Synergistic Preservative Blends for Microbial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional preservative formulations, such as those containing formaldehyde releasers and parabens, have high preservation capacity that persists even after application, potentially interfering with human cell and organ function due to absorption and deposition in major organs.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic combination of bactericidal and fungicidal compounds like methylisothiazolinone/piroctone olamine, caprylyl glycol/dehydroacetic acid, and lauryl alcohol/sorbic acid at specific concentrations is used to reduce microbial load while minimizing systemic impact, combined with appropriate solvents like glycols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formaldehyde releasers and parabens are used at high concentrations to achieve strong bactericidal and fungicidal effects, then microbe control is improved, but human cell and organ function is harmed due to enzyme impairment and systemic deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the preservative function into multiple components by combining at least two different bactericidal/fungicidal compounds (e.g., methylisothiazolinone with piroctone olamine, or caprylyl glycol with dehydroacetic acid). This segmentation allows each component to contribute differently to microbe control while enabling lower individual concentrations that reduce systemic absorption and harmful effects on human cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameters by using lower individual concentrations of each preservative component compared to single-component formulations. The synergistic combination allows effective microbe control at reduced concentrations, thereby minimizing enzyme impairment and systemic deposition in human organs while maintaining preservation capacity.
2Reliability
If single preservative compounds are used at high concentrations to ensure effective preservation, then microbe control is improved, but the necessary concentration is reduced through synergistic cooperation of multiple compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple preservative compounds into a single formulation where their effects combine synergistically. This combining approach allows the formulation to achieve high preservation capacity equivalent to high-concentration single compounds, while the distributed concentration across multiple components reduces the quantity of each individual substance needed and minimizes harmful systemic effects.
3Reliability
If conventional preservatives are applied to skin and absorbed systemically, then microbe control is maintained, but deposition in major organs occurs with potential functional interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a new preservative formulation model that copies the effectiveness of conventional high-concentration preservatives but uses a different compositional approach. By combining multiple compounds with complementary mechanisms of action, the formulation achieves equivalent microbe control without the same degree of systemic absorption and organ deposition, thereby reducing harmful effects while maintaining preservation reliability.
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 synergistic preservative formulations effectively reduce bacterial and fungal counts in personal, household, and industrial products over 28 days without the adverse effects of high concentrations, as demonstrated by challenge testing in shampoos and lotions, showing significant microbial reduction with lower concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining microbe control through the surprising and unexpected synergistic cooperation of at least two compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a preservative formulation comprising at least two compounds having bactericidal and/or fungicidal properties, wherein the bactericidal compound is selected from the group consisting of methylisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, undecanol and lauryl alcohol and wherein the fungicidal compound is selected from the group consisting of dehydroacetic acid and its salts, piroctone olamine and its salts and sorbic acid and its salts, with the proviso that a preservative formulation comprising methylisothiazolinone and dehydroacetic or sorbic acid is excluded.