PERACETIC ACID COMPOSITION
The invention relates to anti-microbial compositions useful against a wide range of microorganisms undesirable on a wide variety of materials, including food, food contact and non-food contact surfaces, and surfaces in industrial, recreational, health care, and other institutional environments. More particularly, the anti-microbial compositions comprise peracetic acid in combination with a) citric acid or a salt and b) salicylic acid or a salt in aqueous solution.
1 . A composition comprising, in aqueous solution,
a. an aqueous peracetic acid solution; and
b. an adjuvant comprising (i) salicylic acid or a salt thereof and (ii) citric acid or a salt thereof.
2 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the salicylic acid and citric acid or their respective salts are dissolved to their solubility limits and in proportionate weight ratios ranging from about 1:5 or 1:1 respectively.
3 . The composition of claim 2 further comprising one or more stabilizing agents, wetting agents, hydrotopes, thickeners, foaming agents, acidifiers, pigments, dyes, surfactants, or combinations thereof.
4 . The composition of claim 3 wherein the surfactant consists of one or more anionic or nonionic surfactants in concentrations up to 2% selected from the group consisting of polyoxylene (C 20 to C 80 ) sorbitan monooleates, alklyl long chain fatty acid (C 5 to C 20 ) metallic esters and alcohols; and alkylbenzenesulfonic acids and alcohols and/or their metallic ester salts having alkyl groups ranging from C 2 to C 20 .
5 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the salicylate salt or salicylic acid and citric acid compounds are in proportionate weight ratios ranging from 1:5 to 1:1 respectively, in a solution matrix of glacial acetic acid (70-90%) and water (30-5%).
6 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the salicylic acid or salt thereof is sodium salicylate and the citric acid or salt thereof is citric acid.
7 . A kit comprising
a. an aqueous peracetic acid solution; and
b. an adjuvant comprising (i) salicylic acid or a salt thereof and (ii) citric acid or a salt thereof.
8 . A method of reducing microbial contamination comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to a surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce the microbial contamination.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the surface is meat, poultry, seafood, or a portion thereof.
10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the surface is a plant material (leaf, stalk, flower, fruit, vegetable, or portion thereof).
11 . The method of claim 8 wherein the surface is a non-food contact surface.
12 . The method of claim 8 further comprising recovering the applied composition and reprocessing the recovered composition to yield a recycled anti-microbial composition.
13 . The method of claim 8 wherein the peracetic acid is present at end use concentrations ranging to 1%.
14 . The method of claim 8 wherein the salicylic acid or salt thereof is present at up to 20000 ppm.
15 . The method of claim 8 wherein the citric acid is present up to 20000 ppm.
16 . The method of claim 8 wherein the end use concentrations of the composition have pH values between 1 and 4.5.