Biocidal compositions for producing peracids

1. A biocidal composition comprising components suitable for producing peracid in situ, wherein said components comprise:

(a) one or more prion-degrading enzymes,

(b) a suitable substrate selected from the group consisting of:

(i) esters having the structure

 wherein R 1 =C1 to C10 straight chain or branched chain alkyl optionally substituted with an hydroxyl or a C1 to C4 alkoxy group and R 2 =C1 to C10 straight chain or branched chain alkyl group, (CH 2 CH 2 —O) n H or (CH 2 CH(CH 3 )—O) n H and n=1 to 10;

(ii) glycerides having the structure

 wherein R 1 =C1 to C10 straight chain or branched chain alkyl optionally substituted with an hydroxyl or a C1 to C4 alkoxy group and R 3 and R 4 are individually H or R 1 C(O); and

(iii) amides having the structure

 wherein R 5 and R 6 are individually H, acetyl, or a C1 to C5 straight chain or branched alkyl group,

(c) at least one enzyme having perhydrolase activity, and

(d) a source of peroxygen.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least one enzyme having perhydrolase activity is said one or more prion-degrading enzymes.

3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein said one or more prion-degrading enzymes is at least one protease isolated from a host organism selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus saitoi, Rhizopus sp., Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus lentus, Sus scrofa, Carica papaya, Ananas comosus, Streptomyces griseus , and Tritirachium album.

4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Pronase (a protease mixture from Streptomyces griseus ), Proteinase K (a fungal subtilisin from Tritirachium album ), Alcalase (subtilisin A from Bacillus licheniformis ) and Neutrase (a neutral protease from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ).

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Alcalase and Neutrase.

6. The composition of claim 4 wherein said one or more prion-degrading proteases is a mixture of at least two proteases.

7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said mixture of proteases comprises Pronase and Proteinase K.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said mixture of proteases comprises Alcalase and Neutrase.

9. The composition of claim 5 wherein the peracid produced in situ is peracetic acid.

10. The composition of claim 9 wherein the suitable substrate used to produce peracetic acid in situ is selected from the group consisting of monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, and mixtures thereof.

11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the peracetic acid produced in situ is at least 10 ppm.

12. The composition of claim 6 wherein the peracid produced in situ is peracetic acid.

13. The composition of claim 12 wherein the suitable substrate used to produce peracetic acid in situ is selected from the group consisting of monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, and mixtures thereof.

14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the peracetic acid produced in situ is at least 10 ppm.

15. The composition of claim 7 wherein the peracid produced in situ is peracetic acid.

16. The composition of claim 15 wherein the suitable substrate used to produce peracetic acid in situ is selected from the group consisting of monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, and mixtures thereof.

17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the peracetic acid produced in situ is at least 10 ppm.

18. The composition of claim 8 wherein the peracid produced in situ is peracetic acid.

19. The composition of claim 18 wherein the suitable substrate used to produce peracetic acid in situ is selected from the group consisting of monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, and mixtures thereof.

20. The composition of claim 19 wherein the peracetic acid produced in situ is at least 10 ppm.