Aqueous Silicone Polymer Compositions with Synergistic Antimicrobial Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for toxicologically acceptable, natural origin preservatives that effectively control microbiological growth in aqueous compositions of silicones used in cosmetic, hygienic, and household products, particularly against difficult-to-control microorganisms like Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, without causing skin irritation, and existing combinations often fail to provide adequate antimicrobial effectiveness at low concentrations.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous compositions comprising silicones combined with specific antimicrobial agents such as 2-phenoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, and substituted 1,3-propanediols, which work synergistically to enhance antimicrobial activity, reducing the required concentration and preventing microbial growth, even at low levels of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aromatic alcohols such as 2-phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and 3-phenyl-1-propanol are used alone at acceptable amounts (1.0 wt% or less), then toxicological acceptability is maintained, but adequate antimicrobial effectiveness is not achieved in compositions comprising silicone polymers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple aromatic alcohols (2-phenoxyethanol, 2-phenylethanol, and 3-phenyl-1-propanol) in specific ratios to create a synergistic preservative system. This combination achieves adequate antimicrobial effectiveness against difficult-to-control microorganisms while maintaining each individual component's concentration at or below 1.0 wt%, thus preserving toxicological acceptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite preservative formulation consisting of multiple aromatic alcohol components working together. This composite approach leverages the complementary antimicrobial properties of each aromatic alcohol to achieve broad-spectrum effectiveness against bacteria, yeasts, and molds, including Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, without requiring high concentrations of any single agent.
2Reliability
If higher concentrations of single aromatic alcohol preservatives are used to achieve adequate antimicrobial effectiveness, then antimicrobial reliability is improved, but toxicological acceptability and skin irritation risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three aromatic alcohols in a specific compositional ratio (2-phenoxyethanol: 0.1-1.0 wt%, 2-phenylethanol: 0.1-0.5 wt%, 3-phenyl-1-propanol: 0.1-1.0 wt%) to achieve synergistic antimicrobial action. This combination allows each component to be used at safe, low concentrations while collectively providing robust protection against microorganisms, thereby avoiding skin irritation associated with higher concentrations of single preservatives.
3Reliability
If 1,2-alkanediols are used alone or in combination with up to 1.0% aromatic alcohols to control microbiological growth, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but adequate control of difficult microorganisms (Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing 1,2-alkanediol-based preservative systems with a specifically formulated combination of three aromatic alcohols. This parameter change enables effective control of difficult-to-control microorganisms like Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while maintaining the total preservative level at or below 1.0 wt%, thus keeping the formulation simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising one or more silicones and a synergistic combination of anti-microbiological agents, to a process for preparing the aqueous compositions, and to the use of said aqueous compositions, in particular, for the manufacture of home care articles, household cleansing articles, fabric articles, cosmetic articles, hygienic articles, medical articles etc.