MX2008007403A - Antimicrobial substrates with peroxide treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

An oxidizing antimicrobial treatment and products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involve, in part, preparing a substrate to accept an attachment of charged moieties, and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties come in close proximity to the treated substrate surface, peroxide molecules from the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.

Description

ANTIMICROBIAL SUBSTRATES WITH PEROXIDE TREATMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to products that are treated with a formulation against microbes that can rapidly kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, while concurrently does not introduce into the environment toxic substances to humans or other mammalian animals. In particular, the product contains a stabilized peroxide compound or a mixture of at least a part of a surface of a cleaning or protective article. When the presence of moisture is activated, the peroxide compound provides oxygen radicals that kill microbes that are close to the surface of the article.

BACKGROUND In recent years, the prevalence of nosocomial infections has had serious implications for both patients and caregivers. Nosocomial infections are those that originate or occur in a hospital or in hospital-type or long-term care settings. In general, nosocomial infections are more serious and dangerous than external infections acquired in the community because the pathogens in hospitals are more virulent and resistant to typical antibiotics. Hospital infections respond by around 20,000-100,00 deaths in the United States of America per year. About 5% to 10% of American hospital patients (about 2 million per year) develop a clinically significant nosocomial infection. These hospital-acquired infections (HAs) are usually related to a procedure or treatment used to diagnose or treat a patient's illness or injury.

The mechanism of action of nosocomial diseases, as in any other infectious disease, will depend on the host, the agent and the environmental factors. The risk factors for the host are age, nutritional status and disorders existing together. Nosocomial infections are influenced by the intrinsic virulence of microbes as well as by their ability to colonize and survive within institutions. Diagnostic procedures, medical devices, medical and surgical treatments are risk factors in the hospital environment. Infections acquired in the hospital can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. These microorganisms may already be present in the patient's body or may come from the environment, contaminated hospital equipment, health care providers or other patients. Depending on the causative agents involved, an infection can start anywhere in the body. A localized infection is limited to a specific part of the body and has local symptoms.

In the environment for health care today, the battle against nosocomial infections has not yet been won. Even when infection control programs in hospitals and a more conscious effort on the part of health care workers to take precautions when caring for patients can avoid about 25% to about 33% of these infections, A significant number of infections still occur. These current procedures are not enough. Despite the efforts of precautionary measures (eg hand washing, gloves sprays, face masks, and protective gowns), infections acquired in hospitals still occur predominantly through contact transfer. That is, individuals who make contact with a surface contaminated with pathogens such as hands, clothing and / or medical instruments, can still transfer pathogens from one surface to another immediately or within a short time after initial contact. Researchers have used numerous ways to attack microbes in related matters. Antiseptics and disinfectants are used extensively in hospitals and other healthcare settings for a variety of topical and hard surface applications. In particularThese are an essential part of infection control practices and help prevent nosocomial infections. Agents against conventional microbes currently available, however, are not very effective in killing and immobilizing pathogens on the surfaces to which the antimicrobial agents are applied.

The problem of resistance against microbes for biocides has made the control of the unwanted fungal and bacterial complex. The spread of the use of antiseptic and disinfectant products has raised concerns about the development of microbial resistance, in particular cross-resistance to antibiotics. A wide variety of active chemical agents (or "biocides") are found in these products, many of which have been used for hundreds of years for antiseptics, disinfectants and preservatives. Despite this, less is known about the mode of action of these active agents than around antibiotics. In general, biocides have a broader spectrum of activity than antibiotics, and while antibiotics tend to have specific intracellular targets, biocides can have multiple objectives. The widespread use of antiseptic and disinfectant products has promoted some speculation about the development of microbial resistance, in particular cross-resistance to antibiotics. This review considers that what is known about the mode of action and the mechanisms of resistance microbes to antiseptics and disinfectants and tries, as much as possible, to relate current knowledge with the clinical environment.

Antibiotics should not only be used when necessary. The use of antibiotics creates favorable conditions for infection with the fungal organism Candida. The overuse of antibiotics is also responsible for the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. In addition, over-use and leaching of antimicrobial agents or antibiotics can cause bioaccumulation in living organisms and can also be cytotoxic to mammalian cells.

To protect both patients and health caregivers, protective articles, such as garments, gloves and other covers that have a fast action, properties against highly microbes 'efficient, including antiviral properties are necessary for a variety of different applications for a broad spectrum of protection against microbes. The industry requires materials against microbes that can control or prevent transfer by contact of pathogens from one area to another area and from one patient to another patient. In view of the resistance problems that can arise with conventional antimicrobial agents that kill when the bacterium ingests antibiotics, an antimicrobial that kills virtually on contact and has minimal or non-harmful byproducts or waste will later be appreciated by workers in the field. Therefore, it is important to develop materials that do not provide a means for pathogens to still survive or grow intermittently thereon, and that have been stably associated with the surfaces of substrates on which the antimicrobial agent is applied. In addition, protective articles against microbes should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SYNTHESIS The present invention relates to a cleaning protective article having an outer surface with at least one layer or partial coating of a stabilized peroxide compound associated with the outer surface which can be used for uses against microbes. The cleaning protective article can be made from a variety of polymer-based materials, depending on the particular configuration and use of the article. For example, the article may have a substrate that is composed in part of a natural or synthetic polymer latex film, of natural cellulose fibers or a flexible nonwoven fabric (eg, spunbonded, meltblown or combinations thereof). themselves (for example, SMS)). Both the latex film and the nonwoven fabric can be elastomeric. The non-woven fabric can have either elastic characteristics in the cross-machine direction (CD) or in the machine direction (MD). In the field of infection control or medical uses, for example, latex films are typically part of protective articles such as gloves and non-woven fabrics that are used in face masks and cover suits. In domestic or cleaning applications, elastomeric latex films and non-woven materials can be formed into a number of products. For example, cleaning cloths pick up and trap dirt, or gloves protect a user's hands from a contact or transfer dirt. The presence of a peroxide releasing compound on the surface of such an article can greatly improve its cleaning and anti-microbial benefits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a series view of schematic diagrams illustrating the antimicrobial mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a series of schematic representations illustrating the interaction between a microbe and a surface substrate.

Figure 3 shows a glove either prepared with a treatment against microbes against the incorporation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Section A.

The antimicrobial efficacy and potency of biocides are highly dependent on chemical, physical and environmental factors. Among these factors, the most important include the formulation and concentration of active agents, temperature, pH, duration of exposure, physiological status and population size of specific microbes, in the presence of ions and organic matter. . Also, the physical and chemical characteristics of the substrate that is going to be disinfected can be important due to the interaction that the substrate can have with the biocide.

The inactivation or death of microbes by any means controlling their reproductive or metabolic activities is typically not an instantaneous event. In most cases, the higher the concentration of a particular antimicrobial agent, the faster the rate of inactivity of microorganisms or the longer the duration of exposure of a microbe to a biocide or disinfectant, the greater the increase in effectiveness antimicrobial In recent years, a fast-acting antimicrobial treatment that is not leaching from products or substrate surfaces has been in demand. The active agent of the antimicrobial treatment must not be either harmful to the human skin or result in a toxic residue, which can give rise to resistant microbes. The active agents of the antimicrobial composition, if released to an immediate microenvironment, decompose into benign components, predominantly oxygen and water, which are not toxic to human skin or to the physiological systems of mammals.

Currently, biocides can be classified into four classes. These include: 1) toxic organic chemicals, 2) surfactant-based compounds, 3) metal methane molecules, and 4) oxidizing antimicrobial agents. Toxic organic chemicals that include, for example, antiasoles, thiocnates, isothiazolines, cyanobutane, dithiacarbamates, thiona, triclosans, and bromine compounds, while effective, have a residual toxicity in the local environment that can be harmful to the human user. Similarly, metal compounds are usually slow-acting, environmentally persistent and toxic. Surfactants can disrupt the membranes of bacterial cells, but also these relatively slow-acting, not always broad-spectrum, and persistent. On the other hand, the oxidizing compounds have a broad spectrum and kill the microbes quickly. A disadvantage of conventional oxidizing preparations is that they are relatively short in duration. Oxidizing antimicrobial agents include such compounds as halogens, halogen-containing polymers, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and ozone, which are relatively fast acting and have a broad biocidal spectrum.

The present invention describes a substrate having a charged surface to easily attract the negatively charged microbes, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, and at least one layer or partial coating of a stabilized peroxide compound. For example, cationic molecules will attract and bind negatively charged microbes. Also placed on the surface of the substrate are a plurality of stabilized oxidizing compounds. When activated in the presence of a free humectant, such as liquid water or water vapor, the oxidizing compound is released from the surface. As one of the best in the class of biocides, the oxidizing compounds provide an effective and rapid death and a broad spectrum action with minimal potential to develop an antibacterial resistance. Oxidizing compounds such as hydrogen peroxides have been used to clean wounds or surgical sites after closure. The activity of peroxides in major against anaerobic bacteria. In addition, hydrogen peroxide has virucidal properties.

The present invention provides a simple and elegant mechanism to refer to the accumulation of frequently toxic agents on the treated surfaces. Figure 1 shows a series of schematic diagrams one way in which the present invention kills adsorbed microbes. In the embodiment, Figure 1A shows a glove that comes in contact with a contaminated skin or surface, and transfers the microbial contaminants to the surface of the glove. Figure IB is an amplified view on the surface of the glove upon contacting the microbes with the glove substrate. Microbes typically exist in environments that allow a micro-envelope of moisture to surround your cells. Therefore, according to the embodiment shown, the negatively charged microbes are attracted to the cationic moieties on the glove surface. In other embodiments, the negatively charged surface halves can be adapted to pull the positively charged microbes. A number of stabilized peroxide molecules are located on the surface of the glove substrate. When the microbes are joined to the cationic moieties, the micro-humidity of moisture around the microbes also pulls up and interacts with the surface of the glove, activating and releasing the peroxide from the surface, as illustrated in Figures 1C and ID. The oxidizing effect of the peroxide release kills microbes that have bound to the substrate in Figure 1E. The excess hydrogen peroxide inherited by the system, instead of becoming a problem, will decompose in harmless water and molecular oxygen and separate from the substrate microenvironment as illustrated in Figure 1F.

Figure 2 shows a series of schematic panels illustrating the interaction of the microbe with the surface of the substrate. The microbe may be present either in a liquid medium, such as water or have a moisture or biological envelope around its outer surface or its cell membrane. The diagram shows the relative distances between the microbe and the substrate surfaces and the different physical or chemical events when approaching the substrate microbe. In the upper panel, the microbe is greater than 50 nm out of the substrate; There is a minimal interaction between the two. As the microbe approaches within about 25nm, the electrostatic charge interactions between the substrate and the microbe begin to appear. At relatively close distances of less than about 10 nm or 5 nm from the substrate, three classes of significant microbe surface-to-force interactions begin to occur. These typically involve: electrostatic, hydrophobic or ligand interactions. (See, Habash, M. and G. Reid, Microbial Biofilms: Their Development and Meaning for the Medical Device-Relative Infections, J. Clinical Pharmacology 39: 887-898, 1999). When in close proximity to the surface, the effective peroxide release atmosphere around the surface of the coated substrate is within about 100 nm of the surface, more typically within 50 nm. Desirably, the peroxide microatmosphere is operational within about 20-25 nm, and optimal with about 5-10 nm of the surface.

Most biological entities have a net negative charge, positively charged membrane organisms that wish to go to the membrane, specified concentration. Charged moieties such as cationic compounds impart a charge to the surface of the substrate to attract charged microbes in close proximity to the prepared substrate surface with peroxide. The cationic compounds contained in the products of the present invention will appear to interact electrostatically with contaminants and other soils in inorganic particles which contact the surface of the protective article and bind the contaminant so that it can be secured out of the skin. of the user. As used, the term "contaminant" must be read to include gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi and fungal spores, yeasts, molds and mold spores, protozoa and viruses.

Hydrogen peroxide is a broad-spectrum oxidizing agent and is frequently used to clean wounds. When the peroxide is released in sufficient quantities in a microenvironment, such as against molecules or microorganisms of potentially harmful organic compounds, the peroxide will oxidize the compounds and / or the surface lipids, proteins or carbohydrates. Typically, since cell membranes or viral chicks contain at least one of these three components, extreme oxidation will overwhelm the natural ability of microorganisms to cope with oxidation, and will either denature the cell membrane, make the reactions inoperable cellular metabolisms or the breakdown of the virus, releasing its genetic material and killing the organism. The resulting molecular oxygen and water vapor are benign byproducts that overcome the problem of persistent toxins in the environment. The activity of peroxides is greater against anaerobic bacteria.

The stabilized peroxides have been mixed in solutions with iodoforos or quaternary ammonium compounds, which have been used for the disinfection of equipment surfaces. Stabilized peroxides are effective against a wide range of pathogens, such as both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, vegetative bacteria, fungi and bacterial spores. Similar to the formulations found in the peroxide-containing toothpaste or gel, the compounds or salts containing peroxides can be mixed with stabilizers that prevent the peroxide from being released prematurely. It is desired that only in the presence of a sufficient amount of moisture will the peroxide react.

The sources of hydrogen peroxide can be selected from a group including perborate compounds, percarbonate compounds, perphosphate compounds and / or mixtures thereof. According to an embodiment, the stabilized peroxide-containing compound may be in the form of a carbohydrate salt or mixture. For example, as described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,6887,496, the contents of which are incorporated herein, compounds that produce oxygen for incorporation may include, for example, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide. / carbohydrate which has been crystallized in a stable crystalline material. Preferably, the oxygen-producing compound is a crystalline compound comprising a mixture of hydrogen peroxide-sugar alcohol, such as a hydrogen peroxide-sorbitol or hydrogen peroxide-mannitol. Polysaccharides such as cyclodextrin serve as carriers for organic peroxides. The host-host complexes in which the stability of the cyclodextrin hosts keeps the peroxide compounds or molecules host. In particular, the organic type of peroxide typically has a hydrophobic moiety that is located in the host cavity while the peroxide moiety extends out to react with the microbes.

The forces of attraction, such as electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, polar, non-polar, or van der forces, between the peroxide and the carrier molecules can be made to control the kinetics of the interaction or release of peroxide with the environment. Alternatively, one can design the carrier to regulate in the extent or level of exposure that the peroxide moieties have with the outside environment. A carrier, such as the cyclodextrin, can partially encapsulate or fill the peroxide moieties. Alternatively, one can use the ligand or chelation mechanism to regulate the exposure of the peroxide moiety to the organic or environmental hydrogen molecules that can activate the release of the active peroxides.

The water-soluble polymers can be used as carriers for the peroxide salts. Some other materials that can be used to make the peroxide compound can be applied as a salt and can include, for example, urea peroxide or hydrogen peroxide urea (CH4N20 • 7 H202) (also referred to as carbamide peroxide.) See, "Ingredient User Information and Regulations" in relation to label names for US OTC drug ingredients Volume 1, introduction, Part A), used in stabilized amides (including salts, excluding alkanolamides and alkoxylated amides); Sodium carbonate peroxide (CH2? 3-3 / 2H2? 2-2Na) (sodium percarbonate or sodium carbonate-peroxy); calcium peroxide (Ca02) oxidizing agent; hydrogen peroxide-PVP, a complex of polyvinylpyrrolidone and hydrogen peroxide ((C6H9NO) x-l / 2H202); or 2-pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl-, homopolymer, combined with hydrogen peroxide (H202) (2: 1).

Ethyl-hydroxyethyl cellulose can be the carrier for hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides.

It is envisioned that certain stabilized compounds can be incorporated to prevent mass activation and release of mass activation and peroxide release when the coated substrate is exposed to an aqueous environment or other liquids. For example, a stabilizer or carrier molecule can be covalently bound to the substrate by means of radiation grafting and loading the peroxide moieties onto the covalently bonded carriers. A radiation-reduced graft polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer on a substrate can take the form of a hydrogel graft, according to a method such as described in United States of America Patent Number 6,387,379 incorporated herein, which may be act as a host for a peroxide compound, thereby forming a hydrogel peroxide complex. The hydrogel is a hydrophilic polymer that can be considered to form a cohesive network so that it swells in water but does not necessarily dissolve easily in water. For example, a hydrophilic monomer such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) can be used. Other hydrophilic monomers listed in U.S. Patent No. 6,387,379 may also be used. As sources of radiation, ultraviolet (UV), gamma ray or electron beam rays can be used.

An example of a formulation (Table 1) which contains a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and stabilized peroxide, such as urea peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium carbonate peroxide, mannitol peroxide and / or sorbitol. Urea peroxide is also known as carbamide peroxide and is a common ingredient in toothpaste and other teeth whitening systems. A formulation containing about 10% carbamide peroxide exhibits a similar level of active agent as another formulation containing about 3.3% hydrogen peroxide. The amount of stabilized peroxide present in the treated substrate can be up to about 20% by weight, more typically is present by about 10-12 or 15 percent by weight. Desirably, the amount of the active peroxide on the surface may be about 7 to 8 percent and preferably about up to about 4 or 5.

Mixtures of hydrogen peroxide-complex carbohydrate, according to one embodiment, are introduced into or onto a substrate in an amount sufficient to produce an oxygen stream with the discharge so as to impair the metabolism of microbes on and near the surface of the treated substrate. The mixture is capable of generating oxygen with activation, and oxygen acts as a terminal electron acceptor for bacteria on or near the surface of the substrate, so that the bacteria are either destroyed or neutralized or reduced production of compounds toxic or volatile organic bacteria.

A fast-acting oxidizing microenvironment is neutral or benign to humans, mammals or other microorganisms, but can be fatal to most microorganisms. A concentrated release of the peroxide may exceed a normal capacity of the microbe to use cataliase-an enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide-and also protects against oxidizing agents. The rapid and total action of reactive oxygens oxidizes and decomposes any exposed organic structure including lipids, lipid membranes and protein membranes beyond the capacity or ability of the cell to repair itself. Therefore, the microbial cell dies. Even a viral protein coating of a virus can be irrevocably damaged by rapid oxidation that results in either molecular in-activation or virus death.

The present oxygen coating can produce a broad spectrum, rapidly killing about 90% of the bacteria in a given sample within about 15 minutes by oxidizing or dissolving all the organic matter for the non-recoverable bacterial population. Preferably, the oxidation exhibits a 95% or better microbial kill rate within about 10 minutes, and more preferably at about a 95% cup to about 5 minutes or less after contact.

The formulations can be applied to the substrate or can be incorporated into the surface of the substrate. The peroxide compound can be applied to any non-woven or polymer-based elastomeric materials through a variety of process such as hot spray coating, embedding and squeezing in a bath or spray, or Gravier rod processes or Meyer can be used to add the formulation to the surface of the substrate with air drying. Preferably, the substrate is coated with an evenly distributed uniform layer of the stabilized peroxide and antimicrobial cationic compounds. The substrate can be made from a variety of materials, including for example elastic polymers, olefins, laminates and sheets based on natural and synthetic fibers and can take the form of a membrane or solid or geometric.

To ensure that the peroxide compounds are not activated prematurely, a number of treated cleaning or protection articles can be stored in an air-tight dry container, such as bags or flasks, preferred with a desiccant package to contain a Low moisture content with the container.

It is envisioned that the peroxide-containing coating can be applied to a number of items that can be found in hospital / health care, food preparation, industrial, institutional or domestic environments. These articles may include gloves, cover coats or cleaning substrates or wipes, but probably not suitable for skin contact surfaces or materials in absorbent personal care products, such as diapers.

Currently, gloves have been developed to limit the transfer of microbes from the glove to environmental surfaces. This technology employs a coating of quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) on the outer surfaces of the glove substrate, which serve as a microbial attractant through an electrostatically charged mechanism. This mode of action uses the net negative charge associated with the surfaces of the biological or microbial cells, which are attracted to the cationic charge of the quaternary ammonium compounds on the substrate. This technique has been effective in increasing the removal of microbes from the skin when cleaning cloths from other articles that have been impregnated with cationic compounds are used.

In the health care environment and hospitals, the contamination or improper handling of many materials, instruments and other items that can be put in contact with patients can be a way for the transfer of infections. The ability to impart a fast acting antimicrobial agent or a coating to natural and synthetic polymer latex gloves will be a significant improvement in controlling cross-contamination between the physician and the patient. According to the incorporations, such examination or work gloves or other garment articles that are used against or in close proximity to human skin, the peroxide-enabled surface is typically applied to the final exterior surface, directed outwardly. of the user's skin. Figure 3 is a generalized representation of a glove 10 with a surface 12 that can be treated with stabilized peroxide compounds 14, which when activated can generate an oxidizing microatmosphere near or around the surface of the glove to kill microbes that are near or in contact with the surface.

In the incorporations that use a hydrogen peroxide-carbohydrate or mixtures of hydrogen peroxide-hydrogel to reduce the amount of microbes, the process to prepare a product involves mixing a carbohydrate or a hydrogel and a hydrogen peroxide and then drying with frozen mixtures to remove any solvents in the mixture and produce the solid particles. (See, for example, the detailed description in "A Guide to Dry with Laboratory Freezing," LABCONCO, Kansas City, Missouri, 2004, (ww.labconco.com)). Because certain peroxides are typically heat sensitive, which can deactivate the compound, a freeze-drying process is desirable. The temperature of the mixture in the solution is lowered (generally around -25 ° C or -30 ° C) to well below the freezing temperature of the water and the temperature is sublimated.

Alternatively, some other peroxide compounds may be prepared according to a heated or heated approach to expel the water in the peroxide compound embodiment, such as a mixture of hydrogen peroxide alcohol (e.g. peroxide mannitol combination). This process can stabilize the mixture of sugar and alcohol. The mixture is heated to a temperature of at least about 90 ° C for at least about 4.5 hours to evaporate the water. Desirably, the mixture is heated to a temperature of about 97 ° C for about 7 hours. Finally, the solid particles produced are incorporated into the product. In certain repetitions, the material is heated to a temperature higher than about 100-110 ° C for up to 4.5 hours. (See also S. Tanatar, "Double Compounds of Hydrogen Peroxide with Organic Substances," Journal of the Russian Chemical-Physical Society, 1909, 40: 376).

The freezing-drying process, however, is feasible to provide a superior yield of final product than a heating method depending on the kind of peroxide product desired.

For urea-peroxide compositions, there is no need for a heating step. A dry sample of the peroxide compound should have less than about 2-5% hydration content by weight. The dry peroxide compound can be milled into a powder with an average particle size of about 5nm or smaller. The agglomerations of the peroxide particles can be from about 15-20 nm or smaller.

A process for treating a substrate with an oxidizing compound, the process may involve providing a peroxide-containing compound and applying it either on a substrate surface or incorporating it into the substrate so that the peroxide-containing compound is generally in-situ or in the substrate, provided enough moisture is able to permeate into the substrate to interact and act with the peroxide compound. The in-situ formation of the peroxide can be achieved by means of either a freeze-drying method or a heating method, as described above. The predetermined choice of method may depend on the type or nature of the peroxide-containing compound and / or the physical properties or characteristics of the substrate.

During the application of the peroxide it is desirable to minimize the exposure of the treated substrate to heat so that the peroxide moieties are not reacted or inactivated prematurely with the immediate environment. One can apply a first coat or coating that includes a carrier or host for the peroxide. This coating may also contain another type or class of antimicrobial agent. After drying the first layer a peroxide formulation is applied on the first layer to associate it with the carriers with minimal drying. This application can be done through a variety of techniques, including roller applicators or spray coating. In another embodiment, the second peroxide layer may be anhydrous, powder such as Ca02, or a non-aqueous organic peroxide, without the need for drying. In another example, after applying the first layer, one can also use a printing process, such as a jet-valve, digital, or piezoelectric devices, to apply micro-drops of peroxide solution in localized areas or patterns in a form similar, inks to create printed graphics.

The peroxide compounds can be directly associated with or can be treated on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, it is envisaged that in certain embodiments, a product according to the invention may have, as part of the exterior or active surface of a degradable substrate, hollow structures, such as fibers, filaments, beads or other shapes, in which one may fill and store peroxide agents. A significant source of moisture or the presence of specific radiological microbial secretions can be as an activator to break the hollow structure. Once the substrate makes contact with such activators, the hollow encapsulating structures can begin to dissolve and release the peroxide within, in either a measured or rapid extended form, in an explosive manner on the surface of the substrate to kill any nearby microbes.

Section b.

A variety of different kinds of substrates can be treated or coated with the present antimicrobial composition. According to certain embodiments, the substrate materials may include, for example, elastomeric membranes, films or foams, such as synthetic polymer latex or natural rubber and plastics or soft or hard rubber, or metal, ceramic glass surfaces, such as they encounter medical devices and / or surgical instrument equipment or a physical hospital facility. Alternatively, other embodiments may have substrate materials that are selected from either woven or non-woven fabrics. The woven fabrics can be made of natural fibers (for example, cellulose, cotton, linen) or a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers (for example, thermoplastics, polyolefin, polyester, nylon, aramid, polyacrylic materials). A wide variety of elastic or non-elastic thermoplastic polymers can be used to construct non-woven substrate materials. For example, without limitation, polyamides, polyesters, polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene and propylene copolymers, polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid polymers and copolymers thereof, polybutylene, styrenic co-block polymers, metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins, preferably with a density of less than 0.9 grams / cm 3 and other kinds of polyolefins for the production of various types of elastic or non-elastic fibers, filaments, films or sheets or combinations and laminations thereof.

A laminate or non-woven fabric can be treated with the compositions and methods of the present invention to impart a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antistatic properties at desired or predetermined locations on the substrate while maintaining the desired mechanical or physical properties. In addition, the components of the treatment composition can be applied in separate steps or in a combined passage. It should be understood that the antimicrobial surface treatment method and treatment of nonwoven materials with the topical application of ingredients of this invention can incorporate not only multiple ingredients for improved antimicrobial performance but can also be used to incorporate other ingredients, such as antistatic agents. which can provide dissipation of the accumulated static charge, and skin care agents such as emollients.

Incorporations of the present antimicrobial composition may include a protective article, such as gloves, face masks, surgical or medical gowns, covers, shoe covers or window coverings. For purposes of illustration, the beneficial properties of the present invention may be involved in a face mask containing a combination of one or more antimicrobial agents and co-active agents that rapidly inhibit and control the growth of a broad spectrum of microorganisms on the surface of the product both in the presence and in the absence of the dirt load. The antimicrobial coating which kills or inhibits quickly, it can be selectively placed on the outer nonwoven covering of the mask rather than through the entire product. The antimicrobial agents are not leaching from the surface of the mask in the presence of fluids and / or are not recoverable on the particles that can be detached by the mask in use and potentially inhaled by the user as measured using a protocol of Blow test back. Masks for the example face and the features incorporated in the face masks are described and shown, for example in the following United States of America patents numbers 4,802,473; 4,969,457; 5,322,061; 5,383,450; 5,553,608; 5,020,533; and 5,813,398. The complete contents of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

The antimicrobial compositions can be applied topically to the external surfaces or filaments of nonwoven fabric fibers after they are formed. Desirably, a uniform coating is applied on the surfaces of the substrate. A uniform coating refers to a layer of antimicrobial agents that do not aggregate only at selected sites on a substrate surface, but have a relatively homogeneous or even distribution on the surface of the treated substrate.

Non-woven fabrics that are treated with antimicrobial coatings of the present invention can be manufactured according to a number of processes. In an illustrative example, a method for preparing an antimicrobial treated substrate involves providing a polymer substrate and applying stabilized peroxide molecules to the substrate. According to an embodiment, the antimicrobial composition can be applied to the material substrate through conventional processes and saturation such as the so-called "dipping and squeezing" or "quilting" technique. The process of "dipping and squeezing" or "padding" can coat both sides of the substrate and / or through the volume thereof with the antimicrobial composition.

The present inventive product comprises a substrate carrying a cationic compound which is highly effective for binding numerous contaminants including fungi, yeasts, molds, protozoa, viruses, soils and other substances. The microbes are immobilized through electrostatic interaction against the cationic charged substrate. The cationic compounds impregnated in or on the products of the present invention do not necessarily kill or inhibit the growth of microbes but displace and bind the predominantly charged macrobes negatively or other contaminants from the wound surface through negative electrostatic interactions. and / or positive or positive / negative. This is highly advantageous since the products of the present invention do not require an antimicrobial, bactericidal or bacteriostatic ingredient to be highly effective in the safety of skin cleansing. When the products of the present invention are used in or around the wounds of the skin, the microbes are not only simply destroyed and left in the wound but actually attached to the cationic compounds in or on the fibers of the product and are removed from the wound. the skin. This significantly reduces the chance of additional infection in and around the wound. In addition, the cationic compounds used in the products of the present invention are essentially non-toxic and non-irritating to the wound and the surrounding skin.

Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it seems that by increasing the tensile forces between the product containing the cationic compounds and the microbe and / or the contaminant on or near the skin or surface of the wound in excess of the forces of attraction of the microbe and / or contaminant to the skin, the cleaning of the skin can be significantly improved by dislodging and binding the contaminant to the cationic species added to the product. It appears that the cationic compounds interact with the overall net negative charge of the microbe and / or the contaminant causing the release of the microbe and / or contaminant from the skin through an electrostatic interaction. The interaction between the cationic compounds and the microbe and / or the contaminant appears to be stronger than the combined adhesion forces that retain the microbe and / or contaminant on or near the skin including the hydrophobic interactions, the electrostatic interactions and the interactions of ligand Because the microbe and / or the contaminant are released from the skin and attached to the modified cargo product, it can be easily and efficiently carried out by the product. This is highly advantageous over more traditional products since the contaminant is not merely dislodged from the skin or the wound surface, but it is dislodged and then removed from the surface through interactions with the substrate containing the cationic compounds. An adequate amount of the cationic compounds are added to the products of the present invention so that the forces binding the contaminant to the surface of the skin, such as hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and ligand interactions, can be overcome. by traction to cationic species.

According to the present invention, numerous microbes and soils such as Candida albicans can be effectively captured and removed out of the skin of the mammal or a surface of the substrate by means of a cleaning product or substrate having a sufficient amount of compounds cationic, such as, for example, octadecyl-dimethyl-trimethyloxy-silpropyl-ammonium chloride, having a suitable effective charge density or an anion exchange capacity which modifies the overall charge density of the product. It has been found that by providing a substrate comprising a sufficient amount of cationic compounds having an effective charge density of from about 0.1 microequivalents / gram to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram or more, the surface of the substrate can be electrically altered from so that the resulting product has a positive charge index as defined here of at least about 35 positive charge units, more typically of about 50 or above, and preferably of about 52-250 or 300. Positive charge allows numerous types of microbes and contaminants to be electrostatically dislodged from the surface of the skin, captured and brought out of the skin. The cationic compound containing products of the present invention are safe to use on the skin and in and around wounds, since microbes are removed from the surface area of the wound without a substantial risk of rupture, and therefore The risk of the introduction of its microbe products inside the wounds is minimized or eliminated. In some desired embodiments, the substrate carries a cationic compound capable of binding the contaminants located on the skin. Preferably, the cationic compound has an effective charge density of from about 500 or 1,000 microequivalents / gram to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram and the product has a positive charge rate of at least 52. The substrate can be made in a product comprising either a non-woven fabric material or a fabric and a cationic compound capable of binding the contaminants located on the surface of the skin.

The cationic compounds described herein can be incorporated into or on the product substrate using numerous methods. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cationic compounds are impregnated into the fibers comprising the underlying substrate of the cleaning product during the manufacturing process of the substrate. Although generally referred to as "pulp fibers" or "cellulose fibers", it should be recognized that various types of fibers, including wood pulp fibers and polymer and synthetic type fibers, are suitable for substrate use. in cleaning products of the present invention, and are within the scope of the present invention. Suitable substrates for the incorporation of cationic compounds include, for example, cellulosic materials, coform materials, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, spin-bonded fabrics, meltblown fabrics, weft fabrics, wet-laid fabrics, needle-punched fabrics. or combinations thereof.

Examples of suitable cationic compounds that can be used to increase the overall effective cationic charge density of the cleaning products of the present invention include, for example, polyquaternary ammonium compounds such as those sold under the Bufloc 535 trademark. (Buckman Laboratories International of Memphis, Tennesee), Nalco 7607 (ONDEO NALCO Company) of Naperville, Illinois), Reten 201 (Hercules Inc., of Wilmington Delaware), Cypro 515 (CIBA Specialty Chemicals, Suffolk, Va), bufloc 5554 ( Buckman Laboratories International, Memphis, Tennessee) and Busperse 5030 (Buckman Laboratories International, Memphis, Tennessee), and cationic polymers, inorganic cationic species, biological cationic polymers, and modified chitosan, octedecyldimethyltrimethoxysilypropylammonium chloruror, octadecyldimethoxysilypropylammonium chloride, polyacrylamides, dialdimethylammonium chloride, dicyandiamideformaldehyde, epichlorohydrinamine, cationic liposomes, modified starch, l-methyl- 2-noroleyl-3-oleyl-amidoethyl imidazoline methyl sulfate, l-ethyl-2-nicolyl-3-oleyl-amidoethyl imidazoline ethyl sulfate, trimethylsilylmodimethicone, amodimethicone, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-5, polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium- 8, polyquaternium-9, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-11, polyquaternium-12, polyquaternium-13, polyquaternium-14, polyquaternium-15, polyquaternium-16, polyquaternium-17, polyquaternium-18, polyquaternium-19, polyquaternium-20, policuaternium-22, policuaternium-24, policuaternium-27, policuaternium-28, policuaternium-29, policuate rnium-30, polyquaternium-32, polyquaternium-33, polyquaternium-34, polyquaternium-35, polyquaternium-36, polyquaternium-37, polyquaternium-39, polysilicone-1, polysilicone-2 and mixtures and combinations thereof. The compounds especially referred to include the quaternary compounds and mixtures and combinations thereof. Especially preferred compounds include the quaternary compounds, the polyelectrolytes, the octadecyldimethoxylsilypropylammonium chloride, the l-methyl-2-ninoleyl-3-oleyl-amidoethyl imidazoline methyl sulfate, and l-ethyl-2-noroleyl-3-oleyl-amidoethyl imidazoline ethyl sulfate . It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that other cationic compounds commonly used in pulp manufacturing processes in accordance with the present invention will also be utilized to significantly increase the overall cationic effective charge density of the resulting product.

The cationic compounds for the incorporation of the product of the present invention have a net cationic charge, and can sometimes be referred to as anion exchangers. Typically, the products of the present invention contain cationic compounds that have a sufficient positive charge to impart improved cleaning characteristics to products through electrostatic interactions with microbes and / or contaminants and the skin. The amount of "cationic charge" on a particular compound can vary essentially and can be measured using different units. Anion exchangers are sometimes referred to as having a "capacity" which can be measured in microequivalents per gram or milliequivalents per gram, or can be measured in terms of the amount of a certain compound or protein that will bind the anion exchanger. Yet another way of referring to the amount of positive charge is in terms of micro or milli-equivalents per unit area. One skilled in the art will recognize that the exchange capacity units can be converted from one form to another to calculate the appropriate amounts of anion exchanger for use in the present invention.

According to the present invention, the chemical additives used to increase the overall effective cationic charge density of the resulting product have a cationic charge. The cationic compounds useful in the present invention typically have an effective charge density of from about 0.1 microequivalents / gram to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram, more preferably from about 100 microequivalents / gram to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram, yet more preferably from about 500 microequivalents / gram, to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram, and more preferably from about 1,000 microequivalents / gram to about 8,000 microequivalents / gram. Although effective charge densities of more than 8,000 microequivalents / gram can be used in the cleaning products of the present invention, such a large charge density is typically not required to carry out the benefit of the present invention and may result in the deterioration of product properties. By increasing the effective charge density of the cationic material, the amount of cationic material required to be added to the pulping process typically decreases. Generally, from about 0.01% (by weight of the substrate) to about 25% (by weight of the substrate), preferably from about 0.1% (by weight of the substrate) to about 10% (by weight of the substrate) of the cationic material having the effective charge density described above will be sufficient to increase the overall cationic charge of the resulting product sufficiently for the purposes of the present invention. The actual amount of cationic material required for introduction into the pulp manufacturing process can be influenced by numerous other factors, including, the amount of steric hindrance in the pulp fibers due to other additives present in the pulp fiber environment, the access of the charges on the pulp fibers, the competitive reactions through the cationic materials for the anionic sites, the potential for the adsorption of multiple layers within the pulp fiber, and the potential for the precipitation of the anionic materials outside the solution.

While not wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that many of the cationic molecules (which may sometimes be referred to as "softeners" or "debonders") suitable for use in accordance with the present invention have a cationic charge by virtue of one half of quaternary nitrogen. During the manufacture of the skin cleansing product, this cationic charge can be used to bring the cationic molecule to the fiber surface which is typically anionic in nature. Cationic compounds suitable for use in the present invention may have hydrophobic side chains which impart hydrophobicity to the molecule, making these molecules essentially insoluble in water. As such, these cationic compounds are believed to currently exist in solution as micelles of cationic compound molecules, wherein the hydrophobic tails are inside the micelle and the cationic charges are exposed to the water phase. When a cluster of micelle is absorbed onto the fiber, more than one molecule is present on the surface, thereby creating a site on the fiber with an excess of cationic charge. Once dried, these cationic molecules are feasibly associated with a counter ion (although it may be possible that some are present without counterions which can create a static cationic charge) to form a net neutral charge. When the treated substrate is contacted with an aqueous medium such as urine or faeces, the counter-ion is free to disassociate and therefore levels the cationically charged fiber with the adsorbed cationic molecules. The cationic charge on the surface of the substrate is then able to attract and retain various microbes and / or contaminants which typically have a negatively charged outer surface.

Section C.

Positive Load Index Test to Determine the Positive Load Index in a Substrate The amount of positive charge imparted on a substrate, such as a base sheet or a woven or non-woven fabric, for example, can be measured according to the present invention using the Positive Load Index Test including a dye binding test anionic The positive charge index test uses the Eosin Y. dye, which is a biological stain for alkaline materials. The Eosin B can optionally be used in place of the Eosin Y. The Positive Load Index Test is carried out as follows: Step 1: Cut the substrate that is going to be evaluated in two squares of approximately 2 centimeters by 2 centimeters. The first square will be spotted with Eosin Y as described here and will be optimally evaluated. The second square will be subjected to the same smearing procedure with Eosin Y described here except that the second square will not be smeared with Eosin Y; that is, the second square will suffer each and every step as the first square, except for steps 5 and 6 that are indicated below.

Step 2: Insert the filter paper, such as 125 mm filter paper Whatman # 4 Qualitative 125, into a Buchner funnel attached to a vacuum source.

Step 3: Start the vacuum, and wash the filter paper with deionized water.

Step 4: Allow the filter paper to be dried.

Step 5: Place the test substrate on top on the dry filter paper and saturate the substrate with 0.75 milliliters of 0.5% (weight / volume) of Eosin Y prepared in deionized water.

Step 6: Allow the test substrate to soak in Eosin Y for 2 minutes and then cover the test substrate with the dry piece of filter paper.

Step 7: Wash the test substrate through the filter paper for 3 minutes with deionized water.

Step 8: Remove the test substrate with forceps and place them on the dry piece of filter paper and let it dry completely.

Step 9: Measure the CIELAB color space of the dried test substrate using a Minolta CM-408d Spectrophotometer or similar equipment. The spectrophotometer is set for the CIELAB color space with the following parameters: CREEMM specific state, L * a * b * color mode, 10 degree observer, and D65 primary illuminant. A standard w block supplied by the spectrophotometer manufacturer is used for instrument calibration.

Step 10: Calculate the DE * ab value of the smeared test substrate with Eosin Y using a non-stained test substrate for comparison. The value DE * ab is equal to the positive load index. The higher the positive charge index, the higher the positive charge on the substrate. The CIÉ color system values are stated below: L * = Clarity = A value 0 to 100 a * = Coordinated color red-against-green b * = color coordinator yellow-against-blue C = chroma = [(a *). sup-2 + (b *). sup. 2]. sup .1 / 2 H = hue angle = arctan (b * / a *) E = color difference = [L *) .sup-2 + (a *) .sup.2 + (b *). sup-2]. sup .1 / 2 DL * = L *. sub. spotted substrate Eosin-L *. sub. substrate not stained Da * = a *. sub. spotted substrate Eosin-a *. sub. substrate not stained Db * = b *. sub. spotted substrate Eosin-b *. sub. substrate not stained DE * = ab = [(DL *) .sup.2 + (Da *) .sup.2 + (Db *). sup- 2]. sup.1 / 2 The cationic compounds useful in the present invention for increasing the overall effective cationic charge density of a finished product can easily be incorporated into various products. As used herein, the term "cationic compound" means any compound or ingredient which increases the overall cationic charge of the fibers comprising a cleaning product when the fibers are wetted. Preferably, the cationic compounds used in accordance with the present invention to increase the overall effective charge density of a finished product are not antagonistic to the pulp fibers or other additives used in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, it is preferred that the additional cationic compounds added to the pulp according to the present invention do not adversely affect the integrity of the overall existence of the resulting modified product.

Section D. - Empirical Example Antimicrobial coating of material A Biodyne B membrane (pore size 0.45 μm, 10 mm discs, Pall Corporation, East Hills, New York) was coated with 100 μl of 50% w / v hydrogen peroxide urea in water (Sigma Chemical from Saint Louis , Missouri). The coated membrane was allowed to dry overnight at room temperature. The total aggregate of 50 mg of urea peroxide per 78.5 square millimeters or 0.64 milligrams / square millimeter.

Description of Biodyne B Membrane The pore surfaces populated by a high density of quaternary ammonium groups. This results in a positive surface charge over a wide pH range. The positive charge promotes the strong ionic binding of negatively charged molecules.

Microbial Challenge Experiment About 100 μl of a suspension of 6xl07 CFU / ml of Klebsi ella pneumoniae ATCC 4352 in phosphate buffered salt water (pH 7.4) were added to the top of Biodyne B membranes and allowed to incubate at 25 ° C for 15 minutes . The exposed Biodyne B membranes were placed in 25 milliliters of a Letheen broth extracted by vortex shaking (20 seconds) and shaking with an orbital shaker (10 minutes). The coating was made using a spiral coater (UASP, Microbiological Associates) on trypticase soy agar. The accounts were made using a digital imaging system (ProtoCOL, Microbiological Associates). A replication game was made. The membranes of Biodyne B were compared to the Biodyne B membranes uncoated APRA determine the reductions Logio • No significant or duplicable population in duplicates 2-4, biodine B membrane loaded.

The addition of 0.64 milligrams / square millimeter of urea peroxide to a positively charged membrane provided > 3 Logio of bacterial viability reduction in 15 minutes at 25 ° C. It is expected that the urea peroxide can be added on a positively charged modified substrate at concentrations ranging from 1 -0.01 milligrams / square millimeter to produce an adequate efficiency. Alternative types of peroxide are: calcium peroxide, sodium carbonate peroxide, and carbohydrate peroxide mixtures including dulcitol, arabitol, adonitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, dithioerythritol, dithiothreitol, glycerol, galactitol, erythritol , inositol, ribitol and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates as one-half carbohydrate. The types and aggregated ranges of the positively charged molecules will be expected to be in the range described in the following United States of America patent publications numbers 2004/0151919, 2004/0009141, 2004/0009210 and 2005/0137540, which are incorporated here. This type of treatment is applicable to woven, non-woven and / or formed polymers. The specific product forms are gloves, gowns, masks, covers, wipes, diapers, air filters and others.

The present invention has been described in both in a general detail and in a manner of examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments described. The modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims or their equivalents, including the equivalent components currently known, or to be developed which may be used within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, unless changes otherwise go beyond the scope of the invention, the changes should be considered as being included here.

Claims (24)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An antimicrobial treatment that includes: preparing a substrate with a binding of charged moieties, and a number of peroxide compounds stabilized on at least a portion of a surface of said substrate; Y generating an oxidized microenvironment near the surface of the substrate by activating said stabilized peroxide compounds for a release of peroxide gas when contacted with a source of moisture or biological or microbial secretions associated with microbes present in close proximity to said surface of substrate.

2. A cleaning or protective article that minimizes transfer by contact of microbes, said article comprises: a substrate surface, at least a part of which is coated with a charged half and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds located on the said stabilized peroxide molecules being adapted to release the peroxide gas from said surface when reacted with a moisture-laden microsphere around said substrate.

3. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said charged moieties are cationic.

4. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said substrate has an effective charge density of at least about 0.1 microequivalents per gram.

5. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said substrate has an effective charge density of up to about 8,000 microequivalents per gram.

6. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said substrate surface is electrically altered to have a positive charge rate of about 35 or more positive charge units.

7. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said stabilized peroxide compounds are present in an amount of up to about 20% by weight of the substrate.

8. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that stabilized peroxide compounds are present on the substrate in an amount of about 4-15% by weight.

9. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said stabilized peroxide compounds are either a) directly associated on said surface of the substrate, b) are within a number of degradable hollow structures, c) they are contained in an agglomeration of particles or a combination of a), b) and e).

10. The invention as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said particles have an average particle size of about 5 nm or smaller.

11. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said treated substrate exhibits a rate of destruction of microbes on a sample surface of 90% or better within 15 minutes of initial contact.

12. The invention as claimed in any of clauses 1 or 2, characterized in that said treated substrate exhibits a rate of destruction of microbes on a sample surface of 95% or better within 10 minutes of initial contact.

13. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the treatment as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said microbes have an electrostatic charge opposite said loaded moieties.

14. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said article has a body made in part of a natural or synthetic latex film.

15. The invention as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said latex film is elastomeric.

16. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said article has a body made in part of a non-woven fabric substrate.

17. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said article has a body made in part from a cellulose-based material.

18. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that part of an external or active surface of said substrate has a number of degradable hollow structures filled with said peroxide compounds, which are released from said hollow structures when said substrate makes contact with a surface of specific microbial or biological secretions or moisture.

19. The invention as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said hollow structures release said peroxide agents within a measured and prolonged form on said substrate surface.

20. The invention as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said hollow structures release said peroxide agents within an explosive and rapid form on said substrate surface.

21. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said protective article is either a glove, a face mask or a cover garment.

22. The invention as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said cleaning article is a pad or sheet of cleaning cloth.

23. A process for treating a substrate with an oxidizing compound, the process comprises: providing a peroxide-containing compound, applying or incorporating said peroxide-containing compound to a surface of said substrate, wherein said peroxide-containing compound is generated in-situ at or on said substrate.

24. The invention as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that said peroxide-containing compound is generated according to either a dry-frozen method or a heated method depending on the type or nature of the peroxide-containing compound and said substrate. SUMMARY An oxidizing antimicrobial treatment and the products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involves, in part, preparing a substrate to accept a binding of charged moieties, and a number of peroxide compounds stabilized on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When the microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties is put in close proximity to the surface of the treated substrate, the peroxide molecules of the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.