Antimicrobial Composition Using Low-Concentration Organic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial hand wash and hard surface formulations face challenges due to the use of surfactants and antimicrobially active ingredients like quaternary ammonium compounds, biguanides, and triclosan, which cause skin irritation, ecological toxicity, and microbial resistance, and require high concentrations of food-grade organic acids that lead to hazard classifications and safety precautions.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 0.1-1 wt.% of food-grade organic acids (such as citric acid or lactic acid) combined with 0.1-1 wt.% of amine oxide amphoteric surfactants, with a total surfactant content not exceeding 8 wt%, achieving effective antimicrobial activity without hazard classification, suitable for use on skin and hard surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of food-grade organic acids (5-15% lactic acid or citric acid) are used to achieve antimicrobial activity, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but hazard classification and safety precautions are required under CLP regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of organic acids from high (5-15%) to low (0.1-1% each of multiple acids), and combines multiple different organic acids (lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid) to achieve synergistic antimicrobial effect at lower concentrations, avoiding hazard classification thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite antimicrobial system by combining multiple different organic acids (lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid) with amine oxide amphoteric surfactants, where the combination produces synergistic effects that enhance antimicrobial activity while allowing each component to be present at safe, low concentrations
2Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds or biguanides are used as antimicrobial ingredients, then broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity is achieved, but microbial resistance and skin irritation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful antimicrobial ingredients (quaternary ammonium compounds, biguanides, triclosan) from the formulation, replacing them with safe organic acids and amine oxide surfactants that provide antimicrobial activity through synergistic interaction rather than through mechanisms that induce resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses naturally occurring, biodegradable organic acids (lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid) that are environmentally friendly and do not persist in the environment or induce long-term resistance, replacing persistent synthetic antimicrobials
3Ease of operation
If high levels of surfactants are used to enhance cleaning ability and foaming behavior, then cleaning performance is improved, but hazard classification occurs when amphoteric surfactant exceeds 1% threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of amine oxide amphoteric surfactant from high (>1%) to low (0.1-1%), and compensates for reduced surfactant effects by optimizing the combination with multiple organic acids, achieving effective antimicrobial activity and acceptable cleaning performance at safe concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system where amine oxide amphoteric surfactant works synergistically with multiple organic acids, where the combination enhances overall performance while allowing each component to be present at low, safe concentrations below hazard thresholds
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 demonstrates high antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, within short contact times, while maintaining a safe and non-hazardous profile, suitable for use as a hand soap, body wash, or hard surface cleaner without requiring use precautions or hazard statements.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants are employed, in part, to help solubilize the dirt on skin and surfaces, to enhance wetting of surfaces and skin
Implementation Method 2
Food allowed organic acids are frequently used in food to preserve food and often used in cleaners and hand washes to preserve compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to an antimicrobial disinfecting composition comprising: a) 0.1 – 1 wt.% of each of at least one food allowed organic acid or a salt thereof; b) 0.1 – 1 wt.% of each of at least one amine oxide 5 amphoteric surfactant, the composition having a total surfactant content which does not exceed 8 wt.%, wherein the total amount of betaine amphoteric surfactants in the composition is in the range of 0-75 wt.% of the total amount of amine oxide 10 amphoteric surfactant. The composition is particularly suitable for use on skin or mucous membranes. On the one hand it shows good disinfecting properties, but on the other hand it does not 15 lead to any use precautions or hazard or warning statements on the product label.