U.S. patent application number 11/337163 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for disinfecting and antimicrobial compositions.
Invention is credited to John Alex Lopes.
Application Number | 20060171978 11/337163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36756842 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060171978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lopes; John Alex |
August 3, 2006 |
Disinfecting and antimicrobial compositions
Abstract
Broad spectrum disinfecting and microbicidal compositions of
biodegradable and environmentally friendly compositions containing
esters formed from fatty organic alcohols and fatty carboxylic
acids. These compositions display activities against the most
resistant microbial forms including bacterial spores. The
preparations can be used in health care, food processing, personal
care and other industries where the use of harsh oxidizing
chemicals is undesirable.
Inventors: |
Lopes; John Alex; (Troy,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arnold S. Weintraub;The Weintraub Group, P.L.C.
Suite 240
32000 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills
MI
48334
US
|
Family ID: |
36756842 |
Appl. No.: |
11/337163 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60647464 |
Jan 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/405 ;
514/546 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 37/02 20130101;
A23L 3/358 20130101; A01N 37/36 20130101; A01N 37/36 20130101; A01N
37/36 20130101; A23L 3/3508 20130101; A23L 3/3535 20130101; A01N
2300/00 20130101; A01N 25/30 20130101; A61K 31/22 20130101; A23L
3/3517 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/405 ;
514/546 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/22 20060101
A61K031/22; A01N 25/00 20060101 A01N025/00 |
Claims
1. A disinfecting and microbicidal composition comprising: an
alcohol ester of the reaction product of a fatty alcohol and a
fatty organic acid, the ester being either a GRAS or food grade
additive.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein, the ester corresponds to the
formula: R--COO--R.sub.1 whereas R is an acid moiety where R equals
C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 or C.sub.n H.sub.2m+1 O, where n is an integer
ranging from about 1 to about 8 and R.sub.1 is an alcohol moiety
and R.sub.1 equals C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1, where m is an integer
ranging from about 1 to about 12.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the ester is selected from
the group consisting of, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl
lactate, propyl lactate and mixtures thereof.
4. The disinfecting and microbicidal composition of claim 1 which
further include a surface-active agent, the surface active agent
being either GRAS or food grade additive.
5. The disinfecting and microbicidal composition of claim 1 which
further includes an organic acidifying agent to adjust the pH of
the composition from pH 2 to pH 12, the acidifying agent being
either GRAS or food grade additive.
6. The disinfecting and microbicidal composition of claim 1 which
further includes a reducing agent or an antioxidant classified as
(GRAS) or food grade additive.
7. The disinfecting and microbicidal composition of claim 1 which
further includes an aqueous or non-aqueous diluent, the dilutent
being either GRAS or food grade additive.
8. The disinfecting and microbicidal composition of claim 1 which
further includes a sequestering agent selected from group
consisting of citric acid, sodium gluconate, isopropyl citrate,
EDTA, sodium acid phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate and mixtures
thereof.
9. The composition of claim 4, wherein the surfactant is selected
from the group consisting of: (a) C.sub.6-C.sub.18alkyl- and
alkenyl-sulfates; (b) C.sub.6-C.sub.18 alkyl- and alkenyl-ether
sulfates, (c) C.sub.8-C.sub.16 alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates,
(d) C.sub.4-C.sub.18 fatty acid isethionates; (e) C.sub.6-C.sub.18
alkyl- and alkenyl sulfonates; (f) dialkyl- and dialkenyl
sulfosuccinates in which the alkyl or alkenyl groups independently
contain from six to eighteen carbon atoms; (g) C.sub.6-C.sub.18
alkylbenzene sulfonates; (h) naphthalene sulfonates; (i) alkyl
naphthalene sulfonates in which alkyl group contains from one to
six carbons atoms; (j) the mono-(n-alkyl) and mono-(n-alkenyl) acyl
esters of C2-C4 hydroxylated mono-carboxylic acids in which the
alkyl or alkenyl group contains from six to eighteen carbon atoms;
(k) the mono-(n-alkyl) and mono-(n-alkenyl) acyl esters of C2-C4
hydroxylated dicarboxylic acids in which the alkyl or alkenyl group
contains six to eighteen carbon atoms; (l) the mono-(n-alkyl) and
mono-(n-alkenyl) alkyl esters of C2-C4 dicarboxylic acids, in which
the alkyl or alkenyl group contains from six to eighteen carbon
atoms; (m) C4-C 18 fatty alcohol sulfoacetates, and (n) mixture
thereof, the surfactant being either the free acid or the salt
thereof.
10. The composition of claim 5, wherein the acid is selected from
the group consisting of adipic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid,
dehydroacetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid,
gluconic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, lactic acid,
malic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid, tartaric
acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid. azelaic acid.
sebacic acid, carboxylic acid polymers, homo- or hetero-
polymerized carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof.
11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the acid is lactic
acid.
12. The composition of claim 7 wherein the diluent is selected from
the group consisting of water, lactic acid, ethyl alcohol,
isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerol, silica and mixtures
thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a completion application of copending
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/647,464, filed on
Jan. 28, 2005, for "Disinfecting and Antimicrobial Compositions",
the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to cleaning compositions for body,
food, and food contact surfaces which reduce the risk of illness
caused by harmful chemical residues, infectious agents and other
disease causing and spoilage microbial agents. More particularly,
the present invention provides chemical disinfecting compositions
which reduce injury or inflammation to the skin. Even more
particularly the present invention concerns disinfecting
compositions which use safe and non-toxic chemical agents selected
from alcohol esters of ethyl lactate and its homologs for preparing
products with cleaning, solubilizing, antimicrobial and
microbicidal properties.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Most common antimicrobial products such as chlorine,
chlorine dioxide peracetic acid, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, UV- and
other radiations, used to reduce microbial population on food and
other contact surfaces possess highly oxidizing and sometimes
destructive properties. These oxidizing chemicals and physical
agents inactivate microorganisms by reacting with their organic
material. However, these chemicals also react with organic food
material and produce unknown chemical residues often harmful to
human and animal health. Hypochlorite (chlorine) produces
carcinogenic residues on food. These antimicrobial products do not
have detergent action or cleaning properties. Some other cleaning
preparations that are allowed on food either do not have
antimicrobial and microbicidal properties or are not safe enough as
the ingredients are not considered by the FDA as GRAS or food
additive safe. Some other preparations have disinfecting properties
without the solubilizing properties to remove harmful pesticide
residues. Still some other cleaning products need to incorporate
antibacterial compounds in these preparations to inhibit or kill
microorganisms.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for cleaning compositions containing
antimicrobial and disinfecting properties which do not exhibit the
deleterious properties identified above.
[0007] The antimicrobial cleaning compositions of this invention,
as described below, employ all GRAS and/or food grade additive
ingredients with cleaning, solubilizing, detergent and
antimicrobial properties.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] In accordance herewith, there is provided a class of
chemical compositions predicated on chemical agents that can be
used to prepare antimicrobial, microbicidal and disinfecting
compositions for cleaning fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, sprouts,
meats, poultry, eggs, carcasses, other food surfaces and surgical
instruments as well as body parts in order to prevent, to reduce or
to eliminate the risk of infection and illness arising from both
chemical residues and microorganisms spread by or carried on the
food, food contact and body surfaces.
[0009] The antimicrobial cleaning and disinfecting composition
hereof comprises: [0010] (a) at least one alcohol ester of an
organic acid, alone, or in admixture with one or more of, [0011]
(1) an antimicrobial surface active agent selected from chemicals
classified as GRAS or food grade additive by the US FDA; [0012] (2)
an emulsifying surface active agents classified as GRAS or food
grade additive by the US FDA; [0013] (3) an organic acidifying
agent selected from chemicals classified as GRAS or food grade
additive by the US FDA which adjust the pH of the composition
between 2 to 12; [0014] (4) a chelant, either organic or inorganic,
selected from chemicals classified as GRAS or food grade additive
by the US FDA; [0015] (5) a reducing agent or an antioxidant
selected from chemicals classified as GRAS or food grade additive
by the US FDA, and [0016] (6) a diluent to dissolve, disperse or
suspend the ester and any one of the above ingredients.
[0017] The composition hereof may include other compatible
ingredients, which do not reduce or interfere with the
antimicrobial and cleaning properties such as for example, urea, to
enhance the cleaning properties of the composition.
[0018] The composition may, additionally, include a coloring agent,
fragrances, vitamins, nutritive agents and/or a thixotropic agent
or other agents, which alter physical and functional properties of
the composition as, desired.
[0019] The present cleaning compositions can be prepared in either
concentrated liquid or powder forms as well as in gel form, or as
in a foam, thus, giving operational flexibility for use. The
concentrate can be further diluted to form a use composition.
[0020] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
reference is made to the following detailed description and
accompanying illustrative examples.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] As noted hereinabove, the present invention provides a
cleaning and disinfecting compound using GRAS or food grade
additives and which comprises an alcohol ester of an organic acid
used alone or in admixture with any one of: (a) surface active
agents, (b) emulsifying agents, (c) acidifying agents, (d)
sequestrants or chelants, (e) reducing agents or antioxidants,
and/or (f) a diluent.
[0022] Other adjuvants such as fragrances, coloring agents and the
like may, also be incorporated into the composition.
[0023] With more particularity, the alcohol ester contemplated for
use herein is the reaction product of a C to C.sub.12 fatty alcohol
and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 fatty acid.
[0024] The ester hereof may be represented by the formula:
R--COO--R.sub.1 where R is an acid moiety and is either
C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1or C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1O where n is an integer
ranging from about 1 to about 8 and R.sub.1is an alcohol moiety
corresponding to the formula C.sub.mH.sub.m+1where m is an integer
ranging from about 1 to about 12.
[0025] Respective useful esters include, for example, methyl
lactate, ethyl lactate, propyl lactate, butyl lactate, etc., and
the like, as well as mixtures thereof.
[0026] Among the surface active agents classified by the US FDA as
generally regarded as safe (GRAS) and or classified as food
additive, and having antimicrobial properties that impart
additional cleaning microbicidal properties that may be
incorporated into the composition hereof, include, for example
lactylic esters of C.sub.6 to C.sub.16 fatty acid and the
corresponding alkali salts. Other useful compounds include, for
example, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate,
salts of fatty acids and sodium mono and dimethyl naphthalene
sulfonate. Mixtures of such surfactants may be used herein.
[0027] Representative of useful emulsifying agents include, for
example, food grade or GRAS lecithin, polysorbate 60, polysorbate
65, polysorbate 80, sucrose fatty acid esters, salts of stearyol
2-lactylate and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.
[0028] The acidifying agent, where used, may be selected from
acetic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid,
dehydroacetic acid, erythorbic acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid,
gluconic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, lactic acid,
malic acid, sorbic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid, tartaric acid,
sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid,
sulfamic acid, carboxylic acid polymers, homo- or hetero-
polymerized carboxylic acid such as poly lactic acid or poly
lactic-glycollic acid, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.
Where used, the acidifying agent is, preferably, lactic acid.
[0029] Either an organic or inorganic sequestrating or chelating
agent selected from chemicals classified as GRAS or food grade
additive by the US FDA such as gluconic acid and citric acid esters
such as isopropyl citrate, monoisopropyl citrate, and stearyl
citrate may, also, be used herein.
[0030] Also, a reducing agent or an antioxidant selected from
chemicals classified as GRAS or food additive by the US FDA such as
BHT, propyl gallate, and L-cysteine, and the like, may be used
herein.
[0031] The composition may be admixed with a suitable diluent be it
liquid, powder, gel or foam form to dissolve or disperse or suspend
the component(s). The dilutent is selected from chemicals
classified as GRAS or food additive by the US FDA, and include, for
example, ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, water,
fatty acid esters of carbohydrates including sucrose, sorbitol and
the like, other useful diluents include, for example, triglycerides
of fatty acids, derivatives or simple compounds of silica,
cellulose, starch and natural products or synthetic polymers, and
the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Preferred diluents include
water, ethanol as well as propylene glycol and mixtures
thereof.
[0032] Where the composition is the ester itself it is dispersed in
a suitable diluent to form a concentrate containing from about
0.001% to about 99.999%, by weight, of the ester and, preferably,
from about 0.01% to about 99.999%, by weight, of ester.
[0033] Where the ester is used in conjunction with any of the
aforementioned additional components, generally, the ester will be
present in the composition, in an amount ranging from about 0.001%
to about 99.99%, by weight, based on the total weight of the
concentrate.
[0034] Generally, where the additional component is a surface
active agent, the concentrate will contain from about 0.01 % to
about 40.00%, by weight, of the surfactant based on the weight of
the concentrate.
[0035] Where the ester is used with an emulsifier, the concentrate
will comprise from about 0.01% to about 40.00% by weight of the
emulsifier based on the weight of the concentrate.
[0036] Where the adjuvant is an acidifying agent, it will be
present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 40% by
weight of the acidifying agent based on the weight of the
acidifying concentration.
[0037] The chelant, where used, will be present in the concentrate
in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight, based
upon the total weight of the concentrate
[0038] With respect to the reducing agent or antioxidant, where
used, in forming the concentrate it will be present in an amount
ranging from about 0.01% to about 40.00% by weight, based on the
weight of the concentrate.
[0039] Where the concentrate is an admixture of each of the
adjuvants, the resulting composition will contain from about 0.01%
to about 99.99%, by weight, of the ester; from about 0.01% to about
40.00% by weight, of the surfactant; from about 0.01% to about
40.00% by weight, of the emulsifier; from about 0.01% to about
10.00% by weight, of the chelant; from about 0.01% to about 40.00%
by weight, of the reducing agent, all based upon the total weight
of the concentrate.
[0040] In preparing the concentrate, it is prepared at room
temperature, by admixing the components together.
[0041] In forming the use solution, the use solution will contain
from about 0.01% to about 99.99% by weight, of the ester and from
about 0.01% to about 99.99% by weight, of the additional component,
be it any one component or a mixture thereof.
[0042] The use solution is prepared at room temperature by mixing
or admixing together the concentrate with the diluent.
[0043] Where the diluent is a powder, the powder is brought into a
solution or suspension with the concentrate, the powder being mixed
therewithin.
[0044] Generally, the final form of the use composition will
contain from about 0.01% to about 99.99%, by weight, of ester; from
about 0% to about 99.99%, by weight of adjuvant or additional
component and from about 0.01% to about 99.99%, by weight, based on
the final form of the use composition of diluent.
[0045] The composition hereof is storage stable and exhibits
antimicrobial cleaning and disinfecting properties.
[0046] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following examples, which are to be
constructed as illustrative not limitations of the present
invention, all parts are by volume.
EXAMPLE I
[0047] This example illustrates the sporicidal activity of lactic
esters against Bacillus coagulans spores.
[0048] One ml each of a mixture of ethyl lactate and butyl lactate
(1:1) was mixed, at room temperature, with 0.1 ml of B. coagulans
spore suspension containing 1.5.times.10.sup.6 spores per ml and
incubated at room temperature for five minutes. B. coagulans
exhibit very high heat resistance and is used as an indicator for
bacteria in a heat sterilization process.
[0049] After five minutes 1 ml of the test mixture was mixed with
10 mls of Butterfield's buffer, at pH 7.0. Then, 0.1 ml of the
buffered test mixture was plated on a plate count in agar. The
colonies were counted after 48 hrs of incubation at room
temperature.
[0050] The following table, Table I, shows the results of the
colony counting. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sporicidal Activity of
Lactic Esters Starting Number of Spores in the inoculum: 1.5
.times. 10.sup.6/ml Number of spores in the test (diluted 1:10):
1.5 .times. 10.sup.5/ml Number of spores in the buffer (diluted
1:11): 1.4 .times. 10.sup.4/ml Number of spores plated (0.1 ml):
1.4 .times. 10.sup.3/ml Surviving number colony forming units:
150/plate Percentage killed (1.4 .times. 10.sup.3 - 150) .times.
100: 89.28%
[0051] Example 1 shows that the mixture of ethyl lactate and butyl
lactate displays sporicidal activity.
EXAMPLE II
[0052] This example illustrates the microbicidal activity of ethyl
lactate and butyl lactate against vegetative bacteria. Example II,
also, shows the minimum lethal activity (MLC) of these lactic
esters against both gram positive and gram-negative bacteria.
[0053] The microbicidal activity was further investigated by
determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum
lethal concentrations (MLC) of these esters.
[0054] The tests were carried out in 10 ml of brain heart infusion
broth. The esters were serially diluted in brain heart infusion
broth of samples of, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5/10 ml and
challenged with 0.1 ml of 1/100 dilution of 24 hr old brain heart
infusion bacterial culture. The lowest concentration determined the
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The samples were observed
after 48 hrs at 37.degree. C. A loopful from tubes without growth
were plated on BHI agar plates and observed for growth for 24 to 48
hrs at 37.degree. C. The samples with the lowest concentration of
the ester without bacterial growth on the plates represented the
minimum lethal concentration (MLC).
[0055] Tables 2 and 3, below, show the results of the tests.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Antimicrobial Properties of Ethyl Lactate
Concentration of Ethyl lactate Test Organism 0.5% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% E.
coli 0157:H7 MIC + + - - - - MLC + + + - - - Listeria monocytogenes
MIC + + + + + + MLC + + + + + + Pseudomonas aeruginosa MIC + + - -
- - MLC + + + + - - Staphylococcus aureus MIC + + + + + - MLC + + +
+ + + Salmonella typhimurium MIC + + + + - - MLC + + + + + + MIC =
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, MLC = Minimum Lethal
Concentration; + = growth (inactive), - = no growth (active)
[0056] TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Antimicrobial Properties (MLC) of
Butyl Lactate Concentration of Butyl lactate Test Organism 0.5% 1%
2% 3% 4% 5% Pseudomonas aeruginosa MLC + + + - - - Listeria
monocytogenes MLC + + - - - - MLC = Minimum Lethal Concentration; +
= growth (inactive), - = no growth (active)
EXAMPLE III
[0057] This example illustrates the enhancement of antimicrobial
activity of lactic esters by the incorporation of additional
components therewith.
[0058] A series of samples of (a) methyl lactate, (b) ethyl lactate
and (c) butyl lactate, alone, and in admixture with varying amounts
of decyl lactate and sodium dodecyl sulfates were used to test
minimum inhibitory activity (MIC) by the method described in
Example II, against the cultures of E. coli 0157 H7, Listeria
monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Tables 4 and 5 show that decyl lactate and
sodium dodecyl sulfate enhanced inhibitory activities against the
test bacteria. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Enhancement of Antimicrobial
Properties (MIC) of Ethyl lactate by Decyl lactylate Test Organism
Test Compound 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% E. coli 0157 H7 EL + + + - - EL + DL +
+ - - - Listeria monocytogenes EL + + + + + EL + DL - - - -
Staphylococcus aureus EL + + + + + EL + DL - - - - - Salmonella
typhi EL + + + - - EL + DL + + - - MIC = Minimum Inhibitory
Concentration,; + = growth (inactive), - = no growth (active)
[0059] In undiluted form these esters were found to kill all
vegetative bacteria on contact. TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Enhancement
of Antimicrobial Properties (MIC) of Lactic esters by Sodium
dodecyl sulfate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa SDS Concentration of
Lactic Esters Test Organism DL ppm 0.5% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% Methyl
lactate MIC 0.0 + + + - - - 50 - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - 200 - -
- - - Ethyl lactate MIC 0.0 + + - - - - 50 - - - - - - 100 - - - -
- - 200 - - - - - Butyl lactate MIC 0.0 + + - - - - 50 - - - - - -
100 - - - - - - 200 - - - - - MIC = Minimum Inhibitory
Concentration; + = growth (inactive), - = no growth (active)
[0060] These results show that the microbicidal activity of lactic
esters can be enhanced to include a broad spectrum activity against
both bacterial spores as well as vegetative bacterial
pathogens.
EXAMPLE IV
[0061] This example illustrates the MIC and MLC of esters of lactic
acid against yeast: Saccaromyces cerevisiae.
[0062] A 0.1 ml of 1/100 dilution of 48 hr old culture of S.
cerevisiae was used as inoculum. The test was performed using Sab.
broth. The tubes were incubated at room temperature 25.degree. C.
The test was read after 48 hrs. The results are shown in Tables 6
and 7 below. TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Antimicrobial activity against
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inhibitory (MIC)/Lethal (MLC) Test
Concentration Test Ester Type 1% 1.5% 2% 3% 4% Methyl lactate MIC +
+ + - - MLC + + + - - Ethyl lactate MIC + - - - - MLC + + - - -
Butyl lactate MIC - - - - - MLC - - - - -
[0063] TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Enhancement of Antimicrobial
Properties (MIC) of Lactic esters by Sodium dodecyl sulfate against
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inhibitory (MIC)/Lethal (MLC) Sodium
lauryl Concentration Ester Tested sulfate (ppm) 1% 1.5% 2% 3% 4%
Methyl lactate 200 MIC + + + - - MLC + + + - - Ethyl lactate 200
MIC + - - - - MLC + + - - - Butyl lactate 200 MIC - - - - - MLC - -
- - -
EXAMPLE V
[0064] This example shows that ethyl lactate can be used to
solubilize other antimicrobial agents or ingredients that have low
solubility in aqueous solutions. In this example ethyl lactate was
used to prepare aqueous antifungal preparations of dehydroacetic
acid.
[0065] Into a suitable reaction vessel dehydroacetic was mixed
together at room temperature 5.0 parts of dehydroacetic acid in 100
ml of ethyl lactate.
[0066] A clear solution was formed. A 0.1 ml sample was added to 2
ml a wax coating sample. The mixture was homogeneous and did not
show precipitate. The final concentration of dehydroacetic acid in
the coating solution was 2,500 ppm. Thus, in parting antifungal
properties to wax coating.
[0067] By reducing the spoilage microbial population the present
esters, alone, or in combination with any of the above additives
helps to increase the shelf life and/or keeping qualities of food.
Thus the invention offers to prevent economic loss due to food
spoilage and improves public health and curtails medical costs
arising from food-borne and other infectious agents.
[0068] The alcohol esters of fatty acids hereof also display lethal
activity against difficult to kill bacterial spores. These
microbicidal agents can also be incorporated into household,
personal care, health care and homeland security-related products.
By incorporating other non-toxic, and generally regarded as safe
(GRAS) or other ingredients considered as food additive by the
United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), the technology
provides the potential to replace products with toxic
manifestation. In addition to microbicidal properties these agents
can be used to solubilize and to remove certain water insoluble
harmful residues from food.
[0069] The compositions can also be used to clean and disinfect
inanimate surfaces. The composition can also used to prepare
personal care and healthcare products used for preventing and
reducing skin infections, either by direct application or by
incorporating in ointments, bandages or other carriers. Further the
chemicals can also be used to destroy harmful bacterial spores that
are very resistant to known disinfecting agents.
[0070] These esters can also be formulated with other ingredients
to prepare highly effective microbicidal products for cosmetic
personal care, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other industries.
Powerful microbicidal and cleaning products can be developed
incorporating these esters in product formulations.
[0071] Having thus described the invention,
* * * * *