Hand Wash Composition Using PAP for Antimicrobial Efficacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand washing products used by healthcare and food handlers often contain active antimicrobial ingredients that irritate the skin with frequent use, leading to poor compliance and safety or environmental concerns, and may have limited antimicrobial activity.
Innovation Solution
A hand wash composition comprising ε-phthalimido-peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) at concentrations between 0.3 wt % to 8.0 wt % combined with at least one anionic surfactant, maintaining a maximum inorganic salt concentration of 0.2 wt % and a pH of 2.5 to 4.5, providing high antimicrobial activity without skin irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active antimicrobial ingredients are used in hand wash products, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but skin irritation occurs with frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using ε-phthalimido-peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) instead of traditional antimicrobial agents like triclosan or chlorhexidine. PAP operates effectively at a specific pH range (2.5-4.5) and concentration (0.3-8.0 wt%), providing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity while being gentle on skin, thus resolving the contradiction between efficacy and skin compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation combines PAP with anionic surfactants to create a composite hand wash composition that integrates cleansing and disinfecting functions. This composite approach allows the product to maintain high antimicrobial activity while the surfactant system enhances skin compatibility and reduces irritation during frequent use
2Reliability
If traditional antimicrobial ingredients are used, then broad spectrum antimicrobial activity is achieved, but safety or environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful substances from traditional formulations by replacing triclosan, chlorhexidine, and other problematic antimicrobials with PAP. This substitution removes safety and environmental concerns while maintaining broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of requiring frequent hand washing into a benefit by using PAP, which maintains effectiveness without causing skin irritation. This allows personnel to comply with mandatory hand wash guidelines without the negative effects that previously led to poor compliance
3Reliability
If high concentration antimicrobial agents are used, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but skin compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of PAP to 0.3-8.0 wt%, which is sufficiently high to provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy but low enough to avoid skin irritation. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where maximum efficacy is achieved without compromising skin compatibility
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 effectively kills bacteria and microorganisms with short contact times, is stable for repeated use, and gentle on the skin, making it suitable for healthcare and food industry applications.
Implementation Method 1
The hand wash compositions include ε-phthalimido-peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP)... providing high antimicrobial activity
Implementation Method 2
at least one anionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Hand wash compositions including ε-phthalimido-peroxyhexanoic acid are described herein.