MXPA01002692A - Sanitising compositions and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydrophobic bleaching agent comprising a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms is used for the reduction of the activity of micro-organisms which have a cell wall containing high levels of peptidoglycan. These include yeast and in part icular gram positive bacteria.

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF SANITATION TECHNICAL FIELD This invention provides methods for improved sanitation and the use of specific sanitation compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, hard surface cleaners contain a bleach as a cleaning agent and as a disinfectant. In particular, they contain high levels of chlorine bleach to achieve the cleaning and disinfecting properties required. Research has shown that hydrogen peroxide bleach in washing clothes and crockery also has a disinfecting action, see for example M Blaser et al. in: The Journal of infetious diseases. vo / 149, no.1, 1984. More recently, detergent manufacturers have been interested in the disinfectant properties of these detergents. Several publications describe bleaching systems, which provide both cleaning and disinfection during washing, for example DE 19616782, DE 19605688, DE 19536082, WO9418297. Not all bleaching systems that have disinfectant properties are suitable for detergents: they are not always compatible with other detergent ingredients, such as enzymes, or the bleaching levels required to obtain disinfection are very high and can damage the fabrics. Now, the inventors have found that most of the 5 bleaching systems known in the art, including percarbonate and perborate TAED bleaches, effectively annihilate gram-negative bacteria, but not effectively to other micro-organisms, in particular all gram bacteria. positive It has also been found that the anti-bacterial activity of eg TAED, depends on the pH, resulting in a strong reduction of the anti-bacterial activity on gram-positive bacteria, at an alkaline pH as for example during the washing conditions. Many soils, including body society, contain mostly micro-organisms other than gram-negative bacteria, in particular, gram-positive bacteria. The inventors have found that detergents containing, for example, TAED and a peroxygen source, do not thereby efficiently sanitize this type of soils, in particular at low temperatures such as those normally used by consumers during laundry , crockery and other methods of cleaning. They have now found that the hydrophobic bleaching agent effectively inactivates micro-organisms that include gram-positive bacteria, such as the bacteria Enterococcus hirae and Staphilccocus aureus.

Thus, when these specific hydrophobic agents are used in detergents, not only an excellent removal of blemishes and stains, but also sanitation is achieved. It is believed that the specific hydrophobic bleaching agent has an improved surface activity for peptidoglycan in the cell walls of, for example, yeasts and gram positive bacteria, as compared to hydrophilic bleaching agents. It is believed that these specific hydrophobic agents thus penetrate and destroy these cell walls more effectively than other hydrophilic whitening agents. Since the specific hydrophobic bleaching agent was found to be very effective, an additional benefit may be that reduced levels can be employed. Further improved sanitation can be achieved when hydrophilic and hydrophobic bleaching agents are employed, resulting in an effective inactivation of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention provides the use of a hydrophobic bleaching agent consisting of a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms for the reduction of micro-activity. * ÍÜ * = ¡«a» * ^ ^ * ás. ^? , ¿A a * £ ¿! ? ? ? ± :. organism, which has a cell wall that contains a high level of peptidoglycan. When used here, "high levels of peptidoglycan" means that the micro-organisms have high levels of peptidoglycan, compared to the gram-negative bacteria. The cell walls preferably comprise a layer, which predominantly comprises peptidoglycan. These include yeast and in particular gram-positive bacteria. When used here "reduction of the activity of microorganisms" includes a reduction in activity as defined in method prEN1276 of CEN, 1993 (European Committee for Standardization) and prEN 1650 method of CEN. The reduction is preferably represented by a reduction of micro-organisms, preferably at least 105, more preferably at least 106 or even more for the bacteria, or at least 104 or even at least 105 for yeasts. 15 The reduction of the activity of the micro-organisms when used here, includes the reduction of any of the processes conducted by the micro-organisms, which have a cell wall that includes high levels of peptidoglycan, compared with the gram-negative bacteria , which includes the secretion of products but preferably the growth of the micro-organisms. The invention also provides a method for reducing the activity of microorganisms or preferably of gram-positive bacteria comprising the steps of contacting the micro-organism with an aqueous liquid comprising a hydrophobic bleaching agent composed of a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms at a level of at least 100 ppm in the solution, per 106 of micro-organisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Method and use The specific hydrophobic bleaching agents herein are used to reduce the activity of specific micro-organisms, which have high levels of peptidoglycan in cell walls, including yeasts and gram-positive bacteria. In particular, this is carried out during a sanitation procedure or a cleaning procedure. Therefore, the bleaching agent can be contacted with the specific micro-organisms in solid form, but preferably the bleaching agent is present in a solution in contact with the micro-organisms. Specific microorganisms called gram-positive bacteria may be present on the surfaces or fabrics to be cleaned and disinfected, for example on the fabrics to be cleaned in a dishwashing or laundry process. Gram-positive bacteria may also be present in the solution used for the cleaning and disinfection procedure or in the equipment used in the procedure, such as the washing machine. Microorganisms that have cell walls that comprise relatively high levels of peptidoglycan, in particular the gram-positive bacteria, may be present in soils present in these fabrics or surfaces, in particular in body soils. The amount of hydrophobic bleaching agent that is required to obtain an effective reduction of the activity of specific microorganisms, such as yeasts and gram-positive bacteria, depends on various factors, such as the amount of micro-organisms present, the conditions of disinfection or cleaning procedure, including the other compounds present, the temperature. It should be noted that the present hydrophobic bleaching agent can also reduce the activity of micro-organisms that do not contain high levels of peptidoglycan in their cell walls to a lesser or lesser degree of efficiency, for example, gram-negative bacteria. In the method of the invention, the liquid used preferably comprises at least 100 ppm of the hydrophobic peroxyacid, 106 of micro-organisms, preferably at least 200 ppm or up to 250 ppm. The reduction of the activity of the specific microorganisms, which have a peptidoglycan containing cell walls, can be determined by the Petrocci and Clarke method, as described in JOAC 1981, but is preferably determined for the purpose of this invention. * ^ «- - -tr A - *» - * ¿* ¿~ - • - - - • ~~ * - * - ^ * faj * aaj., Atoa ... ^ * ****** - ^ Í ~ *? ~? by the prEN1276 method of CEN, in 1993 for bacteria, and for the prEN1650 method of CEN for yeasts. Said CEN method involves, for example, the preparation of gram positive bacteria nodules according to the DEN method, pages 7 onwards, the preparation of a solution comprising the hydrophobic bleaching agent at a level of about 250 ppm. , conducting the test following the CEN method, incubation of the TSA plates for 24 hours at 36 ° C; and subsequently counting bacterial colonies on the plates. This is compared to the results of the reference, and the reduction of bacteria growth is calculated for the defined contact time.

Microorganisms The specific microorganisms mentioned herein comprise a cell wall, which contain cell walls with high levels of peptidoglycan. In particular, the most usual ones here are yeasts and preferably gram positive bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are typically present in soils on fabrics, in particular in body soils. Typical gram-positive bacteria are Enterococcus hirae and Staphyloccocus aureus.

Hydrophobic bleaching agent The hydrophobic bleaching agent herein, comprises a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms. The agent may be a preformed peroxyacid or may be a compound that provides said hydrophobic peroxyacid by a chemical reaction, such as the bleach precursors herein. Mixtures of precursors and preformed hydrophobic peroxyacid may also be used. Preferably the hydrophobic bleaching agent comprises a source of hydrogen peroxide and a hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursor. The production of the hydrophobic peroxyacid occurs by an in situ reaction of the precursor with a source of hydrogen peroxide. Preferred hydrogen peroxide sources include inorganic perhydrate bleaches, described below. The hydrophobic peroxyacid contains at least 9 carbon atoms, preferably at least 11 carbon atoms. In a preferred aspect, the peroxyacid has an alkyl chain, which contains at least 8 or 9 or even at least 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, the peroxyacid but in particular the peroxyacid precursor comprises an N-acyl group. Preferably the hydrophobic peroxyacid bleaching agent in solution is used to reduce the activity of gram-positive bacteria, in particular in the dishwashing or laundry process, in such a way that the solution comprises at least 100 ppm of the peroxyacid or the peroxyacid precursor, per 106 of bacteria. The precursors have a structure hereafter L is a leaving group, which must be sufficiently reactive so that the perhydrolysis reaction occurs within the optimum time frame (for example, a wash cycle). However, if L is very reactive, it will be difficult to stabilize this activator for use in a bleaching composition. »The L groups are preferably selected from the group consisting of: also as a group L can be R3 and I I - 0-CH = C-CH = CH2 - O- CH = C- CH = CH2 and mixtures thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H and R3, and And it's H or a group solubilizer. Any of R1, R3 and R4 can be substituted essentially by any functional group including, for example, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl, amide and ammonium or alkylammonium groups. The preferred solubilizing groups are -SO3"M +, -CO2" M +, -SO4"M +, -N + (R3) 4X" and O < -N (R3) 3 and more preferably -SO "M + and -CO2" M + in Where R3 is an alkyl chain containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation that provides solubility to the bleach activator and X is an anion, which provides solubility to the bleach activator. Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or a substituted ammonium cation, preferably sodium and potassium, and X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion. Suitable hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursors herein typically contain one or more N-acyl groups, said precursors may be selected from a wide range of classes. Suitable classes include imides, lactams and acylated derivatives of imidazoles. Suitable N-acylated precursor compounds of the lactam class are generally described in GB-A-955735. Preferred materials of this class comprise the caprolactams. Highly preferred peroxyacid precursors are amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor compounds, which include the following general formulas: wherein R1 is an aryl or alkaryl group with about 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene and alkarylene group, containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is H or an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and L can be essentially any leaving group. R1 preferably contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 preferably contains from about 4 to 8 carbon atoms. R1 may be a straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl or substituted alkylaryl containing derivation, substitution or both and which may be - A ^ - - - ^^ - ijf, - - -7 ^ - - ~ ^ .A. - ^ ... i ** ^^^ .- ^^^ originated either from synthetic or natural sources, including for example tallow grease. Analogous structural variations are permissible for R2. R 2 may include alkyl, aryl, wherein said R 2 may also contain halogen, nitrogen, sulfur and other "typical groups of substituents or organic compounds. R5 is preferably H or methyl. R1 and R5 must not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide-substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386. Preferred examples of bleach precursors of this type include amide-substituted peroxyacid precursor compounds, selected from (6-octanamido-caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate. , (6-decanamido-caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate, and the most preferred one (6- nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate and mixtures thereof, as described in EP-A-0170386. A preferred class of hydrophobic organic peroxyacid compounds are the amide substituted compounds of the following general formulas: R1- wherein R1 is an aryl or alkaryl group with about 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene or alkarylene group containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R5 is an H or an alkyl, aryl or alkary contains from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least 9 carbon atoms are present. R1 preferably contains from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 9 to 12. R 2 preferably contains from 4 to 8 carbon atoms. R 1 may be a branched alkyl or a continuous chain, substituted alkyl or aryl containing derivatization, substitution or both and may be obtained by either synthetic or natural sources including, for example, tallow grease. For R2 ', analogous variations are permissible. R 2 may include alkyl, aryl, wherein said R 2 may also contain halogen, nitrogen, sulfur and other typical substituent groups or organic compounds. R5 is preferably H or methyl. R1 and R5 must not contain more than 18 carbon atoms in total. Amide-substituted bleach activator compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386. Suitable examples of this class of agents include (6-octylamino) -6-oxocaproic acid, (6-nonylamino) -6-oxocaproic acid, (6- 15 -decylamino) -6-oxocaproic acid, magnesium monoperoxylate hexahydrate, the salt of magnesium of metachloroperbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydecanedioic acid. Said bleaching agents are described in E.U.A. 4,483,781, E.U.A. 4,634,551, EP 0,133,354, E.U.A. 4,412,934 and EP 0,170,386. A preferable hydrophobic preformed peroxy acid bleaching compound for the purpose of the invention is the peroxycarboxylic acid monononylamido. m? - ~. . ^ - J .. ^ .. ^^ ^ ^. ^. ^ ^ - - ^^^^^ - ^^^ Z ^^^, ^ S ^^. J,. ,, Mf, «? M Other peroxyacids Suitable organic acids include the diaminoperoxy acids, which are described in WO 95/03275, with the following general formula: O 0 0 0 M0CR- (R1N) n- C (NR2) n- R3- (R2N) m- C (NR1) m-RCCOM wherein: R is selected from the group consisting of CrC12 alkylene, C5-C-2 cycloalkylene, C6-C2 arylene, and combinations of radicals thereof; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, CiC-iß alkyl and Cß-C? 2 aryl radicals and a radical that can form a C3-C-? Anillo ring together with R3 and both nitrogens, R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkylene radicals of C? -C-? 2, cycloalkylene of C5-C? 2 and arylene of C6-C? 2, nyn 'each being a selected integer such that the sum of these is 1; each m and m 'are an integer chosen in such a way that the sum of these is 1; and M is selected from the group consisting of H, alkali metal, talc-earth metal, ammonium, cations and alkanolammonium radicals and combinations thereof; and provided that the peroxyacid comprises at least 9 carbon atoms; Other suitable organic peroxyacids include the amidoperoxy acids that are described in WO 95/16673; with the following general structure: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ g ^^^^^ _ ^ __ ^ __ ^ | ^ _ ^ ¡^ __ Í _ ^^ __ ^^ __ ^ _ ^ _ ^ _ ^ _ ^ _ ^ _ ^ f _ ^ _ ^ _ ^ __ ^ ^ ^ X-Ar-CO-NY-R (Z) -CO-OOH where X represents hydrogen or a compatible substituent, Ar is an aryl group, R represents (CH2) n in which n = 2 or 3; and Y and Z independently represent a substituent selected from hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl or alkaryl group or an aryl group substituted by a compatible substituent provided that at least one of Y and Z is not hydrogen if n = 3. The substituent X in the benzene nucleus is preferably a hydrogen or a meta- or para-substituent selected from the group comprising halogen, typically a chlorine atom or some other non-interference species not released as an alkyl group, conveniently up to C6 eg a group methyl, ethyl or propyl. Alternatively, X may represent a second amidopercarboxylic acid substituent of the formula: -CO-NY-R (Z) -CO-OOH in which R, Y, Z and n are as defined above.

MOOC-R CO-N R2-R3-N R4-CO-R5COOOM wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 2 alkylene, C 1 -C 2 arylene C 2 -C 2 cycloalkylene, and combinations of radicals thereof.

Source of hydrogen peroxide Inorganic perhydrate salts are a preferred source of hydrogen peroxide. Examples of inorganic perhydrate salts include salts of Perborate, percarbonate, perfosphate, persulfate and persilicate. The inorganic perhydrate salts are usually alkali metal salts. The inorganic perhydrate salt can be included as the crystalline solid without additional protection. However, for some perhydrate salts the preferred embodiments of said granular compositions use a form coated with the material that provides better storage stability for the perhydrate salt in the granulated product. Suitable coatings comprise inorganic salts such as alkali metal silicate, carbonate or borate salts or mixtures thereof, or organic materials such as waxes, oils or fatty soaps. Sodium perborate is a preferable perhydrate salt and may be in the form of the monohydrate of the nominal formula NaBO2H2O2 or the tetrahydrate NaB02H2O2.3H2O. The alkali metal percarbonates, particularly sodium percarbonate, are preferred perhydrates herein. Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na2CO3.3H2O, and is commercially available as a crystalline solid. Potassium peroximonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt that is used in the detergent compositions herein.

Hydrophilic bleach In the method herein or in the compositions herein, a hydrophilic bleach agent may be present in addition to the suitable bleaching agent hydrophilic bleaching agent is TAED. Preferably, the hydrophilic bleaching agent is present in a proportion with respect to the hydrophobic peroxyacid from 1: 5 to 5: 1, more preferably from 1: 3 to 3: 1, preferably from 1: 2 to 2: 1.

DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS The hydrophobic bleaching agent herein is preferably present in a detergent composition when it is used to reduce the activity of microorganisms. Therefore, the reduction in activity is preferably carried out during a cleaning method, preferably an automatic or hand washing or a dishwashing method, in particular at low temperatures up to 60 ° C or even 45 ° C or up to 30 ° C. When the hydrophobic peroxyacid bleaching agent contains a peroxyacid bleach precursor, the precursor is typically present at a level of from 0.05% to 20%, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 7% by weight. weight of the composition. When the hydrophobic peroxyacid bleaching agent contains a preformed hydrophobic peroxyacid, the preformed peroxyacid The present invention is typically present at a level of 0.5% to 15% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 10% by weight. % by weight of the composition. The sources of hydrogen peroxide, when present, are preferably incorporated into the compositions described herein in the form of the alkali metal, preferably sodium salt at a level of 1% to 40% by weight, preferably from 2% to 30% by weight and more preferably from 5% to 25% by weight of the compositions. The hydrophilic bleach, when present, may preferably be present at a level of 0.5% to 12% by weight of the composition. The detergent compositions described herein may comprise some additional ingredients, commonly employed in detergents. The precise nature of these additional components, and the levels of incorporation thereto, will depend on the physical form of the composition and the precise nature of the washing operation for which is going to be used. The compositions preferably contain one or more additional detergent components selected from surfactants, effervescent sources, bleach catalysts, chelating agents, bleach stabilizers, alkalinity systems, detergency builders, phosphate-containing builders, organic polymer compounds, enzymes, suds suppressors, lime soap, dispersants, dirt and anti-redeposition agents, soil release agents, perfumes, dyes, colored specks, brighteners, photobleaching agents and additional corrosion inhibitors.

Laundry Washing Method The laundry washing methods of the present typically comprise treating the laundry with an aqueous washing solution in a washing machine having dissolved or assortment inside, an effective amount of a laundry detergent composition that it contains the hydrophobic bleaching agent according to the invention. By an effective amount of the detergent composition is meant from 10g to 300g of dissolved product or assortment in a washing solution of a volume from 5 to 65 liters, since they are typical product doses and volumes of washing solution commonly used in methods conventional clothes washing. The dose depends on the particular conditions such as the hardness of the water and the degree of dirt on the clothes. The pH of the wash solution is typically above 7, preferably above 8.5 or above 9 or even 9.5. The detergent composition can be supplied, for example, from the assortment compartment of a washing machine or it can be sprinkled on the dirty laundry placed in the machine. In one aspect of use, an assortment apparatus is employed in the washing method. Especially preferred assortment devices for use with the composition of the invention have been described in the following patents; GB-B-2 157, 717, GB-B-2, 157, 718, EP-A-0201376, EP-A-0288345 and EP-A-0288346. An article by J. Bland published in Manufacturing Chemist, November 1989, pages 41-46 also describes especially preferred assortment devices for use with granular washing products, which are of a type commonly known as "granulette7" Another assortment device Preferred for use with the compositions of this invention is published in the PCT patent with application number WO94 / 11562.

Automatic dishwashing method Any convenient method for automatic dishwashing or cleaning of tableware stains. A preferred method of automatic dishwashing, comprises the treatment of dirty items selected from crockery, glassware, tableware objects, silverware and cutlery and mixtures thereof, with an aqueous liquid that has dissolved or distributed within the same, an effective amount of an automatic dishwashing composition. For an effective amount of the automatic dishwashing composition, it is understood that from 8 g to 60 g of the product dissolved or dispersed in a volume washing solution from 3 to 10 liters, since these are the typical product doses and the volumes of the product. washing solution commonly employed in conventional automatic dishwashing methods.

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Claims (5)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. The use of a hydrophobic bleaching agent comprising a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms for the reduction of the activity of the microorganisms which comprises, a cell wall containing high levels of peptidoglycan , preferably yeast, gram positive bacteria or mixtures thereof.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic bleaching agent comprises a hydrophobic peroxyacid precursor and a source of hydrogen peroxide, preferably a percarbon salt.

3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peroxyacid comprises an N-acyl group.

4. The use according to any of claims 1 to 3, by means of which the hydrophobic bleaching agent comprises a sulfonated salt of 6- (nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzene.

5. The use according to any of claims 1 to 4 by means of which an additional hydrophilic bleaching agent, preferably TAED is present for the reduction of the activity of the gram negative bacteria. rTiirlri X "-; i • - r -ttilr ??? É.rirTi- f '' J - • -" "6 **** - *" * - 'r *' A • -3f ~ - - • - -'- - »^ - ^ -. - The use according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the cleaning of the soiled fabrics or surfaces, preferably for the sanitation of the fabrics or surfaces. 7. A method for reducing the activity of microorganisms that contain a cell wall, which contains high levels of peptoglycan, preferably gram-positive bacteria, which comprises the steps of contacting the microorganisms with an aqueous solution comprising a hydrophobic bleaching agent, which comprises a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms at a level of at least 100 ppm in the solution, per 10 6 of microorganism. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the solution comprises a detergent composition comprising a peroxyhydrophobic acid precursor, present in a detergent composition at a level of at least 1% by weight, preferably above 10% by weight. % in weigh. 9. A method according to claim 8, the method is a washing method for cleaning fabrics, which comprises the contact step of gram positive bacteria present in the fabric.