MXPA98008935A - Low acid compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Low pH acidic compositions for chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic uses, comprise two phases in solution. Phase I comprises from about 2 to 98% by weight of various chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic substances. Phase II comprises from about 2 to 98% by weight of an active aqueous acid component having a pH value of less than about 1. This aqueous component of phase II is produced by: (a) mixing from 5 to 20% by weight of a strong acid having a high degree of dissociation, with 5 to 20% by weight of another strong acid having a lower degree of dissociation, for a period of time effective to produce a substantially homogeneous mixture, and (b) mixing of about 1 to 5% by weight of weaker acids with low degrees of dissociation, selected from hydroxycarboxylic acids or alpha-hydroxy acids, and from about 1 to 5% by weight of a dicarboxylic acid, with the aqueous mixture, in an effective amount of water to provide a water-based mixture

Description

ACID COMPOSITIONS OF LOW PH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention involves the use of an aqueous acid composition as the major, or core, component of a number of compositions, including, but not limited to, metal cleaners, antioxidants and degreasers, glass cleaners, porcelain and other ceramics, metal plating baths, sterilizing and bacteriostatic agents for liquids, including agents for water treatment, cosmetics, soaps and detergents, local antiseptics, eye and ear drops, and pharmaceutical agents, and the use of these compositions . More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved four-acid core component, and its formulation with other ingredients, and use for these different purposes. Although now well known in the patent literature, there is still much to be clarified about the manner in which non-toxic, low pH aqueous compositions work to achieve their intended result without causing caustic burns and other damage caused by strong acids. As far as is known up to now, the first disclosure of these compositions in the patent literature is stipulated in U.S. Patent No. 4,459,202 (Garcia), which used an acid solvent composition that included two strong acids and two acids weak to recover bituminous products from tar sands. The description of that patent notes that the composition is not corrosive and is not a th risk. Shortly after the issuance of that patent, United States of America Numbers 4,477,364 and 4,483,887 were issued (Garcia was again the inventor), describing the use of the same composition of four acids as a component of a glass cleaner and a metal-plating substrate, respectively, each of which was described as being substantially non-toxic and inert to human skin. Since these 1984 patents, several other patents have been issued which describe the use of this four acid composition as a core component in other compositions, including U.S. Patent Nos. 4,675,120 (Martucci), 4,970,014 (Garcia) , 4,970,015 (García) and 5,019,288 (García), for acidification of wells, recovery of tertiary oil, removal of metal oxide, cleaning of aluminum, cleaning of radiators, cleaning of boilers and exchangers, and copper cleaning. The Canadian Patents (Number 1,231,053 (García), and the Mexican Patent (Number 158,149 (García)), also issued (in 1988 and 1989, respectively), refer to the composition of four acids, to the extent that the function is understood. of this four-acid core component, that function is described in those issued patents, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this specific reference thereto.Since briefly, the combination of first and second strong acids, with weaker third and fourth acids, has the effect of forcing weaker acids to act as conjugate bases for strong acids to accept (in the terminology of the Bronsted-Lo ry theory to describe the behavior of acids and bases in aqueous solution) hydrogen ions (really hydronium ions, H30 + when in aqueous solution), strong acids. with extremely low pH values and high amounts of free hydrogen ions. These solutions are not corrosive to the metal, are harmless to the skin, and are capable of providing enormous amounts of hydrogen ions which, when combined with other acids, provide an excellent environment for effective operation such as bacteriostats and cleaners, disinfectants and preparers of all kinds of surfaces, by creating a protective mantle that does not allow any type of microorganism to live in that environment of such a low pH.

Despite the notorious behavior of this four-acid core component disclosed in previously incorporated patents in water, and of the many uses for which it is capable of being adapted, it is characterized by several drawbacks when used in certain applications. For example, in studies conducted with a disinfectant formulated from the composition of four components for local application to the skin, the disinfectant caused a reddening of the skin and a burning sensation in concentrations high enough to ensure adequate disinfection. In the same way, when formulated in plating and cleaning solutions, and the like, as contemplated in the previously incorporated patents, the result is a plating or cleaning solution which, when it makes contact with the skin, has a similar result. , in such a way that it is desirable to reformulate these solutions in a way that does not diminish its effectiveness, but that is safer for the people who use the solution managing it. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a core composition that can be formulated into a variety of different solutions for use in water treatment; cleaning; cleaning, plating and / or refinishing of metals; disinfection; pharmaceutical products; and cosmetics.

It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the use of the different solutions formulated with the core composition of the present invention. These and other objects of the present invention will be made clearer by the following description of the presently preferred embodiments thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects are achieved by providing a composition having a low pH, which is comprised of first and second strong acids, the first acid being an inorganic acid that dissociates essentially completely in water, and the second acid being in the same way an inorganic acid, but not as strong as the first acid, preferably with a constancy of dissociation of less than about 10-1, mixed with third and fourth acids, being both the third and fourth acids, organic acids, the third acid having a dissociation constant of between about 10-1 and about 10-5, and the fourth acid having a dissociation constant of about 10 ~ 4 or less. This four-acid composition is used as a core component in a number of aqueous solutions that are used for a wide variety of purposes, including water treatment, preservatives, pharmaceuticals, cleaners, disinfectants, cleansing agents, brighteners and metal plating , acidic fluids for batteries, and cosmetic agents, and more particularly with respect to pharmaceutical agents, but not limited to, antimicrobials, bactericides, fungicides, sporocides and virucides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention relates to a four-acid core composition having a very low pH, and to the formulation of that core composition in low pH acid compositions. The four acids comprising the core composition includes first and second inorganic acids, and third and fourth organic acids, mixing with each other in conjugated acid-base pairs before being mixed with one another to form the four-acid core composition. The first acid is an inorganic acid that dissociates essentially completely in water, that is, it is a strong acid. The above low pH compositions, such as those described in the various patents previously incorporated, describe the use of hydrochloric acid as the first acid, but in the same way other strong inorganic acids can be used with advantage in relation to the present invention, including hydrobromic, sulfuric acids, nitric, doric, perchloric, permanganic, and hydriodic. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, this first acid is hydrobromic acid. The first acid comprises between about 5 and about 20 weight percent of the final concentration of the four acid core composition, and preferably between about 5 percent and about 12 percent. The first acid is mixed with the second, also inorganic acid, resulting in a conjugate pair of acid-base, where the second acid, which is a weaker acid, effectively functions as a base to accept hydrogen ions (H +) of the first acid. This second acid is selected from the group of inorganic acids having a dissociation constant of less than about 10 1, including, but not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrazoic, hydrofluoric, hydrogen sulfide, hydrosulfuric, hypobromous, hypochlorous, hypophosphorous acids. iodine, nitrous, periodic, phosphoric, phosphorous, pyrophosphoric, and sulfurous. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second acid is phosphoric acid, and comprises between about 5 and about 20 weight percent of the four acid core composition, and preferably between about 5 and about 12 percent. The third acid is an organic acid selected from the group consisting of the organic acids having a dissociation constant of about 10_1 to about 10-5, and the fourth acid in the same way is an organic acid, but is selected from from the group of organic acids having a dissociation constant less than about 10 ~ 4. The third and fourth preferred acids are hydroxy acids and alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids, and the dicarboxylic acids selected in pairs, to serve as acid-base conjugates, so that the weaker acid effectively functions as the base of the conjugate pair, and they can be aliphatic or aromatic acids. Suitable third acids include, but are not limited to, fumaric, maleic, malonic, oxalic, phthalic, salicylic and tartaric acids, and acidic quarters that can be used with advantage in connection with the composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, are limited to, acetic, acrylic, adipic, benzoic, butyric, carbonic, citric, diethylmalonic, di-n-propylmalonic, glutaric, glycolic, hydroxybenzoic, hydroxybutyric, hydroxymethylbenzoic acids, and other substituted benzoic acids, isobutyric, isocyclic, isovaleric , lactic, malic, mandelic, methylethylmalonic, methylmalonic, phenylacetic, pi-eic, propionic, pyrotartaric, suberic, succinic, and valeric. Those skilled in the art will recognize, from this description, that other carboxylic, dicarboxylic, hydroxycarboxylic, and aliphatic and aromatic substituted carboxylic acids of longer chain may also be used with advantage, so that the lists disclosed in present are not inclusive of those third and quarter acids suitable for use in connection with the composition of the present invention. The experts in this field who have the benefit of this description will also recognize that the grouping of these organic acids into third and acidic rooms is not necessarily exhaustive of acid pairings as third and acidic rooms. For example, satisfactory results can be achieved by the selection of an organic acid, such as citric or malic acid, both having dissociation constants of about 10-4, and. use them in combination with a weaker acid, such as succinic or glutaric acids, both having dissociation constants of about 10 ~ 5. In particular, it has been found that the combination of a hydroxycarboxylic acid (particularly an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid), and a dicarboxylic acid, gives satisfactory results, and those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, will recognize that hydroxycarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids may be included in any or both of the groups of organic acids disclosed above. However, in general, it is preferred to use a combination of third and fourth acids, wherein the dissociation constant of the third acid is on the scale of about 10-1 to about 10 ~ 3, and a fourth acid having a constant of dissociation less than about 10 ~ 4, and hence the grouping of acids as stipulated above. The four-acid core composition is prepared by mixing the first and second acids in a first container, and mixing the third and fourth acids in water in a second separate container. The two acid mixtures are then used as supply solutions to mix with one another, in order to form the four acid aqueous core composition, which preferably has a pH less than 1. Then the resulting aqueous core composition is used as a component for a number of aqueous formulations for the different purposes mentioned above, determining the particular ingredients of each formulation for the particular use contemplated. For example, low pH acidic pharmaceutical agents are made from this four acid core composition, which are useful in the local treatment of infections caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal agents, to be used as a cold sterilizing ingredient or disinfectant Active in cleaning solutions for personal, commercial and domestic uses, and also for use in cosmetic compounds to help alleviate a diverse number of skin disorders. These pharmaceutical agents, sterilizers, disinfectants, and cosmetics are mixed in two basic phases, the first phase comprising agents such as those that provide additional protection to the tissue and membranes, serve as vehicles for carrying the active ingredients, and give texture to the final resulting solutions, and some of which are also active ingredients in their own right, for the specific use for which the given formulation is intended. These pharmaceutical chemicals generally comprise from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of the final resolution solutions. The percentages of these components vary depending on the purpose of the final solutions. Substances are used such as, but not limited to, humectants, surfactants, emollients, humidifiers, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, hamamelís, skin whitening agents, detergents and soaps, rose water, lemon juice, essences and dyes based on water, local anesthetics, creams based on corticosteroids, undecylenic acid, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, glycerol, boric acid, salicylic acid, sodium hypochlorate, sorbic acid, silicone, vitamin E acetate, pramoxin HCL, AQUAPALM (Hoffman- LaRoche, Inc.), DERMABASE (Borden, Inc.), emulsifiers and wetting agents, such as those sold under the registered trademark BRIJ (ICI US, Inc.), allantoin, and aloe vera. The second phase is the aqueous acid composition, which is the active ingredient of the resulting final solution, and which comprises from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of the final solution. These low pH pharmaceutical agents have wide applications in the local treatment of infections in human and animal tissue, whether caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. These low pH formulations can also include alpha-hydroxy acids (fruit acids) for the treatment of minor skin disorders, such as itching, wrinkles, dry skin, acne, age spots, and ichthyosis, and even in the treatment of certain skin cancers. These low pH pharmaceutical agents work to create a very low pH environment, and to maintain this low pH environment for a sufficiently long period of time to break the cell wall (in the case of bacterial and non-bacterial agents), or to decompose the envelope (in the case of viral agents), or to avoid that these infectious agents reproduce / replicate, thus reducing their counting, and allowing the body's immune system to heal the body. The involvement of the immune system, together with the ability of the composition of the present invention to reduce the population of the immunogenic microbial agent, suggests the composition of the composition together with different peptides, such as protein A, interferon, interleukins and other immunostimulants and / or modulators of the function of the immune system for treatment of infection. In these formulations, and depending on the particular peptide being used, it may be necessary to provide a pharmacological base that protects the peptide against the low pH of the core composition, to regulate the pH of the combination, in order to prevent these effects , or protect the peptide by, for example, microencapsulation, all as is known in the art. In the same way, the combination may include any of several auxiliaries known in the art. Without a pharmaceutical base, these low pH solutions may not exhibit a sufficiently long retention time on the tissue to allow effective action against these infectious agents. It is for the purposes of prolonging the retention time, giving the solution a more pleasant texture and color, and hiding any associated odor, that these additional components are used. In a second use of the four-acid core composition, the core composition is formulated to be used in the treatment of water with trace minerals and metals, such as copper, which allow the formulations to disperse in large bodies of water uniformly with concentrations on the surface that are a mirror of the concentrations in the background. In the past, treatments with products such as copper sulphate pentahydrate, spread directly over the surface of bodies of small and large water, channels and currents, with the resulting concentrations being weaker on the surface, while reaching toxic levels in the bottom. The incorporation of the core composition of the present invention into a formulation including copper sulfate, trace minerals, and / or metal salts, however, allows for more predictable treatment levels and lower overall treatment concentrations, being The result is a more ecologically safe water treatment for fish, and benefits aquatic life. In these formulations, it is generally preferred that the four-acid core composition comprises between about 70 and about 95 percent (by weight) of the formulation, with the remainder being the metal in soluble form, eg, sulfate pentahydrate. coppermade. The formulations are prepared both for the treatment of the potable water supply, and for sewage and / or wastewater treatment, and may also include chlorine, fluorine, flocculating agents, and other components, such as are known in the art of treatment. of water. In another use of the core composition, strong acids, such as sulfuric, hydrofluoric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, and / or hydrobromic acids, or mixtures of these acids, are added for the preparation of aqueous solutions used for cleaning, rust removal, removal of carbonate, polishing, and cleaning of glass, aluminum, copper and other metals, and ceramics. For example, the addition of hydrofluoric acid in proportions of about 1 part to 2 parts (by weight or volume) of the core composition, up to about 1 part to 40 parts of hydrofluoric acid, results in a composition for cleaning ceramics and glass, and to clean and remove oxides from aluminum. The addition of, for example, a mixture of hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, phosphoric and sulfuric acids in proportions of 20-40: 5-15: 5-20-30 parts (by weight or by volume), respectively, for similar amounts of the Core composition, results in a composition that is used to clean and polish metals. An aqueous solution containing between about 3 and 7 parts of hydrochloric acid to about 7 to 3 parts (by weight or volume) of the core composition is useful for removing oxide and carbonate deposits from the metal surfaces of towers. cooling, evaporators, chillers, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, radiators and heat exchangers. When about 1 to about 5 parts of the core composition are combined with between about 0.5 and about 7.5 parts (by weight or volume) of an acid, such as sulfuric acid, the resulting aqueous solution is advantageously used as an acid Of battery. Depending on the type of battery, acids are used in addition to sulfuric acid for the same purpose. The present invention can be better understood by reference to the following examples of a currently preferred embodiment of the four-acid core composition and various formulations, including the core composition to be used for different purposes. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that these examples are illustrative of the invention, stipulated for the purposes of complying with the requirements of the Patent Statute, and do not represent an exhaustive listing of all possible uses and formulations of the compositions herein. invention.

EXAMPLE I Preparation of a Four Acid Aqueous Core Composition 1,619 kilograms of hydrochloric acid and 0.943 kilograms of phosphoric acid were added to a vessel, and the acids were stirred to produce a substantially homogenous acid mixture. During the mixing of hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid, vapors were generated. Accordingly, the mixing was performed in a ventilated area. Then 7,529 kilograms of water were placed in a second container. 2.558 Kg of the hydrochloric-phosphoric acid mixture was added to the water in the second vessel. The resulting aqueous acid solution was mixed thoroughly. Then 0.489 kilograms of powdered citric acid and 0.340 kilograms of powdered oxalic acid were mixed in the aqueous acid mixture to produce an aqueous acid composition. The aqueous acid composition was then diluted by mixing 10,918 kilograms of the aqueous acid composition with 7,529 kilograms of water in a third vessel. The aqueous acid composition and water were thoroughly stirred, and gave approximately 18,349 liters (18,461 kilograms) of an aqueous acid component with a pH value of about 0.49. The mixing and storage containers employed were formed of materials substantially resistant to acid. In addition, all containers were covered for safety reasons, and to prevent injecting foreign materials into the aqueous acid component.

EXAMPLE II Preparation of Four Acid Core Composition A second embodiment of the four acid aqueous core composition was prepared following the same method as stipulated in Example I above, but replacing hydrochloric acid with hydrobromic acid, and using glutaric acid to replace oxalic acid.

EXAMPLE III Preparation of a Pharmaceutical Agent In order to make 100 kilograms of a pharmaceutical agent to be used as ear drops, formulated in accordance with the present invention, 50 kilograms of propylene glycol, USP, was mixed together with 47 kilograms of glycerin, USP, at 99.5 percent, and 100 grams of FCC sorbic acid. The solution was mixed in a container of sufficient size until the propylene glycol, glycerin and sorbic acid were completely mixed. To this mixture, 2.9 kilograms of the aqueous acid core composition mixed in Example II was added, with stirring, until the mixture was completely mixed, but not less than about 10 minutes.

EXAMPLE IV Preparation of a Maleic Acid Nucleus Composition This acid component was mixed in the same manner as in Example II above, with the exception that maleic acid was used instead of glutaric acid.

EXAMPLE V Preparation of a Pharmaceutical Agent To make 100 kilograms of an aloe vera based acid cream for use in the treatment of sunburn, other minor burns, minor cuts and bites, and open sores, such as decubitus ulcers, viral lesions , and infections, three different steps were taken. In the first step, 3.7 kilograms of BRIJ 721 were mixed in an appropriately jacketed vessel, with 9.3 kilograms of cetyl alcohol, 7.6 kilograms of vitamin E acetate, and 0.02 kilograms of AQUAPALM. This composition was mixed thoroughly, and heated to 65 ° C. In the second step, 75.88 kilograms of aloe vera gel was mixed in a second jacketed vessel, with 0.50 kilograms of pramoxine HCl, mixed thoroughly, and heated to 65 ° C. With rapid agitation, these two compositions were mixed together for 10 to 15 minutes, until a homogeneous emulsion was made. Then this emulsion was allowed to cool with stirring at a temperature between 48 ° C and 50 ° C. In a non-metallic vessel, 5 kilograms of the aqueous acid composition of Example IV was mixed with the emulsion mixed above, and cooled with stirring until the temperature was less than 45 ° C.

EXAMPLE VI Preparation of a Silicone-based Pharmaceutical Agent In order to prepare 100 kilograms of a silicone-based acidic pharmaceutical cream for use in the treatment of fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, three different steps were taken. The first step is to mix, in a jacketed container, 8 kilograms of undecylenic acid, 6 kilograms of BRIJ 621, 10 kilograms of stearic alcohol, and 7.6 kilograms of vitamin E acetate. This composition is mixed thoroughly and heated to 65 ° C and 75 ° C. The second step is the complete mixture of 32.9 kilograms of water with 0.5 kilograms of pramoxine HCl, and again heated between 65 ° C and 75 ° C. Once these two steps have been reached, they are mixed together, until the emulsion reaches its uniform nature. Then this emulsion is cooled between 60 ° C and 75 ° C, at which point, silicone R221 is added, and mixed in the emulsion. The resulting mixture is then allowed to cool between 48 ° C and 50 ° C, and transferred to a non-metallic vessel for another mixture. To this mixture, 15 kilograms of the aqueous acid composition of Example II above are added, and mixed until the cream is established and reaches a temperature of 35 ° C or less.

EXAMPLE VII Preparation of a Citrus-Based Pharmaceutical Agent In a suitable container, equal parts, by weight, of MINUTE MAID concentrated lemon juice, and the core composition prepared in Example II above, are mixed until a mixture is reached. homogeneous To this mixture equal quantities of hamamells and rose water are added, to give odor and texture, and to keep the appearance transparent, and the resulting solution is used as a cream for wrinkles, and for the treatment of age spots. .

EXAMPLE VIII Preparation of a Pharmaceutical Agent The core composition made in accordance with Example IV above was diluted with water to a concentration of 10 percent (by weight). The resulting aqueous pharmaceutical agent is used for the treatment of eczema and other light skin disorders. That same pharmaceutical agent is applied in a mist with a dew bottle to the skin of burn victims, to prevent the infection of the burn and promote healing.

EXAMPLE IX Antimicrobial Activity of the 'Four Acid Nucleus Composition The four acid core composition of the present invention was prepared according to Example II above, and was tested for its activity against viruses in the following manner. The composition was tested at the concentrations stipulated in the following table. Each test was conducted by contacting suspensions of the respective virus with the aforesaid concentration of the core composition at room temperature for 10 or 30 minutes, as indicated. The table stipulates the lowest concentration of the composition that gave 100 percent inactivation of the virus.

The actual inactivation times may have been shorter than those reported in the Table. These data indicate that the core composition of the present invention is an effective local disinfectant.

EXAMPLE X Antimicrobial Activity of the Core Composition In a second experiment to test the antimicrobial activity of the four acid core composition of the present invention, the core composition was prepared according to the method of Example II above, and was tested in different concentrations to determine its activity against bacteria. The core composition was prepared in several dilutions in sterile water, and each preparation was inoculated with C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. Each inoculated dilution was allowed to settle for 10 minutes, and bacteria and fungi were removed, and put in Letheen broth. The bacterium demonstrated an annihilation of Record 6 with dilution at 20 percent. The fungus showed less than one annihilation of Record 4 at a 65 percent dilution. Additionally, C. albicans was subjected to a 20 percent dilution of the core composition for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours; the annihilation of Record was less than Record 4 at 5 o'clock.

EXAMPLE XI Water Treatment 3.785 liters of the core composition prepared as described in Example II above, were mixed with 3.785 liters of distilled water. About 20 weight percent of that volume of water was removed before addition to the core composition, and replaced with the equivalent weight of copper sulfate pentahydrate. Dilutions of the resulting solution were prepared at 1: 30,000, 1: 60,000, 1: 120,000, 1: 240,000, and 1: 480,000, using sterile water, and each dilution was inoculated with 108 Vibrio cholera organisms at the time points of 0, 20 minutes, 2 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. One milliliter was removed and placed in neutralizing Letheen broth, incubated for seven days, and growth was observed. All tubes showed no growth in or after the 2-hour exposure.

EXAMPLE XII Preparation of Local Disinfectant The core composition of Example II above was diluted by mixing equal parts of that composition with water. When applied to the skin, food (especially vegetables and fruits), and plastic (such as the handset of a telephone apparatus), glass, metal and / or ceramic surfaces, the resulting composition is an effective local disinfectant.

EXAMPLE XIII Replacing Battery Fluid When three parts (by weight) of the core composition of Example II above are added to one part of sulfuric acid, the resulting aqueous acid is used as an additive or replacement for battery acid.

EXAMPLE XIV Infection Treatment Protein A acquired as a dry powder from a commercial source is coated with an EUDRAGITS acrylate polymer (Rohm-Tech, Malden, MA) dissolved in organic solvents, to be applied using an Air Suspension Coater (Coatings). Place, Verona, Wl). The particular grade of EUDRAGRITS polymer selected is a polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.0 to 5.5. The microencapsulated protein A is mixed with the inert bioadhesive CARBOPOL (B.F. Goodrich, Co., Cleveland, OH); and the core composition of Example II, in approximately equal parts (by weight). The resulting acid suspension of the encapsulated protein A is sprayed, using a conventional aerosol pump spray bottle, onto bacterially induced skin infections, and allowed to air dry, with the adhesive causing both the adhesion of the microcapsules and forming the adhesive. a "coating" of film type on the infected area. The initial low pH of the suspension is bacteriostatic, and as the amount of acid is diluted, and the available protons of the aqueous formulation are donated to the available biomolecules, the pH is gradually raised in the area of the infection to the point where the microcapsules are broken, and protein A is released to stimulate the immune system, in order to increase the localized immune response to the causative agent. * * * * * Although described in terms of the preferred embodiments and examples set forth above, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain changes can be made to these specific modalities without departing from the manner in which their components work for achieve your intended results. For example, there are many organic acids that, although not specifically mentioned above in the interest of brevity (and also because patent laws require illustration and exemplification, and not the listing of every possible combination), that is expected, based on their molecular structure, they function very adequately as the third and fourth acids of the four-acid core composition of the present invention. In the same manner, the four-acid core composition of the present invention is formulated into a number of aqueous agents not specifically mentioned herein, to be used in a number of ways not mentioned, but which are contemplated by the present invention. Again, it is simply not practical to list each combination and method of possible use. In summary, the scope of the present invention is as stipulated in the following claims.

Claims (6)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. An aqueous acid composition consisting essentially of first and second inorganic acids, the first acid being a strong acid which dissociates essentially completely in water, and the second acid being selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids having a constant of dissociation less than approximately 10-1; third and fourth acids, the third acid being selected from the group consisting of organic acids having a dissociation constant of about 10-1 to about 10-5, and the fourth acid being selected from the group consisting of organic acids which they have a dissociation constant less than about 10-4; and water, each of the first and second acids comprising between about 5 and about 20 weight percent of the final composition, and each of the third and fourth acids comprising between about 1 and about 5 percent by weight. weight of the final composition.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the third acid is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy acids and alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the fourth acid is a dicarboxylic acid.

4. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the dissociation constant of the third acid is between about 10-1 and about 10-3.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the dissociation constant of the fourth acid is less than about 10"

6. A pharmaceutical agent that includes the composition according to claim 1.