Ether Amines for Sporicidal Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and laundry require high concentrations of chemicals, such as hypochlorite, to effectively reduce bacterial spores like C. diff, which are costly and inefficient, and face challenges with solubility and stability in water, especially in the presence of water hardness.
Innovation Solution
A composition and method using ether amines and peracids, applied separately or together, to achieve sporicidal activity with improved solubility and stability, effectively reducing bacterial spores by more than 99.999% within 30 minutes at room temperature, as demonstrated by the synergistic effect of dodecylamine and peroxyacetic acid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of hypochlorite are used to disinfect bacterial spores, then sporicidal effectiveness is improved, but cost and chemical usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using ether amines with specific molecular structures (containing ether linkages and amine groups) that enable effective spore inactivation at lower concentrations compared to traditional hypochlorite, thereby reducing the quantity of substance required while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite chemical formulations combining ether amine components with specific functional groups, creating a material with enhanced sporicidal properties that achieves better effectiveness-to-concentration ratio than single-component traditional disinfectants
2Reliability
If traditional disinfectants are used, then sporicidal activity is achieved, but solubility and stability in water are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the disinfectant by incorporating ether linkages and hydrophilic amine groups into the molecular structure, which fundamentally changes the compound's interaction with water, resulting in improved solubility and aqueous stability while preserving sporicidal activity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces specific functional groups (ether oxygens and amine nitrogens) at strategic positions within the molecular structure to create local regions with enhanced water affinity, allowing the molecule to maintain both sporicidal function and improved solubility through localized structural modifications
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient sporicidal effect against bacterial spores on surfaces and laundry, outperforming traditional methods by achieving significant log reductions with lower concentrations and maintaining efficacy in the presence of water hardness.
Implementation Method 1
A composition and method are used to treat articles suspected of contamination with bacterial spores. The composition and method are effective against bacterial spores selected from C. diff., C. botulinum, C. sporogenes, B. cereus, and B. subtilis.
Implementation Method 2
The method includes preparing a first use solution by mixing ether amine in water and a second use solution by mixing percarboxylic acid in water; applying the first use solution to the article; and applying the second use solution to the article.
Data Source
AI summary
A composition and method are used to treat articles suspected of contamination with bacterial spores. The composition and method are effective against bacterial spores selected from C. diff., C. botulinum, C. sporogenes, B. cereus, and B. subtilis. The article can be a textile or a hard surface. The method includes preparing a first use solution by mixing ether amine in water and a second use solution by mixing percarboxylic acid in water; applying the first use solution to the article; and applying the second use solution to the article. An alternative method includes preparing a mixture of ether amine, percarboxylic acid, and water, and applying the mixture to the article.