CZ218798A3 - Disinfectants - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to disinfecting compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or an active thereof, and to a process for disinfecting surfaces.

Description

(57) Annotation:

The solution relates to disinfectants containing a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient, and a method of disinfecting surfaces.

CZ 2187-98 A3

Disinfectants

Technical field

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions that are used to disinfect and clean various surfaces including living surfaces (e.g., human skin, mouth, and the like) and non-living surfaces including, but not limited to, solid surfaces such as walls, tiles, table tops, glass, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes, fabrics, clothes, carpets, and the like.

State of the art

Antimicrobial/antibacterial agents include agents capable of disinfecting. It is generally known that a disinfectant substantially reduces or even destroys microorganisms, e.g. bacteria, present on a surface. For disinfection purposes, agents based on halogen-containing compounds such as hypochlorite or on quaternary compounds have been widely described in the art. Agents containing a peroxide bleaching agent are also known as disinfectants.

However, compositions based on peroxide bleach as the sole antimicrobial compound (typically 7% of the total composition weight) are not fully effective, especially when used at high dilutions, e.g., at a dilution of 1:50 (composition:water) in the disinfection of soiled surfaces, e.g., surfaces requiring both washing and disinfection. The presence of organic and/or inorganic stains reduces the bactericidal activity of many antimicrobial agents, such as peroxide bleach, and leads to a decrease in the bactericidal activity/disinfectant efficacy of compositions containing these antimicrobial agents.

The subject of the present invention are compositions that will lead to perfect disinfection of contaminated surfaces, especially heavily contaminated surfaces, even when used in high dilution.

It has been shown that this is achieved by combinations of various antimicrobial compounds, i.e. combinations of a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient or mixtures thereof. In particular, it has been shown that a composition containing a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient provides perfect disinfection of soiled surfaces, including heavily soiled surfaces, even at high dilutions, i.e. up to a dilution of 1:100 (composition:water).

The advantage of the present invention is perfect disinfection against contamination on a wide range of bacterial strains including Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains as well as more resistant microorganisms such as fungi.

Another advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is, in addition to their disinfecting properties, also their good cleaning effects.

The compositions of the present invention are suitable for use on all types of surfaces including living surfaces (e.g. human skin and/or mouth when used as an oral preparation or toothpaste) and non-living surfaces. This technology is suitable for applications in particular on solid surfaces as well as on laundry, e.g. as a detergent or additive in the so-called "soak mode", "wash mode" or for pre-washing laundry in the "pre-wash mode". The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for use on delicate surfaces including surfaces in safe contact with food and/or children. When using diluted compositions of the present invention, the amount of chemical compounds remaining on the disinfected surface is reduced. For example, after application of diluted compositions of the present invention, it is not necessary to rinse solid surfaces.

Another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that they can be provided in various forms, e.g. as a liquid packaged in a conventional detergent bottle or a spray or foam packaged in a spray/foam dispenser, or as wipes containing the composition of the invention, or in a non-liquid state.

EP-B-288 689 describes a liquid for hard surfaces containing an effective amount of an antimicrobial pine oil and at least one soluble oil organic acid. No other antimicrobial compounds are mentioned, let alone a peroxide bleaching agent.

EP-241390 describes the disinfection of textiles contaminated with bacteria by first treating with detergents and then with a peroxide bleaching agent in an aqueous bath at pH 9-13 in the presence of uncomplexed calcium. No other antimicrobial compounds are described.

US-4,404,191 describes the bactericidal, fungicidal and antiviral effects of peroxy compounds such as monoperoxysulfate. US-4,404,191 describes the use of diluted compositions containing monoperoxysulfate on solid surfaces. However, no other antimicrobial compounds are described.

EP-A-667 392 describes compositions for cleaning solid surfaces comprising hydrogen peroxide and a surfactant/hardener component comprising an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant together with an amine oxide or betaine. The compositions have a pH of 7 to 10. No other antimicrobial compounds are described, let alone essential oils or their active ingredients or glutaraldehyde.

US-5,403,587 describes aqueous antimicrobial compositions used for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting solid surfaces. US-5,403,587 describes in particular aqueous compositions (pH 1 to 12) containing essential oils (0.02% to 5%) which exhibit effective antimicrobial properties, such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, clove oil, and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agent sufficient to form an aqueous solution or dispersion of the essential oils in an aqueous medium. These compositions may additionally contain other antimicrobial additives such as phenolic compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, but no amphoteric surfactants or peroxy bleaching agents are disclosed.

US-5,368,749 describes compositions for inhibiting the growth of aerobic microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, comprising an oxidant and glutaraldehyde. The oxidants are selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, monopersulfate, perborate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and percarbonate. The oxidant has a synergistic effect when added to glutaraldehyde. No other antimicrobial compounds such as essential oils or their active ingredients or amphoteric surfactants are disclosed.

US-3,852,210 describes aqueous oxygen-releasing compositions suitable for a wide range of industrial and domestic uses, e.g. as laundry bleaching detergents or as solid surface cleaners. Due to their germicidal and bactericidal activity, the compositions are suitable for medical use. The compositions (pH 2 to 10) contain an active oxygen-generating compound, e.g. hydrogen peroxide (0.1% to 50%), a betaine or sulfobetaine (0.5% to 50%) such as cetylbetaine or laurylsulfobetaine, and nonionic polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer surfactants with a solubility of at least 1 g per 100 ml of water and a molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 15,000.

No other antimicrobial compounds are described, let alone essential oils or their active ingredients or glutaraldehyde.

J-60038497 describes a foaming two-component detergent composition comprising a) an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide (0.5% to 50%), b) an alkaline compound comprising an alkaline substance with an alkalinity of 0.1% to 50% expressed as NaOH, such as NaOH, KOH, Na?CO3. At least one of the two components of the detergent compositions a) and b) comprises a surfactant, e.g. amphoteric surfactants, and/or at least one compound from the group of terpene alcohols, cyclic terpene alcohols and their esters, such as geraniol. The compositions according to J-60038497 clean stains on solid materials such as plastics, joints and particularly difficult-to-clean recesses or corners. Glutaraldehyde is not mentioned. Disinfectant use is also not mentioned.

The essence of the invention

The present invention includes a disinfectant composition comprising a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde, and an antimicrobial essential oil or active ingredient thereof.

The present invention further includes a method of disinfecting a surface with a composition comprising a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde, and an antimicrobial essential oil or active ingredient thereof.

Detailed description of the invention.

The disinfectants of the present invention comprise a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde, and an antimicrobial essential oil or active ingredient thereof.

The compositions of the present invention are either liquid or non-liquid (e.g., gel, paste, or solid as a powder or granules). Solid compositions are mixed with a suitable solvent, usually water, prior to use. Liquid compositions are preferably, but not necessarily, aqueous compositions. Liquid compositions are preferred for convenience of use.

As an essential element, the compositions of the present invention comprise a peroxide bleaching agent or a mixture thereof. The preferred peroxide bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof or a mixture thereof. Most preferably, hydrogen peroxide is used in the compositions of the present invention.

The presence of a peroxide bleaching agent, in particular hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, and the like, contributes to the disinfectant properties of the compositions of the present invention. A peroxide bleaching agent can attack the vital functions of the cells of microorganisms, for example, it can inhibit the assembly of ribosomal units in the cytoplasm of the cells of microorganisms. A peroxide bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that generates free hydroxyl radicals that attack proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, the presence of a peroxide bleaching agent, in particular hydrogen peroxide, has a strong stain removal effect, which is noticeable, for example, in applications on laundry and hard surfaces.

A hydrogen peroxide source is used herein to refer to any compound that, upon contact with water, yields hydrogen peroxide. Suitable water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources as used herein include percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates such as monopersulfate, perborates, and peracids such as diperoxododecanedioic acid (DPDA), magnesium perphthalic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Other classes of peroxides are used as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide and its sources or in combination with hydrogen peroxide and its sources. Suitable classes include dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, pre-prepared peroxocarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides and/or hydroperoxides.

The compositions typically contain at least 0.01% of a peroxide bleaching agent or mixture thereof by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.1% to 15%, and more preferably 1% to 10%.

As a second essential component, the compositions of the present invention contain an amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof. These amphoteric surfactants have a dual effect. They aid disinfection by increasing the permeability of the bacterial cell wall and allow other active ingredients to enter the cell. The surfactants also contribute to the cleaning properties of the compositions of the invention.

The compositions according to the present invention are furthermore, due to the moderate activity of the amphoteric surfactants contained therein, in particular betaine and/or sulfobetaine surfactants, particularly suitable for cleaning delicate surfaces, for example delicate laundry or surfaces coming into contact with food and/or children, especially when used in a diluted state. For example, betaine and/or sulfobetaine surfactants are also very gentle on the skin, thus contributing to the user's comfort in using the compositions according to the present invention.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants include betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. Suitable betaine or sulfobetaine surfactants used in the compositions of the present invention are betaine/sulfobetaine and betaine-like detergents, the molecule of which contains both basic and acidic groups, which form an inner salt and provide the molecule with cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups over a wide range of pI values. Some common examples of such detergents are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, herein incorporated by reference. Preferred betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants have the general formula I:

J ²

Rv-Ν~(0Η ₃ )η-Υ' (I)

Rs where Ri is an alkyl radical containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, where R? and R ₃ contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, where n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and where the sum of Ri, R? and R ₃ radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable betaine surfactants include, in particular, C12- _C18 alkyldimethylbetaine such as coconut betaine and C10- _C16 alkyldimethylbetaine such as lauryl betaine.

Coconut betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265® and lauryl betaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®.

Other suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides or mixtures thereof. Amine oxides contribute to the disinfectant properties of the compositions of the invention. They aid disinfection by disrupting the bacterial cell wall/membrane, thereby allowing other antimicrobial components to enter the cell and, for example, attack the intracellular space.

Suitable amine oxides have the general formula R1R2R3NO, wherein each _{Rb, R2} and _R3 is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Suitable amine oxides according to the present invention have the general formula R1R^RjNO, wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 6 to 14 and most preferably 8 to 10 and wherein _R2 and R3 are independently unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms and more preferably are methyl groups. R1 is a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain.

Preferred amine oxides according to the invention are, for example, a natural mixture of Cs-Cjn amine oxides and Cj ₂ -Ci(, amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

In one embodiment of the present invention, where the compositions are particularly suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces, the surfactant is typically a surfactant system comprising an amine oxide and a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant, preferably in a weight ratio of amine oxides to betaine or sulfobetaine of 2:1 to 100:1. The use of such a surfactant system in compositions suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces provides effective cleaning and shine of the surfaces being cleaned, i.e. the amount of surfactant left behind by coating or spraying the surface being cleaned with the compositions of the invention is minimal.

The compositions of the invention typically contain at least 0.005% of the amphoteric surfactant or mixture thereof by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.01%-10% and more preferably 0.1%-5%.

As a third essential component, the compositions according to the present invention contain glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is commercially available from UNION CARBIDE or BASF.

The compositions of the invention typically contain at least 0.003% glutaraldehyde by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.008% to 4%, and more preferably 0.2% to 2%.

As a fourth essential ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention contain an antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient or mixtures thereof.

Suitable antimicrobial essential oils for use in the compositions of the invention are essential oils exhibiting antimicrobial activity. "Active ingredients of antimicrobial essential oils herein refer to any component of essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial essential oils and their active ingredients are believed to denature proteins. Antimicrobial essential oils and their active ingredients are compounds of natural origin, which contributes to the safety profile of the compositions of the present invention when used to disinfect any surface. Another advantage of antimicrobial essential oils and their active ingredients is that they impart a pleasant fragrance to the disinfectant compositions of the present invention without the need for the addition of perfume. The disinfectant compositions of the present invention not only perfectly disinfect contaminated surfaces, but also impart a pleasant fragrance to them.

Essential oils include, but are not limited to, thymol, lemongrass, citrus, lemon, orange, anise, clove, anise spice, cinnamon, geranium, rose, mint, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood, cedar, and mixtures thereof. Active essential oil components used include, but are not limited to, thymol (present, for example, in thyme), eugenol (present, for example, in cinnamon), menthol (present, for example, in mint), geraniol (present, for example, in geranium or rose), verbenone (present, for example, in verbena), eucalyptol (present, for example, in eucalyptus), cedrol (present, for example, in cedar), pinocarvone, carvacrol, anethole (present, for example, in anise spice), hinokitol, berberine, terpineol, limonene, ratanhiae and mixtures thereof. Preferred active essential oil components used are thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, limonene and/or geraniol.

Thymol is commercially available, for example, from Aldrich, and eugenol is commercially available, for example, from Sigma or Bioindustries (SBI) or Manheimer lne.

The compositions of the invention typically contain at least 0.003% of the antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient or mixtures thereof by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.006% to 10% and more preferably 0.01% to 4%.

It has been shown that the compositions according to the present invention provide improved disinfection of contaminated surfaces even at high dilutions, i.e. up to a dilution of the composition with water of 1:100.

"Heavily soiled surfaces" here refers to surfaces contaminated with organic and/or inorganic stains in an amount equivalent to an aqueous solution of 0.3 g/l of bovine albumin and heavy water (see the contamination conditions of the European Standard prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216 N59 of 11/95.

"Improved disinfection" herein refers to the ability of the compositions of the present invention comprising a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient to reduce the amount of bacteria on a heavily soiled surface compared to the same compositions without peroxide bleaching agent, amphoteric surfactant and glutaraldehyde or to the same compositions without antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient, especially when used in diluted form. Complete disinfection is achieved for a variety of microorganisms including Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aerugirtosa, as well as fungi such as Candida albicans present on heavily soiled surfaces.

The disinfectant properties of a product are measured by the bactericidal activity of the product. The test method for determining the bactericidal activity of a product is described in the European Standard, prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216 N 59 of November 1995, published by the European Committee for Standardization in Brussels. The European Standard, prEN 1276 specifies the test method and requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of a disinfectant. The test is positive when the bacterial colony forming units (cfu) are reduced from 10 ⁷ cfu (initial state) to 10 ² cfu (final number after contact with the disinfectant product), i.e. a reduction in viability of the order of 10 ⁵ is required. The products according to the present invention pass this test on heavily soiled surfaces even at high dilution.

Another suitable test method for determining the bactericidal activity of the present compositions on heavily soiled surfaces is AFNOR T72-190® and T72301®.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the disinfected surface undiluted or diluted, preferably applied diluted.

"Diluted" herein refers to the ability of the user to dilute the liquid or solid compositions of the present invention with a fluid, typically water. The user typically dilutes the compositions of the invention with water up to 100 times by weight, preferably 80 to 40 times, and more preferably 60 to 30 times.

The present invention also includes diluted disinfectant compositions obtained by diluting the composition of the present invention with water.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions are aqueous liquid compositions. The aqueous compositions preferably have a pH not exceeding 12, preferably 3.5 to 7, and more preferably 4 to 5. The pH of the compositions is adjusted using organic acids such as citric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid, and the like, or inorganic acids or alkalizing agents.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise any surfactant known to those skilled in the art, including nonionic, anionic, cationic and/or zwitterionic surfactants. The surfactants suitably contribute to the cleaning properties of the compositions of the invention.

The compositions of the present invention typically contain, in addition to the amphoteric surfactant or mixture thereof, up to 50% of another surfactant or mixture thereof by weight of the composition, preferably 0.3% to 30% and more preferably 0.4% to 25%.

The compositions of the invention also preferably comprise an anionic surfactant or a mixture thereof. Suitable anionic surfactants include in particular water-soluble salts or acids of the general formula ROSO ₃ M, where R is preferably a Cg-C ₂ 4 hydrocarbon radical, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group with a C8-C20 alkyl component, more preferably a Cg-Cw alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group and M is H or a cation, e.g. alkali metal cations (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium cations (e.g. methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidine cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonates and alkyl carboxylates. Other anionic surfactants include soap salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts), C9-C20 linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, C8- _C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, _Cx - _C24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonic polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolysis product of alkaline earth metal citrates, as described, for example, in British Patent No. 1,082,179, _C8 - _C24 alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C14-C16 methyl ester sulfonates; acylglycerol sulfonates, fatty oleylglycerol sulfates, alkylphenolethyleneoxideether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C ₂ -C _1g monoesters), diesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C 6 -C 14 diesters), acyl sarcosinates, alkyl polysaccharide sulfates such as alkyl polyglucoside sulfates (nonionic non-sulfonated compounds are described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates with the general formula RO(CH ₂ CH ₂ O)kCH ₂ COO-M ⁺ , where R is a C ₈ -C ₂₂ alkyl group, k is an integer from 0 to 10 and M is a cation forming a soluble salt. Also suitable are resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil. Additional examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch). Various surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin et al., column 23, line 58 to column 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the invention are Cg-C11 alkyl sulfonates, Cg-C16 alkyl sulfates, Cg- _C16 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (e.g., Cg- _C16 alkyl ethoxy sulfates) and mixtures thereof. Such anionic surfactants advantageously contribute to the disinfectant properties of the disinfectant compositions of the invention. For example, a Cg-C11 alkyl sulfate acts to disrupt bacterial cell membranes, inhibit enzymatic activities, disrupt cellular transport, and/or denature cellular proteins. It is believed that the improved disinfectant activity associated with the addition of an anionic surfactant, particularly a _C8 - _C16 alkyl sulfonate, a _C8 - _C16 alkyl sulfate, and/or a _C8 -C16 alkyl alkoxy sulfate, in the composition of the present invention is due to the multiple attack of the surfactant against the bacteria. Another aspect of the present invention is the use of an anionic surfactant, in particular a Cg-C18 alkyl sulfonate, a Cg-Cw alkyl sulfate and/or a _C8 -C16 alkyl alkoxy sulfate in a disinfectant composition according to the present invention to improve the disinfectant properties of the composition on Gram negative and/or Gram positive bacteria.

The compositions of the present invention preferably contain a nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof. Suitable nonionic surfactants are fatty alcohol ethoxylates and/or propoxylates, which are commercially available with various fatty alcohol chain lengths and various degrees of ethoxylation. The HLB values of these alkoxylated nonionic surfactants depend mainly on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, the type of alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation. The number of surfactants, including nonionics, together with their respective HLB values, is given in surfactant catalogs.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are in particular hydrophobic nonionic surfactants with an HLB value (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) not exceeding 16, preferably not exceeding 15 and more preferably not exceeding 14. These hydrophobic nonionic surfactants penetrate grease well.

Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are surfactants with an HLB value not exceeding 16 of the general formula RO-(C;114O) _n ((>dLO)„,H, where R is a Cg-C ₂₂ alkyl chain or a C ₆ -C ₂₈ alkylbenzene chain and where n+m is 0 to 20 and n is 0 to 15 and m is 0 to 20, preferably n+m is 1 to 15 and n is 0.5 to 15, more preferably n+m is 1 to 10 and n is 0 to 10. Preferred R chains are C ₈ -C ₂₂ alkyl chains. Suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants are Dobanol ^R 91-2.5 (HBL = 8.1; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 2.5 and m is 0) or Lutensol ^R TO3 (HBL = 8; R is a C13 alkyl chain, n is 3 and m is 0) or Lutensol ^R AO3 (HBL = 8; R is a mixture of C13 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0) or Tergitol ^K 25L3 (HBL = 7.7; R is in the range of alkyl chain lengths Ci2 -Cis, n is 3 and m is 0) or Dobanol” 23-3 (HBL = 8.1; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 23-2 (HBL = 6.2; R is a mixture of C12 and _C13 alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 45-7 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of C14 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0), Dobanol ^R 23-6.5 (HBL = 11.9; R is a mixture of Ci2 and Cj3 alkyl chains, n is 6.5 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 25-7 (HBL = 12; R is a mixture of Ci2 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^K 91-5 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 5 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-6 (HBL = 12.5; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 6 and m is 0) or Dobanol ¹ * 91-8 (HBL =13.7; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 8 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-10 (HBL = 14.2; R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 10 and m is 0) or mixtures thereof. Dobanol ^K 91-2.5 or Lutensol ^R TO3 or Lutensol ^R AO3 or Tergitol ^R 25L3 or Dobanol ^R 23-3 or Dobanol ^R 23-2 or mixtures thereof are preferred. Dobanol ^R surfactants are commercially available from SHELL. Luténsol ^R surfactants are commercially available from BASF and Tergitol ^R surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6- _C20 conventional soaps (alkali metal salt of a _C6 - _C20 fatty acid, preferably the sodium salt).

The compositions may further comprise a chelating agent as a further preferred component. Suitable chelating agents known to those skilled in the art are selected from phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, biodegradable chelating agents such as ethylenediamine, N,N'-disuccinic acid or mixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents include etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylenediphosphonic acid HEDP) and/or alkali metal ethane-1-hydroxydiphosphonates.

Suitable aminophosphonate chelating agents include aminoalkylene polyalkylenephosphonates, nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonates, ethylenediaminetriethylenephosphonates and/or diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates. Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents are diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates.

These phosphonate/aminophosphonate chelating agents are present either in the form of acids or salts of various cations of some or all of the acidic functions. These phosphonate/aminophosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from

Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents include hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide or derivatives thereof.

Suitable hydroxypiperidine-N-oxides or derivatives thereof useful in the present invention have the general formula II:

(II) where X is nitrogen, Y is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, -CHO, -OH, -(CH ₂ ) n -COOH, n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 10 and more preferably 0, and Y is preferably oxygen. A particularly preferred hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide is 2-hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide and its derivatives.

Hydroxypiperidine-N-oxide and its derivatives are commercially available from

Sigma.

Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions of the invention. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued to Connor et al. on May 21, 1974. Preferred compounds of this type in the acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent is ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid or its alkali metal, alkaline earth, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid, especially the (S,S)-isomer, is described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, issued to Hartman and Perkins on November 3, 1987. Ethylenediamine N,N-disuccinic acid is commercially available, for example, from Palmer Research Laboratories under the trade name ssEDDS®. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid is particularly suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.

Suitable aminocarboxylate chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentoacetates (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form and as their alkali metal salts, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Particularly suitable are diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), which is commercially available, for example, from BASF under the trade name Trilon PS®, and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA).

Other carboxylate chelating agents include malonic acid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixtures thereof.

The compositions of the present invention typically contain up to 5% of the chelating agent or mixtures thereof by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.01% to 3% by weight, and more preferably 0.01% to 1.5%.

The compositions of the invention contain as a further preferred component radical scavengers. Suitable radical scavengers include the well-known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and their derivatives, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxytoluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butylhydroxyquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), p-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allylcatechol, 4-ethylcatechol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris-(2-methyl-4-hydroxy5-t-butylphenyl)butane, tert-butylhydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline, and n-propyl gallate. Di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene, which is available for example from SHELL under the trade name IONOL CP®, and/or tert-butylhydroxyanisole are very preferred. These radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the hydrogen peroxide-containing compositions according to the invention.

The compositions of the present invention typically contain up to 5% radical scavengers or mixtures thereof by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.002% to 1.5% by weight, and more preferably 0.002% to 1%.

The compositions of the invention comprise as a further preferred component a solvent or solvent mixtures. The solvents used preferably improve the cleaning properties of the compositions. Suitable solvents included in the compositions of the present invention include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butyl ethoxypropanol or n-butyl ethoxypropanol, water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents or water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents. The water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class, where the alkoxy group is derived from an ethyl, propyl or butyl group. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, also known as butyl carbitol. The water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, preferably 2-butoxyethoxyethanol. Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentadiol and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, Butylcarbitol®, benzyl alcohol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents are Butylcarbitol®, benzyl alcohol and/or isopropanol.

The compositions of the invention typically contain up to 15% solvents by weight of the total composition, preferably 2% to 7% by weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention may further include various other beneficial ingredients such as buffers (e.g., borate buffers), fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspenders, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti-dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, fragrances, and dyes.

Packaging of disinfectants.

The compositions of the invention are packaged in a variety of suitable detergent packages known to those skilled in the art. The liquid compositions of the invention are conveniently packaged in hand-held spray containers, which are usually made of synthetic organic polymer plastics, and preferably in a trigger or pump sprayer.

Sprayers enable uniform application of the liquid disinfectant composition of the present invention to a relatively large portion of the surface to be disinfected, thereby contributing to the disinfectant properties of the compositions. Sprayers are particularly suitable for disinfection of vertical surfaces.

Suitable sprayers useful in the present invention include manually operated trigger foam sprayers sold, for example, by Specially Packaging Products, Inc. or Continental Sprayers, Inc. These types of sprayers are described, for example, in U.S.-4,701,311, Dunnining et al. and U.S.-4,646,973, Focarracei and

U.S.-4,538,745, Focarracei. Particularly preferred are the T 8500® or T 8900® sprayers, commercially available from Continental Spray International or the T 8100®, commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In a paint sprayer, the liquid composition is transformed into fine liquid droplets in a spray which are sprayed directly onto the surface to be cleaned. The composition contained in the sprayer container is discharged through the sprayer head when the user activates the pump mechanism. The composition in the sprayer head is forced over an obstacle, e.g. a grid or coil, and the impacts help to atomize the liquid composition, i.e. help to form liquid droplets.

The compositions of the present invention are also realized as wipes. "Wipes" here refer to disposable wipes impregnated with the liquid composition of the present invention. The wipes are preferably packed in a plastic box. The advantage of this embodiment is faster use of the disinfectant by the user even outside the home, i.e. it is not necessary to pour the liquid compositions of the present invention onto the cleaned/disinfected surfaces and dry them with a cloth. In other words, the wipes allow disinfection of surfaces in one step.

Disinfection method.

The present invention includes a method of disinfecting a surface with a composition comprising a peroxide bleaching agent, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde, and an antimicrobial essential oil or active ingredient thereof.

“Surface” herein refers to any surface including living surfaces such as human skin, mouth, teeth, and inanimate surfaces. Inanimate surfaces include, but are not limited to, solid surfaces typically found in homes in kitchens, bathrooms, or car interiors, such as tiles, walls, floors, chrome surfaces, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plasticized wood, table tops, sinks, stove tops, dishes, sanitary fixtures such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, bathtubs, toilets, and the like, as well as fabrics including clothing, curtains, drapes, bedding, bath linens, tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture, and the like, and carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include, but are not limited to, household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, etc.

In the method of disinfecting surfaces according to the present invention, the composition according to the invention is applied undiluted or after dilution with water. Preferably, the composition according to the invention is diluted up to 100 times the weight of water, preferably 80 to 40 times and more preferably 60 to 30 times before application to the surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the disinfection according to the present invention, the agent is applied diluted to the disinfected solid surface; after applying the agent, the surface does not need to be rinsed; no visible residues remain on the surface.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The following products were prepared by mixing the listed ingredients in the indicated proportions (unless otherwise stated, these are % by weight). These products have passed the European Commission standardization prEN 1276 soiling test (0.03% albumin/heavy water). These products perfectly disinfect heavily soiled surfaces when used in undiluted and diluted form, e.g. in dilutions of 1,100, 1:25, 1:50 and also provide perfect surface safety.

Resources I II III IV In VI Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 7.0 2.0 7.0 1.0 Betaine 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2 Thymol — 0.5 — — — — Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.05 0.8 0.15 Eugenol 0.5 — — 0.02 0.5 — Geraniol — — 1.0 — — 0.2 Water and minor components replenish to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4 Resources VII VIII IX X XI XII Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 3.5 2.0 7.0 1.0 Betaine 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2 Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.15 Thymol/Eugenol/Geraniol 2.0 3.0 1.5 1.0 3.0 1.0 Water and minor components replenish to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4

Resources XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 7.0 2.0 7.0 1.0 Nonionic surfactant ^xx 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.5 1.2 — Nonionic surfactant ^{χ xx} 1.6 — — 0.7 1.5 0.4 Betaine 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2 Thymol — 0.5 — — -- — Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.15 Eugenol 0.5 — — 0.05 0.5 — Geraniol — — 0.1 — — 0.2 Water and minor components replenish to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4 Resources XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 7.0 2.0 7.0 1.0 Nonionic surfactant ^xx 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.5 1.2 — Nonionic surfactant ^{χ χ χ} 1.6 — — 0.7 1.5 0.4 Cio Amine Oxide 1.0 2.0 — 1.0 — 0.5 C10 Alkyl sulfate — — 4.5 3.0 — 1.5 Betaine ^x 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2 Thymol — 0.5 — — — Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.15 Eugenol 0.5 — — 0.05 0.5 — Geraniol __ — 0.1 — — 0.2

Add water and minor components to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4.

Resources XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.5 Cio Amine Oxide 4.5 0.2 0.8 0.8 3.0 Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.15 0.2 0.2 0.5 Thymol — — 0.2 0.01 — Eugenol 0.5 — — — __ Geraniol — 0.2 0.3 0.02 Thymol/Eugenol/Geraniol — — — — 1.5 Water and minor components replenish to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4

Betainx is either coconut betaine commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®, or lauryl betaine commercially available from Albrigt & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®, or mixtures thereof.

* * is Dobanol 23-3® xxx is Dobanol 91-10®

Industrial applicability

The antimicrobial compositions of the present invention are used for disinfection and cleaning of various surfaces including living surfaces (e.g. human skin, mouth) and non-living surfaces (e.g. solid surfaces, fabrics). The disinfectant compositions of the present invention perfectly disinfect the cleaned surfaces even when used in high dilution and are suitable for delicate fabrics as well as for use on delicate surfaces in safe contact with food and/or children. The disinfectant compositions of the present invention perfectly act on Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains as well as on fungi. The compositions of the present invention are packaged in liquid form in conventional detergent bottles, or as a spray or foam in a spray/foam dispenser, or they are impregnated with wipes intended for quick cleaning in one step.

PATENT CLAIMS

Claims (15)

]. A disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof. Disinfectant according to claim 1, characterized in that the peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, peroxosilicates, persulfates, perborates, peracids, dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed peroxycarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic acids. , organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof, and hydrogen peroxide is preferred. Disinfectant according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the amphoteric surfactant is a betaine or a sulfobetaine surfactant of the general formula I: R ₂ R - N - (CH ₃ ) n - Y (I) R ₃ wherein R 1 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, and more preferably 12 to 14, wherein R ₂ and R ₃ contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms and preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10 , preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R _b R ₂ and R ₃ radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms, and / or amine oxide of the formula R ₁ R ₂ R ₃ NO, wherein each R 1, R ₂ and R ₃ is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, and wherein R ₂ and R ₃ are independently unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chains of 1 to 4 atoms carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. Disinfectant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the antimicrobial essential oil is obtained from thymol, lemon grass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, cloves, anise spices, cinnamon, geranium, roses, lavender, citronella , eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood, cedar and mixtures thereof, and / or the active ingredient of the essential oil is thymol, eugenol, menthol, cedrol, verbena, eucalyptol, anethole, pinocarvone, carvacroi, geraniol, hinokitol, berberin, tinberin, tcr , ratanhiae and mixtures thereof, and eugenol, verbena, geraniol, eucalyptol, limonene and / or thymol are preferred. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.003% of the antimicrobial essential oil or its active ingredient or mixtures thereof of the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.006% to 10% and more preferably 0.01% to 4%. %. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.01% of a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof of the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.1% to 15% and more preferably 1% up to 10%. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.005% amphoteric surfactants, derivatives or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.01% to 10% and more preferably 0.1% to 10%. 5%. The disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises at least 0.003% glutaraldehyde of the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.008% to 4%, and more preferably 0.2% to 2%. Disinfectant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the composition further comprises a chelating agent selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents. agents, ethylenediamine Ν, Ν'-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the composition further comprises a preferred component from the group of surfactants, radical scavengers, solvents, fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspensions, color transfer agents, brighteners, dusting agents. , enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes, dyes, and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the composition is a liquid composition, preferably an aqueous liquid composition with a pH not exceeding preferably 12, more preferably 3.5 to 7. 12. A disinfectant composition according to claim 11, wherein the composition is packaged in a nebulizer. A wipe impregnated with the composition of claim 11. 14. A method of disinfecting a surface, wherein the surface is disinfected with a composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12. A method for disinfecting a surface according to claim 14, wherein the composition is diluted with water up to 100 times by weight of water, preferably 80 to 40 times by weight, and more preferably 60 to 30 times by weight, before application to the surface.