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 macromolecular matrix is removed or dislodged from the site.
1. An antimicrobial composition useful for cleaning and disinfecting a food contact surface, said composition consisting of
a) water,
b) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids,
c) dissociation product of a buffer precursor, and
d) at least about 0.2% by weight cationic surfactant,
said composition having a pH of less than 4.0 and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm/L.
2. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of from 2 to 4 Osm/L.
3. The antimicrobial composition of claim 2 wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of at least about 2.25 Osm/L.
4. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of at least about 2 Osm/L.
5. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein said cationic surfactant comprises at least one of hexadecylpyridinium chloride monohydrate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide.
6. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein said one or more biocompatible organic acids comprises at least one polyacid.
7. The antimicrobial composition of claim 6 wherein said at least one polyacid comprises citric acid.
8. The antimicrobial composition of claim 7 wherein said composition comprises at least one buffer precursor which comprises a sodium salt of citric acid.
9. The antimicrobial composition of claim 6 wherein said at least one polyacid is citric acid.
10. The antimicrobial composition of claim 9 wherein said composition comprises at least one buffer precursor which comprises a sodium salt of citric acid.
11. The antimicrobial composition of claim 6 wherein each of said one or more biocompatible organic acids is a polyacid.
12. The antimicrobial composition of claim 6 wherein said polyacid is citric acid.
13. The antimicrobial composition of claim 12 wherein said composition comprises at least one buffer precursor which comprises a sodium salt of citric acid.
14. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein said one or more biocompatible organic acids is a polyacid.
15. An antimicrobial composition useful for cleaning and disinfecting a food contact surface, said composition consisting of
a) water,
b) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids that comprise at least one polyacid,
c) dissociation product of a buffer precursor that comprises a sodium salt of a polyacid, and
d) at least about 0.2% by weight cationic surfactant,
said composition having a pH of less than 4.0 and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm/L.
16. The antimicrobial composition of claim 15 wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of from 2 to 4 Osm/L.
17. The antimicrobial composition of claim 15 wherein said one or more biocompatible organic acids is citric acid and wherein said buffer precursor is a sodium salt of citric acid.
18. An antimicrobial composition useful for cleaning and disinfecting a food contact surface, said composition consisting of
a) water,
b) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible polyacids,
c) dissociation product of a buffer precursor that is a sodium salt of at least one polyacid, and
d) at least about 0.2% by weight cationic surfactant,
said composition having a pH of less than 4.0.
19. The antimicrobial composition of claim 18 wherein said one or more biocompatible polyacids comprises citric acid.
20. The antimicrobial composition of claim 18 wherein said sodium salt of at least one polyacid comprises trisodium citrate.
21. The antimicrobial composition of claim 18 wherein said sodium salt of at least one polyacid is trisodium citrate.