CLEANING/DISINFECTING PROCESS AND COMPOSITION

Abstract: A composition characterised in that it comprises one or more interhalogens or sources thereof and one or more acids or sources thereof which are not appreciably oxidised by the in­ terhalogen(s) is disclosed. When diluted with water to in-use solution strength, such may be used in an ambient cleaning and/or disinfecting process in accordance with the present invention particularly for milk- or food-handling equipment.

Description: This invention relates to a cleaning/disinfecting process and composition; more particularly, it relates to the cleaning and/or disinfecting of milk- and food-handling equipment, for example general commercial dairy cleaning of pipelines, silos, filling machines and processing apparatus, and general disinfecting of food handling areas and machines, especially the "cleaning-in-place" of milking machinery. As regards the prior art, the production of bromine complexes of non-ionic detergents is known from US-A-4,131,556, while halide polyalkylacrylic compositions are disclosed in US-A-2,826,528 and complexes of iodine bromide with surface active agents in US-A-2,868,686. GB-A-1,301,861 also concerns microbicidal complexes of alkylamine salts, non-ionic surface-active agents and halogens. The present system may be used for the cleaning and/or disinfecting of apparatus in farm and commercial dairies of both the process and liquid milk type. Such apparatus includes, for example, milking machines, collection tankers used to transport milk in bulk, bulk milk holding silos, milk meters, general pipework, bottle and carton filling machines, butter making machinery, yoghurt manufacturing plant and cheese making machinery. Generally, such apparatus needs to be cleaned hot (60-85°C). The present invention provides a means by which such apparatus may be cleaned and disinfected or merely disinfected after cleaning, but at ambient temperatures. The present compositions may be used as cleaning and disinfecting solutions or as acidic disinfectants alone. For purposes of illustration only, the present invention will be generally described in relation to milk-handling equipment. Currently, it is common practice to clean, for example, pipes and containers which have to come into contact with milk using solutions of caustic soda and/or potash with sodium hypochlorite, sequestrants and wetting agents. Generally, such solutions must be used hot (60-85°C) and are somewhat hazardous at high pH (11-14). In this field, it is important that the results are both visually and microbiologically acceptable. There is also a public safety aspect and in the U.K. the Milk and Dairy Regulations 1959 must be satisfied. Before a new system may be adopted, it must be approved under the auspicies of MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). A particularly demanding test for novel systems, is the so-called Lisboa tube test wherein for cold cleaning an in-use formulation and a 2/3 strength solution must each at 5°C reduce the bacteria on the inside of the milk-soiled tubes as well as or better than standard sodium hypochlorite/sodium carbonate solutions at 44°C. (Reference may be made to FIL IDF 44:1967 for further information.) Until now, no commercially available cold cleaning system has passed this 5°C test. A new system has now been found which not only satisfies the official Lisboa tube test, but also results in an acceptably visually clean environment. Additionally, the new system being acidic, hard water scale and milkstone problems are obviated. Most importantly, the present system may be used at ambient temperature. In a milking parlour, for example, the routine would usually be that, after several cold cleans in accordance with the present invention, a hot caustic clean would be effected. For example, the regular cleaning might be carried out using the present system on, say, six occasions and then on the seventh a conventional hot clean would be used. The present system has the advantage that, on this basis, up to about 86% of current energy expenditure for heating cleaning solutions for a milking parlour may be saved, while obtaining equivalent microbiological results. Depending on requirements, periodic hot cleaning may be necessary less often. It is possible that by taking advantage of the benefits of the present invention a user might only need to use a hot clean once a week or even once a month, again depending on requirements. This should result in overall financial gains for the user, apart from the convenience. In some instances, the advantages of the present invention may be enhanced by a preliminary cleaning step. Particularly advantageous results may be obtained by utilising a so-called pre-rinse, more specifically a detergent pre-rinse. In some cases, synergism may be noted between the pre-rinse and the detergent cycle. Suitable soluble surfactants for such purpose are known. (Given the context, it is appropriate to refer to the surfactants as detergents.) In general terms, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an acid-based cleaning/disinfecting composition characterised in that it comprises reacting at least one interhalogen selected from iodine chloride, iodine trichloride or mixtures thereof with an acid selected from nitric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphamic acid, sulphuric acid or mixtures thereof to produce stabilized ICl₂⁻ in an acid medium: and, optionally, adding a solubilising component for ICl₂₋ selected from metallic halides and hydrochloric acids; and, optionally, adding a dispersing agent; and, optionally, adding an excipient selected from surfactants, corrosion inhibitors or tracers. Such compositions may comprise interhalogen up to the limit of solubility, but generally comprise up to 25%, preferably up to 10%, more particularly from 2 to 3%, by weight, of interhalogen. For convenience of formulation, the compositions prepared in accordance with the present invention generally comprise an interhalogen-solubilising component. This may be organic in nature, but is preferably selected from appropriate, generally metallic, halides and hydrohalic acids or equivalents thereof. In the present case, a metal chloride or hydrochloride acid may be used. Up to 25%, by weight, of solubilising component may be present. The acids which are suitable for use for the purposes of the present invention are nitric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphamic acid, suplphuric acid or mixtures thereof. It is preferred to use nitric acid. The present compositions may comprise up to 95%, preferably up to 40%, more particularly from 24 to 26%, by weight of acid. A preferred combination for the basis of the present invention comprises iodine chloride and nitric acid. Generally, the present compositions comprise one or more conventional excipients, which must, of course, be compatible with other component and the intended use. Suitable excipients may include dispersing agents, for example polyacrylates, such as "Dispex N 40" (Allied Colloids), surfactants, which are generally of a low-foam type in view of the intended application, such as "Dowfax 3B2" (Dow), corrosion inhibitores and tracers. Each auxiliary may be present in a amount of up to 5%, by weight. For use, the present compositions are generally diluted with water so that an in-use solution may comprise up to 5%, by weight, of the above compositions. The present invention also relates to the production of such compositions and solutions. As mentioned above, the present compositions, more particularly dilute solutions thereof, are particularly effective for the cold-cleaning and/or disinfecting of, for example, milk- or food-handling equipment, such as milking machinery. The present invention further relates to a cleaning and/or disinfecting process which comprises the use of such a solution. It may be beneficial to use a detergent simultaneously. Optionally, preliminary cleaning, such as a detergent pre-rinse, may be effected. Bearing in mind the application envisaged, one or more low-foam or defoamed detergents is/are preferably used. Conventional non-ionic, cationic, anionic or amphoteric detergents may be used, non-ionic surfactants being preferred. Generally, up to 5% v /v, preferably about 0.05% v /v, of detergent is used. More particularly, solutions of low foaming surfactants, in particular non-ionic surfactants having an HLB similar to that of milk fat, i.e. 8 when used as a pre-rinse to a detergent cycle with the present, interhalogen/acid combinations have been found to improve the overall detergency considerably. The use rates of these surfactants may vary from 10 to 5000 ppm, typically about 250 ppm. Such markedly improves the visual appearance of the milking parlour after the cleaning cycle. An example of a surfactant of interest is a C₁₂₋₁₄ alcohol with 4-5 moles of ethylene oxide. Prerinsing, more particularly non-ionic prerinsing, may also be advantageous in general cleaning situations. For example, a conventional milking parlour may be cleaned and/or disinfected by circulating a 0.5% v /v solution for from 10 to 15 minutes at ambient temperature. Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. Example 1: Iodine chloride 2.2%, by weight Hydrochloric acid (28% w /w) 2.5%, by weight Nitric acid (60% w /w 40.0%, by weight Water 55.3%, by weight The nitric and hydrochloric acids were added, with stirring, to the water, followed by the iodine chloride. A homogeneous yellow liquid was obtained containing dichloroiodate ions: ICI + CI⁻ → ICI₂⁻ Iodine chloride may be obtained in a variety of ways usually involving the oxidation of iodide or iodine by iodate in the presence of chloride ions under highly acidic conditions; e.g. 4-6N HCl. Such is akin to the Andrews titration (JACS, 1903, 25 , 756): 2I⁻ + IO₃⁻ + 3Cl⁻ + 6H⁺ → 3ICI + 3H₂O Iodine chloride is commercially available, but is easily decomposed and difficult to handle. An alternative safer, more convenient and probably cheaper way of preparing such a formulation is to produce the iodine chloride which is converted to dichloroiodate anion, in situ from the reaction of an iodide, iodate and chloride in the presence of acid: 2I⁻ + IO₃⁻ + 6Cl⁻ + 6H⁺ → 3ICl₂⁻ + 3H₂O Another possibility involves the acidification of iodine/iodide in sodium hypochlorite solution. (In this case, particular care is necessary regarding proportions as chlorine may be evolved.) Example 2: Iodine 1.3%, by weight Sodium hydroxide 1.0%, by weight Potassium iodate 0.57%, by weight Hydrochloric acid (28% w /w) 4.3%, by weight Nitric acid (60% w /w) 40.0%, by weight Water 52.83%, by weight The sodium hydroxide, which is used merely to facilitate dissolution of the iodine, was added to the water, with stirring, followed by the iodine until complete solution was obtained according to the following reaction scheme: 3I₂ + 6OH⁻ → IO₃⁻ + 5I⁻ + 3H₂O (II) Then extra potassium iodate required for complete reaction was added and mixed until dissolved. The hydrochloric and nitric acids were then added, with stirring, and stirring was continued until a homogenous yellow liquid was obtained in accordance with the above reaction scheme (I). Example 3: Iodine 1.3%, by weight Sodium hydroxide 1.0%, by weight Potassium iodate 0.57%, by weight Hydrochloric acid (28% w /w) 4.3%, by weight Nitric acid (60% w /w) 40.0%, by weight Water 51.83%, by weight Dispersing agent "Dispex N 40" (sodium salt of low molecular weight (∼3500) polyacrylic acid) 1.0%, by weight This example generally corresponds to Example 2, except that a dispersing agent was added with a corresponding decrease in the amount of water. (Commercial products would normally comprise such conventional additives.) ICl₂ is the essential interhalogen for the present purposes, while nitric acid is merely the preferred acid. Example 4: Iodine chloride 1.0%, by weight Iodine bromide 1.0%, by weight Hydrochloric acid (36% w /w) 30%, by weight Hydrobromic acid (50% w /w) 20%, by weight Water 48%, by weight Such mixed interhalogen products may be prepared as illustrated above. Iodine chloride is the preferred interhalogen. Example 5: Iodine trichloride 1.0%, by weight Hydrochloric acid (36% w /w) 99%, by weight such may be obtained by analogous methods. Example 6: Reference was made above to the Lisboa Tube Test. The results for Example 3 as presented by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist are as follows: Disinfectants log (colony count/ml) Normal strength 2/3 Normal Strength Hypochlorite - 0.25% v /v 1.966 3.181 (4fl.oz./10 gallons) (300 ppm available chlorine) (200 ppm available chlorine) Example 3 - 0.5% v /v (8fl.oz./10 gallons) 2.509 3.447 Application of analysis of variance plus the Duncan's Multiple Range Test to the data demonstrates that there are not significantly (at the 5% level) more bacteria surviving after the use of Example 3 at 0.5% v /v (8 fl.oz/10 gallons) than with hypochlorite at 300 ppm available chlorine and similarly treatments using 2/3 x 0.5% v /v (8 fl.oz/10 gallons) of Example 3 is not significantly different at the 5% level to hypochlorite at 200 ppm available chlorine. At in-use strength, the present compositions give acceptable cleaning and/or disinfecting. Such formulations are stable for at least several years even at elevated temperature. The in-use solutions are acceptably compatible with materials commonly encountered. Example 7: For purposes of illustration, a one jar experimental milking parlour was twice soiled with 5 litres of raw milk. After 5 minutes, to allow the milk residues to dry on to the surfaces, the parlour was rinsed and cleaned in a conventional manner. The parlour received a bacteriological rinse according to BS 4285. Some typical data is given below. Cleaning was effected daily using "deosan New Delex" and the results are shown in the first column of the following Table. ("Deosan New Delex" is an approved Diversey hot circulation cleaner, which consists essentially of caustic soda, hypochlorite and a scale control agent.) The second column indicates the results obtained using Example 3 in accordance with the present invention. After those asterisked, a conventional hot clean using "Deosan D60" was also carried out. ("Deosan D60" is an approved Diversey product, which is provided as a powder containing essentially caustic soda, a chlorine-release agent, sodium tripolyphosphate and a surfactant.) the third column relates to the use of the present system at a higher rate, but only on alternate days. Applying a students t-test to the above data shows that there is no significant difference between the bacteriological rinse results on Example 3 used at 0.5% v /v (8 fl.oz/10 gallons) and ambient temperatures and those on "New Delex" of approx. 0.31% v /v (5 fl.oz/10 gallons) at 77-82°C. During the test, the general appearance of the parlour was satisfactory. Example 8: As part of the approvals protocol for cold cleaners a series of MAFF monitored trials have been carried out. Milking machines were monitored both visually and microbiologically using the Full Plant Rinse Technique described in British Standard 4285 : 1968, 2.2.2.7, pages 32-37. At all times during the trial protocol, the plant remained visually acceptably clean. Results of the full plant rinses on both hot and cold cleaning are shown in the following Table. Means of Rinses from Above Table Farm 1 2 3 4 Hot D60 6.578 6.406 7.015 6.783 Cold Routine 6.231 5.749 6.412 5.725 Example 9: An assessment of the microbiological effectiveness of the present cold cleaning system has been carried out at the West of Scotland College of Agriculture, Auchincruive, Ayr, Scotland. A summary of the results is shown below. Plant Rinse Counts/m² (log values) Mean of 23 results using Hot D60 at 0.375% w /v (6 oz/10 gallons) 6.648 Mean of 13 results after 6th cold clean using Example 3 at 0.5% v /v (8 fl.oz/10 gallons) 6.101

Claims: A process for the preparation of an acid-based cleaning/disinfecting composition characterised in that it comprises reacting at least one interhalogen selected from iodine chloride, iodine trichloride or mixtures thereof with an acid selected from nitric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphamic acid, sulphuric acid or mixtures thereof to produce stabilized ICl₂⁻ in an acid medium; and, optionally, adding a solubilising component for ICl₂₋ selected from metallic halides and hydrochloric acids; and, optionally, adding a dispersing agent; and, optionally, adding an excipient selected from surfactants, corrosion inhibitors or tracers. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein iodine chloride is used in admixture with iodine bromide. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solubilising component is a metal chloride or hydrochloric acid. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the solubilising component is present in an amount of up to 25 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the acid is nitric acid. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the acid is present in an amount of up to 95 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the acid is present in an amount of up to 40 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the acid is present in an amount of from 24 to 26 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the interhalogen is present in an amount of up to 25 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the interhalogen is present in an amount of up to 10 percent by weight. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein the interhalogen is present in an amount of from 2 to 3 percent, by weight. A process as claimed in any of claims 2 to 11 wherein up to 5 percent, by weight, of each excipient is present. An in-use cleaning/disinfecting solution characterised in that it comprises: (a) interhalogen prepared in situ by a process as defined in any of claims 1 to 12; and, optionally, (b) detergent. A cleaning/disinfecting process characterised in that it comprises the use of a composition prepared by a process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 or a solution as claimed in claim 13.

Inventors: CORBY, MICHAEL PETER
Applicants: DIVERSEY CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01N59
IPC codes: A01N59