Patent ID: 6268326
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: A01N,C11D

Abstract:
A method for eradicating Legionella bacteria inhabiting in an air conditioning apparatus, comprising steps of:obtaining an amine oxide bactericide solution consisting of at least one amine oxide represented by the formulae (1) or (2) as an active bactericide ingredient, an optional low boiling point compound, an optional pH regulator, an optional additional surfactant, and an optional thickener, the bactericide solution having an amine oxide concentration greater than or equal to 0.096 mM: ##STR7##wherein R.sub.1 represents C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.m, n varies from 12 to 18, m varies from 0 to 10, R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen or alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atom(s), and the solid arrow represents a coordinate bond between a nitrogen and oxygen; ##STR8##wherein R.sub.1 represents C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.m, n varies from 12 to 18, m varies from 0 to 10, R.sub.3 represents (C.sub.p H.sub.2p)OH with p varying from 1 to 4, and the solid arrow represents a coordinate bond between a nitrogen and oxygen, and wherein 0.42 mM of the bactericide solution eradicates 10.sup.8 CFU/ml of the Legionella bacteria when the bactericide solution contacts the Legionella bacteria for fifteen minutes; andapplying the amine oxide bactericide solution to a surface of the air conditioning apparatus occupied by Legionella bacteria so that the bactericide solution remains in contact with the bacteria to eradicate the bacteria.