GB2486454A

GB2486454A - A stable composition of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), its production and uses thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2486454A
Application number: GB1021287.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Huw Douglas Mallet; Charles Alan Cocking; Thomas Robert Etienne Pellereau
Original assignee: Biomimetics Health Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Biomimetics Health Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Also published as: GB201021287D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stable composition of HOCl, a process for its production and uses thereof. A composition that forms an aqueous solution of HOCl and a salt MnXy. The composition having a pH of from 4 to 7, wherein M is hydrogen or a metal, X is the conjugate base of an acid having a pKa of between 4 and 7, n and y are independent and wherein the salt MnXy has an overall neutral charge. Preferably the salt is calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4). Also claimed is a process for the production of the composition comprising the addition of a source of hypochlorite to water and acidification of the HOCl composition to a pH of from 4 to 7 by the addition of an acid with a pKa value of between 4 and 7. The exemplified acid used is phosphoric acid. The composition may be used in the sterilisation of foodstuffs and laundry such as clothing, sheets, mops, towels, carpets, mats, shoes, hats and gloves. The composition may also be used to treat wounds, burns, post surgical wounds and ulcers or to treat topical microbial infection. The composition may also be used to sterilise drinking water. Also claimed is ice comprising the composition. The composition may also be employed as a slimicide or agricultural pesticide or herbicide. The composition may also be fogged or sprayed onto the open wound area during surgical procedures.

Description

DESCRI PTION

The present invention relates to a stable composition of HOd, a process for its production and uses thereof.

The use of sterilising composition to remove bacterial, viral or fungal contamination is well established in the art. Sterilising compositions, such as disinfectants or bleaches are routinely used to provide a sterile environment or to sterilise equipment. Such a use is particularly important in medical, veterinary, agricultural, food processing and dental environments as examples, where patients and! or environments can be more susceptible to infection and cross-infection. Total pathogen destruction and where equipment is used to carry out surgery or other interventions on the human or animal body, in crop management, in fresh food production and water treatment.

It will be appreciated that the provision of sterile environments and equipment has become increasingly important as a result of the increasing incidence of hospital borne general environmental infections such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Clostridiurn difficile.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCI) is recognised in the art as an effective antimicrobial agent with activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores. HOCI is particularly favoured for use in medical, veterinary, agricultural and industrial uses as it is free of oral toxicity, skin sensitisation or irritation, eye irritation and is non-mutagenic.

There are however, a number of problems associated with the use of HOd. In particular, HOCI compositions are very unstable with a short half life of 48 hours.

Compositions of HOC therefore, rapidly lose their anti-microbial activity and hence their effectiveness. The current solution to this problem is to prepare the HOCI compositions in situ as required, using the electrolysis of a composition of brine.

However, this requires on-site apparatus to prepare the composition, with the resulting high cost associated with both the preparation of the HOCI composition and the resulting inactive waste composition due to the short half life.

As mentioned HOCI is presently produced using electrolysis which makes its production expensive, slow, open to variation and often impossible to validate.

There is therefore, a need in the art for a composition of HOCI which maintains its activity over a longer time period or could be regarded as stable. Furthermore a stable composition of HOCI that retains its microbiocidal efficacy during standard processing procedures for example bottling or other industrial processing and if subjected to reasonable variations of heat, amounts of movement, levels of light or decanting and thus enabling it to be packaged, bottled, transported, stored, displayed and used would have many benefits. The microbiocidal efficacy of the HOCI composition could then be used to sanitise surfaces, walls, hands, wounds, cuts, ulcers, medical equipment, production equipment, tubes, dental lines, food stuffs, vegetables, meat, water, laundry, skin, eyes, ears, the gut and many other areas within the medical, industrial, commercial and consumer markets. These are just examples of the many ways in which the invention can be of great benefit.

The invention described below provides a composition of HOCI which maintains its microbiological properties over a long period, can be produced rapidly in large volumes and overcomes the problems outlined above by the prior art.

There is provided by the first aspect of the present invention, a composition comprising an aqueous solution of HOCI and a salt MX said composition having a pH of from 4 to 7, wherein M is hydrogen or a metal and X is the conjugate base of an acid having a pKa of from 4 to 7, wherein n and y are independently 1, 2 or 3 and wherein the salt MX has an overall neutral charge.

The composition has a pH of from 4 to 7. In a preferred feature of the first aspect of the invention, the composition has a pH of from 5 to 6.8, more preferably a pH of from 5.5 to 6.5 ora pH of from 6to 6.5. Ina particularly preferred feature of the first aspect, the composition has a pH of from 5 to 6.5.

The composition of the first aspect is provided with a concentration of chlorine of from lppm to 50,000 ppm. The concentration of chlorine in the composition can therefore be anything between 1 ppm and 50,000 ppm. The concentration of chlorine can be provided at specific concentrations throughout a range of concentrations. In particular, the concentration of chlorine in the composition is from 1 ppm to 50,000ppm, preferably 100 to 5000 ppm, more preferably from 300 to 5000 ppm but not restricted to the these examples of concentration.

For the purposes of this invention, the aqueous composition of HOCI preferably comprises HOCI in water with a hardness of >200ppm CaCO3 and an alkalinity in the range of 100-200. It is the intention that as part of this invention that to obtain the correct pH band which allows the composition to perform so effectively, that the creation! manufacture will include a method and formulary that will allow the pH to begin above 6.5 and then to settle back to between 5-6.5pH. The formulary also allows the process of creation to start at a pH at a more acidic level such as 4 and be adjusted accordingly to settle at a level within the invention's pH band of 5 -6.5 PH.

As discussed above, the salt MX comprises a metal M and a counter ion X, wherein X is a conjugate base of an acid having a pKa of from 4 to 7. The salt MX has an overall neutral charge. It will therefore be appreciated that the value of the integers n and y will depend on the charge of the species M and X. Preferably X is a conjugate base of an acid having a pKa of from 5 to 6.8, more preferably a pKa of from 5.5 to 6.5 or a pKa of from 6 to 6.5. Most preferably, the acid has a pKa of 5 to 6.5. X is preferably HP042, the metal M is preferably an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal (i.e. selected from group I or II of the periodic table). Examples of such metals include Na, K, Ca, Mg. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the source of the metal M in the composition could either be from the water (i.e. from for example CaCO3 or or from the source of chlorine (i.e. NaCIO).

For the purposes of this invention, the salt MX is preferably CaHPO4. However, there are other ways to involve salts of other types known to the inventors to be equally efficacious. HOCI partially dissociates in aqueous solution to form a hypochlorite anion, 0C1. It is not necessary to demonstrate the chemistry at this point as it is common.

HO OQ÷H The degree of dissociation will depend on the pH of the composition. Without being bound by scientific theory, it is understood that the active species in the composition of the present application is HOCI. It is appreciated however that the composition of the first aspect of the invention will additionally comprise hypochlorite but not always as one could replace the hypochorite with Calcium Hydroxide or similar. The composition of the first aspect of the invention will however, comprise a greater amount of HOCI compared with amount of 0C1, such as 7 parts HOCI to 3 parts 0C1, 8 parts HOCI to 2 parts OC[or more preferably 9 parts HOCI to 1 part OC.

The aqueous solution of HOCI is prepared by the addition of a source of chlorine to water to obtain a composition having a concentration of chlorine of concentrations from lppm to 10,0000,000 ppm. It will be appreciated that any suitable source of chlorine can be used to prepare the HOCI composition. The chlorine can be added as HOCI, NaOCI or a composition thereof in any acceptable solvent, for example water.

There are other ways of introducing chlorine or non chlorine based base materials however, preferably, the aqueous composition of HOCI is prepared by the addition of an aqueous composition of NaOCI to water plus buffering agents to ensure the pH and PPM remain within the stipulated parameters.

The composition of the first aspect may comprise additional components. In particular, a buffer can be added to the composition to maintain the pH of the composition between pH 4 and 7. Examples of such a buffer include sulphamic acid.

Other acids that could be used are attached in the appendix. Other buffering agents may be used such as a range of alkaline as well as acid species.

The composition of the present invention exhibits improved stability when compared with known electrolytically prepared compositions of HOCI. In particular, the composition is sufficiently stable that it can be packaged, stored and transported. This avoids the current requirement to prepare HOCI on demand, thereby providing HOCI in a more convenient and highly efficacious form. As a result of the improved stability, there is no requirement for the HOCI to be prepared in situ. The composition of the present invention is therefore, not prepared by electrolysis.

The second aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of a composition comprising an aqueous composition of HOd, wherein the process comprises: the addition of source of a hypochlorite to water; acidifying the HOCI composition to a pH of from 4 to 7, by the addition of an acid with a pKa of from 4 to 7, acid with a pKa of from 5 to 6.8, more preferably a pKa of from 5.5 to 6.5 or a pKa of from 6 to 6.5. Most preferably, the acid has a pKa of 5 to 6.5. Examples of such an acid include an organic acid such as acetic acid, N-(2- acetamido)-2-iminodiacetic acid (ADA), benzoic acid, 1,3-bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino] propane (BIS-TRIS propane), carbonic acid, citrate, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid (MES), piperazine-N-N'-bis(2-ethanesulphonic acid) (PIPES), succinic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, oxalic acid, boric acid, maleic acid, citric acid. Preferred examples of such an acid include one or more of citric acid or phosphoric acid. A list of other suitable acids that could be used in the formulary is attached.

It will be appreciated that the amount of acid to be added will vary depending on the initial pH of the composition and the concentration of the acid. Any concentration of acid can be used to prepare acidify the HOCI composition, for example 10mM, 100mM, 1M or 1OM acid compositions can be used. The acid is added in a batchwise, or dropwise manner and the pH of the composition is preferably monitored. The acid is added until the pH of the composition is in the required range, i.e. from pH 4 to 7.

If excess acid is added to the composition, thereby depressing the pH of the composition to below pH 4, base should be added to the composition to increase the pH of the composition to between 4 and 7. Examples of such bases which can be used include caustic soda and such like alkalines.

Additional components can be incorporated into the composition produced by the second aspect of the invention. In particular, a buffer can be added to the composition to maintain the pH of the composition between pH 4 and 7. Examples of such a buffer include sulphamic acid. The buffer, not necessarily sulphamic acid is calculated exactly to ensure the PPM of the resulting composition is achieved and the pH range also achieved. Preferably, the buffer is added to the HOCI composition prior to the addition of the acid but not necessarily in all iterations of the PPM's of the composition.

The third aspect of the invention relates to a composition of the first aspect for use as an antimicrobial agent. In particular, the composition can be used as an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent or an antisporal agent.

The composition may act as a microbiocidal agent (i.e. to kill the micro-organisms) or as a microbiostatic agent (to inhibit or prevent the growth of the micro-organisms).

The composition will either completely eradicate the bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores or will reduce the number or activity of bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores (particularly pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores) so that they no longer have a detrimental effect.

The composition is particularly provided for use as an agent against one or more of Clostridium difficile including variant 027, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae or Acinetobacter sp.

The composition can be provided for use in medicine (i.e. to treat infection in a patient) or to sterilise equipment or an environment. In particular, the composition can be used to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores on surfaces or equipment, for example in homes, medical institutions such as hospitals, doctors surgeries, veterinary surgeries or dental surgeries or work places. The composition can particularly be provided for domestic use, for example to sterilise bathrooms and/or kitchens in particular surfaces used for the preparation of food such as work tops etc, or to sterilise equipment used for the preparation of food, such as chopping boards, knives, baby bottles, etc. The composition of the first aspect is particularly provided for the sterilisation of medical instruments, including those used for medical, dental or veterinary uses.

The composition can be used to sterilise instruments which are used to and in contact with the body such as endoscopes, clamps, sutures, scalpels etc. Instruments that are especially difficult to sterilise such as those which cannot be autoclaved.

The third aspect of the invention therefore, further provides a method of sterilising an object comprising contacting the object with the composition of the first aspect.

For the purpose of the invention, the object can be immersed in the composition of the first aspect or the composition can be applied to the object by spraying, misting etc or using an applicator such as a cloth, brush, swab or mop.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a composition of the first aspect for use in medicine. The composition is particularly provided for the treatment of bacterial, viral, fungal or sporal infections on the external surface of the body (i.e. on the skin or in the mouth). The composition is therefore, particularly provided for topical administration.

In a particular feature of the fourth aspect of the invention, the composition is provided for treating wounds, cuts or ulcers. The composition is applied directly to the wound and aids in the healing of the wound by sterilising the wound (i.e. by killing microorganisms of all types). In particular, the composition can be provided as a wound irrigant. For the purpose of this invention, the composition of the first aspect of the invention can be used to treat burns, post-surgical wounds and ulcers, such as static ulcers, pressure ulcers, chronic ulcers, venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers. Other medical conditions both in humans as well as animals can also be treated where pathogens are present and are the target.

Where the composition of the first aspect is provided for such a medical use, the pH of the composition can be adjusted to avoid any irritation or discomfort to the patient. The pH of the composition can be adjusted to pH 5 to 6, preferably pH 5.4 to 5.8 to avoid such irritation.

The fourth aspect of the invention therefore further provides a method of treating topical microbial infections comprising topically applying the composition of the first aspect to the site of the infection. It will be appreciated that the composition can be applied directly or can be impregnated onto a pad, swab or bandage, a cream or gel which is applied to the site of infection. The composition can be applied once or repeatedly over a period of time necessary to allow the antimicrobial infection to be treated.

The fifth aspect of the invention provides a composition of the first aspect for sterilising a foodstuff, foodstuff such as meats, fish, dairy products, vegetables or fruits for example. Treatment of the foodstuff with the composition increases the shelf life of the foodstuff and decreases the risk of contamination.

For vegetables such as salad vegetables, the vegetables can be contacted with the composition of the first aspect to improve the crispness, shelf life and appearance of the vegetables. It will be appreciated that the composition of the first aspect can act as an antimicrobial agent against micro-organisms which cause disease such as food poisoning, salmonella, listeria etc. Alternatively and/or in addition the composition can act as an antimicrobial agent against microorganisms responsible for food spoilage. For meats including chicken, beef, lamb and venison can be contacted with the composition of the first aspect to improve the shelf life, tenderness and appearance of the meat.

The sixth aspect of the invention relates to a composition of the first aspect of the invention for use in sterilising liquids such as water. The composition is particularly provided for sterilising drinking water. Alternatively, the composition can be used to sterilise water in swimming pools, ornamental pools, fountains etc. In a preferred embodiment the composition can be dosed into water break tanks at a predetermined rate. Alternatively the composition can be added at source.

The seventh aspect of the invention relates to ice comprising a composition of the first aspect of the invention. For the purposes of the seventh aspect, a composition of the first aspect is frozen to provide ice. The ice can then be used in a number of medical and commercial ways. In one feature of the seventh aspect of the invention the ice is provided to store organs for transplant or other biological tissue.

Alternatively the use can be used to preserve foodstuffs for example fish including seafood, meat, vegetables or dairy products. Forms of HOCI produced by electrolysis are difficult to freeze due to the brine solution from which they are produced. The first aspect of the invention which is produced without brine is therefore ideal for the creation of ice.

An eighth aspect of the invention relates to a laundry sanitiser comprising a composition of the first aspect of the invention. Laundry and clothing are a breeding ground for many bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Their sanitisation is therefore critical within the consumer, medical and industrial arenas. At present heating the wash water to temperatures above 60 °C is predominantly used to sanitise laundry.

This heating requires substantial energy and in many instances does not provide the desired effect as many pathogens have become resistant to higher wash temperatures. The composition of the first aspect of the invention provides a laundry sanitiser for the sterilisation of clothing, sheets, mops, towels, carpets, matts, shoes, hats, gloves and other items washed in a household, medical, veterinary, dental or industrial washing machine or hand washer. For the purpose of the invention, an aqueous composition of the invention will be dispensed into the wash during the wash cycle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the composition will be added to the wash during the final rinse cycle after the laundry has been washed. In an alternative embodiment the composition may include surfactants capable of both cleaning and sanitising the laundry as well as moistu risers and conditioners.

A ninth aspect of the invention relates to a sanitiser for sensitive areas of the body comprising a composition of the first aspect of the invention. Sanitising to a high log reduction of the lips, inner and outer ear, mouth, teeth, tongue, feet, under arms and genitals is presently difficult or impossible to perform safely with the existing prior art. Many of the prior art sanistiers are unsuitable or unsafe for the use on sensitive areas of the body. A composition of the first aspect of the invention would therefore be highly suited use in these areas. The composition of the first aspect of the invention provides a sensitive area sanitiser for the sterilisation of the afore mentioned areas.

A tenth aspect of the invention relates to a deodoriser comprising a composition of the first aspect. Smells are often associated with air born bacteria which can be difficult to eradicate and control odour in rooms, fridges, lorries, cupboards, kitchens, industrial plants, areas or open spaces. As a highly active microbiocide the first aspect of the invention could be sprayed, misted or fogged into an area to eradicate and control odour. This could be done continuously or as and when necessary. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a composition of between lOOp pm and S000ppm would be used in this application.

An eleventh aspect of the invention relates to a composition of the first aspect for use on cut flowers to increase their life. Bacteria and other microbes are often the cause of wilting or degradation of flowers. A composition of the first aspect could therefore be added to the water flowers are held in to destroy bacteria and other pathogens and thus extend the life of the flowers and to reduce levels of cross contamination at growing source and in packaging. Alternatively the composition could be sprayed over the flower or the stems or heads could be dunked in the composition. In a preferred embodiment for the invention a composition of between lppm and lOOppm would be used in this application.

A twelfth aspect of the invention would be as a replacement to antibiotics in cases such as gut, bowel, and colon treatment but not restricted to the treatment of such conditions. The invention is a very strong oxidising agent as previously mentioned and as such destroys the DNA and RNA of pathogenic cells therefore, no immunity can be built up by subsequent pathogens as is often the case experienced in pathogens that have been treated by way of antibiotics. The non-toxic nature of the invention also means that it could be applied as a sterilant within the realms of mammalian surgical procedures such as in root canal dentistry or where antibiotics would be the normal course of further preventive measures.

A thirteenth aspect for the invention would be both in pre and post operative surgical protocols. Patients bound for surgery would be exposed to the invention by way of spraying, fogging or by wash methods. This protocol procedure would minimise the risk of cross contamination in a theatre environment. It is intended that the invention is fogged or sprayed onto the open wound area during the surgical procedure and as sewing up or other methods are employed thus further minimising the ingress of harmful pathogens both in limb and body cavity areas.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person who is skilled in the art in the field of the present invention.

All preferred embodiments or features of the aspects of the invention apply to all other aspects of the invention mutatis mutandis.

The invention will now be illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting

examples.

EXAMPLES:

TO PRODUCE 1000 LITRES OF 1000 PPM 14% sodium hypochlorite (7.8 kg) was added to water (1000L) with a hardness of >200ppm CaCO3 and an alkalinity in the range of 100-200 ( water of 6.5 -8.00 PH).

81% phosphoric acid (600ml) was added to the composition with rapid stirring to obtain a composition with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. The pH of the resultant composition was then measured using a recognised industry standard pH metering unit complying to all BS and other standards and calibrated accordingly.

If the pH was greater than 6.5, 81% ( phosphoric acid or a range of other acids with the KPA capabilitly) were added in a portionwise manner via drops, batchwise and via other means such as a base until the pH of the composition was between 5.5 and 6.5.

If the pH of the composition was less than 5.5, caustic soda or equivalent alkaline buffers added in increments until the pH of the composition was between 5.5 and 6.5.

The pH of the resulting composition can be measured using any conventional pH meter. For the present invention, the pH of the composition was measured using the Omega system.

APPENDIX -List of Acids Acid pKa Acrylic acid 4.25 Malonic acid 5.69 Propanoic acid 4.86 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid 4.51 Alloxanic acid 6.64 Fumaric acid 4.44 3-Butenoic acid 4.34 Crotonic acid 4.69 Methylmalonic acid 5.76 Malic acid 5.11 Butanoic acid 4.83 Methyipropanoic acid 4.88 Hydroxybutanoic acid 4.70 Itaconic acid 5.45 Mesaconic acid 4.75 Oxoglutaric acid 4.86 Glutaric acid 4.31; 5.41 Methylsuccinic acid 4.13; 5.64 Methylbutanoic acid 4.80 Pentanoic acid 4.84 Trimethylacetic acid 5.03 Picolinic acid 5.25 Pyridinecarboxylic acid 4.90 Ascorbic acid 4.10 Adipic acid 4.43; 5.41 Hexanoic acid 4.85 Hydroxybcnzoic acid 4.40 Gallic acid 4.41 Aminobenzoic acid 4.80 Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid 4.90 Heptanedioic acid 4.71 Heptanoic acid 4.89 Phthalic acid (o, m, p) 5.51, 4.60, 4.82 Phenylacetic acid 4.28 Toluic acid 4.31 Octanoic acid 4.89 Chiorocinnamic acid 4.32

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition that forms an aqueous solution of HOCI and a salt said composition having a pH of from 4 to 7; wherein M is hydrogen or a metal; X is the conjugate base of an acid having a pKa of from 4 to 7; n and y are independent; and wherein the salt MX has an overall neutral charge.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the composition has a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the concentration of chlorine is from 1 ppm to 50,000 ppm.
4. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein MX is CaHPO4.
5. A process for the production of a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: the addition of a source of hypochlorite to water; acidification of the HOCI composition to a pH of from 4 to 7, by the addition of an acid with a pKa of from 4 to 7.
6. The process of claim 5 wherein the water has a hardness of 200 ppm or above of CaCO3 and an alkalinity in the range of 100-200.
7. The process of any one of claims 5 to 6 wherein the acid is one or more of acetic acid, ADA, benzoic acid, BIS-TRIS propane, carbonic acid, citrate, MES, PIPES, succinic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, oxalic acid, boric acid, maleic acid, citric acid and others. A list of alternative acids that could be used is attached.
8. The process of any one of claim 5 to 7 wherein a buffer is additionally added to the HOCI composition prior to the addition of the acid.
9. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for use as an antimicrobial agent.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 9 for use against one or more of clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia colt Klebsiella pneumoniae or Acinetobacter sp.
11. The composition as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 for use to sterilise equipment or an environment.
12. A method of sterilising an object comprising contacting the object with the composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.
13. The composition as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 for use in medicine
14. The composition as claimed in claim 13 for the treatment of bacterial, viral or fungal infections on the external surface of the body.
15. The composition as claimed in claim 13 for treating wounds.
16. The composition as claimed in claim 15 wherein the composition is provided for treating burns, post-surgical wounds and ulcers.
17. A method of treating a topical microbial infection comprising topically applying the composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 to the site of the infection.
18. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for sterilising a foodstuff.
19. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for sterilising drinking water.
20. A method for sanitising a foodstuff comprising contacting the foodstuff with a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, foodstuff including meats, fish, dairy products, vegetables and or fruits.
21. Ice comprising a composition as claimed in any one of claims ito 4.
22. The composition can be used in low PPM forms to treat and preserve cut flowers and other such species.
23. The composition as claimed can be employed as a slimicide as well as an agricultural herbicide and pesticide against moulds, fungi, bacteria, viruses and spores and certain micro species such as the Two Spotted mite but not restricted to these given examples.
24. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for sanitising sensitive areas such as, but not confined to the lips, eyes, ears and genitals.
25. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for sanitising laundry such as, but not confined to clothing, sheets, mops, towels, carpets, matts, shoes, hats and gloves.
26. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for odour control and eradication.
27. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 to replace the need for a ntibiotics.
28. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 for surgical appliations.