Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide Surfactant Formulation for Food Contact Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Chlorine dioxide-based formulations for food contact surfaces face stability issues due to the inherent instability of chlorine dioxide, which limits their shelf-life and requires on-site production, and existing surfactants often degrade chlorine dioxide, further reducing stability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A stabilized chlorine dioxide/surfactant solution is developed using an EPA-approved sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant like TRITON GR-5M, which maximizes shelf-life by adjusting pH and selecting compatible ingredients, allowing for a ready-to-use, broad-spectrum cleaner and disinfectant suitable for food contact surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chlorine dioxide is used as a biocidal agent, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but shelf-life stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates chlorine dioxide in advance and stabilizes it through pH adjustment (to pH 7-9) and the use of stabilizing agents before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary stabilization allows the product to maintain efficacy over extended shelf life without requiring on-site generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the chlorine dioxide solution from its naturally acidic state to a neutral or alkaline range (pH 7-9), which significantly improves stability. This parameter change allows the product to maintain both disinfection efficacy and long-term stability
2Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are added to facilitate cleaning, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but chlorine dioxide stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pH adjustment agents and stabilizing agents as intermediaries between the surfactants and chlorine dioxide. These intermediaries buffer the environment to maintain pH 7-9, preventing surfactant-induced degradation while preserving cleaning efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the pH parameter to a neutral or alkaline range, the patent creates an environment where both surfactants and chlorine dioxide can coexist stably, resolving the incompatibility between cleaning agents and biocidal efficacy
3Ease of operation
If a one-step cleaning and disinfecting product is created, then ease of use is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cleaning functions (surfactants) and disinfection functions (chlorine dioxide) into a single unified formulation. This combination eliminates the need for separate cleaning and disinfecting steps while maintaining both functionalities through careful pH and stability management
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 solution provides a stable, effective, and ready-to-use chlorine dioxide/surfactant formulation that maintains efficacy over time, ensuring a suitable shelf-life and one-step cleaning and disinfecting capability on food contact surfaces without residue or chlorinated byproducts, while being environmentally friendly and safe for use around people and pets.
Implementation Method 1
Chlorine dioxide is an effective biocide that can clean and deodorize. Chlorine dioxide has great potential for killing microorganisms.
Implementation Method 2
The presence of surfactants in a chlorine dioxide formulation facilitates cleaning of the surface, and improves germ kill.
Implementation Method 3
stabilized chlorine dioxide/surfactant solution includes an approved sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant... Compatibility of the sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant with chlorine dioxide is critical to maximize the shelf life of the product.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for producing a stabilized chlorine dioxide/surfactant solution based food contact cleaner and disinfectant product approved for use on food contact surfaces.