Biocidal Composition Synergy for Microbial Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biocides are ineffective against a wide range of microorganisms, particularly at low concentrations, and often fail to provide both short-term and long-term microbial control, leading to increased costs and environmental concerns when used in larger amounts.

Innovation Solution

A biocidal composition comprising 2-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate at specific weight ratios, which exhibit synergistic effects, allowing for reduced usage while achieving effective short-term and long-term microbial control in aqueous and water-containing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If larger amounts of biocide are used, then microbial control effectiveness is improved, but cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial control effectivenessVSAvoidbiocide concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different biocidal compounds (a phosphorus compound and an isothiazolinone compound) into a composite biocidal composition. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the combination of materials provides enhanced microbial control effectiveness compared to using either compound alone, allowing for reduced overall biocide concentration while maintaining or improving reliability of microbial control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If a single biocide is used, then application is simple, but it cannot provide both short-term and long-term effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of microbial controlVSAvoidbiocide composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biocidal composition uses a composite of two compounds with different modes and durations of action. The phosphorus compound provides sustained long-term microbial control, while the isothiazolinone compound delivers rapid short-term effectiveness. This composite formulation allows a single application to achieve both immediate and prolonged protection without requiring separate treatment regimens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratio parameters of the two biocidal compounds to achieve synergistic effects. By carefully controlling the relative amounts of each compound in the composition, the formulation maximizes both short-term kill rate and long-term residual activity, transforming the duration parameter from a limitation into a controllable advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If biocides are used to control microorganisms, then microbial growth is suppressed, but interference with desirable properties of the treated medium occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrobial controlVSAvoidinterference with medium properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The composite biocidal composition achieves microbial control at lower total concentrations than would be required for single-compound formulations. The synergistic interaction between the two compounds means that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects, allowing effective microbial suppression with reduced overall biocide dosage, thereby minimizing interference with the desirable properties of the treated medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9961903B2Biocidal compositions and methods of use
Publication Date: 2018.05.08 NUTRITION & BIOSCIENCES USA 1 LLC

AI summary

Provided are biocidal compositions comprising: a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound and 2-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one. The compositions are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems.