EP3630930A1 - Moist detergent wipe - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a moist detergent wipe composed of a non-woven support impregnated with a detergent solution, the detergent solution comprising a protease, a lipase and an amylase, characterized in that the non-woven support comprises polyester fibers.

Description

MOIST DETERGENT WIPE

The present invention relates to moist detergent wipes impregnated with an enzymatic detergent solution. These wipes are particularly applicable in the field of cleaning and disinfecting in the hospital and medical field, particularly of hard surfaces as well as medical equipment and instruments, such as endoscopes, for example.

Moist detergent wipes are currently widely used in the medical and hospital field for simple and fast cleaning of hard surfaces such as work surfaces and medical equipment and instruments, for example. In general, these wipes are impregnated with a detergent solution containing one or more surfactant(s) and possibly an anti-microbial agent such as a quarternary ammonium salt, for example. Such wipes are marketed by the Applicant under the name WIP'ANIOS®, for example.

Patent application WO 00/37602 Al discloses an enzymatic detergent composition comprising a non-ionic surfactant or a mixture of non-ionic and anionic surfactants, a protease, an amylase and possibly a lipase, as well as a system stabilising the enzymatic activity for cleaning blood stains and other organic stains. These enzymatic activity stabilizers cited in the patent application are calcium salts, linear or branched alcohols, such as ethanol or isopropanol, alkanolamines such as triethanolamine, acids, particularly organic acids, and petroleum distillates. The enzymatic detergent composition can be incorporated in individually packaged wipes. However, the patent application does not disclose any tangible embodiment of a wipe impregnated with the enzymatic detergent composition. It simply refers to patent US 4998984, which recommends the use of a biodegradable wipe.

It is also known that glycols and other polyols, particularly glycerine, allow enzymatic detergent compositions to be stabilized. However, these have the disadvantage of generating greasy marks on the treated surfaces. During its research, the Applicant has observed that the selection of the material for the wipe significantly influenced the stability and particularly the enzymatic activity of the detergent solution. Thus, the Applicant is to be credited with having developed, as a result of extensive research, a moist detergent wipe impregnated with a detergent solution comprising at least one protease, at least one amylase and at least one lipase, which remains stable over time, in which the enzymatic activity of the various enzymes is preserved and which does not leave greasy marks on the treated surfaces.

Therefore, an object of the invention is a moist detergent wipe composed of a non- woven support impregnated with a detergent solution, the detergent solution comprising a protease, a lipase and an amylase, characterized in that the non-woven support comprises polyester fibers

Contrary to all expectations, the selection of a non-woven support comprising polyester fibers, particularly polyethylene terephthalate, allows, on the one hand, good impregnation with the detergent solution and, on the other hand, the preservation of good enzymatic activity over time. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the wipe is composed of polyester fibers, preferably polyethylene terephthalate fibers. Preserving the enzymatic activity by virtue of the presence of polyester fibers means that a person skilled in the art can dispense with the addition of glycols or other polyols, particularly glycerine, for these purposes and thus avoids the greasy marks on the treated surfaces. In one embodiment, the detergent solution is thus glycol and/or glycerine free.

The wipe can be non-woven or woven. Preferably, a non-woven wipe will be used. Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the wipe is a non-woven polyethylene terephthalate wipe, i.e. composed of polyethylene terephthalate fibers. Indeed, this type of wipe not only allows homogenous and stable impregnation of the detergent solution but also allows the enzymatic activity of the detergent solution to be preserved over time.

The rate of impregnation of the wipes with the detergent solution advantageously is from 100 % to 500 % by weight, preferably from 200 % to 400 % by weight and more preferably approximately 300 % by weight relative to the dry weight of the wipes.

The detergent solution with which the wipe is impregnated comprises at least one protease, at least one lipase and at least one amylase. Advantageously, it has a protease content from 0.001 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.1 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.03 % to 0.07 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, even more preferably approximately 0.05 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The lipase content advantageously is from 0.001 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.1 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.3 % to 0.07 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, even more preferably approximately 0.05 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The amylase content advantageously is from 0.001 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.1 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.03 % to 0.07 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, even more preferably approximately 0.05 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Given that the main components of the biological tissues that form the prominent stains in the hospital and medical field are proteins, lipides (triglycerides) and carbohydrate polymers (glycogen), the tri-enzymatic cocktail of the concentrated aqueous detergent composition of the invention will simultaneously hydrolyze the three targets and thus facilitate detergency. In addition to these three types of enzymes, the detergent solution can also comprise a mannanase.

The detergent solution can also comprise one or more surfactant(s). These surfactants are preferably selected from non-ion surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and their mixtures. Non-limiting examples of non-ionic surfactants comprise alkylpolyglucosides, alkylpolypentosides, aminoxides, polyglycosides, glucamides, polyalkoxylated fatty alcohols, particularly polyethoxylated, and ethoxylated fatty acid esters. Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants comprise cocamidopropyl betaines. Preferably, the one or more surfactant(s) is/are selected from non-ionic surfactants, more preferably from fatty polyalkoxylated alcohols, particularly polyethoxylated, and aminoxides, particularly alkyl aminoxides, such as lauryldimethylamine oxide.

The one or more surfactant(s) is/are advantageously contained in the detergent solution in a quantity from 0.001 % to 2%, preferably from 0.001 % to 1 % and even more preferably from 0.025 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The detergent solution can also contain a chelating agent, particularly a biodegradable chelating agent. The biodegradable chelating agent is preferably selected from methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and an iminodisuccinate (IDS), particularly tetrasodium iminodisuccinate. Even more preferably, the biodegradable chelating agent is methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA). Without desiring to be bound by any particular theory, the inventors believe that the chelating agent implemented in the present invention is not only used for softening water but also for particularly efficiently complexing bivalent and trivalent metal ions, particularly Ca²⁺, Fe ⁺, Fe²⁺ et Cu²⁺, contained in the proteinaceous residues typically found on surgical and/or medical instruments. It would appear that these chelating agents sequester these metal ions, which destabilises the tertiary structure of the proteins and renders them more easily hydrolysable. The composition used according to the invention advantageously has a chelating agent content from 0.001 % to 2 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01 % to 1 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.1 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, even more preferably approximately 0.27 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The concentrated aqueous detergent composition advantageously is free of any nonbiodegradable chelating agent, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTP A), phosphates and polyphosphates. Advantageously, the concentrated aqueous detergent composition is also free of any reprotoxic classified chelating agent, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NT A) and its sodium salt.

In one embodiment, the concentrated aqueous detergent composition is also free of alkali and alkaline-earth hydroxides.

Preferably, the detergent solution is an aqueous solution. Its water content advantageously is from 90.0 % to 99.997 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 95.0 % to 99.9 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 97.0 % to 99.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition and even more preferably from 98.0 % to 99.0 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The detergent solution can also comprise one or more disinfectant agent(s). In this case, the wipe is no longer only a detergent but also a disinfectant. Examples of antimicrobial agents used for the present invention comprise, without being limited thereto, quarternary ammonium salts, amines supporting at least one C8 to C20 alkyl group, chlorhexidine digluconate, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) or one of its salts. Preferably, the one or more anti-microbial agent(s) is/are selected from didecyldimethylammonium salts, didecylmethylpolyoxyethyl ammonium salts, benzalkonium salts, benzethonium salts, methylbenzethonium salts, cetalkonium salts, cetylpyridinium salts, cetrimonium salts, laurylamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N- dodecylpropane- 1 ,3 -diamine and N-alkyl(C 12-C 14)-l ,3-diaminopropane, more preferably from didecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethyl ammonium carbonate, didecylmethylpolyoxyethyl ammonium propionate, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, laurylamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropane-l,3-diamine and N-alkyl(C 12-C 14)-l,3-diaminopropane, and even more preferably from didecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethyl ammonium carbonate, didecylmethylpolyoxyethyl ammonium propionate, laurylamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N- dodecylpropane- 1 ,3 -diamine and N-alkyl(C 12-C 14)-l,3-diaminopropane. In a particular embodiment, the one or more anti-microbial agent(s) is/are selected from didecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethyl ammonium carbonate, N-(3- aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropane-l,3-diamine and N-alkyl(C 12-C 14)-l ,3-diaminopropane.

The quantity of disinfectant agent will be easily adapted by a person skilled in the art as a function of the one or more disinfectant agent(s) implemented. In the case of a quarternary ammonium salt, the quantity thereof in the detergent solution advantageously is from 0.01 % to 2 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.1 % to 1 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 0.2 % to 0.5 % by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The detergent solution can also comprise a preservative. The preservative can be selected from commonly used preservatives, such as, for example, 5-chloro-5-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin3-one, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and its methyl esters, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-l -oxide, 5-bromo-5-nitro-l,3-dioxane and salicylic acid, benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate. These preservatives allow microbial and fungal contamination to be avoided by providing a bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect.

The detergent solution also can comprise other additives, such as, for example, stabilising agents, such as anti-oxidant agents and/or anti-UV agents and/or dispersing agents and/or defoaming agents. The dispersing agents can be homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer acids, for example, based on acrylic acid or alkali metal salts thereof (polyacrylates).

The wipe according to the invention is particularly advantageous for cleaning and/or disinfecting objects with a hard surface, such as medical instruments and devices, as well as work surfaces. The medical instruments and devices within the scope of the present invention particularly comprise endoscopes without an internal channel, such as nasofibroscopes and transoesophageal probes, hemodialysis generators, ultrasound probes and electronic thermometers.

Thus, a second object of the invention is the use of the aforementioned wipe for cleaning and/or disinfecting objects with a hard surface, such as medical instruments and devices and work surfaces.

The invention also relates to a method for cleaning and/or disinfecting an object with a hard surface, such as medical instruments and devices and work surfaces, comprising the following steps: a) supplying a wipe as defined above;

b) wiping the hard surface of said obj ect with said wipe; and

c) possibly rinsing the hard surface with water, preferably with demineralized water.

To summarize, the present invention provides an enzymatic detergent and/or disinfectant wipe that allows the use of stabilising agent of the glycol or polyol type, particularly glycerine, to be dispensed with. By virtue of the use of a non-woven support comprising polyester fibers, particularly polyethylene terephthalate, these stabilising agents are no longer necessary for preserving the enzymatic activity and thus the cleaning power of the detergent solution in relation to organic stains.

The invention now will be described with reference to non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: preparation of enzymatic detergent solutions

The detergent and disinfectant solutions SI to S 6, the formulae (as % weight relative to the total weight of the solution) of which are provided in table 1, were prepared by mixing ingredients in the following order.

SI to S5: demineralized water, Trilon M, Genamin LAP 100, Mergital D8, Carboquat HE, Lutropur MSA, enzymes.

S6: demineralized water, Bardac 22/40, Genamin LAP 100, Ammonyx LO, Bar, Lutropur MSA, enzymes.

To prepare samples, the ingredients are added one after the other subject to slow stirring, stirring is maintained for a contact period of 30 minutes after the addition of the final ingredient.

Table 1

Savinase Evity

16XL - - - - 0.05 0.05

Savinase Ultra 16

XL - - - 0.05 - -

Savinase Ultra 16 L - - 0.05 - - -

Lipex Evity 100L - - - - - 0.05

Bardac 22/50 - - - - -

Ammonyx LO - - - - - 0.4

Demineralized

qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp water

Example 2: stability of the enzymatic detergent solutions

For the study of the stability of the detergent solutions, only solutions SI and S2 (Example 1) and wipes impregnated with these solutions (one detergent solution per batch of wipes) were placed at 30 °C for 8 weeks and the enzymatic stabilities were monitored during this period. The stability of the proteases is carried out by electrophoresis and that of the other enzymes by thin-layer chromatography.

Electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel allows peptides or proteins to be detected. The proteins, after being negatively charged by a solution of SDS, are deposited onto the polyacrylamide gel placed in an electrolytic environment then subjected to a difference in potential (DDP). The molecules are then subject to 2 antagonistic effects:

- the greater the molecular mass of the protein or peptide the more the molecule negatively charges, the large molecules are therefore more sensitive to the applied DDP;

- the bigger the molecules the harder it will be for them to migrate within the gel matrix.

After migration, the proteins and peptides are revealed through exposure in a coloring solution following by decolorization.

After bringing an albumine solution in contact with the enzymatic solution and completing electrophoresis, the presence of small modules confirms proteasic activity.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is based on ion adsorption, sharing and/or exchange phenomena.

TLC comprises two phases: - the mobile phase (eluent) is a solvent or a mixture of solvents that progresses along the stationary phase;

- the stationary phase is composed of a silica gel evenly spread as a thin layer over a semi-rigid sheet. The principle is as follows: the molecules separate by differential migration. Each molecule is subject to two antagonistic effects: a stimulus effect exerted by the mobile phase and a retention effect exerted by the stationary phase; the components of the mixture move at different speeds and are separated.

After migration, the compounds are revealed by colored reactions according to the active principles. Identification is possible by virtue of indicators deposited under the same conditions as the unknown active principles.

Each active principle is characterized by its Rf ratio of the migration distance of the spot to the migration distance of the front of the solvent.

After bringing a glycogen (amylase activity) or triglyceride (lipase activity) solution into contact with the enzymatic solution and completing thin-layer chromatography, the presence of molecules originating from the hydrolysis of the glycogen and the triglyceride respectively confirm amylase and lipase activity.

The following commercially available wipes were selected for the study:

- 100% viscose;

- 100% PET (polyethylene terephthalate);

-Viscose / cellulose / PES acrylic binder;

- 70 % viscose / 30 % polyester;

- 100% polypropylene.

The polypropylene wipes could not be impregnated. The remaining four types of wipes were impregnated with all the solutions.

The enzymatic stabilities of each formula were regularly monitored: -on impregnation solutions placed at 30 °C;

-on the desorbed solutions of wipes placed at 30 °C after impregnation. The results are listed in tables 2 (solution SI) and 3 (solution S2) below.

Table 2

good stability; -/+ = partial stability; - = insufficient stability

Table 3

good stability; -/+ = partial stability; - = insufficient stability After desorption of the solutions soaked on the wipes containing viscose, the presence of substances extracted from the wipes was observed in the desorbed solution. These substances caused interference when highlighting enzymatic activities and the results could not be interpreted. With respect to the four other types of wipe, good stability of the amylases was observed irrespective of the nature of the proteases after impregnation on PET or viscose/cellulose/PES wipes. The lipase is not stable in solution but the impregnation on the PET or viscose/cellulose/PES wipes allows the behavior to be improved. Finally, the mannanase is stable irrespective of the protease after impregnation on PET wipes. A degradation of the viscose/cellulose/PES wipes and the viscose/polyester wipes is suspected. The best results were obtained with 100 % PET wipes.

Example 3: resolution capacity of the wipes

The resolution capacity of the impregnation solution of PET (100 %), viscose/cellulose/PES (acrylic based binder) and polyester/viscose (70/30) wipes was determined as follows.

The various wipes were impregnated at 300 % with each solution S I and S5. The wipes were then pressed by means of a 50 ml capacity syringe (one wipe per syringe) in order to recover the impregnation fluid and to measure the proteolytic activity of the solutions, with the solution that was used for the impregnation being used as a reference. The best resolution rate is obtained on a PET wipe irrespective of the formula.

Example 4: enzymatic stability and biocide activity of detergent and disinfectant solution S6

100 % PET wipes were impregnated with 300 % by weight of detergent and disinfectant solution S6. The study of the enzymatic stability was performed on the desorbed solutions (desorption using a syringe as described in example 3) of wipes having previously undergone accelerated ageing of 8 weeks at 30 °C.

The stability of the enzymes is described in table 4 below: Table 4

The study of the biocide activity was carried out on the desorbed solutions (desorption using a syringe as described in example 3) of the wipes.

The biocide activity of the desorbed S6 solutions was determined according to standards EN 13727 and EN 16615 for the bactericidal activity and EN 13624 and EN 16615 for the levuricidal activity. The results are shown in table 5 below.

Table 5

Claims

1. Moist detergent wipe composed of a non-woven support impregnated with a detergent solution, the detergent solution comprising a protease, a lipase and an amylase, characterized in that the non-woven support comprises polyester fibers.

2. Wipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the detergent solution is glycol and/or glycerine free.

3. Wipe according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the detergent solution further comprises a mannanase.

4. Wipe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detergent solution further comprises one or more surfactant(s).

5. Wipe according to claim 4, characterized in that the one or more surfactant(s) is/are selected from non-ionic surfactants, particularly from polyalkoxilated fatty alcohols and aminoxides.

6. Wipe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detergent solution further comprises one or more chelating agent(s).

7. Wipe according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detergent solution further comprises one or more anti-microbial agent(s).

8. Wipe according to claim 7, characterized in that the one or more anti-microbial agent(s) are selected from quaternary ammonium salts, the amines supporting at least one C8 to C20 alkyl group, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) or one of its salts and polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB).

9. Use of a wipe according to any of claims 1 to 8 for cleaning and/or disinfecting objects with a hard surface.

10. Method for cleaning and/or disinfecting an object with a hard surface, such as medical instruments and devices and work surfaces, comprising the following steps: a) supplying a wipe according to any of claims 1 to 8;

b) wiping the hard surface of said object with said wipe; and

c) possibly rinsing the hard surface with water, preferably with demineralized water.