Low-pH Antimicrobial Composition for Rapid Killing at Low Alcohol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disinfecting and sanitizing compositions require high alcohol concentrations for rapid antimicrobial activity, which can cause skin dryness and irritation, while lower alcohol concentrations are considered ineffective for rapid germ killing.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial composition comprising 15.0 to 25.0 wt.% C1-8 alcohols, alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, sodium benzoate enhancer, and citric acid buffer, with a pH less than 6.0, achieving a microbial log reduction of greater than 4.0 log CFU/mL in 1 minute.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high alcohol concentration (greater than 50 wt.%) is used in disinfecting compositions, then rapid antimicrobial activity is achieved, but skin dryness and irritation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the composition to below 6.0 (preferably below 5.0) and uses specific concentrations of buffer and enhancer (collectively 1.0 to 3.0 wt.%) to enable low alcohol concentrations (15.0 to 25.0 wt.%) to achieve rapid antimicrobial activity, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and skin harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining alcohol (15.0 to 25.0 wt.%), surfactant (0.5 to 2.0 wt.%), buffer (0.5 to 2.0 wt.%), and enhancer (0.1 to 0.5 wt.%) where the synergistic interaction of components enables rapid antimicrobial activity at low alcohol concentrations, reducing skin irritation while maintaining effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If low alcohol concentration (less than 40.0 wt.%) is used in disinfecting compositions, then skin irritation is reduced, but rapid antimicrobial activity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to below 6.0 and optimizes the concentrations of buffer and enhancer components, which fundamentally alters the antimicrobial mechanism to work effectively at low alcohol concentrations (15.0 to 25.0 wt.%), achieving both reduced skin irritation and maintained antimicrobial activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer and enhancer components as intermediary substances that mediate between the alcohol and microorganisms, enabling the low concentration alcohol formulation to achieve rapid antimicrobial activity through the combined action of all components rather than relying solely on high alcohol concentration
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 exhibits rapid antimicrobial efficacy against microorganisms, even at low alcohol levels, with synergistic effects enhancing antimicrobial activity beyond what would be expected from individual components.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant comprising an alkyl polyglucoside
Implementation Method 2
Alcohol-based sanitizers, such as those comprising ethanol, typically have the additional advantage of rapid evaporation from the skin and other surfaces
Implementation Method 3
wherein the pH of the antimicrobial composition is less than 6.0, such as less than 5.0, preferably from 1.5 to 4.5
Data Source
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AI summary
An antimicrobial composition is provided that comprises about 10.0 to about 40.0 wt.% of one or more C1-8 alcohols, based on the total weight of the antimicrobial composition; and two or more of a surfactant; an enhancer; and a buffer. The pH of the composition is less than or equal to about 6.0 and the composition achieves a microbial log reduction of greater than 4.0 log CFU/ml at a contact time of 1 minute, in accordance ASTM E2783.