CA2242563A1 - Disinfecting compositions and processes for disinfecting surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to disinfecting compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, and to a process for disinfecting surfaces.

Description

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 DISINFECTING {~OMPOSITIONS
AND
PROCESSES FOR DlSlNFECTiNG SURFACES

Technical field The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions which can be used to disinfect and clean various surfaces including animate surfaces (e.g., human 15 skin, mouth and the like) and inanimate surfaces including, but not limited to, hard surfaces like walls, tiles, table tops, glass, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes as well as fabrics, clothes, carpets and the like.

Backqround Antimicrobial/antibacterial compositions include materials which have the ability to disinfect. it is generaily recognised that a disinfecting material greatly reduces or even eliminates the microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, existing on a surface. Compositions based on halogen containing compounds like 25 hypochlorite or on quaternary compounds, have been extensively described in the art for disinfecting purpose. Compositions comprising peroxide bleach are also known as disinfe-;li"g compositions.

~lowever, compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide as the only a"li"~icr( bial 30 agent, typically at a level of 7% by weight of the total composition, are not fully satisfactory when used upon typical diluted conditions, e.g. at a dilution level of 1:50 (composition: water) to disinfect light soiled surfaces, e.g., surfaces which have been previously cleaned with a conventional detergent and still present some residual organic andlor inorganic soils. Indeed, the presence of organic 35 and/or inorganic soils decreases the bactericidal activity of many antimicrobial compounds like peroxygen bleach, resulting thereby in a lower bactericidal activity/disinfection power of compositions comprising them.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 It is thus an object of the present invention to provide compositions which deliver excellent disinfection on light soiled surfaces, even when used upon highly diluted conditions.

5 It has now been found that this can be achieved by combining different antimicrobial ingredients together, i.e., by combining a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or a mixture thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof (e.g. thymol, eugenol, and the 10 like), paraben, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof. More particularly, it has been found that a composition comprising said peroxygen bleach, said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant and said anli,l,icrobiai compound provides excellentdisinfection on light soiled surfaces, even at high diluted conditions, i.e., up to a dilution level of said composition to water of 1 :100.
An advantage of the present invention is that excellent disinfection is providedunder light soiled conditions on a broad range of bacterial strains including Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains but also more resistant micro-organisms like fungi.
Another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that beside the disinfection properties delivered, good cleaning performance is also provided.

2~ Also, the compositions according to the present invention are suitable to be used on all types of surfaces including animate surfaces (e.g., human skin and/or mouth when used as an oral preparation or toothpaste) and inanimate surfaces. Indeed, this technology is particularly suitable in hard-surFaces applications as well as in laundry applications, e.g., as a laundry detergent or30 laundry additive in a so cailed "soalcing mode", "through the wash mode", or even as a laundry pretreater in a "p,~ al",ent mode". More particularly, the compositions according to the present invention are suitable to be used on delicate surfaces including those surfaces in contact with food and/or babies ina safe manner. Indeed, when using the compositions according to the present 3~ invention in diluted conditions, the amount of chemical residues lef~ onto a surface disinfected therewith is reduced. Thus, it may be not necess~ry to rinse CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 for example a hard-surface after the compositions of the present invention have been applied thereto in diluted conditions Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that they 5 may be provided in different forms, e.g., in a liquid form packaged in a conventional detergent bottle, or in a sprayabie or foamable form packaged in a spraylfoam dispenser, or in the form of wipes incorporating such a composition, or in a non-liquid form.

1 û EP-B-288 689 discloses a liquid for hard-surfaces comprising antimicrobialeffective amounts of pine oil and at least one oil soluble organic acid. No other a,,li,,,icrubial ingredients are mentioned let alone a peroxygen bleach.

~P-241390 discloses that textiles contaminated with bacteria may be disinfected by first treating with a detergent and then with a peroxide bleaching agent in an aqueous bath at pH 9-13 in the presence of non complexed calcium. No other a"li",icoJbial ingredients are disclosed.

US4,404,191 discloses that per-compounds such as monopersulfate have bactericide, fungicide and virucide properties. US4,404,191 discloses that compositions comprising monopersulfate may be used in diluted form to treat hard-surfaces. However, no other antimicrobial ingredients are disclosed.

EP-A-667 392 discloses hard-surface cleaning compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide and a surfactanVthickening component comprising alkyl ether sulphate surfactant together with amine oxide or betaine. The compositions therein have a pH of from 7 to 10. No other antimicrobial compounds are disclosed, let alone essel~lial oils or actives thereof, parabens or glutaraldehyde.
US-5,403,587 discloses aqueous ar,lill,icrobial compositions which can be used to sanitise, disinfect, and clean hard-surfaces. More particularly, US-5,403,587c~iscloses aqueous compositions (pi~l 1 to 12) comprising essential oils (0.02%
to 5%) which exhibit antimicrobial properties efficacy such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, clove oil and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agent suffcient to form an aqueous solution or dispersion of said essential oils in a water carrier. Said compositions may further comprise other antimicrobiai CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 ingredients like phenolic compounds, ~uaternary ammonium compounds, however no betaine or sulphobetaine surFactants, or peroxygen bleaches are disclosed US-~,368,749 discloses compositions for inhibiting the growth of aerobic micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi, said compositions including an oxidant and glutaraldehyde. The oxidants may be selected from the group of chlorine, bromine, monopersulfate, perborate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and percarbonate. The oxidant is said to exhibit a synergistic effect when added to glutaraldehyde. No other anli,nicrobial compounds like essential oils, or actives thereof, parabens or betaine/sulphobetaine surfactants are disclosed.

US-3,852,210 discloses aqueous oxygen releasing compositions suitable for a wide range of applications in the industry and household for example as laundry bleaching detergents or as hard-surface cleaners. The germicide and bactericide activity of said composilions make it also s~litable for medical appiication. Said compositions (ptl 2 to 10) comprise an active oxygen yielding compound, e.g., hydrogen peroxide (0.1-50%), a betaine or sulfobetaine (0.5-50%) such as cetylbetaine or laurylsulfobetaine and nonionic poiyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer surfactants having a water solubility of at least one gram per 100 ml of water and a molecular weight within ttle range of 1000 to 15 000. No other antimicrobial compounds are disclosed, let alone essential oils or actives thereof, parabens or glutaraldehyde.

J-60038497 disc loses a foam-generating two components detergent composition comprising (a) an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide (0.5%-50%), (b) an alkaline compound cor,laining an alkaline substance having 0.1%
to 50% alkalinity expressed in terms of NaOH, like NaOH, KOH, Na2GO3. One of the two components (a) and (b) of said detergent compositions comprises a surfactant, e.g., betaine surfactants, and at least one compound selected from terpene alcohols, cyclic terpene alcohols and their esters. The compositions in J-60038497 are intended to clean soils on hard materials like plastics, ioints, and particulariy difficult to clean recesses or corners. No reference is made todisinfection.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 - Summary of the invention The present invention encompasses a disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives 5 thereof or mixtures thereof, and an a"li",iclobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, with the exception of aqueous compositions comprising as said peroxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide at a level of from 0.5% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and from 0.001%
10 to 10% by weight of a terpene alcohol, cyclic terpene alcohol or ester thereof, as the only antimicrobial compound.

The present invention further encompasses a process for disinfecting a surface wherein a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a 15 sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof, and anantimicrobial compound select~d from the group consisting of anlil "icrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof, is applied onto said surface.

20 The present invention also encompasses a disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, packagëd in a spray dispenser.
The present invention also enco" ,pAsses a wipe impregnated with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or 30 actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof.

Detailed descriPtion of the invention 35 The disinfecting compositions according to the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils, or CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, with the exception of aqueous compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide at a level of from 0.5% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and from 0.001% to 10%
by weight of a terpene alcohol, cyclic terpene alcohol or ester thereof, as said5 only antimicrobial compound.

The compositions according to the present invention may be formulated either as liquids or non-liquids (e.g., gel, pasty form or solid form like powder or granular form). In the case where the compositions are formulated as solids, 10 they will be mixed with an appropriate solvent, typically water, before use. In liquid form, the compositions are preferably but not necess~rily formulated as aqueous compositions. Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenience of use.
As an essential element the compositions according to the present invention 15 comprise a peroxygen bleach, or mixtures thereof. Preferred peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide, or a water soluble source thereof, or mixtures thereof.
Hydrogen peroxide is most preferred to be used in the compositions according to the present invention.
It is believed that the presence of said peroxygen bleach especially hydrogen 20 peroxide, persulfate and the like, in the compositions of the present invention contribute to the disinfection properties of said compositions. Indeed, said peroxygen bleach may attack the vital function of the micro-organism cells, for example it may inhibit the assembling of ribosomes units within the cytoplasm of the micro-organism cells. Also said peroxygen bleach like hydrogen 25 peroxide, is a strong oxidizer that generates hydroxyl free radicals which attack proteins and nucleic acids. Furthermore, the presence of said peroxygen bteach, especially hydrogen peroxide provides strong stain removal benefits which are particularly n~,liceable for example in laundry and hard surfaces applications.
30 As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound which produces hydrogen peroxide when said compound is in contact with water.
Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, persilicate, persulphate such as monopersulfate, perborates and peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioic acid (DPDA), magnesium 35 perphthalic acid and mixtures thereof.

CA 02242~63 l998-07-09 In addition other classes of peroxides can be used as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof Suitable classes include dialkylperoxides, diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic 5 peroxides andlor hydroperoxides.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.01% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 15%, and more preferably from 1% to 10%.

As a second essential ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives ~5 thereof, or mixtures thereof. It is speculated that said amphoteric surfactants have a twofold action. Indeed, they help disinfection by increasing the permeability of the bacterial cell wall, thus allowing other active ingredients to enter the cell. Also said surfactants contribute to the cleaning perforrnance ofthe compositions herein.

Furthermore, due to the mild action profite of said betaine andlor sulphobetainesurfactants, the compositions herein may be particularly suitable for the cleaning of delicate surfaces, e.g. delicate laundry or surfaces in contact withfood and/or babies. Betaine andlor sulphobetaine surfactants are also extremely mild to the skinl and thus contribute to the convenience of use of thecompositions of the present invention by the user.

Suitable betaine/sulphobetaine surfactants to be used in the compositions of the present invention are the betainelsulphobetaine and betaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groups which forrn an inner salt giving the molecule both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups overa broad range of pH values. Some co"""on examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred betaine or sulphobetaine surfactants have the formula CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 R1 - N+ - (CH3)n - Y-wherein R1 is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3 contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6 and more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3 radicats is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or 15 mixtures thereof.

Examples of particuiarly suitable betaine surfactants include C12-C18 alkyl dimethyl betaine such as the coconut betaine and C10-C16 alkyl dimethyl betaine such as the lauryl betaine.
Coconut betaine and Lauryl betaine are co,l,r"er-,ially available from Seppic and Albright & Wilson respectively, under the trade name of Amonyl 265~ and Empigen BB/L~ respectively.

25 Typically, the composilions herein comprise at least 0.005% by weight of the total composition of said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 10%, and more preferably from 0.1 % to 5%.

30 As a third essential ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention comprise an antimicrobial compound, or mixtures thereof.

Said antimicrobial compound is selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and 35 mixtures thereof.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 Preferred antimicrobial compounds to be used herein are antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof. Suitable antimicrobial essential oils to be used in thecompositions herein are those essential oils which exhibit antimicrobial activity.
By "actives of essential oils" it is meant herein any ingredient of essential oils that 5 exhibit antimicrobial activity. It is speculated that said antimicrobial essential oils and actives thereof act as proteins denaturing agents. Also said anlirl,icrc,bial oils and actives thereof are compounds of natural origin which contribute to the safety profile of the compositions of the present invention when used to disinfect any surface. A further advantage of said antimicrobial oils and actives thereof is 10 that they impart pleasant odor to the disinfecting compositions of the present invention without the need of adding a perfume. Indeed the disinfecting compositions according to the present invention deliver not only excellent disinfecting properties on light soiled surfaces to be disinfected but also goodscent.
Such essential oils include, but are not limited to, those obtained from thyme, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, clove, aniseed, cinnamon, geranium, roses, mint, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood and cedar and mixtures thereof. Actives of essential oils to be used herein 20 include, but are not limited to, thymol (present for example in thyme), eugenol (present for example in cinnamon and clove3, menthol (present for example in mint), geraniol (present for example in geranium and rose), verbenone (present for example in vervain), eucalyptol and pinocarvone (present in eucalyptus), cedrol (present for example in cedar), anethol (present for example in anise), 25 carvacrol, hinokitiol, berberine, terpineol, limonene, ratanhiae and mixturesthereof. Preferred actives of essential oils to be used herein are thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, limonene andlor geraniot.

Thymol may be commercially available for example from Aldrich, eugenol may 30 be commercially available for example from Sigma, Systems - Bioindustries (SE~I) - Manheimer Inc.

Suitable paraben to be used in the compositions herein include ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, propyl paraben or mixtures thereof.
Glutaraldehyde may be commercially availabie from Union Carbide or from BASF.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.003% by weight of the total composition of said antimicrobial compound or mixtures thereof, preferablyfrom 0.006% to 4%, more preferably from 0.2% to 2%.

It has now been found that improved disinfection is delivered by the compositions of the present invention on iight soiled surfaces, even at high diiutions levels, i.e., up to a dilution level of said composition to water of 1:100.

By "light soiled surfaces" it is meant herein surfaces which are cGnta",i"ated by residual amounts of organic and/or inorganic soils equivalent to a water solution of 0.03 g/l bovine albumines and hard water (see clean conditions of European Standard prEN 1276, CENrrC 216 N59, 3.3, 4 from 1 1/95).

Accordingly, a light soiled surface may be for example any surface that has beencleaned/washed with a conventional detergent composition and that further needs to be disinfected.

By "improved disinfection" it is meant herein that the compositions of the present invention comprising said peroxygen bleach, said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant and said antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, allow to reduce the amount of bacteria on a light soiled surface, as compared to the same compositions without said peroxygen bleach and/or said betaine or sulphobetaine sulrdclant or the same compositions without said anli",icrobial compound, especially when used in diluted fonn. Indeed ~xce"Qnt disinfection is obtained on various microorganis",s including Gram positive bacteria like Sfaphylococcus aureus, and Gram negative bacteria iike Pseudomonas aerzJginosa, as well as on fungi like Candida albicans present on light soiled sur~aces.

Disinfection properties of a composition may be measured by the bactericidal activity of said composition. A test method to evaluate the bactericidal activity of a composition is described in European Standard, prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216 N
59, dated November 1995 issued by the European Committee for Standardisation, Brussels. European Standard, prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216 N 59, specifies a test method and requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 a disinfecting composition. The test is passed if the bacterial colonies formingunits (cfu) are reduced from a 107 cfu (initial level) to a 102 cfu (final level after contact with the disinfecting product), i.e. a 105 reduction of the viability isnecessary. The compositions according to the present invention pass this test under light soiled conditions, even if used in highly diluted conditions.

Another test method suitable to evaluate the bactericidal activity of the present compositions on light soiled surfaces, especially hard-surfaces, is AFNOR 172-190~ and T72-301~.
The compositions according to the present invention formulated in a liquid form may be applied neat. Preferably the compositions according to the present invention are applied to the surface to be disinfected in their diluted form.
By "diluted form" is meant herein that the compositions according to the presentinvention which are in a liquid form or in a solid form may be diluted with a liquid, typically water by the user. Said compositions may be diluted by the user typically up to 100 times their weight of water, preferably into 80 to 40 times their weight of water and more preferably 60 to 30.

Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses diluted disinfecting compositions obtainable by diluting in water a composition accoldil)g to the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention where said compositions are aqueous liquid compositions. Said aqueous compositions preferably have a pH
of not more than 12, preferably of from 3.5 to 7.0 and more preferably of from 4.0 to 5Ø The pH of the compositions can be adjusted by using organic acids like citric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid and the like, or inorganic acids, or alkalinising agents.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise any surfactant known to those skilled in the art including nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic surfactants andlor other amphoteric surfactants apart the betaine and/or sulphobetaine mentioned herein before. Said surfactants are desirable herein as they further contribute to the cleaning performance of the present compositions.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 WO 97/31092 rCTlUS97/00241 Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 50% by weight of the total composition of another surfactant. or mixtures thereof on top of said betaine andlor sulphobetaine surfactants, preferably from 0.3 % to 30 % and more preferably from 0.4 % to 25 %.

Other suitable amphoteric surfactants to be used herein include amine oxides or mixtures thereof. Amine oxides are preferred herein as they further contribute to the disinfecting properties of the compositions herein. Indeed, they further help disinfection by disrupting the cell walllmembrane of the 10 bacteria, thus allowing other antimicrobial ingredients to enter the cell and for example attack the inner part of the cell.

Suitable amine oxides to be used herein have the following formula R1 R2R3NO
wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated linear or branched 15 hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Suitable amine oxides to be used accor~ ,g to the present invention are amine oxides having the following formula R1 R2R3NO wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon chain contai"ing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferabiy from 6 to 20, more preferably from 6 to 14 and most p~eferably from 8 to 10, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently 20 substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. R1 may be a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain.

25 i~,ef~r,~d arnine oxides for use herein are for instance natural blend C8-C10amine oxides as well as C12-C16 amine oxides commercially avaiiable from Hoechst.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention where the compositions 30 herein are particularly suitable for the disinfection of a hard-surface, the surfactant is typically a surra~;lant system comprising an amine oxide and a betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant, preferably in a weight ratio of amine oxideto betaine or sulphobetaine of 2:1 to 100:1, more preferably of 6:1 to 100:1 andmost preferably 10:1 to 50:1. The use of such a surfactant system in the 35 compositions herein suitable for disinfecting a hard-surface, provides effective cleaning performance and provides shine on the cieaned surfaces, i.e., the CA 02242~63 l998-07-09 WO 97/3109~ PCTIUS97/00241 amount of filming/streaking left on the cleaned surface that has been treated with said compositions is minimal.

The compositions herein may aiso preferably comprise an anionic surfactant or 5 mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein - include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROS03M wherein R is preferably a C6-C24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a Cg-C20 alkyl component, more preferably a Cg-C16 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), 10 or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
Other suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein include alkyl-diphenyl-ether-sulphonates and alkyl-carboxylates. Other anionic surfactants can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of 20 soap, Cg-C20 linear alkylbenzenesulru"aLes, Cg-C22 primary or secondary alkanesulfonates, Cg-C24 olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, Cg-C24 alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl 25 ester suifonates such as C14 16 methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffln sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinar"ates and sulfosucc;l ,ates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C12-C1g 30 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C6-C14 diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccl-arides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylatessuch as those of the forrnula RO(CH2CH20)kCH2COO-M wherein R is a C8-35 C22 alkyl, k is an integer from O to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation.
Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 derived from tall oil. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and ll by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued ~ecember 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et ai. at Column 23, iine 58 through Column 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants for use in the compositions herein are the C8-C16 alkyl sulfonates, C8-C16 alkyl sulfates, C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylated sulfates (e.g., C8-C16 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates), and mixtures thereof. Such anionic surracla-l~s are preferred herein as it has been found that they further contribute to the disinfecting properties of a disinfecting composition herein. For example, C8-C16 alkyl sulfate acts by disorganizing the bacteria cell menbrane, inhibiting enzymatic activities, interrupting the cellular transport andlor denaturing cellular proteins. Indeed, it is speculated that the improved disinfecting perforrrlance further ~ssoci~ted with the addition of an anionic surfactant, especially a C8-C16 alkyl sulfonate, a C8-C16 alkyl sulfate andlor a C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, in a composition of the present invention, is likely due to multiple mode of attack of said surfactant against the bacteria. Thus, another aspect of the present invention is the use of an anionic surfactant, especially a C8-C16 alkylsulfonate, a C8-C16 alkyl sulfate andlor a C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, in a disinfecting composition of the present invention to improve the disinfecting properties of said composition on gram negative andlor gram positive bacteria.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein are fatty alcohol ethoxylates andlor propoxylates which are commercially available with a variety of fatty alcohol chain lengths and a variety of ethoxylation degrees. Indeed, the HLB values of such alkoxylated no~ nic surfactants depend essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, the nature of the alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation.
Surfactant catalogues are available which list a number of surfactants, including nonionics, together with their respective HLB values.

Particularly suitable for use herein as nonionic surfactants are hydrophobic nonionic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) below 16, preferably below 1~ and more pre~erably below 14. Those hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have been found to provide good grease cutting properties.

~, CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants to be used in the compositions according to the present invention are surfactants having an I I~B below 16 and being according to the formula RO-(C2H4O)n(C3H6O)mH, wherein R is a r C6 to C22 alkyl chain or a C6 to C2g alkyl benzene chain, and wherein n+m is from 0 to 20 and n is from 0 to 15 and m is from 0 to 20, preferably n+m is - from 1 to 15 and, n and m are from 0.5 to 15, more preferably n~m is from 1 to 10 and, n and m are from 0 to 10. The preferred R chains for use herein are the C8 to C22 alkyl chains. Accordingly, suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants for use herein are 13obanol R 91-2.5 (HLB= 8.1; R is a mixture of C9 and C11 alkyl chains, n is 2.5 and m is 0), or Lutensol R TO3 ~HLB=8; R is a C13 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Lutensol R AO3 (HLB=8; R is a mixture of C13 and C1s alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Tergitol R 25L3 (HLB= 7.7; R is in the range of C12 to C1s alkyl chain length, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 23-3 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 23-2 (1~LB=6.2; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 45 7 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C14 and C1s alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0) Dobanol R 23-6.5 (HLB=11.9;
R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 6.5 and m is 0), or Dobanol R
25-7 (HLB=12; R is a mixture of C12 and C1s alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 91-5 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of Cg and C11 alkyl chains, n is 5 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 91-6 (HLB=12.5; R is a mixture of Cg and C11 alkyl chains, n is 6 and m is 0), or Dobanol R 91-8 (HLB=13~7; R is a mixture of Cg and C11 alkyl chains, n is 8 and m is 0), Dobanol R 91-10 (tlLB=14.2;
R is a mixture of Cg to C11 alkyl chains, n is 10 and m is 0), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol R 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. These DobanolR surfactants are commercially available from StlELL. These LutensolR sulra~L~ . are con,",er~,ially available from BASF and these Tergitol R surfactants are co""~,ercially available from UNION
3û CARBIDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6-C20 conventional soaps (alkali metal salt of a C6-C20 fatty acid, preferably sodium salts).

The compositions herein may further comprise a chelating agent as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents may be any of those known to those skilled in the art such as the ones selected from the group comprising CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, biodegradable chelating agents like ethylene 5 diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, or mixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein include etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylene-diphosphonic acid (HEDP)), and/or alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonates.
Suitable amino phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein include amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonates ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and/or diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates. Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents 15 to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.

These phosphonate/amino phosphonate chelating agents may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acid functionalities. Such phosphonate/amino phosphonate chelating agents 20 are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST(3).

Substituted hetel~ar~r"alic chelating agents to be used herPin include hydroxypiridine-N-oxide or a derivative thereof.
Suitable hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be used 25 according to the present invention are according to the following formula:
~, ~f OH
Y
wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following groups oxygen, -CHO, -OH, -(CH2)n-COOH, wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 20, preferably of from 0 to 30 10 and more preferably is 0, and wherein Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly CA 02242~63 l998-07-09 WO 97/31092 PCT/US97/00~41 particularly preferred hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be used herein is 2-hydroxy pyridine N-oxide.

Hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof may be commercially 5 available from Sigma.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in thecompositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are 10 dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1 ,2-dihydroxy -3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth, ammonium or substitutes a--,mor,ium salts thereof or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic 15 acids, especially the (S,S) isomer have been extensively described in US patent 4, 704, 233, November 3, 1987 to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,~'-disuccinic acid is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename ss~DDS(~ from Palmer Research Laboratories. Ethylene diamine N,N'-disuccinic acid is particularly suitable to be used in the compositions of the 20 present invention.

Suitable amino carboxylate chelating agents useful herein include ethylene diamine tetra acelates, diethylene triamine pent~cet~tes, diethylene triamine pentc ~cePte (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri-25 acetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid fomm, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (~TPA?, propylene 30 diamine tetracetic acid ~PDTA) which is, for instance, co,l""ercially available from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS(~) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA).

Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein includes malonic acid, 35 salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixtures thereof.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 Said chetating agents, especially phosphonate cheiating agents like diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates, are particularly preferred in the compositions according to the present invention as they have been found to further contribute to the disinfecting properties of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, another aspect of the present invention is the use of a chelating agent, especially a phosphonate chelating agent like diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate, in a disinfecting composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, to improve the disinfecting properties of said composition on gram negative and/or gram positive bacteria.
Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5%by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 3% by weight and more preferably from 0.002% to 1 .5%.
The compositions herein may comprise a radical scavenger as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted mono and di hydroxy benzenes and derivatives thereof, alkyl-and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. rleft~ d radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butyl hydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole (BHA), p-hydroxy-anysol, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephtalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butyl catechol, 4-allyl-catechol, 4-acetyl catechol, 2-methoxy-phenol, 2-ethoxy-phenol, 2-methoxy4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, 2,3~ihydroxy benzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris(~-methyl~-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, tert-butyl-hydroxy-anyline, p-hydroxy anyiine as well as n-propyl~allate. Highly preferred for use herein are di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene, which is for ex~l"ple cor"r"e,..;ally available from SffELL under the trade name IONOL CP~ and/or tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole. These radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the hydrogen peroxide-containing compositions herein. r -Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5%35 by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.001% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.01% to 1%.
-CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 The compositions herein may comprise as a preferred optional ingredient a solvent or mixtures thereof. When used, solvents will, advantageously, give an enhanced cleaning to the compositions herein. Suitable solvents for 5 incorporation in the compositions according to the present invention include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n-butoxypropoxypropanol, water-soluble CARBITOL(E~) solvents or water-soluble CELLOSOLVE(~ solvents. Water-soluble CARBlTOLt~) solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from 10 ethyl, propyl or butyl. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol also known as butyl carbitol. Water-soluble CELLOSOLVE~ solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred. Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,24-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixture thereof. Preferred solvents for use herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol~, benzyl alcohol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents for use herein are butyl carbitol~, benzyl alcohol andlor isopropanol.

20 The solvents may typically be present within the col",uositions of the invention at a level up to 15% by weight, preferably from 2% to 7% by weight of the composition.

The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optional 25 ingredients such as buffers (e.g. borate buffers), builders, stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti dusting agents, enzymes, dispersant, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes and dyes.

Packaginq form of the disinfectinq comPOSitiOnS:

The compositions herein may be packaged in a variety of suitable detergent packaging known to those skilled in the art. The liquid compositions herein may 3~ desirably be packaged in manually operated spray dispensing containers, which are usually made of synthetic organic polymeric plastic materials.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 WO 97/31092 PCT/US97/Oa241 Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses disinfecting compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine and/or sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group of anlin ,icrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof packaged in a spray dispenser, preferably in a trigger spray dispenser or a pump spray dispenser. These liquid compositions may further comprise optional ingredients as specified herein before.

indeed, said spray-type dispensers allow to uniformly apply to a relatively large area of a surface to be disinfected a liquid disinfecting composition comprisinga peroxygen bieach, a betaine and/or sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an a"li",i_~obial compound selected from the group of anli",icrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde 1~ and mixtures thereof, thereby contributing to disinfection properties of said composition. These liquid compositions may further comprise optional ingredients as specified herein before. Such spray-type dispensers are particularly suitable to disinfect vertical surfaces.

Suitable spray-type dispensers to be used according to the present invention include manually operated foam trigger-type dispensers sold for example by Specialty Packaging Products, inc. or Continental Sprayers, Inc. These types of dispensers are disclosed, for instance, in US~,701,311 to Dunnining et al.
and US 1,646,973 and US4,538,745 both to Focarracci. Particularly p,er~n~d to be used herein are spray-type dispensers such as T 8500~ or T 8900 commercially available from Continental Spray Inl~r"~lional or T 8100~
commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In such a dispenser the liquid composition is divided in fine liquid droplets resulting in a spray that is directed onto the surface to be treated. Indeed, in such a spray-type dispenser 3û the composition contained in the body of said dispenser is directed through the spray-type dispenser head via energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said user activates said pumping mechanism. More particularly, in said spray-type dispenser head the composition is forced against an obstacle, e.g. a grid or a cone or the like, thereby providing shocks to help 3~ atomise the liquid composition, i.e. to help the formation of liquid droplets.

~.

CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 .

The compositions of the present invention may also be executed in the form of wipes. By "wipes" it is meant herein disposable towels impregnated with a liquidcomposition according to the present invention. Preferably said wipes are packaged in a plastic box. Actually, the present invention also encompasses 5 wipes, e.g., disposabie paper towels, impregnated/wetted with a liquid disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine andlor sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof.
The advantage of this execution is a faster usage of a disinfecting composition by the user, this even outside the house, i.e. there is no need to pour the liquid compositions according to the present invention on the surfaces to be treated/disinfect and to dry it out with a cioth. In other words, wipes allow 15 disinfection of surfaces in one step.

The Process of disinfectinq:

20 The present invention encompasses a process of disinfecting a surface wherein a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine and/or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, parabens, giutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, 25 is applied onto said surface.

By "surface" it is meant herein any surface including animate surface like human skin, mouth, teeth, and inanimate surfaces. Inanimate surfaces include, but are not limited to, hard-surfaces typically found in houses like kitchens, 30 bathrooms, or in car interiors, e.g., tiles, walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plastifled wood, table top, sinks, cooker tops, dishes, sanitary fittings such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, wash basins, WCs and the like, as well as fabrics including clothes, curtains, drapes, bed linens, bath linens, table cloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture and the like, and 35 carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliances including, but CA 02242~63 1998-07-09 not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.

In the process of the present invention said composition being preferably in a 5 liquid form is applied onto said surface in its neat form or after having beendiluted with water. Preferably said composition is diluted up to 100 times its weight of water, preferably into 80 to 40 times its weight of water, and more preferably 60 to 30 times, before it is applied to said surface.

10 In the preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention wherein said composition is appiied to a hard-surface to be disinfected in its diluted form, it may be unnecessary to rinse the surface after the composition has been applied, indeed substantially no visible residues are left onto the surface.

15 The present invention will be further illustrated by the following exar"~:les.

ExamPles The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in the 20 listed proportions (weight % unless othe~ise specified). These compositions p~ssed the prEN 1276 test (0.03% aibumine/hard water) of the European cGI~mi~ e of standardisation. These compositions provide excellent disi-,rrc l,tion when used neat or diluted, e.g. at 1:100, 1:25, 1:50 dilution levels, on light soiled surfaces while delivering also good surface safety.
Compositions I ll lli IV V Vl Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 ~;.0 7.0 3.5 6.0 8.0 Betaine~ 3.0 2.5 4.0 2.5 4.5 3.0 ~hymol -- 1.0 -- -- --Ethyl paraben -- -- 0.4 0.8 Glutaraldehyde 0.8 -- -- -- ~ -Eugenol -- -- 0.3 0-5 ~~ r Waterand minors up to 1003' H2S04 up to pH 4.0 W O 97/31092 PCTrUS97/00241 Compositions VllVlll IX X Xl Xll Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 7.0 6.0 2.0 8.0 Coconutbetaine -- 2.5 -- -- -- 3.0 Laurylbetaine 3.0 -- 4.0 3.0 0.05 --~ Thymol /eugenol (1 1) 1.0 -- 2.0 0.1 GDA/eugenol (1:1) -- t.0 1.0 -- -- 1.5 Water and minors up to 100%
H2SO4 up to pH 4.0 GDA is glutaraldehyde.

Compositions Xlll XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII

Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 0.2 6.0 6.0 8.0 Betaine * 3.0 2.5 0.1 3.0 4.5 3.0 Nonionic surfactant** 1.2 1.5 0.2 1.1 1.3 1.5 Nonionic surfactant *** 1.6 2.0 1.7 1.8 2.0 Thymol 1.0 -- -- 0.5 Ethyl paraben ~ 0.4 Glutaraldehyde 0.8 ~
Eugenol 0.01 Water and minors up to 100 H2SO4 up to plt 4.0 Betaine * is either coconut betaine commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265~3 or laurylbetaine commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L~ or mixtures thereof.

35 ** is Dobanol Z3-3@~

*** is Dobanol 91-10 WO 97/3109~ PCT/IUS97/00241 Compositions . XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV

Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 0.2 6.0 6.0 8.0 Betaine * 3.0 2.5 0.1 3.0 4.5 1.5 Nonionic surfactant** 1.2 1.5 0.2 1.1 1.3 1.5 Nonionic surfactant *** 1.6 2.0 -- 1.7 1.8 2.0 C1Q Alkyl Sulfate 4.0 -- -- 2.0 C10 Amine Oxide -- 5.0 1.0 0.5 -- 4.0 Thymol 1.0 -- -- 0.5 --Etilyl paraben -- -- -- 04 Glutaraldehyde 0.8 -- -- -- -- --Eugenol -- -- 0.01 1 -- --Water and minors up to 100n/,.
H2SO4 up to pH 4.0 . ~

Claims (18)

Claims

1. A disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, with the exception of aqueous compositions comprising as said peroxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide at level of from 0.5% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and from 0.001% to 10% by weight of a terpene alcohol, cyclic terpene alcohol or ester thereof, as the only antimicrobial compound.

2. A process for disinfecting a surface wherein a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, is applied onto said surface.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein said composition is diluted up to 100 times its weight of water, preferably into 80 to 40 times its weight of water, and more preferably 60 to 30 times, before it is applied to said surface.

4. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a water soluble source thereof selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates, persulphates, perborates, peroxyacids, dialkylperoxides, diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides, organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof, and preferably is hydrogen peroxide.

5. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant is according to the formula wherein R1 is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3 contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6 and more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3 radicals is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.

6. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said antimicrobial compound is an essential oil or active thereof or mixtures thereof.

7. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said essential oil is obtained from thyme, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, clove, aniseed, cinnamon, geranium, roses, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood, cedar and mixtures thereof, and/or wherein said active of essential oil is selected from the group consisting of thymol, eugenol, menthol, carvacrol, verbenone, eucalyptol, cedrol, anethol, pinocarvone, geraniol, hinokitiol, berberine, terpineol, limonene, ratanhiae and mixtures thereof, and preferably is thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, limonene and/or geraniol.

8. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said paraben is ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, propyl paraben or mixtures thereof.

9. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said composition comprises at least 0.003% by weight of the total composition of said antimicrobial compound, preferably from 0.006% to 4%, and more preferably from 0.2% to 2%.

10. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said composition comprises at least 0.01% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 15% and more preferably from 1% to 10%.

11. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said composition comprises at least 0.005% by weight of the total composition of said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 10%, and more preferably from 0.1% to 5%.

12. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said composition further comprises a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.

13. A composition or process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said composition further comprises an optional ingredient selected from the group consisting of surfactants, radical scavengers, builders, stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents, brighteners, anti dusting agents, solvents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes, dyes and mixtures thereof.

14. A disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof, packaged in a spray dispenser.

15. A wipe impregnated with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a betaine or a sulphobetaine surfactant, or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial essential oils or actives thereof, paraben, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof.

16. A wipe according to claim 15 or a liquid composition according to claim 14 wherein said antimicrobial compound is an essential oil obtained from thyme, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, clove, aniseed, cinnamon, geranium, roses, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood, cedar and mixtures thereof, and/or an active of essential oil selected from the group consisting of thymol, eugenol, menthol, carvacrol, verbenone, eucalyptol, cedrol, anethol, pinocarvone, geraniol, hinokitiol, berberine, terpineol, limonene, ratanhiae and mixtures thereof.

17. A wipe or a liquid composition according to any of the claims 14 to 16 wherein said peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a water soluble source thereof selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates, persulphates, perborates, peroxyacids, dialkylperoxides, diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides, organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof.

18. A wipe or a liquid composition according to any of the claims 14 to 17 wherein said betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant is according to the formula wherein R1 is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3 contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6 and more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3 radicals is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.