Antimicrobial Copper Composition for Food Surface Pathogen Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial compositions for foodstuffs and surfaces are not adequately effective, safe, easy to apply, and economically viable, as they often contain chlorine, which can be harmful and affect food quality, and may not provide sufficient pathogen reduction.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a mineral acid buffered by a conjugate salt, copper(II) salt, and alkyl polyglycoside, excluding chlorine, applied as an aqueous solution at specific pH levels, effectively reducing pathogens on food surfaces and hard surfaces without causing organoleptic damage or toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chlorine-based treatments are used for pathogen reduction, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but safety and food quality are worsened due to harmful effects and organoleptic damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial treatment by replacing chlorine with copper(II) ions combined with organic acids (lactic, acetic, or citric acid). This parameter substitution maintains pathogen reduction effectiveness while eliminating the harmful effects associated with chlorine, such as toxicity and organoleptic damage to food quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite antimicrobial system combining copper(II) salts with organic acids and buffering agents. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the copper ions provide antimicrobial activity while the organic acids enhance effectiveness and the buffering agents maintain optimal pH levels, achieving superior pathogen reduction without chlorine-related harmful effects.
2Reliability
If stronger antimicrobial agents are used to increase pathogen reduction, then effectiveness is improved, but safety is worsened due to increased toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of copper(II) ions and organic acids to achieve effective pathogen reduction at safe levels. By carefully controlling the pH through buffering agents and adjusting the concentrations of copper salts and organic acids, the treatment maintains high antimicrobial effectiveness while staying within safety limits for food contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic acids (lactic, acetic, or citric acid) act as intermediaries that enhance the antimicrobial effectiveness of copper ions while reducing their toxicity. These intermediary substances facilitate the action of copper ions against pathogens while maintaining safety for food contact, effectively decoupling effectiveness from toxicity.
3Reliability
If complex antimicrobial compositions are used to improve effectiveness, then pathogen reduction is improved, but ease of application and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal antimicrobial composition that can be applied to multiple types of surfaces and foodstuffs (meat, poultry, seafood, produce, hard surfaces) using the same formulation. The composition's multi-functionality allows it to work effectively across different applications without requiring complex adjustments, simplifying the ease of application while maintaining high pathogen reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the pH parameter through buffering agents to create a composition that is stable and effective across a wide range of application conditions. This parameter optimization ensures consistent performance without requiring complex formulation adjustments for different applications, thereby improving ease of use while maintaining effectiveness.
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 significant reductions in pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, with improved safety and reduced toxicity, maintaining food quality and surface integrity, and is more effective than standard chlorine-based treatments.
Implementation Method 1
copper and lactic acid against Salmonella and Escherichia coli 0157:H7
Implementation Method 2
a mineral acid buffered by a conjugate salt; wherein the composition is an aqeous solution with a pH of about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6., 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, or 4
Implementation Method 3
between 0.01 wt.% and 0.3 wt.% of an alkyl polyglycoside
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides compositions for antimicrobial use comprising a mineral acid, an organic acid, or a combination thereof; a copper(II) salt; and a buffering salt, a detergent, or a combination thereof. The present disclosure also provides methods for reducing the number of pathogens on a surface by applying compositions of the present disclosure to the surface.