Dilutable Anti Microbial Household Cleaning Product

Antimicrobial cleaning products are widely used in households on floors, kitchen and bathroom surfaces. There is a need to have a single system that can treat both small and large surfaces, and can be significantly diluted whilst maintaining high (>99.9% microbe kill rates) bactericidal performance.

It is important to recognise that an antimicrobial formulation that may be diluted prior to use, but still maintain satisfactory germ kill when diluted, could require an unacceptably high level of active in the undiluted form. This means that there is a need for a both powerful and safe antimicrobial agent (or system) to be identified. Ideally the active should be effective at low levels and have minimum surface adsorption, low human toxicity, irritation, etc. or become inactive after a set time (hours). The use of approved naturally derived active agents will be a distinct advantage.

The antimicrobial activity must be broad spectrum to tackle a wide range of bacteria such as: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae, and Staphylococcus aureus.

The antimicrobial system must be compatible with cleaning agents in the formulation such as anionic and nonionic surfactants, fragrances, etc.

The regulatory (EPA: US Environmental Protection Agency and BPD: EU Biocidal Products Directive) approvals, safety and biodegradability issues are key to the acceptability of any technologies.

The ingredients or system identified must be capable of residing in the pack for long periods of time (up to 2 years) without reacting, degrading or losing antimicrobial activity. No observable or sticky residues should be left behind on any treated surfaces and the system must not damage typical household surface materials such as metals, resins, ceramics, grout, resin and vinyl floor and worktop coverings, etc. Strongly odorous or highly coloured systems or actives are also likely to be unacceptable.

Liquid based systems are the key need here as rapid preparation of dilutables is required. Powders, tablets and sachets may be considered.

Feasibility complete and available for licensing and further development

A global household, health and pesonal care group with offices in the UK is currently seeking solutions for specific technical problems. The solutions areas span chemistry, biology, engineering and structural design. Primary sector - chemicals.

The materials should also meet the following requirements for incorporation into a consumer product:

1) Compatible with typical household product packaging e.g. HDPE, PET, and final formulation expected to be stable under global ambient temperature and humidity conditions for a period of 2 years.

2) Not require storage or handling under special or inert conditions, e.g. under nitrogen or under oil.

3) Soluble or readily dispersed in the formulations and not negatively affecting or interfering with the properties of other components in the formulation.

4) Able to be incorporated into current products using simple batch mixing at room temperature and atmospheric pressure with minimal heating/cooling and no or minimal changes required to current clean-down processes.

5) Not be harmful for human use (not classified or suspected to be a toxin, carcinogen, mutagen, irritating to the human respiratory system) with respect to the concentrations used in the final product. Not harmful to the environment (including not being a photo-reactive volatile organic compound).

6) Ideally offer scope for patent protection with the desired application and format.

7) Not negatively affecting the efficacy or aesthetics of the final product.