COMBINATION OF SYNTHETIC ANTIMICROBIAL POLYMERS AND SESQUITERPENOID COMPOUNDS

1 . An antimicrobial composition comprising:

one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers;

one or more sesquiterpenoid compounds; and

a carrier.

2 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is selected from water, ethanol, and propylene glycol.

3 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

4 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are polymethacrylate compounds.

5 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are selected from a compound of formula A-(B) n -(D) m -H, or an acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein:

A is the residue of a chain transfer agent;

B is —[CH 2 —C(R 11 )(B 11 )]—, wherein B 11 is -X 11 , -Y 11 -Z 11 , and

X 11 is carbonyl or optionally substituted C 1-6 alkylene; or X 11 is absent;

Y 11 is O, NH, or optionally substituted C 1-6 alkylene; or Y 11 is absent

Z 11 is Z 11A -Z 11B , wherein:

Z 11A is alkylene, arylene, or heteroarylene, any of which is optionally substituted; or Z 11A is absent;

Z 11B is -guanidino, -amindino, —N(R 3 )(R 4 ) or —N+(R 3 )(R 4 )(R 5 ), wherein R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 , are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aminoalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or aralkyl;

D is —[CH 2 —C(R 21 )(D 21 )]-, wherein D 21 is -X 21 -Y 21 -Z 21 , and

X 21 is carbonyl or optionally substituted C 1-6 alkylene; or X 21 is absent;

Y 21 is O, NH, or optionally substituted C 1-6 alkylene; or Y 21 is absent;

Z 21 is alkyl, cycloakyl, alkoxy, aryl, or aralkyl, any of which is optionally substituted;

R 11 and R 21 are independently hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl;

m, the mole fraction of D monomer, is about 0.1 to about 0.9; and

n, the mole fraction of B monomer is 1-m;

wherein the compound is a copolymer of B and D monomers.

6 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are selected from Compound A, Compound B, Compound C, Compound D, or any mixture thereof.

7 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are Compound A.

8 . A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are Compound B.

9 . A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are Compound C.

10 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more synthetic antimicrobial polymers and/or oligomers are Compound D.

11 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the one or more sesquiterpenoid compounds are selected from nerolidol, farnesol, bisabolol, and apritone, or any mixture thereof.

12 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the sesquiterpenoid compound is nerolidol.

13 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the sesquiterpenoid compound is farnesol.

14 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the sesquiterpenoid compound is bisabolol.

15 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein the sesquiterpenoid compound is apritone.

16 . A method of reducing growth of a microbe comprising contacting the microbe with a composition according to claim 1 .

17 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the microbe is selected from a bacteria, a yeast, a mold, or a fungus.

18 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the bacteria is a Gram positive bacteria.

19 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the bacteria is a Gram negative bacteria.

20 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the microbe is present on the skin of an animal.

21 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the composition is applied to a hard or soft surface.

22 . A method according to claim 21 wherein the hard or soft surface is a food, sink, sponge, or bathroom fixture.