Bacterial Spore Cleaning Composition for Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning products with bleach struggle to effectively remove bleachable stains and provide long-lasting malodor reduction and prevention.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising a bleaching system and bacterial spores, with a pH of 9.5 to 11.5, that maintains spore stability and includes hydrogen peroxide, bleach activators, and Bacillus spores, which germinate to break down soils and malodor precursors, offering sustained stain removal and odor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bleach is used in cleaning products, then broad spectrum biological activity and stain removal are achieved, but spore stability is compromised and malodor reduction is short-lived
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter to a specific range (9.5-11.5) and controls temperature conditions to create an environment where bacterial spores remain stable despite the presence of bleach. This parameter optimization allows the spores to survive and remain functional in a bleaching environment, resolving the contradiction between bleach effectiveness and spore stability.
2Productivity
If conventional cleaning products are used, then immediate stain removal is achieved, but long-lasting malodor prevention is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates bacterial spores that remain dormant during storage and initial use, then activate later to provide sustained malodor prevention. The spores are prepared in advance to survive the bleaching process, and upon activation in the laundry environment, they colonize fabrics and continuously degrade malodor-causing compounds, extending protection beyond the immediate washing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The bacterial spores in the composition serve themselves by germinating and multiplying on fabric surfaces after washing, creating a self-sustaining system that continuously produces enzymes to degrade malodor precursors. This self-replicating capability eliminates the need for repeated applications and provides long-term malodor control without additional intervention.
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 achieves synergistic bleachable stain removal and long-lasting malodor prevention, maintaining effectiveness for at least 24 hours by utilizing spores that germinate in response to moisture and heat, providing superior performance in laundry applications.
Implementation Method 1
spores that germinate in response to moisture and heat
Implementation Method 2
the spores germinate, activating the bacteria that in turn excretes enzymes that help to break down soils preventing and/or reducing malodor
Implementation Method 3
a bleaching system... provide good removal of bleachable stains
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning composition including from about 5% to about 25% by weight of the composition of a hydrogen peroxide source; from 1% to about 10% by weight of the composition of a bleach activator; from about 1×102 to about 1×1011 CFU/g of bacterial spores; and wherein the composition has a pH of from 9.5 to 11.5 as measured in 1% weight/volume aqueous solution in distilled water at 20° C.