Antimicrobial Composition with Cationic Surfactants and Foam Boosters
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for antimicrobial personal care compositions that are free from biocides like Triclocarban and Triclosan, yet still provide high foam levels and are mild to mammalian skin.
Innovation Solution
The composition includes a cationic active ingredient, a foam boosting surfactant, a novel foam boosting copolymer, a chelating agent, a foam stabilizer, and water, while being substantially free of triclosan, anionic surfactants, and C1 to C4 alcohols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biocides like Triclosan and Triclocarban are used as antimicrobial agents, then broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy is achieved, but environmental persistence and health concerns arise due to formation of intermediate and environmental by products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful biocides (Triclosan, Triclocarban) from the formulation while retaining antimicrobial efficacy through alternative mechanisms using cationic surfactants and amino acid-based compounds that do not persist in the environment or form harmful byproducts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial system by replacing traditional biocides with cationic surfactants and amino acid derivatives, fundamentally altering the mechanism of action from biocide-based killing to surfactant-based membrane disruption and protein denaturation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial compositions are formulated without Triclosan and Triclocarban, then environmental and health concerns are reduced, but foam level and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components - cationic surfactants that provide both antimicrobial activity and foam generation, amino acid-based compounds that enhance foam stability, and chelating agents that maintain overall formulation stability, creating a multi-functional system that replaces both the antimicrobial and foam-providing roles of traditional biocides
Solution Approach 2:
The cationic surfactants in the formulation serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide antimicrobial efficacy through membrane disruption, generate copious foam through surface tension reduction, and contribute to overall formulation stability, thereby replacing both the antimicrobial and foam-providing functions of traditional biocide formulations
3Reliability
If cationic active ingredients are used to provide antimicrobial efficacy without Triclosan, then broad spectrum reduction in microorganism populations is achieved, but foam generation and stability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antimicrobial cationic ingredients with foam-boosting surfactants and amino acid-based foam stabilizers in a unified formulation, where the cationic surfactants provide both antimicrobial action and foam generation, while the amino acids enhance foam stability through their amphiphilic properties
4Reliability
If traditional antimicrobial formulations are used, then microbial population control is effective, but skin irritation and tissue damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial system by using milder cationic surfactants and amino acid-based compounds that achieve microbial control through physical mechanisms (membrane disruption, protein denaturation) rather than the harsh biochemical pathways of traditional biocides, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining efficacy
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 achieves rapid cidal efficacy, high foaming attributes, and reduced skin irritation, making it effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms while being gentle on skin.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention is directed to antimicrobial compositions exhibiting the antimicrobial effectiveness of cationic active ingredients
Implementation Method 2
a foam boosting surfactant
Implementation Method 3
a chelating agent
Data Source
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AI summary
The antimicrobial composition of the present invention comprises a cationic active ingredient, a foam boosting surfactant, a foam boosting copolymer, a foam stabilizer, and a chelating agent. The present antimicrobial compositions are free of the antimicrobial agent triclosan (i.e., 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'hydroxy-diphenylether), have rapid cidal activity, provide stable copious foam and exhibit enhanced tissue (e.g. skin) compatibility as defined by an in vitro whole toxicology assessment method.