DISINFACTANT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: The invention pertains to disinfectant compositions on the basis of an aqueous solution of a lower alcohol, comprising an anti-microbial compound selected from the group of alkyl hydroxybenzoates. The invention allows the use of lower alcohol concentrations than in conventional disinfectant products.

Description: The present invention relates to disinfectant compositions, and in particular to disinfectant compositions which comprise an aqueous solution of a lower alcohol and anti-microbial compound. Disinfectant compositions are widely used for hard-surface disinfection in hospitals, large canteens, restaurants and the like. To meet the required level of disinfection, conventional products either comprise high percentages of alcohol, i.e. about 60% or more, or they comprise in addition to the alcohol an anti-microbial compound. The first type of product suffers from severe disadvantages due to the safety hazards (both during manufacturing and at application) connected with the high alcohol content and the corresponding low flash point of such products. In the second type of product the alcohol content is much lower, i.e. about 40%, but it proves necessary to include an anti-microbial compound to compensate for the decrease in alcohol content. In the majority of products, to this purpose aldehydes, in particular formaldehyde, are included, but, in view of their toxic properties, only low concentrations can be included and ther require severe caution in handling by the consumer. Other types of anti-microbial compounds are e.g. quaternary ammonium compounds, but their suitability is rather limited owing to their tendency to cause residues on the surface to be treated. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide compositions which exhibit a high level of disinfecting power, which contain relatively low percentages of alcohol and which are free from aldehydes. It has now been found that the above objects can be met when, in combination with a reduced level of alcohol, an anti-microbial compound selected from the group of alkyl hydroxybenzoates is included. Accordingly, the present invention provides a disinfectant composition on the basis of an aqueous solution of a lower alcohol, characterized in that it comprises an effective amount of an anti-microbial compound selected from the group of alkyl hydroxybenzoates. An essential component of the composition according to the invention is an effective amount of an anti-microbial compound selected from the group of alkyl hydroxybenzoates. In particular, the lower alcohol esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid have been found suitable. The lower alcohol radical may be derived from C₁-C₅ alcohols having straight or branched alkyl chains. Particularly effective has been found n-butyl p-hydroxybenzoate, which is therefore the preferred anti-microbial compound to be used in the compositions according to the invention. n-Butyl p-hydroxybenzoate is commercially available under the trade-name Nipabutyl ex Diverse. The anti-microbial agent is included in an amount which provides effective disinfectant action. Somewhat dependent on the solubility in the aqueous alcohol solution, such amount ranges from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition. In particular, such amount ranges from 0.01 to 1% by weight and preferably lies within the range of from 0.05 to 0.3% by weight. A second essential component of the compositions according to the present invention is a lower alcohol having from one to four carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Of particular advantage have been found ethanol and propanol. Preferably, a mixture of ethanol and n-propanol is used. The concentration of the alcohol component should be at least 10% v/v and normally lies within the range of from 10% to 50% v/v. Preferred are concentrations which lie within the range of from 20% to 40% v/v. Although a single alcohol may suitably be used, it is preferred to use a mixture of ethanol and n-propanol. The volume ratio between the ethanol and propanol preferably lies within the range of from 1:1 to 1:3. The composition of the invention further comprises water and, optionally, minor ingredients to improve its effectiveness and/or consumer acceptability. More in particular the composition may contain minor amounts of surfactants, wetting agents, colouring agents and perfumes. The compositions according to the invention will normally be applied directly by spraying or sprinkling thereof onto the surface to be treated, but they are also particularly suitable for application as the impregnation liquid in tissues which are coming to be known as wet wipes. The invention will now be further illustrated by way of example. Example 1 TABLE 1 The results in Table I were obtained using the DGHM hard surface disinfection test. Example 2 The DGHM suspension disinfection test yielded the following results using Escherichia coli: Example 3

Claims: 1. A disinfectant composition on the basis of an aqueous solution of a lower alcohol, characterised in that it comprises an effective amount of an anti-microbial compound selected from the group of alkyl hydroxybenzoates. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl hydroxybenzoate is selected from the lower alcohol esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. 3. A composition according to claim 2, wherein the lower alcohol ester is derived from n-butanol. 4. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises 0.01 to 1% by weight of the anti-microbial compound. 5. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises from 10 to 50% volume by volume of the alcohol component. 6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises from 20 to 40% volume by volume of the lower alcohol component. 7. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a mixture of ethanol and n-propanol in the volumetric ratio of from 1:1 to 1:3. 8. Wet wipes impregnated with a disinfectant composition according to any one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: GROENEWEGEN, DIRK
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01N37
IPC codes: A01N25, A01N37, A61L15