Surface Treatment Composition for Pathogen Suppression and Microbiome Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biocidal compositions indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial microorganisms, disrupting the natural microbiome, and often contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment.
Innovation Solution
A rehabilitation composition comprising non-ionic surfactants, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, with a pH between 3 and 4.2, effectively reduces harmful organisms while preserving beneficial microorganisms by using environmentally friendly ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biocidal compositions are used to kill harmful microorganisms, then the biocidal effect is achieved, but beneficial microorganisms are also killed and the microbiome is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The composition applies different functional components to different targets: chemical biocidal agents (acids, alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds) selectively target harmful microorganisms through their cell walls and membranes, while probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic nutrients are formulated to specifically support beneficial bacterial populations. This localized differentiation allows the same composition to simultaneously eliminate pathogens and nurture beneficial microbes without cross-affecting both groups equally
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is segmented into distinct functional modules: (1) biocidal agents for pathogen elimination, (2) probiotic microorganisms for beneficial population restoration, (3) prebiotic nutrients for selective feeding of beneficial bacteria, and (4) surfactants for enhanced penetration and distribution. Each segment operates independently on its target, allowing the harmful and beneficial microorganisms to be treated separately within the same application
2Speed
If strong chemical biocides are used to achieve rapid disinfection, then the biocidal speed is improved, but harmful chemicals are introduced that damage the environment and human health
Solution Approach 1:
The composition modifies the chemical parameters by using mild organic acids (acetic acid 0.1-5%, citric acid 0.1-5%, lactic acid 0.1-5%) instead of strong oxidizing agents. These acids achieve biocidal effects through pH disruption and metabolic interference in pathogens while remaining environmentally benign and non-toxic to humans at the specified concentrations. The parameter change from strong oxidants to mild organic acids maintains biocidal speed while eliminating harmful chemical effects
Solution Approach 2:
The composition converts potentially harmful chemicals into beneficial ones by replacing toxic biocides with food-grade organic acids and natural probiotics. The same acidic environment that kills pathogens also creates conditions favorable for probiotic survival and prebiotic nutrient utilization. Harmful strong chemicals are transformed into beneficial mild acids that serve dual purposes: pathogen elimination and probiotic support
3Quantity of substance
If biocidal compositions are used to eliminate pathogens, then the reduction of harmful organisms is achieved, but the natural microbiome balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The composition performs preliminary restoration by including probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic nutrients that prepare the environment for beneficial bacterial colonization before pathogenic populations can rebound. This preliminary action of seeding beneficial microbes and providing their nutrients occurs simultaneously with pathogen elimination, preventing microbiome imbalance before it can develop
Solution Approach 2:
The composition creates a feedback loop where prebiotic nutrients (inulin 0.1-5%, fructooligosaccharides 0.1-5%) selectively feed probiotic bacteria, which in turn produce antimicrobial substances that further suppress pathogens. This positive feedback mechanism continuously reinforces the beneficial microbiome while suppressing harmful organisms, automatically restoring and maintaining microbiome balance without external 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 rapid and selective biocidal effects against pathogens, maintaining the natural microbiome's balance and promoting its recovery, without using strong oxidizing agents or harmful chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
The probiotics are present in an amount sufficient to colonize the surface
Implementation Method 2
outcompete non-GRAS microorganisms for resources and attachment sites
Implementation Method 3
The prebiotics provide nutrients that selectively promote the growth and activity of beneficial GRAS microorganisms
Implementation Method 4
with a pH between 3 and 4.2, effectively reduces harmful organisms while preserving beneficial microorganisms
Implementation Method 5
A rehabilitation composition comprising non-ionic surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
A rehabilitation composition includes: a micellar water including one or more non-ionic surfactants which are soluble or emulsifiable or dispersible in water; one or more of a prebiotic, a probiotic, or a postbiotic; one or more excipient solvents; one or more excipient pH regulators, one or more excipient acids or their alkali and/or alkaline earth salts and/or amino acids giving the resulting composition a pH between 3 and 4.2; and up to 98.695% by weight of water. An aqueous liquid composition of the rehabilitation composition includes the one or more non-ionic surfactants in an amount ranging from 1.0 to 5.0% by weight; no surfactants other than the non-ionic surfactants are present; the one or more solvents in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20.0% by weight; no C1-C6 alcohols other than a type of glycol ether are present; and no quaternary ammonium compounds are present.