Sultaine Boosting Agent for Antimicrobial Composition
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for antimicrobial compositions that can enhance the antimicrobial effectiveness of milder antimicrobial agents used at lower concentrations, while maintaining product stability and aesthetics, especially in water-based products and pre-impregnated wipes.
Innovation Solution
The use of an antimicrobial composition that includes an antimicrobial agent and an antimicrobial boosting agent, specifically a sultaine, which provides enhanced antimicrobial effectiveness even at low concentrations, and is substantially free from short-chain alcohols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional antimicrobial agents are used, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but consumer acceptability and product aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an antimicrobial boosting agent as an intermediary substance that enhances the effectiveness of milder antimicrobial agents. This mediator allows the system to achieve traditional antimicrobial efficacy while using gentler active ingredients that are more consumer-acceptable, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and acceptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of antimicrobial agents, using lower concentrations of milder agents combined with a boosting agent. This parameter change allows maintaining effectiveness while improving consumer acceptability by reducing the presence of harsh traditional antimicrobials
2Reliability
If higher concentrations of alternative antimicrobial agents are used, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial boosting agent serves as a force multiplier, allowing lower concentrations of alternative antimicrobial agents to achieve the same effectiveness as higher concentrations would provide alone. This intermediary reduces the quantity of expensive alternative antimicrobials needed while maintaining efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using full concentrations of expensive alternative antimicrobial agents, the patent uses partial concentrations combined with the boosting agent to achieve equivalent or superior effectiveness, thereby reducing material costs
3Quantity of substance
If milder antimicrobial agents are used at lower concentrations, then cost is reduced and consumer acceptability is improved, but antimicrobial effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial boosting agent acts as a catalyst or amplifier that enables milder antimicrobial agents at lower concentrations to achieve effectiveness comparable to traditional agents. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enhancing the performance of gentler, cheaper ingredients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite antimicrobial system combining milder antimicrobial agents with an antimicrobial boosting agent. This composite formulation achieves the desired effectiveness through synergistic interaction between components, allowing use of gentler, less expensive ingredients
4Adaptability or versatility
If organic acids and multifunctional ingredients are used, then multiple product benefits are achieved, but water solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the antimicrobial boosting agent to ensure high water solubility. By changing these molecular parameters, the system achieves both multifunctionality and improved solubility characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Antimicrobial compositions can include an antimicrobial boosting agent that increases the antimicrobial effectiveness of the composition. A composition can include a carrier providing at least 90% of a total weight of the composition and an antimicrobial agent. The composition can also include an antimicrobial boosting agent comprising a sultaine. The antimicrobial boosting agent can provide 1.0% or less of the total weight of the composition. The composition can be substantially free from a short-chain alcohol.