Citric–Lactic Acid Formulation for Hard and Soft Surface Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning formulations struggle to achieve equivalent disinfection levels on both hard non-porous and soft porous surfaces without using harsh active agents or high concentrations of chemicals, particularly in disinfecting sprays.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning formulation comprising citric acid, lactic acid, non-ethoxylated surfactants, and optional preservatives, with a citric acid to lactic acid ratio of 3:1 to 5:1, achieving at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus population within 10 minutes on both surface types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-surface disinfecting sprays use high concentrations of ethanol (58%) and biocides like quats to achieve disinfection on hard surfaces, then disinfection efficacy on hard non-porous surfaces is improved, but the formulation causes surface damage and skin irritation on soft porous surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfecting formulation by replacing harsh biocides (quats, high concentration ethanol) with mild organic acids (citric acid at 1-5% and lactic acid at 0.1-2%). This parameter change maintains disinfection efficacy while eliminating surface damage and skin irritation issues associated with traditional formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite disinfecting system combining citric acid and lactic acid in specific ratios (3:1 to 5:1), along with non-ethoxylated surfactants and preservatives. This composite formulation achieves synergistic disinfection效果 on both hard and soft surfaces without the harmful effects of individual harsh chemicals.
2Reliability
If formulations use harsher chemicals with high levels of actives to disinfect soft porous surfaces, then disinfection efficacy on soft surfaces is improved, but the formulation becomes less safe and more damaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the active ingredient parameters from harsh biocides to mild organic acids at low concentrations (citric acid 1-5%, lactic acid 0.1-2%). This achieves effective disinfection on soft porous surfaces like upholstery and carpets without requiring harsh chemicals or high active concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available, inexpensive organic acids (citric and lactic acid) that can be applied and quickly degraded, replacing expensive and persistent harsh biocides. These mild actives provide effective disinfection while being safer and more environmentally friendly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single formulation is designed to work on both hard and soft surfaces, then versatility is improved, but it is difficult to achieve equivalent disinfection levels on both surface types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal disinfecting formulation containing citric acid, lactic acid, and non-ethoxylated surfactants that effectively disinfects both hard non-porous surfaces and soft porous surfaces. The mild organic acids work on both surface types without causing damage, achieving equivalent 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus within 10 minutes on both surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of citric acid (1-5%) and lactic acid (0.1-2%) to create a formulation with balanced efficacy across different surface types. The specific ratio range (3:1 to 5:1) is determined to achieve universal effectiveness while maintaining safety on both hard and soft surfaces.
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 formulation effectively reduces microbial populations by at least 3-log on both hard and soft surfaces within 10 minutes, using mild actives and avoiding skin irritation and surface damage.
Implementation Method 1
The present formulations may include both citric acid and lactic acid... inclusion of such a combination... can provide for a high log reduction against desired target microbes
Implementation Method 2
about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of at least one non-ethoxylated surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are cleaning formulations. The cleaning formulation may include (i) about 1% to about 5% by weight of citric acid, (ii) about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of lactic acid, (iii) about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of a preservative, and (iv) about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of at least one non-ethoxylated surfactant. The cleaning formulation may further include one or more of the following non-limiting adjuncts: solvents, fragrances, preservatives, water, pH adjusting agents or any mixture or combination thereof. The ratio of citric acid to lactic acid in the cleaning formulation may be about 3:1 to 5:1. Additionally, the cleaning formulation may exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in a Staphylococcus aureus population within 10 minutes, as tested on a soft, porous surface. Hard surface sanitization and/or disinfection may also be provided.