stable system than individual components alone
2Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial compositions are used, then antiseptic activity is provided, but discoloration occurs during storage at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH parameter to 2.4-5.5, which prevents discoloration while maintaining antiseptic activity. This pH range stabilizes the chemical composition against oxidation and other reactions that cause discoloration, particularly at elevated storage temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of elevated storage temperatures into a benefit by selecting organic acids that are more stable at higher temperatures. The acidic environment created by these ingredients actually protects against discoloration while maintaining efficacy, turning the storage condition challenge into an advantage
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 exhibits excellent antiseptic and antifungal activities at elevated temperatures, maintains stability, and prevents discoloration, ensuring effective performance and storage stability even when stored at higher temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The composition exhibits excellent antiseptic and antifungal activities at elevated temperatures, maintains stability, and prevents discoloration
Implementation Method 2
Storage at such temperatures may cause discoloration of a chemical solution impregnated in the wet wipes. There is therefore also need for long-term stability of such a solution in a higher temperature range than mom temperature
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem to be Solved]An object of the present invention is to provide an aqueous antimicrobial composition which exhibits excellent antibacterial and antifungal activities even at a low concentration and has high safety, low skin irritation, and excellent long-term stability.[Solution]Aqueous antimicrobial compositions comprising two or more compounds selected from (a) benzoic acid or a salt thereof, (b) δ-gluconolactone, (c) ketonic acid or a salt thereof, and (d) sorbic acid or a salt thereof; and at least one or more dicarboxylic acid represented by General Formula (I) or a salt thereof.