Zinc Ion Microbicidal Composition for Poliovirus Efficacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aqueous alcoholic compositions for inanimate surfaces have limited microbicidal efficacy against difficult-to-eradicate microorganisms like poliovirus, especially when reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) content, such as ethanol, which is effective but regulated due to its VOC nature.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous alcoholic compositions containing a zinc ion source, a C1-C3 monohydric alcohol, and a nonionic surfactant at specific pH ranges (6-11.5) that release Zn++ ions, enhancing microbicidal activity against poliovirus and other pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ethanol content is increased to improve microbicidal efficacy, then microbicidal activity increases, but VOC content increases leading to regulatory restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing zinc ions (at concentrations of 0.001-2.5% wt) in combination with reduced ethanol content (35-45% wt). This parameter substitution allows maintaining microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and other pathogens while reducing VOC content below traditional levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficacy and regulatory compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite microbicidal system combining zinc ions with monohydric alcohols and surfactants. This composite approach synergistically enhances microbicidal activity against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses while using lower alcohol concentrations, thus achieving both high efficacy and reduced VOC content
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ethanol content is reduced to decrease VOC content, then regulatory compliance improves, but microbicidal efficacy against difficult-to-eradicate microorganisms decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces zinc ion concentration (0.001-2.5% wt) as a new active parameter to compensate for reduced ethanol content. This parameter change enables the formulation to maintain microbicidal efficacy against challenging pathogens like poliovirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and non-enveloped viruses while using only 35-45% wt alcohol, thus resolving the contradiction between VOC reduction and efficacy maintenance
3Reliability
If zinc ions are added to enhance microbicidal activity against poliovirus, then efficacy against non-enveloped viruses improves, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the composition by adding zinc ions within a specific concentration range (0.001-2.5% wt) to target non-enveloped viruses like poliovirus. This controlled parameter addition provides enhanced efficacy against difficult-to-eradicate pathogens while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through defined concentration parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants (0.01-10% wt) as intermediary substances that work synergistically with zinc ions to enhance microbicidal activity. This intermediary approach allows the zinc-surfactant combination to effectively target enveloped and non-enveloped viruses while keeping the overall composition relatively simple and manageable
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 compositions exhibit a high degree of microbicidal efficacy, achieving a 2-5 log10 reduction against poliovirus and other microorganisms, even with reduced VOC content, demonstrating improved effectiveness against challenging pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous alcoholic compositions which comprise zinc ions and which compositions exhibit a microbicidal benefit when applied to inanimate surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions which impart a microbicidal benefit to treated surfaces which compositions comprise (or in certain preferred embodiments may consist essentially of, or may consist of): a zinc ion source material which releases zinc ions into the treatment composition, preferably a source of Zn++ ions; preferably at least from about 20%wt. of at least one alcohol, which is preferably a lower alkyl monohydric alcohol) and water, optionally one or more further surfactants, further optionally one or more constituents which impart one or more advantageous technical or aesthetic benefits to the compositions, including one or more detersive surfactants;, and water, wherein the composition has a pH of at least 4, preferably at least 5, wherein the surface treatment compositions, exhibit a microbicidal or germicidal or antimicrobial effect on treated inanimate surfaces, characterized in exhibiting a microbicidal benefit when tested against one or more challenge microorganisms, according to one or more of the following standardized test protocols: ASTM El 052 Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents against Viruses in Suspension, or ASTM El 053 Standard Test Method to Assess Virucidal Activity of Chemicals Intended for Disinfection of Inanimate, Nonporous Environmental Surfaces, or European Standard Surface Test, EN13697, or AOAC Germicidal Spray Products as Disinfectant Test Method, AOAC Index, 17th Ed. (2000, preferably against poliovirus type 1 (Sabin) ("PV1").