Sprayable Zinc Ion Microbicidal Compositions for Poliovirus Eradication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sprayable, pressurized aqueous alcoholic compositions with zinc ions for inanimate surfaces have limitations in effectively eradicating difficult-to-control microorganisms like poliovirus, especially when VOCs like ethanol are regulated, and existing compositions often require higher ethanol concentrations for adequate microbicidal efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The development of sprayable, pressurized surface treatment compositions that include a zinc ion source material, a lower alkyl aliphatic monohydric alcohol, and a propellant, with a pH of at least 5, which exhibit microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and other challenging microorganisms, even with reduced VOC content, using a synergistic combination of zinc ions and surfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher concentrations of ethanol are used to achieve adequate microbicidal efficacy, then microbicidal activity is improved, but VOC content increases and regulatory compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing zinc ions (at concentrations of 0.001-2.5% wt.) and adjusting pH levels (to at least 5) to replace the need for high ethanol concentrations. This parameter substitution allows the composition to achieve microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and other microorganisms while maintaining reduced VOC content through the use of lower alcohol concentrations (1-50% wt.).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite microbicidal composition that combines multiple active ingredients: zinc ions, lower alkyl aliphatic monohydric alcohols, and surfactants. This composite approach synergistically combines the microbicidal properties of each component to achieve effective eradication of difficult-to-control microorganisms like poliovirus without relying on high concentrations of ethanol alone.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If reduced amounts of ethanol and monohydric alcohols are used to lower VOC content, then regulatory compliance is improved, but microbicidal efficacy against difficult-to-eradicate microorganisms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces zinc ions as an intermediary substance that enhances the microbicidal activity of the reduced-alcohol composition. The zinc ions act as a catalyst or mediator that amplifies the effectiveness of lower alcohol concentrations, enabling the composition to achieve adequate microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and other resistant microorganisms despite having reduced VOC content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key chemical parameters including pH (adjusted to at least 5) and introduces zinc ion concentration (0.001-2.5% wt.) as critical parameters that enable the reduced-alcohol composition to achieve microbicidal efficacy. These parameter changes create optimal conditions for the synergistic interaction between zinc ions, alcohols, and surfactants to effectively eradicate difficult-to-control microorganisms.
3Device complexity
If compositions are formulated without water-soluble metal salts or with unspecified pH, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and non-enveloped viruses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for zinc ion concentration (0.001-2.5% wt.) and pH (at least 5) that are critical for achieving microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and non-enveloped viruses. These defined parameters transform the formulation from a simple mixture to a precisely optimized composition where each parameter range contributes to the synergistic microbicidal activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies and replicates the critical success factors from previous formulations by incorporating water-soluble zinc salts and maintaining pH levels of at least 5. This copying of effective compositional elements from prior art, combined with the specific addition of zinc ions, creates a formulation that achieves superior microbicidal efficacy against difficult-to-eradicate viruses.
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
These compositions demonstrate enhanced microbicidal efficacy against poliovirus and other microorganisms, including non-enveloped viruses, with improved control at reduced VOC levels, maintaining effectiveness even with lower alcohol concentrations, as tested by standardized protocols like ASTM E1052 and EN13697.
Implementation Method 1
zinc ions which exhibit a microbicidal benefit when applied to inanimate surfaces
Implementation Method 2
at least one alcohol which independently of other constituents present exhibits a microbicidal effect
Implementation Method 3
using a synergistic combination of zinc ions and surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are pressurized surface treatment 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, at least lower alkyl aliphatic monohydric alcohol which independently of other constituents present exhibits a microbicidal effect, a propellant; and, water. The compositions may further optionally include one or more further optional constituents such as a detersive surfactant and/or minor amounts of one or more constituents which impart one or more advantageous technical or aesthetic benefits to the compositions, including one or more detersive surfactants wherein the compositions have pH of at least 5. The compositions exhibit a microbicidal or germicidal or antimicrobial effect on treated inanimate surfaces and are characterized in exhibiting a microbicidal benefit when tested against one or more challenge microorganisms, preferably against poliovirus type 1 (Sabin) [“PV1”], according to one or more of the following standardized test protocols: ASTM E1052 Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents against Viruses in Suspension, or ASTM E1053 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).