MXPA99002622A - Hydrogen peroxide disinfecting and sterilizing compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

An aqueous acidic disinfecting and sterilizing composition for medical instruments, which may include brass, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic and ceramic components. The composition contains hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, a corrosion inhibitor system, a surfactant and a stabilizer. These compositions have in use stability and are effective as a disinfectant and/or sterilant either at room or when heated. For other applications, surfactants, sequestering agents and stabilizers may be optional.

Description

DISINFECTING AND STERILIZING COMPOSITIONS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hydrogen peroxide compositions, which are useful for disinfecting and sterilizing metal, ceramic, polymeric and elastomeric surfaces, especially medical and dental equipment. These compositions are particularly useful for the sterilization of flexible lens endoscopy instruments, inhalation therapy equipment and instruments and materials that can not be heat sterilized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of disinfectants and chemical sterilization agents are in use in health care institutions, including ethylene oxide, aldehyde compositions, especially formaldehyde and dialdehyde (for example gluttaldehyde). More recently, it has been found that hydrogen peroxide solvents have limited use for disinfection. Disinfection, as used herein, refers to the destruction of vegetative microorganisms and viruses and typically some spores; Sterilization refers to the total destruction of all living forms, specifically, including spores. It is known that hydrogen peroxide (H202) is a potent non-irritant germicide that has been used as a topical antiseptic, especially in a 3% aqueous solution. However, it is known that hydrogen peroxide solutions are corrosive to metal and inherently unstable. Practitioners in the art have sought to use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and sterilize medical instruments, while at the same time attempting to control their corrosion to metals and improve stability. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen. This procedure is catalyzed by the enzyme catalase, which is present in organic matter so that it is typically found in instruments after medical or dental procedures. This organic matter, if not removed during the routine cleaning of the instrument, will accelerate the decomposition process and ultimately reduce the useful life of the germicidal solution. It is known that the stability of hydrogen peroxide can be improved through the presence of acids, which are believed to denature and therefore prevent the catalytic effect of catalase. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,051,059, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an antimicrobial peroxy acid composition of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, acetic acid and a surface active agent such as sulphonates or sulfates. Similarly, the patent of E.U.A. 5,200,189, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an antimicrobial composition of peroxyacid composed of a peroxycarboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a hydrotrope coupling agent and hydrogen peroxide. However, such solutions are very corrosive to be useful in a number of environments. Still further have been disclosed other compositions including hydrogen peroxide mixed with a substituted aminobenzaldehyde as an organic stabilizer and mineral acid, as a chemical etchant. See, patent of E. U.A. 4, 875, 973, incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, antimicrobial compositions are provided in the patent of U. U.A. 5,077, 008, incorporated herein by reference, wherein a strong oxidizing agent is combined with peracetic acid; chlorine release compounds; a corrosion inhibitor of copper and bronze in the form of triazoles, azoles and benzoates; a pH regulating agent; a corrosion inhibitor of carbon steel and aluminum in the form of chromates, borates, dichromates, molybdates, vanadates phosphates and tungstates; a wetting agent; and a kidnapping agent. This composition is designed to dissolve in water and is used with a sterilizing device to control the temperature of the process, the fluid pressure, the contact time and the purity of the water. Other peroxides have also been described for use as preservatives, sterilizers or disinfectants. The patent of E. U.A. 5, 147, 884, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a preservative for aqueous products and systems comprising tert-butyl hydroperoxide, a monophenyl glycol ether, an organic solvent or mixture of water and organic solvent, a biocide in the form of phenol not halogenated, a urea derivative and a surfactant. Compositions have also been described that have directed both the stability and the corrosion of the hydrogen peroxide / organic peracids. In particular, the patent of US Pat. No. 4,518,585 provides compositions of hydrogen peroxide (ENDO-SPOR®), which are found to be stable with reuse for an extended period. The disinfectant and sterilization solution described comprises hydrogen peroxide, a surfactant compatible with hydrogen peroxide, an aqueous alcoholic mixture of a tertiary amine and a fatty acid alkanolamine, and an organic triazole corrosion inhibitor, which is non-irritating for stability during use. A number of corrosion inhibitors is known and only slightly soluble in aqueous solutions and the effectiveness of the total composition in this way is enabled. What is needed in the art is new compositions that are useful for disinfecting and sterilizing metal, ceramic, polymeric and eiastomeric surfaces, especially medical and dental equipment, but which are stable for a longer storage life, and under load. heavy organic and which provide improved anticorrosive properties. Surprisingly the present invention provides said compositions.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous disinfectant composition comprising by weight a mixture of: (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% hydrogen peroxide; (b) from about 0.001 to about 10% of the acid system comprising at least one organic or inorganic acid; (c) a corrosion inhibiting system comprising about 0.1 to about 30% of 1,2,3-benzotriazole and an alkylene glycol, which is present in an amount of about 1 to about 10 times the amount of 1, 2 , 3-benzotriazoi; and (d) the remainder a diluent. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods for the preparation of the above compositions as well as methods for using the above compositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides disinfectant and non-irritant and non-corrosive hydrogen peroxide sterilizers compositions. These compositions are stable in the presence of organic matter and maintain a total antimicrobial effectiveness in repeated use at ambient and elevated temperatures for an extended period. In addition, the compositions are non-corrosive to most metals (ie, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, carbon to steel, stainless steel) without the need for alcohol in the compositions of the present invention, which unexpectedly and advantageously They use an alkylenic glycol to solubilize 1,2,3-benzotriazo, thus they are capable of high corrosion inhibition due to the ability to use any amount of 1,2,3-benzotriazole without the harmful effects due to its solubility in water. The compositions herein are capable of disinfecting and sterilizing rapidly and providing improved performance over the other hydrogen peroxide compositions. A further benefit of the compositions herein is their storage stability for periods of up to two years and more, while still maintaining the hydrogen peroxide / organic acid concentrations, which are sufficient to maintain the disinfecting and sterilizing properties, still low. conditions that imply a high temperature and / or high loads of organic matter. Still further, the disinfectant and sterilizer compositions herein can be reused under a heavy organic load (minimum of 5%) for periods in an excess of 6 weeks.

Hydrogen Peroxide Compositions The compositions of the present invention comprise by weight a mixture of: (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% hydrogen peroxide; (b) from about 0.001 to about 10% of the acid system comprising at least one organic or inorganic acid; (c) a corrosion inhibiting system comprising about 0.1 to about 30% of 1,2,3-benzotriazole and an alkylene glycol, which is present in an amount of about 1 to about 10 times the amount of 1, 2 , 3-benzotriazole; and (d) the rest of the listener. The hydrogen peroxide used in the compositions herein is typically a commercially available solution (having from 0-50% by weight of water). Preferably, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the mixtures herein is from 3 to about 9% by weight of the composition, and most preferably from 6-8%. Although mixtures with hydrogen peroxide concentrations above 8% by weight are advantageously used, typically they result in a greater difficulty in shipping under normal regulations, for example, classifying as "dangerous". A particularly preferred scale of concentration of hydrogen peroxide observed above can be achieved through the dilution of more concentrated commercially available forms, for example 35% and 50% hydrogen peroxide. The inorganic additives, which are used as stabilizers in commercial hydrogen peroxide solutions do not adversely affect the compositions herein. A second component of the compositions herein is an acid system comprising one or more organic and / or inorganic acids. The acid is present in an amount of 0.001 to about 10% by weight. Preferably, the acid is an organic acid, most preferably a carboxylic acid or a peracid carboxylic acid. A number of carboxylic acids and peracid carboxylic acids can be used, or including for example, carboxylic acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and carboxylic peracids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable carboxylic acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid and succinic acid. Examples of suitable carboxylic peracids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms are those which are derived from a carboxylic acid of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or dicarboxylic acid by reacting the acid with hydrogen peroxide. Preferably, the carboxylic peracids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms for use in the composition of the invention include performic acid, peroxyacetic acid, peroxypropionic acid, peroxy glycolic acid, peroxysuccinic acid or mixtures thereof. The carboxylic acid and peracid components are commercially available, or in the case of peracids, they can be prepared through the oxidation of the carboxylic acids. A preferred concentration scale of an acid or peracid is from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition. A particularly preferred scale of concentration of peracetic acid is, for example, from 0.1% to 0.3%, which is achieved through the dilution of more concentrated commercially available forms, for example, 35% peracetic acid. In the compositions herein peracetic acid serves as a hydrogen peroxide generator through reversible chemical reactions, and also acts as an active ingredient and as an acid. A corrosion inhibitor system is another component of the present compositions. Suitable corrosion inhibitor systems include 1,2,3-benzotriazole and optionally one or more of the following: lower alkyl benzotriazole, hydroxybenzotriazole, lower alkyl hydroxybenzotriazole, carboxy benzotriazole, lower alkyl carboxylbenzotriazole, benzidazole. lower alkyl benzimidazole, hydroxybenzimidazole, lower alkyl idroxy midazole, carboximidazole, lower alkylcarbodimidazole, mercaptobenzothiazole, lower alkyl mercaptobenzothiazole, hydroximercaptobenzothiazole, lower alkyl hydroxycaptobenzothiazole, carboximercaptobenzothiazoi, lower alkyl carboxy mercaptobenzo thiazole, sodium gluconate, sodium benzoate, benzoate butyl, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, morpholine, sorbitol, erythritol, sodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium molybdate, sodium nitrite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metasulfite, chromates, borates and combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "lower alkyl" refers to a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Those compositions that are to be used to treat instruments containing copper, brass, bronze, or multiple metal systems, preferably will contain a corrosion inhibitor which is 1,2,3-benzotriazole on one or more of internal alkyl benzotriazole, hydroxybenzotriazole, lower alkyl hydroxybenzotriazole, sodium molybdate, sodium nitrite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, chromates, borates and combinations thereof. In particularly preferred embodiments, the corrosion inhibiting system is a combination of 1,3-benzotriazole, sodium molybdate and sodium nitrite. For compositions intended to be used to treat devices containing carbon steel and stainless steel, various corrosion inhibitors may be suitable. Those inhibitors that have been tested and found to be effective - are, for example, sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite, and sodium molybdate. Effective corrosion inhibitors should not be limited to those discussed. An effective corrosion inhibition system will incorporate one or more inhibitors. A preferred corrosion inhibition system for compositions intended for the treatment of medical and / or dental instruments containing carbon steel and / or stainless steel, they will include sodium nitrite and sodium molybdate. The total amount of corrosion inhibitor present in the above compositions will typically be from about 0.1 to 30% by weight. Preferably, the amount of 1,2,3-benzotriazole will be from 0.1 to about 3.0%, and most preferably from 0.5 to about 2.0%. The presence of corrosion inhibitors in amounts of about 1.0 to 2.0%, usually results in difficulties due to the insolubility of corrosion inhibitor, especially in aqueous solutions of strong acid. In this way, the present invention also comprises solubilization agents in the form of alkylene glycols. As used herein, the term "alkylene glycols" refers to glycols such as, for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dialkyl ene glycols (for example, diethylene glycol), trialkylenic glycols (for example, triethylene glycol), as well as their corresponding mono and dialkyl ethers, wherein the alkyl ethers are lower alkyl ethers having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms (for example, ethers) methyl, ethyl or propyl). In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention contains propylene glycol as a solubilizing agent, which is present in an amount of about 3 to about 10 times the amount of the corrosion inhibitor. Most preferably, the corrosion inhibiting system comprises 1, 2,3-benzotriazole, which is present in about 1% by weight and propylene glycol, which is present at about 3.5 to 6.5% by weight. The remainder of the composition, to form 100%, includes any optional component and a diluent, such as water. Preferably, the composition will have a pH below about 5, most preferably below 3. Typically, this pH scale is achieved by mixing the above components in the amounts indicated. When necessary, additional amounts of acid can be added to obtain the desired pH. Other components that are optionally present in the compositions will include other stabilizers, surfactants and chelators. Stabilizing agents, or stabilizers, for mixing hydrogen peroxide are known, and include, 8-hydroxyquinolone, sodium pyrophosphate, isonic acid, sulfolene, sulfolane, sulfoxides, sulfones, sulphonic acids and others. In the compositions herein, 8-hydroxyquinoline is a preferred stabilizing agent. Preferably, the compositions of the invention contain about 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of 8-hydroxyquinoline, which also has some biocide ability and can also improve the antimicrobial activity of the composition. A sufficient amount of the stabilizer must be used in order to maintain the proper amount of hydrogen peroxide during storage and reuse periods and to avoid any depression in the biocide activity of hydrogen peroxide. The compositions herein will optionally contain up to about 30% by weight of a surfactant. Any surfactant that is compatible with hydrogen peroxide in an acidic aqueous medium, ie, which is relatively stable against oxidation and decomposition in the presence of acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide, can be employed. In this way, surfactants containing portions that are oxidizable by acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide should be avoided. Suitable surfactants can be selected from classes of nonionic, anionic, amphoteric or cationic surfactants, which are commercially available and are well known in the art. Examples of a suitable non-ionic surfactant are modified straight oxyethylated alcohol (Plurafac FC-20, BASF Wyandore Corp.) and T-Det N-9.5 (nonylphenol-phenol 9-5 moles of ethylene oxide adduct; Harcross Organics; , Harcross Chemicals, Inc.). A preferred nonionic surfactant is T-Der N-9.5. Examples of suitable anionic surfactants are the alkyl sulfate salts, for example, alkali metal alkyl sulphates, having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms such as sodium lauryl sulfate; the alkyl sulfonate salts, for example, alkali metal alkyl sulfonate having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms such as sodium 1-decan sulfonate and sodium 2-tridecan sulfonate; and the alkyl aryl sulfonate salts, for example, the alkali metal alkyl aryl sulphonates such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and disodium 4-dodecyloxybenzenesulfonate. Other suitable anionic surfactants for use in this invention include: 1) Fluorocarbon surfactants such as ammonium perfluoroalkyl sulphonates (Fluorad FC-121); 3M Company), potassium perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (Fluorad FC-95; 3M Company), and amine perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (Fluorad FC-99; 3M Company); 2) linear alkylnaphthalene sulfonate (Petro BA, Bill Petrochemical Co., Inc.); 3) modified petroleum sulfonates containing auxiliary soaps (Petromixes, Witco Chemical Corp., Sonneborn Div.); 4) sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate (Petro P; Witco Chemical Corp.); 5) petroleum sulfonate (Petrostep, Petrostep 420, Petrostep 465, Stepan Chemical Co.); and 6) sodium lauryl sulfate (Polystep B-5, Stepan Chemical Co.). A suitable amphoteric surfactant is an amphoteric mixture of fluorinated alkyl sold as Fluorad FC-100 (3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA). Chelating agents can be added to the composition of the invention to improve the biological activity, cleaning performance and stability of the peroxyacids. For example, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid commercially available from Monsanto Company under the designation "DEQUEST®", EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), 8-hydroxyquinoline, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylene glycol-bis- (ß) has been found suitable. -aminoethyl) -N, N-tetraacetic acid, copper 8-quiloninate, hexamethylenediamine tetramethylene-phosphonate (sold as Dequest 2051, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, Missouri, USA), diethylenetriamine pentamitylene-phosphonic acid (sold as Dequest 2060, Monsanto Co.). Preferred chelating agents are 1-hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (Dequest 2010), 8-hydroxyquinoline, and EDTA (ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid). Chelating agents can be added to the composition herein to control or sequester purity ions such as calcium and magnesium. In this way, both detergency and sanitation capacity can be improved. Other materials that are sufficiently stable at a low pH contemplated by the compositions herein may be added to the composition to impart desirable qualities depending on the intended end use. For example, phosphoric acid (H3P04) can be added to the composition of the invention. Additional materials may be added to the composition to change its color or odor, to adjust its viscosity, to improve its thermal stability (i.e., freeze-thaw) or to provide other qualities that tend to make it more commercial.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that for certain applications where corrosion is not a problem, the compositions of the present invention can be prepared without a corrosion inhibitor system. For these compositions, the preferred scales of hydrogen peroxide and an acid system are essentially as described above. Preferably, the acid is an organic peracid such as perfromic or peracetic acid. These compositions will find use, preferably in the food service industry.

Methods for Preparing Hydrogen Peroxide Compositions The compositions of the present invention can be easily prepared by combining the individual ingredients in a desired solvent, typically water. In a preferred embodiment, the appropriate amounts of propylene glycol, 1, 2, 3-benzotriazole and 8-hydroxyquinoline are placed in a mixing tank / vessel and combined using moderate agitation until all components are completely dissolved. Approximately 97% of the final volume of water is added to this mixture and the mixing is continued until a homogeneous solution is obtained. A suitable amount of peracetic acid, or other acid, is added with moderate mixing, followed by the slow addition of an appropriate amount of hydrogen peroxide. An appropriate amount of sodium nitrite is combined with 1.25% of the water and added very slowly to the peracetic acid solution. After 0.25 to about 2.0 hours, a second solution of sodium molybdate in 1.25% of the water is added to the peracetic acid solution. The mixing is continued until a homogeneous composition is obtained. The above methods are also applicable to compositions prepared by substituting other components (for example, other acids for peracetic acid, other stabilizing agents for 8-hydroxyquipoyine, other chelating agents for 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-disphosphonic acid, etc.).

Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide Compositions As noted above, the compositions herein are useful in cleaning or disinfecting equipment in health care industries. In addition, the compositions can be used for the treatment of facilities or processing equipment in food service or food processing industries. Examples of process facilities where the composition of the invention can be employed include a dairy line, a continuous fermentation system, such food processing lines, pumpable food systems and beverage lines. The food service utensils can also be disinfected with the composition of the invention. The composition is also useful for sanitizing or disinfecting solid surfaces such as floors, boxes, furniture, medical tools and equipment found in the health care industry. Such surfaces are usually contaminated with liquid body blemishes such as blood, other harmful body fluids, or mixtures thereof. Generally, the actual cleaning of the system in place or another surface (i.e. removal of the desired organic material) is accomplished with a different material such as a formulated detergent (or this modified detergent effect composition), which is introduced with Hot water. After this cleaning step, the compositions herein can be applied or introduced into the system at a suitable solution concentration in water at room temperature, not hot. The composition of the present is found to remain in solution in cold water (e.g., 4 ° C) and hot water (e.g., 60 ° C). Although it is not normally necessary to heat the aqueous solution of the present composition, under certain circumstances heating may be desirable to further enhance its antimicrobial activity. A method for disinfecting substantially fixed process facilities instead comprises the following steps. The composition of the invention is introduced into the process facilities at a temperature in the range of about 4 to 60 ° C. After the introduction of the solution, the solution is circulated through the system for a sufficient time to disinfect the process facilities (ie, kill unwanted microorganisms). After the system has been disinfected through the composition of the present, the solution is drained from the system. After determining the disinfection step, the system can optionally be rinsed with other materials such as drinking water. The composition is preferably circulated through the process facilities for 10 minutes or less. After determining the sterilization, said rinsing is likewise obligatory with circulation for very long periods. The composition can also be used by immersing the food processing equipment in the solution, soaking the equipment for a sufficient time to disinfect the equipment, and rubbing or draining the excess solution from the equipment. The composition can also be used by spraying or rubbing the food processing surfaces with the solution, keeping the surfaces moist for a sufficient time to disinfect the surfaces, and removing the excess solution by rubbing, draining vertically, or with the application of vacuum , etc. The composition of the invention can also be used in a method for disinfecting hard surfaces such as institutional-type equipment, utensils, dishes, equipment or tools for health care, and other hard surfaces. The composition can also be used to disinfect articles of clothing or fabric that have become contaminated. The composition is contacted with any of the contaminated prior surfaces or articles at temperatures in the range of about 4 to 60 ° C, for an effective period to purify, disinfect or sterilize the surface or article. For example, the composition can be injected into the washing or rinsing water of a washing machine and contacted with the contaminated fabric for a sufficient time to disinfect the fabric. Then, the excess solution can be removed by rinsing or spinning the fabric. Since the term "disinfect" is used in the method of the present invention, it means a reduction in population numbers of unwanted microorganisms by about 5 powers of 10 or greater (i.e., at least 5 orders of magnitude) after of an exposure time of 30 seconds. The tarabien composition can be used to obtain disinfection or sterilization (that is, the elimination of all microorganisms) using higher levels of peracids in the use solution. It should be emphasized that at lower resistances, the use solution herein provides sanitation operation. The following examples are intended to illustrate the above invention and should not be construed as their narrower scope.

One skilled in the art will readily recognize that these examples suggest many other ways in which the present invention can be practiced.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 This example illustrates the preparation of preferred disinfectant compositions. The amounts of the components are given below.

Composition I ln-gredienta% in Weight Hydrogen peroxide 7.3 Peracetic acid 0.23 1-Hydroxy acid and Iiden-1,1-di-phosphonic acid 0.70 8-hydroxyquinoline 0.0035 Propylene glycol 4.10 Nonylphenol surfactant 0.002 1, 2.3- benzotriazole 1.00 Sodium nitrite 0.25 Sodium molybdate 0.25 Deionized water for a total of 100% by weight Composition II Ingredient% in Weight Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 Peracetic acid 0.35 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 3.0 Propylene glycol 4.5 1, 2,3-benzotriazole 1.5 Sodium nitrite 0.25 Sodium molybdate 0.25 Deionized water to a total of 100% by weight Each of the compositions were prepared by the general method described above.

EXAMPLE 2 This example illustrates the stability and biocide activity of Composition I of Example 1. The composition Example 1 was tested for biocide activity against spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger and for the stability of the active ingredients. Tests were conducted on the composition of this invention with and without organic load (5% calf serum) and diluted with deionized water at a ratio of 1: 0.63 and 1: 0.41 (see Tables 1-3). The stability of the active ingredients was conducted at room temperature and at an elevated temperature (50 ° C). These results are presented in Tables 4-7. To determine the biocide activity of the composition in Example 1, the total and diluted resistance compositions were exposed against B. subtilis, with an initial attack level of 6.0 x 107 CFU / 0.5 m !. A commercially available hydrogen peroxide disinfectant, Endo-Spor®, a composition that is the subject of the US patent. No. 4,518,585, (manufactured by Globe Medical, Largo, Florida, USA) was also treated for comparison purposes.

TABLE I As Table 1 indicates, the composition herein provides a complete biocide activity - under conditions where a commercially available preparation does not. The data presented in Table 2 confirm the increased effectiveness of the present invention on Endo Spor, even when diluted to less than half the strength.

TABLE 2 The data presented in Table 3 confirm the increased effectiveness of the present invention on Endo Spor, even when diluted with organic matter in the form of 5% calf serum.

TABLE 3 Compositions diluted with 5% calf serum For the evaluation of stability, the compositions were undiluted, undiluted, with water or diluted with 5% calf serum to provide an additional attack. The compositions were maintained at the indicated temperatures during the observed time and the percentage of remaining hydrogen peroxide was determined according to standard methods. The results are presented in Table 4 (undiluted), Table 5 and 6 (diluted compositions) and Table 7 (compositions attacked with serum).

TABLE 4 Stability of the active ingredients of Example 1 undiluted TABLE 5 Stability of active ingredients of diluted composition - Dilution: 0.6: 1 TABLE 6 Stability of active ingredients of diluted composition - Dilution: 0.4: 1 TABLE 7 Stability of the active ingredients of composition diluted with 5% calf serum EXAMPLE 3 This example illustrates the stability of Composition II of Example I. The stability of the active ingredients was conducted at room temperature and at elevated temperature (60 ° C). These results are presented in Tables 8-9.

TABLE 8 Stability of Composition II at room temperature TABLE 9 Stability of Composition II at 60 ° C As can be seen from Tables 8 and 9 above, the compositions without stabilizers exhibited reduced amounts of hydrogen peroxide at 30 days at room temperature or at 8 hours at 60 ° C.

EXAMPLE 4 This example illustrates the preparation of a disinfectant composition in the absence of an alkylenic glycol. The amounts of the components are given below.

Ingredient '% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 7.5 Peracetic acid 0.25 Trichloroacetic acid 0.3 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 3.6 Glycerol 2.0 1, 2,3-benzotriazole 0.75 Deionised water for a total of 100% by weight Although the previous composition it was found to be stable for a period of 30 days, the composition did not exhibit the desired anticorrosive properties. In particular, a sample of the aluminum metal treated with the above composition exhibited small spots after 5 days and corrosive spots after 10 days. Similarly, the stainless steel treated with the above composition exhibited dark spots after 5 days and dark corrosive spots after 10 days. This composition, although stable, did not produce the desired anticorrosive effect found in the preferred compositions of the present invention, which include sodium molybdate and sodium nitrite. Although the invention has been described in the foregoing description, it should be considered as illustrative and not restricted in character. It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments have been described and that all changes and modifications that are within the spirit of the invention are intended to be covered.

Claims (14)

1. An anti-corrosive disinfectant and aqueous sterilization composition comprising by weight a mixture of: (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% hydrogen peroxide; (b) from about 0.001 to about 10% of an acid system comprising at least one organic or inorganic acid; (c) a corrosion inhibiting system comprising about 0.1 to about 30% of 1, 2,3-benzotriazole and an alkylene glycol, which is present in an amount of about 1 to about 10 times the amount of 1, 2 , 3-benzotriazole; and (d) the remainder a diluent.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said acid is an organic acid selected from the group consisting of peracids and carboxylic acids.

3. A composition according to claim 2, wherein said organic acid is peracetic acid.

4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said alkylenic glycol is propylene glycol.

5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said corrosion inhibiting system further comprises members selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid salts, nitrite salts, molybdate salts and combinations thereof.

6. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the diluent is an aqueous medium.

7. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising: (e) from about 0.0001% to about 1% of a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer; (f) from about 0% to about 30% of a surfactant; and (g) from about 0.05 to about 10% of a chelating agent.

8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant.

9. A composition according to claim 8, wherein the surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to act as a wetting agent.

10. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the chelating agent is a phosphonate.

11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the phosphonate is 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid.

12. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is present at a concentration of about 3.5% to about 8%.

13. A composition according to claim 7, wherein: (a) the hydrogen peroxide is present at a concentration of about 6-9%; (b) said acid is peracetic acid present at a concentration of about 0.15-0.35%; (c) said corrosion inhibiting system comprises 1,2,3-benzotriazole present at a concentration of about 0.1-3%, sodium nitrite present at a concentration of about 0.05-0.5%, sodium molybdate present at a concentration of about 0.05-0.5% and said alkylene glycol is propylene glycol present at a concentration of about 2-6%; (d) the hydrogen peroxide stabilizer is present at a concentration of about 0.001-0.05%; (e) said surfactant is present at a concentration of about 0-30%; and (f) said chelating agent is present at a concentration of about 0.5-0.9%.

14. A composition according to claim 13, wherein: (a) said hydrogen peroxide stabilizer is 8-hydroxyquininoin; and (b) said chelating agent is 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid. 15 - A method for forming an anti-corrosive disinfectant and aqueous sterilization composition comprising combining in weight: (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% hydrogen peroxide; (b) from about 0.001 to about 10% of an organic or inorganic acid; (c) a corrosion inhibiting system comprising about 0.1 to about 30% of 1,2,3-benzotriazole and an alkylene glycol, in an amount of about 1 to about 10 times the percentage of said 1,2,3- benzotriazole; (d) from about 0.0001% to about 1% of a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer; (e) from about 0% to about 30% of a surfactant; (f) from about 0.05 to about 10% of a chelating agent; and (g) the remainder a diluent. 16. A method for disinfecting a surface, comprising contacting said surface with a composition according to claim 1 for a period sufficient for the disinfection to occur, said surface being a member selected from the group consisting of surfaces of metal, ceramic, polymeric and elastomeric. SUMMARY A disinfectant and acid sterilization composition, aqueous, for medical instruments which may include brass, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic and ceramic components. The composition contains hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, a corrosion inhibiting system, a surfactant and a stabilizer. In use, these compositions have stability and are effective as a disinfectant and / or sterilizer either at room temperature or when heated. For other applications, surfactants, sequestering agents and stabilizers may be optional.