SK94698A3 - Disinfecting compositions and processes for disinfecting surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the disinfection of surfaces with a liquid disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and an antimicrobial active of essential oil or mixtures thereof.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions that are used to disinfect and clean various surfaces including living surfaces (e.g., human skin, mouth, and the like) and inanimate surfaces including, but not limited to, solid surfaces such as walls, tiles, table tops , glass, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes, fabrics, dresses, carpets, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Antimicrobial / antibacterial agents include substances capable of disinfecting. Generally, the disinfectant substantially reduces or even destroys microorganisms, e.g. bacteria on the surface. For disinfectant purposes, compositions based on halogen-containing compounds such as hypochlorite or quaternary compounds have often been described in the art. Peroxide bleaching agents are also known as disinfectants.

Compositions containing as the only antimicrobial agent hydrogen peroxide, typically 7% of the total weight of the composition, are not fully satisfactory when used in larger dilutions, e.g. at a 1:50 dilution (detergent: water) for disinfection of clean surfaces; surfaces free of organic and / or inorganic residues.

Therefore, disinfectants are needed which allow perfect disinfection of certain surfaces even when used in large dilutions.

For example, WO88 / 00795 discloses liquid disinfectants comprising a compound of the group of organic acids, perborates, peracids and salts thereof, together with antimicrobial compounds such as the quaternary ammonium salt and silica.

A drawback of liquid compositions containing a bleaching agent and essential oil is chemical instability over a longer shelf life. Conventional essential oils are mixtures of ingredients including terpenes, esters, aromatics, ketones, aldehydes, and the like. These essential oils are sensitive to peroxide bleaching agents. In other words, these essential oils are unstable in the presence of peroxide bleaching agents and decompose / oxidize with peroxide bleaching agents, leading to a reduction in the free oxygen content of the peroxygen bleaching agent composition and consequent chemical stability problems over extended storage times.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disinfectant composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent that is chemically stable over a long shelf life and allows the perfect disinfection of clean surfaces to be used in large dilution applications.

This has been shown to be achieved by a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof. In particular, it has been shown that the liquid compositions of the present invention comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial essential oil component exhibit improved chemical stability upon prolonged storage compared to the same compositions containing the antimicrobial essential oils instead of the active antimicrobial essential oil component. . surfaces free of organic and / or inorganic stains even at high dilution, ie. up to a 1: 100 dilution (composition: water).

An advantage of the present invention is the perfect disinfection acting on a wide range of bacterial strains including Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains and more resistant microorganisms than fungi.

A further advantage of the compositions of the present invention is, in addition to the disinfectant properties, also good cleaning effects, especially in embodiments of the present invention, wherein the compositions further comprise a surfactant and / or solvent.

The compositions of the present invention are suitable for use on all types of surfaces, including living surfaces (e.g., human skin and / or mouth when used as an oral preparation or toothpaste) and inanimate surfaces. This technology is particularly suitable for applications on solid surfaces as well as on laundry, e.g. as a detergent or additive in so-called " 'Soaking mode', 'washing mode' or pre-treatment of laundry in the 'pre-treatment mode'. The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for use on delicate surfaces including surfaces for safe contact with food and / or children. By using the diluted compositions of the present invention, the amount of chemical compounds remaining on the disinfected surface is reduced. For example, it is not necessary to rinse solid surfaces after application of the diluted compositions of the present invention.

ΕΡ-Β-288 689 discloses a liquid for solid surfaces comprising an effective amount of an antimicrobial pine oil and at least one oleic soluble organic acid. No other antimicrobial compounds or peroxide bleaching agents are mentioned.

EP-241390 describes the disinfection of fabrics contaminated with bacteria by the action of a detergent and then a peroxide bleaching agent in a water bath at pH 9-13 in the presence of uncomplexed calcium. No other antimicrobial compounds or active antimicrobial components of essential oils are disclosed.

US-4,404,191 discloses bactericidal, fungicidal and antiviral effects of peroxo compounds as monoperoxosulfate. US-4,404,191 discloses the use of dilute monoperoxosulfate-containing compositions on solid surfaces. No other antimicrobial compounds or active antimicrobial components of essential oils are disclosed.

US-5,403,587 discloses aqueous antimicrobial compounds used for sanitation, disinfection and cleaning of solid surfaces. US-5,403,587 describes in particular aqueous compounds (pH 1 to 12) containing essential oils (0.02% to 5%) which exhibit antimicrobial properties, such as thymic essential oil, eucalyptic essential oil, cloves, and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agent required. to form an aqueous solution or dispersion of essential oils in an aqueous medium. These compositions may still contain other antimicrobial additives such as phenolic compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, but no betaine or sulfobetaine surfactants or peroxide bleaching agents are disclosed.

J-60038497 discloses a foaming detergent bicomponent composition comprising a) an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution (0.5% to 50%), b) an alkaline compound containing an alkaline substance with an alkalinity of 0.1% to 50% expressed by NaOH, such as NaOH, KOH, Na ₂ CO3. At least one of components a) and b) comprises a surfactant and / or at least one compound (0.001% to 10%) selected from terpene alcohols, cyclic terpene alcohols and esters thereof, e.g. menthol, geraniol. This agent cleans stains on solid materials such as plastics, joints, and particularly hard-to-clean folds or corners. No disinfectant use is indicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof, with the exception of aqueous compositions containing 0.5 to 50% hydrogen peroxide of the total composition, such as a peroxygen bleach, and 0.001 to 10% by weight terpenic alcohol. , a cyclic terpenic alcohol or ester thereof, as the only active antimicrobial components of essential oil.

The present invention further includes a method of disinfecting a surface with a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof.

The present invention also includes a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach and an active antimicrobial component of essential oil or mixtures thereof packaged in a nebulizer, as well as wipes impregnated with a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach and the active antimicrobial component of essential oil or mixtures thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

The liquid disinfectants of the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach and an active antimicrobial component of essential oil, with the exception of aqueous compositions containing 0.5 to 50% hydrogen peroxide of the total composition, such as a peroxygen bleach, and 0.001 to 10% by weight terpenic alcohol, cyclic terpenic alcohol or an ester thereof as the only active antimicrobial components of essential oil.

As an essential element, the compositions of the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. A preferred peroxygen bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof or a mixture thereof. Most preferably, hydrogen peroxide is used in the compositions of the present invention.

The presence of a peroxygen bleach, especially hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, and the like, contributes to the disinfectant properties of the compositions of the present invention. The peroxygen bleaching agent can attack the vital functions of the microorganism cells, for example, it can inhibit the arrangement of ribosomal units in the cytoplasm of the microorganism cells. A peroxygen bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that generates free hydroxyl radicals that attack proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, the presence of a peroxygen bleaching agent, in particular hydrogen peroxide, has a strong stain removal effect, which is noticeable, for example, when applied to linen and solid surfaces.

A source of hydrogen peroxide is used herein to refer to any compound which in contact with water provides hydrogen peroxide. Suitable water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources used herein include percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates such as monoperoxosulfate, perborates and peracids such as diperoxododecanedioic acid (DPDA), magnesium perphthalic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Other classes of peroxides are used as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide and its sources or in combination with hydrogen peroxide and its source. Suitable classes include dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed peroxocarboxylic acids, organic and

The compositions typically comprise at least 0.01% of a peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.1% to 15%, and most preferably 1% to 10%.

As a second essential component, the compositions of the present invention comprise an active antimicrobial component of essential oils or mixtures thereof. The compositions typically comprise at least 0.003% of the active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.006% to 10%, more preferably 0.2% to 4%, and most preferably 0.2% to 2%.

Suitable active antimicrobial essential oil components useful in the compositions include any essential oil component that exhibits antimicrobial activity. Active antimicrobial components of the essential oils cause protein denaturation. The active antimicrobial components of the essential oils are compounds of natural origin, contributing to the safe profile of the compositions of the present invention when used for the disinfection of any surfaces. A further advantage of the active ingredients of the essential oils is that they provide a pleasant fragrance to the disinfectants of the present invention without the need for perfume. The disinfectants of the present invention not only perfectly disinfect clean surfaces, but also impart a pleasant scent to them.

Active ingredients of essential oils include, but are not limited to, active antimicrobial ingredients derived from thymol essential oil, lemon grass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, cloves, anise spices, cinnamon, geranium, roses, mint, lavender, lemon essential oil, eucalyptus. menthol, camphor, sandalwood, cedar and mixtures thereof. Active ingredients used include, but are not limited to, thymol (present, for example, in thymol essential oil), eugenol (present, for example, cinnamon and clove oil), menthol (present, for example, peppermint oil), geraniol (present, for example, geranium and pink essential oil) , verbenone (present in, for example, verbene essential oil), eucalyptol and pinocarvone (present in, for example, eucalyptus essential oil), cedrole (present in, for example, cedar essential oil), anethole (present in, for example, anise pepper), carvacrol, hinokitol, berberin, terpineol ratanhiae and mixtures thereof. Preferred active ingredients of the essential oils used are thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, carvacrol, limonene and / or geraniol.

Thymol is commercially available, for example, from Aldrich, eugenol is commercially available, for example, from Sigma, Systems - Bioindustries (SBI) - Manheimer Inc.

It has been shown that a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial essential oil component or mixtures thereof exhibits improved chemical stability upon prolonged storage compared to the chemical stability of the same composition containing the corresponding antimicrobial essential oil instead of the active antimicrobial essential oil component. high dilution. The chemical decomposition of the peroxygen bleaching agent present in the liquid composition is reduced by the presence of an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil such as eugenol compared to the presence of the corresponding essential oil such as cinnamon and / or clove oil.

The chemical stability of the compositions is assessed by measuring the concentration of usable oxygen (often referred to as Avox) over a given storage period after manufacture of the compositions. The concentration of usable oxygen is measured by chemical titration methods known in the art, such as the iodometric method, the thiosulfatimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. Methods and criteria for selecting a suitable method are described, for example, in "Hydrogen Peroxide", W. C. Schumb, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955, and Organic Peroxides, Daniel Swem, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1972.

Perfect disinfection is achieved by the compositions of the present invention in a variety of microorganisms including Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa, as well as fungi such as Candida albicans found on clean surfaces, i. on any surface that is free of organic and / or inorganic stains even at high dilution.

The disinfectant properties of the composition are measured by the bactericidal activity of the composition. A test method suitable for the determination of bactericidal activity of a composition on clean surfaces is described in Europian Standard, prEN 1040, CEN / TC 216 N 78 of November 1995, issued by the European Commission for Standardization in Brussels. Europian Standard, prEN 1040, CEN / TC 216 N 78 specifies the test method and the requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of the disinfectant. The test is positive when the bacterial colony forming units (cfu) are reduced from 10 ⁷ cfu (baseline) to 10 ² cfu (final count after contact with the disinfectant product), ie. it is necessary to reduce viability of the order of 10 ^s . The compositions of the present invention are passed through this test on clean surfaces even at high dilution.

Another suitable test method for determining bactericidal activity of the present compositions on clean surfaces is AFNOR T72-190® and T72-301®.

The compositions of the present invention are liquid cleaning compositions. The liquid compositions preferably have a pH not exceeding 12.0, more preferably 2 to 6, and most preferably 3 to 5. The pH of the compositions is adjusted using organic acids such as citric, succinic, acetic, aspartic, lactic and the like, or inorganic acids or alkalinizing agents.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise surfactants known to those skilled in the art, including nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactants. Surfactants contribute to the cleaning properties of the compositions of the invention.

The compositions of the present invention typically contain up to 50% surfactant or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.01% to 30% and most preferably 0.1% to 25%.

The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise amphoteric surfactants or mixtures thereof. Suitable amphoteric surfactants include betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof. Betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants preferably contribute to the disinfectant properties of the compositions of the invention. They aid disinfection by increasing the permeability of the bacterial cell wall and allow other active ingredients to enter the cell.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for cleaning delicate surfaces, for example delicate laundry or surfaces in contact with food and / or children, due to the mild activity of the betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants present therein. Betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants are very gentle on cleansed skin and / or surfaces.

Suitable betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants used in the compositions of the present invention are betaine / sulfobetaine and betaine-like detergents whose molecule contains both basic and acidic groups that form an internal salt and impart cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups to the molecule over a wide range of pH values. Some common examples of such detergents are described in U.S. Pat. Patent 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, herein incorporated by reference.

Preferred betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants have the general formula 1:

ιΐ

R 2 - N - (CH 3) n - Y (I)

R 3 wherein R 1 is an alkyl radical of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, wherein R ₂ and R 3 contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6 and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of the R 1, R ₂ and R 3 radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable betaine surfactants include, in particular, C ₁₂ -C 18 alkyldimethylbetaine such as coconut betaine and C 10 -C 18 alkyldimethylbetaine such as laurylbetaine.

Coconut betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB / L®.

Other suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the amine oxides contribute to the disinfectant properties of the compositions of the invention. They assist disinfection by disrupting the cell wall / membrane of the bacterium, thereby allowing other antimicrobial components to enter the cell and, for example, attack the internal cellular space.

Suitable amine oxides have the general formula R 1 R ₂ R ₃ NO, wherein each R 1, R ₂ and R 3 is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Suitable amine oxides of the present invention have the general formula R 1 R ₂ R ₃ NO, wherein R 1 is a hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 6 to 14 and most preferably 8 to 10 and wherein R ₂ and R 3 are independently unsubstituted or substituted linearly or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably methyl groups. R 1 is a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain.

Preferred amine oxides for use herein are for instance natural blend C8-C10 amine oxides and C ₂ -Ci6 amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where the compositions are particularly suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces, the surfactant is typically a surfactant system comprising an amine oxide and a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant, preferably in a 2: 1 to 100: 1, more preferably 6: 1 up to 100: 1 and most preferably 10: 1 to 50: 1. The use of such a surfactant system in compositions suitable for disinfecting solid surfaces allows effective cleaning and shine of the surfaces to be cleaned, i.e.. The amount of surfactant left by coating or spraying the surface cleaned with the compositions of the invention is minimal.

The compositions of the invention also preferably contain anionic surfactants or mixtures thereof.

Suitable anionic surfactants include, in particular, water-soluble salts or acids of the general formula ROSO3M, wherein R is preferably a C 6 -C 16 hydrocarbon radical, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C 6 -C 6 alkyl component, more preferably a C ₆ -C ₁₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group and M is H or a cation, e.g. alkali metal cations (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium cations (e.g., methyl, dimethyl, and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidine cation and quaternary ammonium cations such as alkylammonium cations such as ethylaminated cations); , triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonates and alkyl carboxylates. Other anionic surfactants can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of C9-C20 linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, C ₈ -C ₂ 2 primary or secondary alkanesulfonates, C ₈ -C ₂₄ olefin sulfonates, sulfonic polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonating the pyrolysis product of an alkaline earth metal citrate as described e.g. in British patent no. 1,082,179, C8-C24 alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C 14 -C 16 methyl ester sulfonates, acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleylglycerolsulfátov, alkyl phenol, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C n C "monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate ( especially saturated and unsaturated Ce-Cu diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates of the formula RO (CH 2 CH ₂ O) i _£ CH 2 COO-M ⁺ wherein R is C 8 -C 22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10 and M is a cation forming a soluble salt. Also suitable are rosin acids and hydrogenated rosin acids such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin and rosin acids present in or derived from talc oil. Further examples are given in 'Surface Active Agents and Detergents' (Vol. I and II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch). Various surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin et al., Column 23, line 58 through column 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants useful in the compositions herein are the C ₈ -C ₆ alkyl sulphonates, Cg-C _I6 alkyl sulfates, Cg-Cie alkylalkoxylsulŕaty (e.g. C ₆ -C alkyletolxylsulfaty _g), and mixtures thereof. Such anionic surfactants preferably contribute to the disinfectant properties of disinfectants comprising peroxide bleaching agents and / or the active antimicrobial component of the essential oil. For example, a C8-C18 alkyl sulfate causes disruption of the bacterial cell membrane, inhibits enzymatic activities, disrupts cellular transport and / or denatures cellular proteins. It is believed that the improved disinfection action associated with the addition of an anionic surfactant, particularly the C 8 -C 16 alkylsulfonate, C 8 -C 16 alkylsulfate, and the C 8 -C 16 alkylalkoxylsulfate in the composition of the present invention is due to a multiplicity of bacterial surfactant attack. Another aspect of the present invention is the use of an anionic surfactant, in particular a C8-C18 alkylsulfonate, a C8-C18 alkylsulfate and / or a C8-C18 alkylalkoxy sulfate in a disinfectant composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and / or active antimicrobial essential oil component to improve the disinfectant properties or Gram positive bacteria.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are fatty alcohol ethoxylates and / or propoxylates, which are commercially available with different chain lengths of fatty alcohols and. different degrees of ethoxylation. The HLB values of these alkoxylated nonionic surfactants depend mainly on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, the type of alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation. The amounts of surfactants, including nonionic, together with their respective HLB values, are listed in the surfactant catalogs.

Suitable nonionic surfactants are in particular hydrophobic nonionic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) value below 16, preferably below 15 and more preferably below 14. These hydrophobic nonionic surfactants well penetrate the grease.

Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants to be used in the compositions of the invention are surfactants having an HLB below 16 in the general formula RO- (C2H4O) _n (C3H6O) _mH, wherein R is a C ₆ -C ₂ 2 alkyl chain or a C ₆ -C2g benzene chain, and where n + m is 0 to 20 and n is 0 to 15 and m is 0 to 20, preferably n + m is 1 to 15 and n is 0 to 10, more preferably n + m is 1 to 10 and n is 0 to 10. Preferred the R chains are C 8 -C 22 alkyl chains. Suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants are Dobanol ^K 91-2.5 (HBL = 8.1; R is a mixture of C ₉ and C 11 alkyl chains, n is 2.5 am is 0) or Lutensol ^R TO 3 (HBL = 8; R is C 13 alkyl chain, n is 3 and m is 0) or Lutensol ^R AO3 (HBL = 8; R is a mixture of C13 and C for alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0) or Tergitol ^R 25L3 (HBL = 7.7; of the C 12 -C 15 alkyl chain length, n is 3 and m is

0), or Dobanol ^R 23-3 (HLB = 8.1; R is a mixture of C n and C 13 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^R 23-2 (HLB = 6.2; R is a mixture of C and _{J 2} C13 alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 45-7 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of Cm and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0), Dobanol ^R 23-6.5 (HBL = 11.9; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 6.5 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 25-7 (HBL = 12; R is a mixture of C11 and C12 alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0 ) or Dobanol ^R 91-5 (HBL = 11.6; R is a mixture of C ₉ and C 11 alkyl chains, n is 6 and m is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-6 (HBL = 12.5; R is a mixture of C 9 and C 11 alkyl) of chains, n is 6 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-8 (HBL = 13.7; R is a mixture of C9 and Cu alkyl chains, n is 8 am is 0) or Dobanol ^R 91-10 (HBL = 14.2; R is a mixture of C 9 and C 11 alkyl chains, n is 10 and m is 0) or mixtures thereof. Preferred are Dobanol ^R 91-2.5 or Lutensol ^R TO3 or Lutensol ^R AO3 or Tergitol ^R 25L3 or Dobanol ^R 23-3 or Dobanol ^R 23-2 or mixtures thereof. Dobanol ^R surfactants are commercially available from Shell. Lutensol ^R surfactants are commercially available from BASF and Tergitol ^R surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBDDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6-C20 conventional soaps (alkali metal salts of C6-C20 fatty acids, preferably sodium salts).

The compositions of the present invention include, as a further preferred component, other antimicrobial ingredients that contribute to the antimicrobial activity of the compositions of the present invention. Such additives include parabens such as ethylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, gluteraldehyde or mixtures thereof.

The compositions may further comprise a chelating agent as a further preferred component. Suitable chelating agents are known to those skilled in the art, and can be selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctional substituted aromatic chelating agents, or N-biodegradable chelating agents, biodegradable salts thereof. mixture.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents include etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylenediphosphonic acid HEDP) and / or alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonate.

Suitable aminophosphonate chelating agents include aminoalkylene polyalkylene phosphonates, nitrilotris (methylene) triphosphonates, ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonates and / or diethylene triaminepentamethylene phosphonates. Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents are diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonates.

These phosphonate / aminophosphonate chelating agents may be present or in the form of acids or salts of different cations of some or all of the acid functions. These phosphonate / aminophosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents include hydroxypiperidine N-oxide or derivatives thereof.

Suitable hydroxypiperidine N-oxides or derivatives thereof useful according to the present invention have the general formula II:

wherein X is nitrogen, Y is oxygen, -CHO, -OH, - (CH 2) _n -COOH, wherein n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably 0 to 10, and more preferably 0, Y is preferably oxygen. A particularly preferred hydroxypiperidine N-oxide is 2-hydroxypiperidine N-oxide and derivatives thereof.

Hydroxypiperidine N-oxide and derivatives thereof are commercially available from Sigma.

Polyfunctional substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions of the invention. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issued to Connor et al. May 21, 1974. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent is ethylenediamine Ν, Ν'-disuccinic acid or its alkali metal, alkaline earth, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or mixtures thereof. The ethylenediamine Ν, Ν'-disuccinic acid, especially the (S, S) -isomer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233 issued to Hartman and Perkins on November 3, 1987. Ethylenediamine N, N-disuccinic acid is commercially available, for example, from Palmer Research Laboratories under the trade name ssEDDS®. Ethylenediamine N, N-disuccinic acid is particularly suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.

Suitable amino carboxylate chelating agents useful herein include ethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene (DTPA), N- hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine acid (MGDA), both in their acid form, as well as alkali metal , ammonium or substituted ammonium salts. Particularly suitable are dimethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), which is commercially available, for example, from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS®, and methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA).

Other carboxylate chelating agents include malonic acid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixtures thereof.

Chelating agents, especially phosphonate chelating agents such as diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonates, preferably contribute to the disinfecting properties of hydrogen peroxide in the disinfectants of the invention. Another aspect of the present invention is the use of a chelating agent, in particular a phosphonate chelating agent, as diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonate in a disinfectant composition comprising a peroxygen bleach to improve the disinfectant properties of the composition for Gram negative and / or Gram positive bacteria.

The compositions of the present invention typically comprise up to 5% of a chelating agent or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.002% to 3% by weight, and more preferably 0.002% to 1.5%.

The compositions of the invention include a further preferred radical scavenger component. Suitable radical scavengers include the well-known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and their derivatives, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxytoluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butyl hydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butyl-hydroxyanisole (BHA) ), p-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluylic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allylcatechol, 4-acetylcatechol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxyphenol, 2- methoxy-4- (2-propenyl) phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris- (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, tert-butylhydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline, and n-propyl gallate. Very preferred is di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene, which is available, for example, from SHELL under the trade name IONOL CP®, and / or tert-butyl-hydroxyanisole. These radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the peroxygen bleach-containing compositions.

The compositions of the present invention typically comprise: up to 5% of the radical scavengers or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.001% to 1.5% by weight, and more preferably 0.01% to 1%.

Compositions of the invention include: as a further preferred component of the solvent or mixture thereof. The inclusion of a solvent preferably improves the cleaning properties of the compositions. Suitable solvents included in the compositions of the present invention include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n-butoxypropoxypropanol, water-soluble solvents CARBITOL® or water-soluble solvents CELLOSOLVE®. Water-soluble solvents of CARBITOL® are compounds of the 2- (2-alkoxyethoxy) ethanol class, wherein the alkoxy group is derived from an ethyl, propyl or butyl group. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2- (2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol, also known as butylcarbitol. The water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, preferably 2-butoxyethoxyethanol. Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentadiol and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, Butylcarbitol®, benzyl alcohol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents are Butylcarbitol (R), benzyl alcohol and isopropanol.

The compositions of the invention typically contain up to 15% of the solvents by weight of the total composition, preferably 2% to 7% by weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention may further include various other preferred ingredients such as buffers (e.g., borate buffers), fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspensions, color transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti-dust agents, enzymes, dispersants, color transfer inhibitors, pigments, fragrances and coloring matter.

Packaging of funds.

The compositions of the invention are packaged in various suitable detergent packages known to those skilled in the art. The liquid formulations of the invention are conveniently packaged in hand-held spray containers, which are usually made of synthetic organic polymeric plastics. The present invention includes liquid disinfectants comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial essential oil component packaged in a nebulizer, preferably with a trigger or pump. These liquid compositions may further comprise preferred ingredients as mentioned above.

The nebulizers will allow uniform application of a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil to a relatively large portion of the disinfected surface, thereby contributing to the disinfectant properties of the composition. Sprayers are particularly suitable for disinfecting vertical surfaces.

Suitable nebulisers useful in the present invention include hand-operated trigger foam nebulisers sold, for example, by Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. or Continental Sprayers, Inc. These types of nebulizers are described, for example, in U.S.-4,701,311 to Dunnining et al. and U.S.-4,646,973, Focarracci and U.S.-4,538,745, Focarracci. Sprayers such as T 8500® or T 8900®, commercially available from Continental Spray Intemational or T 8100®, commercially available from Canyon, Northem Ireland, are particularly preferred. In such a sprayer, the liquid composition becomes fine liquid spray droplets which are sprayed directly onto the surface to be cleaned. When pumping, the composition contained in the spray container is passed out through the spray head. The agent in the sprayer head is pushed over an obstacle, e.g. the grid or coil, and the impacts help to disperse the liquid composition, i. aid in the formation of liquid droplets.

The present invention also includes disinfectant wipes. 'Wipes' here means disposable wipes, e.g. disposable paper towels impregnated with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil; moisturize with the composition of the invention. These liquid compositions may further comprise preferred ingredients as mentioned above.

The wipes are preferably packaged in a plastic box. The advantage of this design is the faster use of the disinfectant by the user even outside the home, ie. there is no need to pour the liquid composition of the present invention onto cleaned / disinfected surfaces and dry with a cloth. In other words, wipes allow surface disinfection in one step.

Method of disinfection.

Overall, the present invention includes a method of disinfecting surfaces with a liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleach and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof.

'Surface' here refers to any surface, including living surfaces such as human skin, mouth, teeth, and inanimate surfaces. Inanimate surfaces include, without limitation, solid surfaces, typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, or car interiors, e.g. tiles, walls, floors, chromed surfaces, glass, plain vinyl, any plastic, plasticized wood, table tops, sinks, showers, shower curtains, cooker tops, dishes, sanitaryware such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, bathtubs, toilets, glass and the like, as well as fabrics including dresses, curtains, drapes, bed linen, tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture, carpets, and the like. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, etc.

In the method of disinfecting the surfaces of the present invention, the compositions of the invention may be applied undiluted or diluted to the disinfected surface.

'Diluted' here means the ability of the user to dilute the liquid composition up to 100 times with water, preferably 80 to 30 times, and more preferably 60 to 40 times, when disinfecting.

In a preferred embodiment of the disinfection of the present invention, the liquid composition is applied to the disinfected solid surface diluted, there is no need to rinse the surface after application of the composition, no visible residue remains on the surface.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following compositions were prepared by mixing the listed ingredients in the indicated proportions (by weight unless otherwise stated). These products have passed the European Commission standard prEN 1040 test. These products perfectly disinfect clean surfaces when used in both undiluted and diluted form, eg. at a dilution of 1: 100, 1:25, 1:50 and also provide perfect surface safety and exhibit perfect stability over extended storage periods.

resources I 11 III IV IN VI Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 - 6.0 6.0 2.0 monopersulphate - - 2.0 - - - thymol 0.5 - - - 0.5 - eugenol - 1.0 - - - 0.1 geraniol 0.5 1.5 - - - eucalyptol - - - 1.0 - - Water and minor components fill up to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4 resources VII VIII IX x Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 - 1.0 monopersulphate - - 2.0 - thymol - - - - Eugenol / Eucalyptol (1: 1) 1.0 - 0.5 0.05 geraniol - 0.5 - - eucalyptol - 0.5 - - Water and minor components fill up to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4

resources XI ΧΠ xm XIV XV Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 6.0 - 1.0 1.0 monopersulphate - - 2.0 - - Cio Alkylsulfat 4.0 3.0 1.5 0.9 - Cio Aminoxid - 1.5 0.5 0.6 0.9 lauryl - - - - 0.05 thymol - - - - 0.03 Eugenol / Eucalyptol (1: 1) 1.0 - 0.5 0.5 - geraniol - 0.5 - - - eucalyptol - 0.5 - - 0.02 Water and minor components fill up to 100% H2SO4 to pH 4

Industrial usability

The antimicrobial compositions of the present invention are used to disinfect and clean various surfaces, including living surfaces (e.g., human skin, mouth) and inanimate surfaces (e.g., solid surfaces, fabrics). The disinfectants of the present invention perfectly disinfect clean surfaces even when used in large dilutions and are suitable for delicate fabrics as well as for use on delicate surfaces for safe contact with food and / or children. The disinfectant compositions of the present invention perfectly act on Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains as well as fungi. The compositions of the present invention are packaged in liquid detergent bottles in conventional detergent bottles, or as a spray or foam in a spray / foam dispenser, or impregnated with wipes for rapid cleaning in one step.

Claims (19)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of essential oil or mixtures thereof, with the exception of aqueous compositions containing 0.5 to 50% hydrogen peroxide as a peroxygen bleaching agent of the total weight of the composition and from 0.001 to 10%. % by weight of terpenic alcohol, cyclic terpenic alcohol or ester thereof, as the only active antimicrobial component of essential oils. 2. A method of surface disinfection, characterized in that a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof is applied to the surface. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the composition is aqueous and is applied to the surface after dilution up to 100 times by weight of water, preferably 80 to 40 times by weight and even more preferably 60 to 30 times by weight. The composition or process according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the peroxygen bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof selected from the group of percarbonates, persilicates, persulphates, persulphates, peracids, dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed peroxycarboxylic acids. , organic and inorganic peroxides, organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof, hydrogen peroxide is preferred. The composition or process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.01% of a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.1% to 15% and most preferably 1% to 15%. 10%. The composition or method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the active antimicrobial component is thymol, eugenol, menthol, geraniol, verbenone, eucalyptol, pinocarvone, cedrole, carvacrol, anethole, hinokitol, berberine, terpineol, limonene. , ratanhiae or mixtures thereof and thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, carvacrol, limonene and / or geraniol are preferred. The composition or method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.003% of the active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof, preferably 0.006% to 10% and more preferably 0.2% to 4%. %. The composition or method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant selected from the group of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwiterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof, the surfactant being present up to 50% % by weight of the composition, preferably 0.01% to 30% and more preferably 0.1% to 25%. The composition or method according to claim 8, characterized in that the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably a betaine and a sulfobetaine surfactant, a derivative thereof or a mixture thereof according to the general formula I: R 2 -N- (CH 3) n -Y (I) wherein R 1 is an alkyl radical containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, wherein R 2 and R 3 contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 atom wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3 10, preferably 1 to 6, and more preferably 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of the R 1, R 2 and R 3 radicals is 14 to 24 carbon atoms and / or an amine oxide of R 1 R 2 R 3 NO; R 3 is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, and wherein R 2 and R 3 are independently unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chains having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. The composition or method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition further comprises a chelating agent selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents; ethylenediamine N, N-disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof. The composition or method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition further comprises at least one preferred component from the group of radical scavengers, solvents, buffers, fillers, stabilizers, bleach activators, stain suspensions, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, fragrances, dyes, and mixtures thereof. The composition or method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the composition further comprises an additional antimicrobial additive selected from the group of gluteraldehyde, ethylparaben, propyiparaben, methylparaben, or mixtures thereof. The composition or method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the composition has a pH not exceeding 12.0, preferably not exceeding 7, more preferably 2 to 6 and most preferably 3 to 5. 14. A liquid disinfectant comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof packaged in a nebulizer. 15. A cloth impregnated with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and an active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof. 16. A liquid composition according to claim 14 or a wipe according to claim 15, wherein the composition comprises at least 0.01% of a peroxygen bleaching agent or mixtures thereof, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.1% to 15% and more preferably 1%. up to 10% and the peroxygen bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof of the group of percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates, peroxoborates, peroxoacids, dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed peroxocarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides, organic and inorganic peroxides, organic and inorganic peroxides. A liquid composition according to any one of the preceding claims 14 or 16, or a wipe according to any one of the preceding claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the composition comprises at least 0.003% of the active antimicrobial component of the essential oil or mixtures thereof. 10%, and more preferably 0.2% to 4%, and that the active antimicrobial component is thymol, eugenol, menthol, geraniol, verbenone, eucalyptol, pinocarvone, cedrol, carvacrol, anethole, hinokitol, berberine, terpineol, limonene, ratanhiae or mixtures thereof. Use of a chelating agent, preferably a phosphonate chelating agent, more preferably diethylenetriaminepentamethylene phosphonate in a composition comprising a peroxide bleaching agent to improve the disinfectant properties of the composition for Gram negative and / or Gram positive bacteria. 19. The use of an anionic surfactant, especially _{Cg-C] 6} alkyl sulfonate, a Cg-C ₆ alkyl sulfate and / or Cg-Cie alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, in a disinfecting composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and / or antimicrobial active of essential oil, to improve the disinfecting properties of said composition on gram negative and / or Gram positive bacteria.