Biodegradable Cleaning Composition Using Microbial Consortium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning compositions are not biodegradable and environmentally friendly, lacking effective alternatives that utilize beneficial microorganisms for cleaning purposes while being safe for surfaces and the environment.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable cleaning composition comprising a microbial consortium of lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus species, organic acids, and additional elements like essential oils and fatty acids, which are produced through controlled fermentation, providing cleaning properties and antimicrobial effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional cleaning compositions are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but environmental friendliness and biodegradability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional synthetic cleaning agents with biodegradable components including microbial consortium (lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus species), organic acids, and natural surfactants. This parameter transformation achieves both environmental friendliness and maintained cleaning effectiveness through biochemical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cleaning system combining multiple biodegradable components: microbial consortium, organic acids (lactic, acetic, citric), fatty acids, and natural surfactants. This composite approach provides synergistic effects that ensure both environmental compatibility and cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If beneficial microorganisms are used for cleaning, then biodegradability is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the microbial consortium with their metabolic products (organic acids, enzymes, and other metabolites) into a single integrated cleaning composition. This combining approach simplifies formulation by eliminating the need for separate additive packages while maintaining biodegradability and cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microbial consortium in the composition are designed to be self-sustaining and self-active, utilizing their own metabolic processes to generate cleaning agents. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for external chemical additives and simplifies the overall formulation structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-generated harmful factors

If microbial consortium are used, then antimicrobial properties are enhanced, but stability of composition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial propertiesVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary stabilization techniques during formulation, including the use of protective colloids, controlled pH adjustment, and pre-culturing methods that preserve microbial viability and composition stability. These preliminary actions ensure the composition remains stable during storage while maintaining antimicrobial activity upon application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The composition includes intermediary substances such as buffering agents, stabilizing polymers, and protective agents that mediate between the microbial consortium and the external environment. These intermediaries protect the microorganisms from degradation while maintaining their antimicrobial properties and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively cleans surfaces, including those with intricate structures, while being environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and safe for use, with enhanced antimicrobial properties and long-lasting efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

beneficial microorganisms are used to obtain biochemicals through a controlled fermentation of natural ingredients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230380428A1Biodegradable cleaning products, methods of production, and their compositions

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

A biodegradable cleaning composition comprises one or more species of lactic acid bacteria, one or more species of Bacillus, water, and at least one additional element selected from the group consisting of at least one biodetergent, organic acid, diol, polyol, polymyxin, polysaccharide-lipid complex, fatty acid, monoterpene, sesquiterpene, preservative, essential oil, and carbon source. A biodegradable cleaning composition kit comprises at least one textile that has been treated with the biodegradable cleaning composition, wherein the treated textile is contained within an openable container.