Phenoxyethanol-Polyethylenimine Booster for Antimicrobial Efficacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The antimicrobial activity of phenoxyethanol is not effectively enhanced by existing technologies, limiting its application in various antimicrobial and disinfection applications.
Innovation Solution
The combination of phenoxyethanol with a polyethylenimine oligomer or polymer grafted with 0.01 to 100 parts by weight of ethylene oxide, which acts as a booster to significantly enhance the antimicrobial efficacy, particularly when used in conjunction with other surface active agents and additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phenoxyethanol is used as an antimicrobial agent, then it provides basic antimicrobial protection, but its antimicrobial activity is insufficient for effective disinfection and preservation applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phenoxyethanol with polyethylenimine oligomers or polymers grafted with ethylene oxide to create a composite antimicrobial system. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between the biocide and the polymer, where the polymer serves as a booster to significantly enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of phenoxyethanol beyond what either component could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the antimicrobial system by introducing polyethylenimine with specific molecular weights (500-2,000,000 g/mol) and grafting ratios (0.01-100 parts ethylene oxide per part polyamine). These parameter changes enable the system to achieve superior antimicrobial activity while maintaining stability and safety profiles.
2Reliability
If higher concentrations of phenoxyethanol are used to improve antimicrobial efficacy, then disinfection effectiveness increases, but safety and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The polyethylenimine oligomer or polymer acts as an intermediary booster that amplifies the antimicrobial effect of low concentrations of phenoxyethanol. This mediator allows the system to achieve high disinfection effectiveness without requiring high concentrations of the biocide itself, thereby maintaining a safe and stable profile.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the formulation parameters to include the polymer booster, the system achieves enhanced antimicrobial activity at lower phenoxyethanol concentrations, avoiding the safety and stability issues associated with high biocide concentrations while maintaining effective disinfection.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions comprising a) an antimicrobial agent, which is selected from the group consisting of phenoxyethanol, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, glutaraldehyde, formic acid, 1,2-ethanedial, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, 3,5-dimethyl-1,3-5-thiadiazinane-2-thione, 1,3,5-tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, 2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino cyclopropylamino-6-(1,3,5-triazine), silver-glass, silver zeolite; and b) a polyamine, especially a polyethylenimine. The polyamine is effective as a booster for the antimicrobial agent.