Synergistic Microbicidal Composition Using Nonionic Surfactant and Benzoate Salt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microbicidal compositions lack synergistic activity against various microorganism strains, requiring higher levels of individual microbicides, which is economically and environmentally inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A synergistic microbicidal composition comprising a nonionic surfactant with specific structures and benzoate or sorbate salts in defined weight ratios, effectively inhibiting microorganism growth in aqueous media with reduced levels of microbicides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If higher levels of individual microbicides are used, then effective control of microorganisms is achieved, but economic and environmental efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective control of microorganismsVSAvoidlevels of individual microbicides
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different microbicides (benzoate/sorbate salt and isothiazolinone) into a single composition that works synergistically. This merging allows achieving effective microbial control with lower total concentrations of microbicides compared to using either component alone, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and quantity of substance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite microbicidal system by formulating benzoate or sorbate salt together with isothiazolinone in specific weight ratios (0.01:0.99 to 0.99:0.01). This composite approach leverages the complementary mechanisms of action of the two microbicides to achieve enhanced efficacy at reduced concentrations, addressing both the reliability and quantity concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If combinations of microbicides with synergistic activity are developed, then environmental and economic benefits are achieved, but complexity of composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelevels of individual microbicidesVSAvoidcomplexity of composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the weight ratio parameters of the two microbicides to achieve synergistic effects. By carefully controlling the concentration parameters within the specified ratio ranges, the composition achieves enhanced efficacy while maintaining formulation simplicity. This parameter optimization allows reducing microbicide levels without excessive complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If lower levels of individual microbicides are used, then environmental and economic benefits are achieved, but effective control of microorganisms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelevels of individual microbicidesVSAvoideffective control of microorganisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses one microbicide as an intermediary that enhances the activity of the other. The combination of benzoate/sorbate salt and isothiazolinone creates a synergistic relationship where each component amplifies the effectiveness of the other, allowing lower individual concentrations to achieve the same or better microbial control than higher concentrations of single agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9808002B2Microbicidal composition
Publication Date: 2017.11.07 NUTRITION & BIOSCIENCES USA 2 LLC

AI summary

An aqueous microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R2O(CH2CH(CH3)O)3(CH2CH2O)5H, where R2 is a mixture of C8-C14 linear alkyl groups. The second component is a benzoate or sorbate salt. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the benzoate or sorbate salt is from 1:0.12 to 1:109.7646.