AU7200098A

AU7200098A - Alkylpolyglucosides containing disinfectant compositions active against pseudomonas microorganism

Info

Publication number: AU7200098A
Application number: AU72000/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bruno Anthony Gluck
Original assignee: Novapharm Research Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Novapharm Research Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-05-20
Filing date: 1998-05-07
Publication date: 1998-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-07
Also published as: AU729662C; AU729662B2

Description

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -1 TITLE: ALKYLPOLYGLUCOSIDES CONTAINING DISINFECTANT COMPOSITIONS ACTIVE AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS MICROORGANISM TECHNICAL FIELD 5 This invention relates to a disinfectant cleansing composition. BACKGROUND ART It is known that infection is spread via skin contact through the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Hitherto, in order to reduce the presence of such organisms it has been known to scrub the skin with a solution containing a surfactant 10 followed by application of an antiseptic. In recent years it has been suggested that it would be desirable to combine the washing and disinfectant actions in a single operation by providing a composition comprising both an antimicrobial agent and a surfactant. It has been found however that many antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine [N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)- 3,12 15 diimino 2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediimidamide] digluconate and other chlorhexidine salts are incompatible with anionic surfactants, and are reduced in their antimicrobial activity by nonionic surfactants, thus requiring addition of more antimicrobial agent in order to retain sufficient biocidal activity at the amount of surfactant required for satisfactory foam formation. 20 In particular, US 3,855,140 assigned to Imperial Chemical Industries describes a skin cleansing composition comprising a soluble salt of chlorhexidine in combination with a polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer. In order to obtain sufficient sudsing of the polymer it is necessary to use high proportions of the surfactant in amounts of the order of 20-25%. High amounts of chlorhexidine are 25 consequently required to maintain the desired antimicrobial activity. Such high amounts are undesirable as it is known that surfactants may affect the skin adversely by defatting, and causing in combination with biocides such as chlorhexidine, irritation to the skin. Further the ingredients of the composition can be costly.

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -2 It would be desirable therefore to provide a composition in which the amount of antimicrobial agent and surfactant is reduced whilst maintaining sufficient antimicrobial activity and sudsing ability. In this regard, in order to provide such a composition, WO 95/09605 teaches 5 one to combine a phenolic disinfectant with an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant. As indicated in that patent however, such compositions although showing good biocidal activity against most microorganisms, are incapable of disinfecting surfaces contaminated by the microorganism Pseudomonas aeruginosa to which the compositions are inactive. 10 It is an object of the invention to substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an antiseptic cleansing composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an effective amount of an 15 alkylpolysaccharide surfactant, at least one alkyl alcohol and at least one aryl alcohol. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of decontaminating surfaces contaminated with bacteria including the Pseudomonas microorganism, which method comprises contacting the surface with the disinfectant cleansing composition of the first aspect. 20 Typically the cleansing composition comprises an inert carrier, and optionally other additives. The alkylpolysaccharide surfactants are also known in the art as alkylpolyglucosides, however, for the purposes of the following discussion, the surfactant will be termed an alkylpolysaccharide. 25 Preferably, the content of the surfactant present in the composition does not exceed 6% w/v. Preferably the alkylpolysaccharide is an alkylpolysaccharide of the formula: WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -3 CH2OH

CH

2 OH O 0 OH 0 OH - O(CH 2 )nCH 3 OH S OH OH m wherein n is an integer between 5 and 19, and m is an integer between 1 and 3. In the above formula the surfactant alkyl polysaccharide shown contains 5 glucose units, however the invention is not limited thereto and other sugar units can be substituted for one or more of the glucose units. Other sugar units which might be included in the alkylpolysaccharide include maltose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, gulose, idose, talose, allose, altrose, sucrose, fructose, sorbose, levulose, lactose, allulose, tagatose, alloheptulose, sedoheptulose, glucoheptulose, 10 mannoheptulose, guloheptulose, idoheptulose, galactoheptulose, taloheptulose and derivatives thereof. Suitable antimicrobial agents include chlorhexidine and its salts; dichlorophene, other chlorophenol derivatives such as p-chloro-m-xylenol, chlorophene and o-phenylphenol, 2,4,4-trichloro-2-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan); 15 octenidindihydrochloride (CH 3

-(CH

2

)

7

-NHON-(CH

2 ) I 0

-NO-NH(CH

2

)

7

-CH

2 or any other salt thereof and quaternary ammonium compounds. Suitable salts of chlorhexidine include the gluconate, isethionate, formate, acetate, glutamate, succinamate, monodiglycolate, dimethanesulfonate, lactate, diisobutyrate or the glucoheptonate salts. 20 Preferably the antimicrobial agent has a water solubility of at least 0.001% w/v at ambient temperature. When the antimicrobial agent is chlorhexidine digluconate it is used in an amount preferably not exceeding 4.5% w/v. When the antimicrobial agent is 2,4,4 trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether (triclosan) it is used in an amount preferably not 25 exceeding 3% w/v.

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -4 The alkyl alcohol is preferably a lower alkyl alcohol (herein defined as an alcohol having less than 6 carbon atoms) such as ethanol, iso or n-propanol, most preferably the alkyl alcohol is isopropanol or n-propanol. The alcohol content preferably does not exceed 70% w/v. When the composition is in an aqueous carrier 5 (for example for use in hand washing) the alcohol is desirably iso or n-propanol or a combination thereof and is preferably present in an amount of from 3 to 10% w/v, most preferably 4 to 8% w/v. When the composition is an alcoholic solution (for example for a rapid cleaning self-drying solution) the alkyl alcohol will be preferably be 55-75% w/v. 10 The aryl alcohol is preferably a benzylalcohol, phenylethylalcohol, phenoxyethanol, phenoxypropanol or a chlorinated derivative thereof. For application to skin, phenoxyethanol and phenoxypropanol are preferred. Preferably the aryl alcohol is present in an amount not exceeding 3% w/v. An inert carrier can be used - for example water or a lower alcohol such as 15 ethanol. The composition may further comprise one or more of the following integers: (a) a solubilising agent for example propylene glycol, a hydrotrope or mixtures thereof. Suitable hydrotropes include urea, cumene sulphonate, toluene sulfonate, xylenesulphonate and the ethanolamine salts of citric and other 20 hydroxycarboxylic acids. (b) a foaming agent such as an alkylaminooxide, alkylmono or diethanolamides. Examples of foaming agents are lauryl or cocodiethanolamide or monoethanolamide condensates or the lauryl or cetyl dimethylamineoxides. (c) viscosity modifiers such as cellulose derivatives, guar resins and 25 carbopol resins. (d) preservatives such as imidazolidinyl, urea derivatives (Germabenes), methyl or propyl parabens (p-hydroxy benzoic esters). (e) other conventional additives such as colouring agents, fragrances, antioxidants, emolients, moisturisers, stabilising agents and thickeners such as 30 carboxymethylcellulose.

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -5 (f) optionally, additional surfactants including amphoteric surfactants, anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants. Suitable additional surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds or a small amount of a high foaming anionic surfactant such as laurylethoxysulfonate, sarcosinates, sodium laurylethersulphate. 5 The additional ingredients are selected to avoid possible incompatibility with any of the other ingredients of the composition and especially with regard to the antimicrobial agents. The pH of the composition is typically adjusted to pH 5 to 7, most preferably 5.5 but is not limited to this pH. When chlorhexidine is used as the antimicrobial 10 agent, a pH greater than 8 should be avoided to prevent precipitation of the chlorhexidine free base. Most organic acids compatible with the composition, such as lactic, acetic, citric and gluconic acids, preferably gluconic acid, can be used to adjust the pH. The term "comprising" as herein used is used in an inclusive sense, that is to 15 say in the sense of "including" or "containing". The term is not intended in an exclusive sense ("consisting of' or "composed of"). BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. They should not be construed as limiting. 20 It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present invention is described herein with reference to a concentrate, such a concentrate could be diluted prior to sale (for example to 55%) or use. EXAMPLES 25 Example I - Comparative composition in accordance with WO 95/09605 Sodium laurylsulfate (100%) 4.67% w/v Alkylpolysaccharide (100%) 3.92% w/v Coconut Betaine (100%) 0.90% w/v Triclosan 0.49% w/v 30 Propylene glycol 0.254% w/v Glycerine 0.254% w/v WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -6 Sodium chloride 0.49% w/v Citric acid up to 10% w/v Water to 100% by volume 5 Example II - Comparative Commercial Antibacterial Skin Cleanser Containing 2.0% (Triclosan) Full Composition Unknown) Example III -Comparative Composition of Commercial Antiseptic Surgical 10 Scrub Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) 4.0% w/v Nonionic Surfactant* (100%) 25.00% w/v Lauryl Dimethylamineoxide (100%) 2.60% w/v 15 Water to 100.0% by volume (formula as per published data (Manuf. Chemist, October 1973, p. 25-27 and disclosed in US Patent 3 855 140) *polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block copolymer PLURONIC F87 (BASF, Germany). 20 Example IV - Inventive Composition containing Triclosan Same composition as Example 1 to which n-propanol 5.0% w/v and phenoxyethanol 1% w/v have been added. 25 Example V - Inventive Composition containing Triclosan Same composition as Example 1 to which 5.0% w/v n-propanol and 1% w/v phenoxyethanol have been added and the triclosan increased to 1% w/v.

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -7 Example VI - Inventive Composition Containing Chlorhexidine Gluconate 5 Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) 2.0% w/v Alkylpolysaccharide* (100%) 4.00% w/v Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 2.00% w/v Propylene Glycol 2.0% w/v Isopropanol 8.0% w/v 10 Phenoxyethanol 2.0% w/v Water to 100% by volume *Oramix T M NS10 55% w/v (Sepic SA, France). Example VII - Inventive Compositions Containing Chlorhexidine 15 Gluconate Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 1.0% w/v Alkylpolysaccharide* (100%) 4.00% w/v Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 0.80% w/v 20 Propylene glycol 2.0% w/v n-propanol 6.0% w/v Phenoxypropanol 1.0% w/v Water to 100.0% by volume * Any commercial alkylpolysaccharide can be used such as Plantaren T M 2000 25 (Henkel) or Atlas T M G73500 (ICI).

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -8 Example VIII - Inventive Composition Containing Triclosan Triclosan 1.0% w/v 5 Alkylpolysaccharide* (100%) 4.00% w/v Sodium 2 laurylethersulfate (100%) 0.20% w/v Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 2.00% w/v Isopropanol 8.0% w/v Propylene Glycol 10.0% w/v 10 Preservative** 1.0% w/v Phenoxyethanol 2.0% w/v Water to 100.0% by volume *Oramix T M NS12 (Sepic SA, France) **Germabene T M II 0.2% w/v 15 Example IX - Inventive Composition Containing Triclosan Triclosan 1.0% w/v Alkyl polysaccharide* (100%) 4.00% w/v 20 Sodium 2 laurylethersulphate (100%) 0.25% w/v Sodium cumene sulfate (100%) 4.00% w/v Ethyl alcohol 4.0% w/v n-propanol 4.0% w/v Phenoxyethanol 1.5% w/v 25 Water to 100% by volume *Any commercial alkylpolysaccharide can be used such as Plantaren T M 2000 (Henkel) or Atlas T M G73500 (ICI).

WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -9 Example X - Inventive Composition Containing Triclosan Triclosan 1.00% w/v 5 Alkylpolysaccharide (100%) 2.75% w/v Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 0.80% w/v Sodium xylene sulphonate (100%) 4.00% w/v Isopropanol 8.0% w/v Propylene glycol 2.0% w/v 10 Phenoxyethanol 1.0% w/v Carboxymethyl cellulose 0.6% w/v Phenoxypropanol 1.0% w/v Water to 100.0 by volume % 15 Example XI - Inventive Composition Containing Dichlorophene Dichlorophene 1.5% w/v Alkylpolysaccharide (100%) 4.00% w/v Sodium 2 laurylethersulfate (100%) 0.20% w/v 20 Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 2.00% w/v Isopropanol 5.0% w/v Phenoxyethanol 1.0% w/v Water to make 100.0% by volume 25 WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -10 Example XII - Inventive Composition Containing Dichlorophene Dichlorophene 1.5% w/v Alkylpolysaccharide (100%) 4.00% w/v 5 Sodium 2 laurylethersulphate (100%) 0.50% w/v Cocodiethanolamide (100%) 1.00% w/v Ethanol 5.0% w/v Phenoxyethanol 1.0% w/v Water to make 100.0% by volume 10 adjust pH to 7.0 - 7.2 with triethanolamine. Suspension tests were performed (in accordance with European Standard CEN/TC216/WG IN) in the presence of a number of organisms. The results are shown in the following table: TABLE I - SUSPENSION TESTS 15 RESULTS EXPRESSED AS: log reduction Test temperature: 23 0 C; Contact time: 60 seconds Neutralising Medium: Tween80 100 g/L, Lecithin 50 g/L, Histidine 1 g/L ... .. ........................ .ST ORGANISM:ECl S. aureuzs P. aerinosaSJcai NCTC816 NTC4163 NCTC6749 NC 77 Concentration Neat Neat Neat Neat Contact Time secss) 60 60 60 60 Formulations: Comparative Example 1 0.49% w/v NG NG >2 >2 Triclosan Inventive Example IV 0.49% w/v NG NG NG NG Triclosan Comparative Example II 2% w/v >2 >2 >2 >2 Triclosan Inventive Example V 1.0% w/v NG NG NG NG Triclosan Comparative Example III 2% w/v NG 3.8 NG 3.9 CHG Inventive Example VI 2.0% w/v NG NG NG NG CHG Inoculum Level 2.5 x 108 2.8 x 108 1.3 x 108 1.8 x 108 NG: Means NO GROWTH WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -11 Suspension tests were also conducted for the composition of Example X (1.0% w/v Triclosan). The results were as follows: Microbicidal Results 5 Suspension test - 30 sec contact/con. 75% Expressed as a Log reduction of microorganisms. Microorganism Inoculum level Reduction S. aureus ATTC 6538 Log 6.8 > 5.8 10 E. coli ATTC 11229 Log 6.9 > 5.9 PS aeruginosa ATTC 15442 Log 7.0 > 6.0 P. mirabilia ATTC 14153 Log 6.8 > 6.0 Compositions according to the invention have the same or greater 15 effectiveness with respect to biocidal activity and are less toxic, at much lower concentrations of the antimicrobial agent in comparison with conventional prior art compositions. In preferred embodiments, the use of an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant in amounts below 6% (w/v), the amount of triclosan can be successfully reduced from 20 1.0% to 0.5% (w/v) with substantially no loss in biocidal activity. Surprisingly the amount of chlorhexidine can be reduced 4% to 2% (w/v) whilst maintaining good biocidal activity and foaming properties. Further, by use of alkylpolysaccharides in amounts as low as 2% it is possible to obtain sufficient foaming skin cleansing properties not obtainable with other 25 conventional surfactants. Further, the known interference with the antimicrobial properties of biocides with surfactants is considerably reduced. Further, by the inclusion of an alkyl and aryl alcohol combination, the compositions of the invention are effective against the pseudomonas microorganism. The invention is a significant and important improvement on the art as taught 30 in US 3,855,140 as illustrated by the fact that, while the composition of US Patent 3,855,140 showed no activity against Pseudomonas, the compositions of the present WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -12 invention are effective against Pseudomonas at concentrations containing as low as 0.49% triclosan. Compositions according to the invention are especially suitable for skin and hand disinfection, surface disinfection, impregnation of sponges, woven and non 5 woven textiles and the like. The composition of the invention is suitable for cleansing any object. The composition of the invention is particularly suitable for cleansing hands in clinical situations and before surgery but can also be used for cleansing inanimate objects such as surgical instruments.

Claims

1. An antiseptic cleansing composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an effective amount of an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant, at least one alkyl alcohol and at least one aryl alcohol. 5

2. A cleansing composition according to claim 1 further comprising an inert carrier.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the content of the surfactant present in the composition does not exceed 6%.

4. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 10 alkylpolysaccharide is an alkylpolysaccharide of the formula: CH 2 OH CH 2 OH O o OH O H -O(CH 2 )nCH 3 OH OH OH m wherein n is an integer between 5 and 19, and m is an integer between 1 and 3.

5. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the surfactant 15 alkyl polysaccharide contains one or more sugar units selected from the group consisting of maltose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, gulose, idose, talose, allose, altrose, sucrose, fructose, sorbose, levulose, lactose, allulose, tagatose, alloheptulose, sedoheptulose, glucoheptulose, mannoheptulose, guloheptulose, idoheptulose, galactoheptulose, taloheptulose and derivatives thereof. 20

6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine salt, chlorophenol derivative, octenidindihydrochloride (CH 3 -(CH 2

) 7 NHON-(CH 2 ) 1 0 -NO-NH(CH 2 ) 7 -CH 2 or any other salt thereof, and quaternary ammonium compounds. 25 7. A composition according to claim 6 wherein the salt of chlorhexidine is selected from the group consisting of gluconate, isethionate, formate, acetate, WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -14 glutamate, succinamate, monodiglycolate, dimethanesulfonate, lactate, diisobutyrate or the glucoheptonate salts.

8. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the antimicrobial agent is chlorhexidine digluconate. 5

9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the chlorhexidine does not exceed 4.5% w/v.

10. A composition according to claim 6 wherein the chlorophenol derivative is selected from the group consisting of dichlorophene, p-chloro-m-xylenol, chlorophene, o-phenylphenol, and 2,4,4-trichloro-2-hydroxy-diphenylether. 10

11. A composition according to claim 10 wherein the antimicrobial agent is 2,4,4 trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether.

12. A composition according to claim 11 wherein the 2,4,4-trichloro-2 hydroxydiphenylether does not exceed 3% w/v.

13. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 15 antimicrobial agent has a water solubility of at least 0.001% w/v at ambient temperature.

14. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkyl alcohol is a lower alkyl alcohol.

15. A composition according to claim 14 wherein the lower alkyl alcohol is 20 ethanol, isopropanol or n-propanol.

16. A composition according to claim 15 wherein the lower alkyl alcohol is isopropanol or n-propanol or a combination thereof.

17. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the alcohol content does not exceed 70% w/v. 25

18. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the alcohol content is between 55-70% w/v.

19. A composition according to claim 17 wherein the alcohol is present in an amount of from 3 to 10% w/v.

20. A composition according to claim 19 wherein the alcohol is present in an 30 amount of from 4 to 8% w/v. WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 - 15

21. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aryl alcohol is selected from the group consisting of a benzylalcohol, a phenylethylalcohol, a phenoxyethanol, a phenoxypropanol or a chlorinated derivative thereof.

22. A composition according to claim 21 wherein the aryl alcohol is selected 5 from the group consisting of phenoxyethanol and phenoxypropanol.

23. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aryl alcohol does not exceed 3% w/v.

24. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims further including an inert carrier. 10

25. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the inert carrier is water

26. A composition according to claim 24 wherein the inert carrier is a lower alcohol.

27. A composition according to claim 26 wherein the inert carrier is a ethanol.

28. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims further including 15 one or more of the integers selected from the group consisting of (a) a solubilising agent (b) a foaming agent (c) one or more viscosity modifiers (d) preservatives 20 (e) other conventional additives (f) additional surfactants

29. A composition according to claim 28 wherein the solubilising agent is propylene glycol, a hydrotrope or mixtures thereof.

30. A composition according to claim 29 wherein the hydrotrope is selected from 25 the group consisting of urea, cumenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, xylenesulphonate and the ethanolamine salts of citric and other hydroxycarboxylic acids.

31. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 30 wherein the foaming agent is an alkylaminooxide, alkylmono or diethanolamide.

32. A composition according to claim 31 wherein the foaming agent is selected 30 from the group consisting of lauryl condensates, cocodiethanolamide condensates, WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -16 monoethanolamide condensates, lauryl dimethylamine oxides and cetyl dimethylamine oxides.

33. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 32 wherein the viscosity modifier is selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, guar resins and 5 carbopol resins.

34. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 33 wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of imidazolidinyl derivatives, urea derivatives (Germabenes), methyl parabens (p-hydroxy benzoic esters) or propyl parabens (p-hydroxy benzoic esters). 10

35. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 34 wherein the conventional additives are selected from the group consisting of colouring agents, fragrances, antioxidants, emollients, stabilising agents and thickeners

36. A composition according to claim 35 wherein the thickener is carboxymethylcellulose. 15

37. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 36 wherein the additional surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants, anionic surfactants and ionic surfactants.

38. A composition according to claim 37 wherein the additional surfactants include a quaternary ammonium compound or a high foaming anionic surfactant. 20

39. A composition according to claim 38 wherein high foaming anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of laurylethoxysulfonate, a sarcosinate and sodium 2 laurylethersulphate.

40. A composition according to any one of claims 28 to 39 wherein additional ingredients are selected to avoid possible incompatibility with any of the other 25 ingredients of the composition and especially with regard to the antimicrobial agent.

41. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pH is 8 or less.

42. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pH is in the range 5 to 7. 30

43. A composition according to claim 40 wherein the pH is 5.5 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/53036 PCT/AU98/00329 -17

44. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 40 wherein the pH is controlled to avoid precipitation of ingredients.

45. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pH is adjusted by an organic acid. 5

46. A composition according to claim 45 wherein organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid and gluconic acid.

47. A composition according to claim 46 wherein the organic acid is gluconic acid.

48. A method of decontaminating surfaces contaminated with bacteria including 10 the pseudomonas microorganism, which method comprises contacting the surface with a disinfectant cleansing composition according to any one of the preceding claims.

49. A disinfectant cleansing composition substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the examples.

50. A method of decontaminating surfaces substantially as herein described with 15 reference to any one of the examples. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)