ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
An aqueous composition adapted to kill bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The composition, which is slightly to moderately acidic, includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. The composition can be applied directly to a site of bacterial growth. Even when the bacteria is in biofilm form, the surfactant component(s) begin to kill the bacteria before the macro-molecular matrix is removed or dislodged from the site.
1 . A method for treating a surface intended for contact with food, said method comprising applying to said surface a composition that comprises
1) water,
2) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids,
3) dissociation product of a buffer precursor, and
4) cationic surfactant,
said composition having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 inclusive and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising removing said composition.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein said applying step is accomplished by delivering said composition in or on a rubbing or buffing medium.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein said surface, prior to said applying step, comprises live bacteria, said bacteria optionally being present in a biofilm.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein said composition is capable of reducing the amount of live bacteria by at least 99.9% when said composition is permitted a 5-minute residence time on an entrenched biofilm tested in accordance with a drip-flow reactor test.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition has a pH of less than 5.0.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.6.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.2.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein said composition has a solute concentration of from 2 to 4 Osm.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of at least about 2.25 Osm.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein said one or more biocompatible organic acids comprises a polyacid.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein said buffer precursor is a salt of said polyacid.
13 . The method of claim 1 wherein said buffer precursor comprises a salt of an organic acid.
14 . A method for treating a surface intended for contact with food, said method comprising applying to said surface a composition that consists essentially of
1) water,
2) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids comprising citric acid,
3) dissociation product of a sodium salt of citric acid, and
4) cationic surfactant,
said composition having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 inclusive and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising removing said composition.
16 . The method of claim 14 wherein said applying step is accomplished by delivering said composition in or on a rubbing or buffing medium.
17 . The method of claim 14 wherein said surface, prior to said applying step, comprises live bacteria, said bacteria optionally being present in a biofilm.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein said composition is capable of reducing the amount of live bacteria by at least 99.9% when said composition is permitted a 5-minute residence time on an entrenched biofilm tested in accordance with a drip-flow reactor test.
19 . The method of claim 14 wherein said composition has a pH of less than 5.0.
20 . The method of claim 14 wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.6.