IP Library Granted Patent US 12660817
Granted Patent B2
US 12660817 · App. 18/598,377 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Acid/anionic antimicrobial and virucidal compositions and uses thereof

Inventors: Catherine Hanson (Saint Paul, MN); Junzhong Li (Saint Paul, MN); David D. McSherry (Saint Paul, MN); Stacy Fawbush (Saint Paul, MN); Kaitlin Lake (Saint Paul, MN); Gerard Hinrichs (Saint Paul, MN); Joshua Luedtke (Saint Paul, MN); Richard Staub (Saint Paul, MN); Derrick Anderson (Saint Paul, MN)
Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
A01N37/36A01N25/30A01N31/02A01N31/08A01N47/28A61L2/18A61L2/22A61L2103/15A61L2202/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12660817
App. No.
18/598,377
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant are provided. In particular, food contact antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant provide a no-rinse compositions efficacious against Norovirus, having acceptable use solution pH that do not require use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are surface compatible and do not leave residues on treated surfaces are provided. Methods of cleaning a surface with the compositions are also provided.

Claims (25)

1 . A ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition comprising:

from about 5 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of a weak acid having a pKa greater than about 2.5;

from about 5 ppm to about 4,000 ppm of a strong acid having a pKa less than about 2.5;

from about 10 ppm to about 750 ppm of at least one anionic surfactant comprising a sulfonate, sulfate and/or carboxylate; and

water;

wherein the composition has pH of 4 or less.

2 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a C 8 -C 22 alkyl sulfonate, an alpha sulfonated carboxylic acid or its ester, or a combination thereof.

3 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the strong acid comprises methane sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sodium hydrogen sulfate, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, nitric acid, sulfamic acid, hydrochloric acid, trichloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, glutamic acid, sodium bisulfate, or a combination thereof.

4 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the weak acid comprises lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, or a combination thereof.

5 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , further comprising a nonionic surfactant.

6 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 5 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an EO/PO copolymer, capped EO/PO copolymer, alcohol alkoxylate, capped alcohol alkoxylate, or a combination thereof.

7 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an additional functional ingredient comprising a defoaming agent, wetting agent, anti-redeposition agent, solubility modifier, dispersant, rinse aid, metal protecting agent, stabilizing agent, corrosion inhibitor, sequestrant, chelating agent, threshold agent, fragrance, dye, rheology modifier, thickener, hydrotrope, coupler, buffer, solvent, sensor indicator, or a combination thereof.

8 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises between about 1,000 ppm and about 6,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient.

9 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a pH of from about 1.5 to about 4.

10 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 50 ppm to about 750 ppm of the at least one anionic surfactant.

11 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between about 10 ppm and about 1,000 ppm of the strong acid.

12 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between about 10 ppm and about 4,000 ppm of the weak acid.

13 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is present in a use solution in a concentration of between about ⅛ oz./gal to about 2 oz./gal.

14 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition provides complete kill of the Norovirus in less than 1 minute.

15 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition provides kill of a virus and/or microorganism on a surface, wherein the surface is a hard surface, a precleaned hard surface, a surface contaminated with a biofilm, and/or a human or mammalian tissue.

16 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has an aqueous use temperature of from about 40° F. to about 160° F.

17 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is no-rinse.

18 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition does not result in a streaky, hazy, or tacky residue.

19 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition does not require use of personal protective equipment.

20 . The ready-to-use antimicrobial and/or virucidal composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is safe for food contact applications.