Patent Description:
Hygiene is a vast subject, which in its fullest meaning goes beyond simple 'cleanliness' to include, in addition to products, processes and devices, all circumstances and practices, lifestyle habits and premises that engender and foster a safe and healthy environment. In particular, hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases and therefore includes a specific set of practices associated with this preservation of health, for example environmental cleaning, sterilization of equipment, hand hygiene, water and sanitation or safe disposal of medical waste.

To improve hygiene, compounds having antimicrobial effects have been developed. However, the most currently used biocides such as Triclocarban and Triclosan are questioned by consumer or / and authorities, as such products are suspected to be endocrine disrupters. Consequently, there is a need to find antimicrobial ingredients having no or lower side effects, while maintaining a good antimicrobial activity.

In one example, <CIT> discloses an antimicrobial composition containing at least <NUM>% by weight of one or more perfuming ingredients including nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol.

In another example, International Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> reports a fragrance composition providing, as expected, an organoleptic effect but also an antifungal activity in a vapor phase. The antifungal composition comprises at least <NUM>% by weight of the total composition of at least two perfuming ingredients selected from several lists of ingredients comprising among others <NUM>,<NUM>-nonadienol and thymol. However, according to those teachings, a large amount of perfuming ingredients is required to deliver antimicrobial properties, which strongly influences the odor profile of the end-product containing those compositions, therefore limiting their use as an antimicrobial agent.

In another example, <CIT> discloses an antimicrobial composition for personal cleaning, oral care or hard surface cleaning applications. Wherein, it was found that compositions comprising thymol, selected propen-<NUM>-yl-methyl-cyclohexanols, and a carrier provide synergistic antimicrobial action.

In another example, <CIT> discloses antimicrobial compositions for controlling P. aeruginosa or P. acnes which contains indole and a naturally occurring substance selected from the group consisting of anacardic acid, limonene, beta-pinene, farnesol, beta -citronellol, pine resin, hinokitiol, longifolene, and beta -caryophyllene.

<NPL>) relates to a chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from Scabiosa arenaria Forssk.

<NPL>) relates to a chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the leaf of Amomum cannicarpum (Wight) Bentham ex Baker.

<NPL>) relates to an essential oils composition of two Silican cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica (L. (Cactaceae) fruits (prickly pear).

However, despite the availability of antimicrobial compounds and compositions, there remains a continuous need to find alternative antimicrobial compositions and active compounds that are suitable for use in such compositions. Without intending to be limited to any particular theory, the availability of alternatives may reduce the risk of development of microbial resistance and/or insensitivity to particular antimicrobial compounds.

Therefore, there is still a need to provide compositions having an antimicrobial effect, comprising ingredients having a minor impact on the overall perfume profile of the product in which the composition is added while maintaining or even improving the efficacy of the compositions in order to shorter contact time required for effective antimicrobial action.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an antibacterial composition as defined in claim <NUM>.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an antibacterial composition as defined in claim <NUM>.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising ingredients selected from the group consisting of: nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in combination with at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol, wherein the ingredients are present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect, wherein the antimicrobial effect is an inhibition of growth of a bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of: C. xerosis, S. aureus and E. coli, wherein the amount sufficient of the nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-neopentylpyridine is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the terpineol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, and the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in combination with terpineol, wherein the nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and terpineol are present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect, wherein the antimicrobial effect is an inhibition of growth of a bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of: C. xerosis, S. aureus and E. coli, wherein the composition comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm and terpineol in an amount between <NUM> to <NUM> ppm.

The individual ingredients themselves possess an antimicrobial activity; however, the amount sufficient to provide the antimicrobial effect for the individual ingredient when combined in the composition is less than the amount sufficient to provide the antimicrobial effect of a given individual ingredient used separately.

The amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect has no impact on the overall odour profile of the composition.

The composition of the present disclosure, or the use thereof, enables the amount of other bioactive ingredients such as, for example, triclosan, to be reduced, without impacting the overall perfume profile as the antimicrobial effect of the composition is obtained at low dosages.

By "terpineol", it is meant the normal meaning in the art; i.e. α-terpineol, β-terpineol, γ-terpineol, terpinen-<NUM>-ol or mixture thereof. Alternatively the terpineol presents in the composition is α-terpineol or terpinen-<NUM>-ol. Alternatively, terpineol presents in the composition is α-terpineol. In some aspects, the compound has the following structure:
<CHM>.

Nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol may be in a form of any one of its stereoisomers or a mixture thereof. Nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol has two carbon-carbon double bonds. Each carbon-carbon double bond of the compound, independently from each other, can be in a configuration Z or E or a mixture thereof. For the sake of clarity, by the expression "each carbon-carbon double bond of the compound, independently from each other, can be in a configuration Z or E or a mixture thereof" it is meant also a composition of matter comprising the various (E,E), (E,Z), (Z,E) and (Z,Z) isomers of nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol. Alternatively, (2E, 6Z)- nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol is used. In some aspects, nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol has the following structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol is also known under the name Thymol, or the compound having the following structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime is also known as vertoxime, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient <NUM>-neopentylpyridine is also known as fructopyridine, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-metylpolyphenol is also known as limonene, or decomposed Portugal.

The ingredient <NUM>-methoxybenzaldehyde is also known as anisic aldeyhde, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient <NUM>,<NUM>-benzodioxole-<NUM>-carbaldehyde is also known as heliotropine, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient (Z)-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-octadien-<NUM>-ol is also known as geraniol, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient cis-<NUM>(isopropyl)cyclohexanemethanol is also known as mayol, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

The ingredient gamma-dodecalactone is also known as decal, or the compound having the structure:
<CHM>.

A list of bacteria for which the compositions are effective includes Escherichia coli, DSMZ <NUM> (origin: DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH) or Staphylococcus aureus, DSMZ <NUM> (origin : DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH), or Corynebacterium xerosis, ATCC <NUM> (origin: ATCC - American Type Culture Collection).

By the term "antimicrobial agent", it is meant the normal meaning in the art; i.e. an agent which kills microorganism or inhibits their growth.

In some aspects, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, terpineol, and <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime.

In some aspects, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol, and <NUM>-neopentylpyridine.

In some aspects, the composition according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount of <NUM> ppm, <NUM> ppm, <NUM> ppm. In some aspects, the composition according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount of <NUM> ppm.

In some aspects, the composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM>-neopentylpyridine. In some aspects, the composition comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm and alternatively between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, and <NUM>-neopentylpyridine in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm. Alternatively the composition comprises (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm and <NUM> ppm of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine; or the composition comprises <NUM> ppm of (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM>-neopentylpyridine in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm.

In some aspects, the composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime. In some aspects, the composition comprises comprises <NUM> ppm of nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM> ppm of <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime.

The composition according to the second aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and terpineol. In some aspects, the composition comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, alternatively between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, and terpineol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, alternatively between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm. Alternatively, the composition comprises <NUM> ppm of nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM> ppm of terpineol.

In some aspects, the composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol. In some aspects , the composition comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in an amount between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, alternatively between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm, and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol in an amount between between <NUM> and <NUM> ppm. Alternatively, the composition comprises <NUM> ppm of nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and <NUM> ppm of <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol.

As shown in the examples below, the compositions presented herein demonstrate an antimicrobial effect. The compositions even provide a synergistic antimicrobial effect; i.e. an effect which is superior to the simple sum or addition of the antimicrobial effect expected when the two ingredients of the composition would have been admixed in the desired concentration. In other words, in such cases, antibacterial activity of the combination of both ingredients is greater than the sum of activities of the individual ingredients. The synergistic effect may be determined firstly by measuring the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for each ingredient in isolation and in the combination. These MIC values can then be used to calculate the Fractional Inhibitory Index (FIC) for each agent and then the overall ΣFIC for the combination, as reported in <NPL>. A composition is considered to have an additive antimicrobial effect also known as a partial antimicrobial synergistic effect when FIC Index in below <NUM>. For FIC Index below <NUM>, the composition is considered to have a synergistic antimicrobial effect.

The use of the compositions as defined herein is particularly advantageous to limit or control the growth of microorganism such as bacteria. The antimicrobial effect is one of the main requirements of hygiene products such as body care or home care products.

As mentioned above, the disclosure concerns the use of the compositions as defined above as an antimicrobial agent.

In some aspects, the antimicrobial composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, terpineol, and <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime.

In some aspects, the antimicrobial composition according to the first aspect of the invention comprises nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol, and <NUM>-neopentylpyridine.

In some aspects, the antimicrobial composition according to the first aspect of the invention further comprises at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a perfumery carrier, a perfuming co-ingredient and mixtures thereof; and optionally at least one perfumery adjuvant.

In some aspects, the antimicrobial composition according to the first aspect of the invention is formulated as a consumer product, wherein the consumer product is a perfume, a fabric care product, a body-care pro is duct, a cosmetic preparation, a skin-care product, an air care product or a home care product.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming composition comprising:.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a perfuming composition comprising:.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising a composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and a least one compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol, wherein the composition is present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising a composition comprising gamma-dodecalactone in combination with at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-Methyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>-methylethenyl)-cyclohexene, <NUM>-Methoxybenzaldehyde, and <NUM>,<NUM>-Benzodioxole-<NUM>-carbaldehyde, wherein the composition is present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising a composition comprising <NUM>,<NUM>-Benzodioxole-<NUM>-carbaldehyde in combination and gamma-dodecalactone, wherein the composition is present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising a composition comprising cis-<NUM>(Isopropyl)cyclohexanemethanol and <NUM>-Methoxybenzaldehyde, wherein the composition is present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect.

Also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising a composition comprising <NUM>,<NUM>-Benzodioxole-<NUM>-carbaldehyde and <NUM>-Methoxybenzaldehyde, wherein the composition is present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect.

The amounts of each ingredient in the antimicrobial compositions are as defined above.

By "perfumery carrier" we mean here a material which is practically neutral from a perfumery point of view, i.e. which does not significantly alter the organoleptic properties of perfuming ingredients. The carrier may be a liquid or a solid.

As liquid carrier one may cite, as non-limiting examples, an emulsifying system, i.e. a solvent and a surfactant system, or a solvent commonly used in perfumery. A detailed description of the nature and type of solvents commonly used in perfumery cannot be exhaustive. However, one can cite as non-limiting examples solvents such as butylene or propylene glycols, glycerol, dipropyleneglycol and its monoether, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-propanetriyl triacetate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate <NUM>,<NUM>-diacetyloxypropan-<NUM>-yl acetate, diethyl phthalate, isopropyl myristate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl alcohol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-ethoxyethoxy)-<NUM>-ethano, tri-ethyl citrate or mixtures thereof, which are the most commonly used. For the compositions which comprise both a perfumery carrier and a perfumery co-ingredient, other suitable perfumery carriers than those previously specified, can be also ethanol, water/ethanol mixtures, limonene or other terpenes, isoparaffins such as those known under the trademark Isopar® (origin: Exxon Chemical) or glycol ethers and glycol ether esters such as those known under the trademark Dowanol® (origin: Dow Chemical Company), or hydrogenated castors oils such as those known under the trademark Cremophor® RH <NUM> (origin: BASF).

As solid carrier it is meant a material where the perfuming composition or some element of the perfuming composition can be chemically or physically bound. In general such solid carrier are employed either to stabilize the composition, either to control the rate of evaporation of the compositions or of some ingredients. The employment of solid carrier is of current use in the art and a person skilled in the art knows how to reach the desired effect. However by way of non-limiting example as solid carriers one may cite absorbing gums or polymers or inorganic material, such as porous polymers, cyclodextrines, wood based materials, organic or inorganic gels, clays, gypsum talc or zeolites.

As other non-limiting example of solid carrier one may cite encapsulating materials. Examples of such materials may comprise wall-forming and plasticizing materials, such as mono, di- or trisaccharides, natural or modified starches, hydrocolloids, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylalcohols, proteins or pectins, or yet the materials cited in reference texts such as <NPL>. The encapsulation is a well-known process to a person skilled in the art, and may be performed, for instance, using techniques such as spray-drying, agglomeration or yet extrusion; or consists of a coating encapsulation, including coacervation and complex coacervation technique. As non-limiting examples one may cite in particular the core-shell encapsulation with resins of the aminoplast, polyamide, polyester, polyurea or polyurethane type or a mixture thereof (all of the resins are well known to a person skilled in the art) using techniques like phase separation process induced by polymerization, by interfacial polymerization, by coacervation or altogether (all of the techniques are have been described in the prior art), and optionally in presence of polymeric stabilizer or a cationic copolymer.

In particular, as resins one may cite the ones produced by the polycondensation of an aldehyde (e.g. formaldehyde, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethoxyethanal, glyoxal, glyoxylic acid or glycolaldehyde and mixtures thereof) with an amine, namely urea, benzoguanamine, glycoluryl, melamine, methylol melamine, methylated methylol melamine, guanazole and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Alternatively one may use preformed resins alkylolated polyamines such as those commercially available under the trademark Urac® (origin: Cytec Technology Corp. ), Cymel® (origin: Cytec Technology Corp. ), Urecoll® or Luracoll® (origin: BASF).

In particular, as resins one may cite the ones produced by the polycondensation of an a polyol, like glycerol, and a polyisocyanate, like a trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate, a trimer of isophorone diisocyanate or xylylene diisocyanate or a Biuret of hexamethylene diisocyanate or a trimer of xylylene diisocyanate with trimethylolpropane (known with the tradename of Takenate®, origin: Mitsui Chemicals), among which a trimer of xylylene diisocyanate with trimethylolpropane and a Biuret of hexamethylene diisocyanate.

Some of the seminal literature related to the encapsulation of perfumes by polycondensation of amino resins, namely melamine based resins, with aldehydes is represented by articles such as those published by <NPL>, as well as <NPL>. Such articles already describe the various parameters affecting the preparation of such core-shell microcapsules following prior art methods that are also further detailed and exemplified in the patent literature. <CIT> is a pertinent early example of the latter. Since then, many other authors and creators have enriched the literature in this field and it would be impossible to cover all published developments here, but the general knowledge in this type of encapsulation is very significant. More recent publications of pertinence, which also address the suitable uses of such microcapsules, are represented for example by the article of <NPL>, international patent publication <CIT> or yet the article of <NPL>.

Perfuming co-ingredients, when present in the perfuming composition, are other than nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol, <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol or <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol. Moreover, by "perfuming co-ingredient" it is meant here a compound, which is used in a perfuming preparation or a composition to impart a hedonic effect. In other words such a co-ingredient, to be considered as being a perfuming one, must be recognized by a person skilled in the art as being able to impart or modify in a positive or pleasant way the odor of a composition, and not just as having an odor.

The nature and type of the perfuming co-ingredients do not warrant a more detailed description here, which in any case would not be exhaustive, the skilled person being able to select them on the basis of his general knowledge and according to intended use or application and the desired organoleptic effect. In general terms, these perfuming co-ingredients belong to chemical classes as varied as alcohols, lactones, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, acetates, nitriles, terpenoids, nitrogenous or sulphurous heterocyclic compounds and essential oils, and the perfuming co-ingredients can be of natural or synthetic origin.

In particular one may cite perfuming co-ingredients which are commonly used in perfume formulations, such as:.

Perfuming co-ingredients may not be limited to the above mentioned, and many other of these co-ingredients are in any case listed in reference texts such as the <NPL>, or its more recent versions, or in other works of a similar nature, as well as in the abundant patent literature in the field of perfumery. It is also understood that the co-ingredients may also be compounds known to release in a controlled manner various types of perfuming compounds.

By "perfumery adjuvant" what is meant is an ingredient capable of imparting additional added benefit such as a color, a particular light resistance, chemical stability, etc. A detailed description of the nature and type of adjuvant commonly used in perfumery cannot be exhaustive, but it has to be mentioned that the ingredients are well known to a person skilled in the art. However, one may cite as specific non-limiting examples the following: viscosity agents (e.g. surfactants, thickeners, gelling and/or rheology modifiers), stabilizing agents (e.g. preservatives, antioxidant, heat/light and or buffers or chelating agents, such as BHT), color agents (e.g. dyes and/or pigments), preservative (e.g. antibacterial or antimicrobial or antifungi or anti irritant agents), abrasives, skin cooling agents, fixatives, insect repellants, ointments, vitamins and mixture thereof.

It is understood that a person skilled in the art is perfectly able to design optimal formulations for the desired effect by admixing the above mentioned components of a perfuming composition, simply by applying the standard knowledge of the art as well as by trial and error methodologies.

A perfuming composition consisting of at least one antimicrobial composition as defined above and at least one perfumery carrier is also described herein (not according to the invention) as well as a perfuming composition comprising at least one antimicrobial composition as defined above, at least one perfumery carrier, at least one perfumery co-ingredient, and optionally at least one perfumery adjuvant.

For the sake of clarity, it is also understood that any mixture resulting directly from a chemical synthesis, e.g. a reaction medium without an adequate purification, in which the compound of the present disclosure would be involved as a starting, intermediate or end-product could not be considered as a perfuming composition according to the disclosure as far as the mixture does not provide the inventive compound in a suitable form for perfumery. Thus, unpurified reaction mixtures are generally excluded from the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

Furthermore, the antimicrobial compositions, as defined above, can also be advantageously used in all the fields of modern perfumery, i.e. fine or functional perfumery, to positively impart or modify the odor of a consumer product into which the compound (I) is added. Consequently, also described herein (not according to the invention) is a perfuming consumer product comprising, at least one antimicrobial composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and a least a compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol. Alternatively, the perfuming consumer product comprises at least one antimicrobial composition comprising nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and a least a compound selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine and <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime.

The above-composition can be added as such or as part of the perfuming composition as described herein.

For the sake of clarity, it has to be mentioned that, by "perfuming consumer product" it is meant a consumer product which is expected to deliver at least a pleasant perfuming effect to the surface to which it is applied (e.g. skin, hair, textile, or home surface) or in the air. In other words, a perfuming consumer product as described herein is a perfumed consumer product which comprises the functional formulation, as well as optionally additional benefit agents, corresponding to the desired consumer product, e.g. a detergent or an air freshener, and an olfactive effective amount of at least one disclosure's compound. For the sake of clarity, the perfuming consumer product is a non-edible product.

The nature and type of the constituents of the perfuming consumer product do not warrant a more detailed description here, which in any case would not be exhaustive, the skilled person being able to select them on the basis of his general knowledge and according to the nature and the desired effect of the product.

Non-limiting examples of suitable perfuming consumer product can be a perfume, such as a fine perfume, a splash or eau de perfume, a cologne or a shave or after-shave lotion; a fabric care product, such as a liquid or solid detergent, a fabric softener, a fabric refresher, an ironing water, a paper, or a bleach, carpet cleaners, curtain-care products; a body-care product, such as a hair care product (e.g. a shampoo, a coloring preparation or a hair spray, a color care product, hair shaping product, a dental care product), a disinfectant, an intimate care product; a cosmetic preparation (e.g. a skin cream or lotion, a vanishing cream or a deodorant or antiperspirant (e.g. a spray or roll on), hair remover, tanning or sun or after sun product, nail products, skin cleansing, a makeup); or a skin-care product (e.g. a perfumed soap, shower or bath mousse, oil or gel, or a hygiene product or a foot/hand care products); an air care product, such as an air freshener or a "ready to use" powdered air freshener which can be used in the home space (rooms, refrigerators, cupboards, shoes or car) and/or in a public space (halls, hotels, malls, etc.. ); or a home care product, such as a mold remover, furnisher care, wipe, a dish detergent or hard-surface (e.g. a floor, bath, sanitary or a windows) detergent; a leather care product; a car care product, such as a polish, waxes or a plastic cleaners. Alternatively, the consumer products are body care or home care products.

Some of the above-mentioned perfuming consumer products may represent an aggressive medium for the compositions according to the invention, so that it may be necessary to protect the latter from premature decomposition, for example by encapsulation or by chemically binding it to another chemical which is suitable to release the disclosure's ingredient upon a suitable external stimulus, such as an enzyme, light, heat or a change of pH.

The proportions in which the compositions according to the disclosure can be incorporated into the various aforementioned products or compositions vary within a wide range of values. These values are dependent on the nature of the article to be perfumed and on the desired organoleptic effect as well as on the nature of the co-ingredients when the compounds according to the disclosure are mixed with perfuming co-ingredients, solvents or additives commonly used in the art.

For example, in the case of perfuming compositions, typical concentrations are in the order of <NUM> % to <NUM> % by weight, or even more, of the compositions according to the invention based on the weight of the composition into which they are incorporated. Concentrations lower than these, such as in the order of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, can be used when these compounds are incorporated into perfuming consumer products, percentage being relative to the weight of the article.

The disclosure will now be described in further detail by way of the following examples, wherein the abbreviations have the usual meaning in the art and the temperatures are indicated in degrees centigrade (°C).

The method below allows evaluating antimicrobial activity of different raw materials in combination. The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FIC Index) is a measure of activity (<NPL>) and is calculated according to the formula below: <MAT> where (MICA alone) and (MICB alone) are the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of individual ingredients A and B when used in isolation, respectively; whereas (MICA combination) and (MICB combination) are the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations of materials A and B when tested in combination. Ingredient A corresponds to nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol and ingredient B stands for <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol or <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol.

The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of a material is defined as the lowest concentration of an agent which can inhibit visible bacterial growth (<NPL>on).

A combination of raw materials is considered to exert a partially synergistic antimicrobial effect (or also called antimicrobial additive effect) if the FIC Index is inferior to <NUM> and a synergistic antimicrobial effect if the FIC Index is inferior or equal to <NUM>. FIC Index values inferior or equal to <NUM> but superior or equal to <NUM> indicate indifference, whereas FIC index values superior to <NUM> indicate antagonism (<NPL>).

Bacterial suspensions of E. coli DSMZ <NUM> and S. aureus DSMZ <NUM> were prepared as follows: a frozen stock aliquot was streaked on a Tryptic Soy Agar plate, which was then incubated at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. A single bacterial colony was picked and inoculated into <NUM> of Mueller Hinton Broth contained in a <NUM>-flask. Incubation was performed overnight at <NUM>, under agitation (<NUM> rpm). The following day, the overnight culture was diluted into <NUM> of fresh Mueller Hinton Broth at <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Growth at <NUM> was continued as described above until the absorbance measured at <NUM> reached <NUM> - <NUM> and <NUM> - <NUM> for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. At this point, cells were harvested by centrifugation (<NUM> - <NUM> x g - <NUM>) and suspended in fresh Mueller Hinton Broth at a concentration of <NUM>×<NUM><NUM> CFU/ml.

Solutions of raw materials under evaluation (ingredients A and B) were prepared in ethanol and then serially diluted in the desired concentration into <NUM>-well microtiter plates (<NUM>µl per well). Columns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> received only <NUM>µl ethanol without any testing material. The final concentration of ethanol was <NUM>% w/v for all wells.

Then, <NUM>µl of cell suspension as prepared above were added to each well of the microtiter plate, with the exception of column <NUM> which received <NUM>µl of Mueller Hinton Broth. The final volume of each well was brought to <NUM>µl with Mueller Hinton Broth. Each plate was sealed and incubated at <NUM> for <NUM> hours, under agitation (<NUM> rpm). After incubation, plate reading was performed visually by recording wells with visible bacterial growth. Each combination of materials was tested in triplicate. Turbidity due to potential precipitation of raw materials was taken into account by scoring plates containing identical raw material concentrations, without bacteria.

Based on the test described above, the following combinations of raw materials were found to be antimicrobially active on E. coli DSMZ <NUM>:.

Based on the test described above, the following combinations of raw materials were found to be antimicrobially active on S. aureus DSMZ <NUM>:.

Those tables demonstrate that the above compositions present an antimicrobial synergistic effect as the FIC of those compositions are below or equal to <NUM>.

Bacterial solutions of the two strains, E. coli DSMZ <NUM> and S. aureus DSMZ <NUM>, were prepared for BCT test as follows. Stock cultures stored at -<NUM> were sub-cultured onto Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) agar plate media, and incubated at <NUM> for <NUM> to obtain single colonies. Single colonies of the primary cultures were streaked onto TSA slant and incubate it at <NUM> incubator for <NUM>. Bacterial lawns of the slant culture were collected in PBS buffer to make suspensions with the target level of <NUM>-<NUM> x <NUM><NUM> CFU/mL. The <NUM>:<NUM> dilution of each cell suspension in PBS buffer was used as the bacterial solutions for the BCT test.

Test samples of base with synergistic binary mixtures were prepared as follows. Raw materials of the synergistic binary mixtures (Table <NUM>) were mixed with the liquid soap base PGK-<NUM>-<NUM> (Table <NUM>). Aliquots (<NUM>) of each mixture were weighed into <NUM> glass tube with a stirrer bar, and added with equal amount of MilliQ water to make <NUM>% suspension as the test samples for the BCT test.

BCT tests were performed in the <NUM> sample tubes. Each sample tube with <NUM> of <NUM>% sample suspension was placed onto a magnetic stirrer, and an aliquot of bacterial solution (<NUM>µl) was added to the sample and allowed for a contact of <NUM> sec during mixing. Then aliquots (<NUM>) of the mixture were transferred into <NUM> PBS, and further serial dilutions were made in <NUM> PBS. Aliquots (<NUM>) of PBS dilutions were plated onto duplicate plates of TSA plates using the pour plate method. TSA plates were incubated at <NUM> for <NUM>. After incubation, colonies on TSA plates were enumerated and log reduction of each sample were calculated against the CFU counts of the control sample (MilliQ water).

Table <NUM> indicates that binary mixtures of (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% and <NUM>% and (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-neopentylpyridine (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% and <NUM>% had <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, and <NUM> log reduction against E. coli DSMZ <NUM>, respectively, in <NUM>% liquid soap base after a contact time of <NUM> sec.

Table <NUM> shows that binary mixtures of (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% and <NUM>%, (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% and <NUM>%, and (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-neopentylpyridine (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% had <NUM> to <NUM> log reduction against S. aureus DSMZ <NUM> in <NUM>% liquid soap base after a contact time of <NUM> sec.

In conclusion, the data indicates that synergistic binary mixtures shows antibacterial effect against both E. coli DSMZ <NUM> and S. aureus DSMZ <NUM> in a liquid soap base.

Table <NUM> showed that the measured bacterial log reduction observed using of mixtures of <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol + <NUM>% <NUM>-neopentylpyridine is greater than the sum of the measured bacterial log reduction observed either <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol or <NUM>% <NUM>-neopentylpyridine in isolation. Similarly, the log reduction of mixtures of <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol + <NUM>% <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol is greater than that of <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol or <NUM>% <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol.

Bacterial solution of C. xerosis ATCC <NUM> strain was prepared for BCT test as follows. Stock cultures stored at -<NUM> were subcultured onto Tryptic Soy Agar media with <NUM>% Tween <NUM> (TSA-TW80), and incubated at <NUM> for <NUM>. The primary cultures were subcultured onto TSA-TW80 again to prepare the secondary cultures. Single colonies of secondary culture were inoculated into <NUM> of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth with <NUM>% Tween <NUM> (BHI-TW80), and incubated at <NUM> <NUM> rpm for <NUM>. Aliquots (<NUM>) of the <NUM> culture were inoculated into <NUM> of fresh BHI-TW80 broth, and incubated at <NUM> <NUM> rpm for <NUM>. Aliquots (<NUM>-<NUM>) of the <NUM> culture were inoculated into four <NUM> of fresh BHI-TW80 broth medium, and incubated at <NUM> <NUM> rpm for <NUM>-<NUM> hrs. When the OD reached the target value of <NUM>, cells were harvested by centrifugation at <NUM> rpm for <NUM>, and then resuspended in the same fresh broth media to a target concentration of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM> cfu/mL. This suspension was used as the bacterial solution for the BCT test.

Test samples of base with synergistic binary mixtures were prepared as follows. Raw materials of the synergistic binary mixtures were weighed (Table <NUM>), and mixed with <NUM> PEG-<NUM> Hydrogenated Castor Oil and <NUM> deodorant roll on base (Table <NUM>).

BCT tests were performed in <NUM> sample tubes. Aliquots (<NUM>) of each sample were weighed into the tube, and an aliquot of bacterial solution (<NUM>µl) was added to the sample and allowed for a contact time of <NUM> sec with constant mixing. At the end of the contact time, aliquots (<NUM>) of BHI broth were added to the tube. The suspensions were mixed well by vortexing, and further <NUM>:<NUM> serial dilutions were made in <NUM> BHI. Aliquots (<NUM>) of BHI dilutions were plated onto duplicate plates of TSA-TW80 using pour plate methods. TSA-TW80 plates were incubated at <NUM> for <NUM>-<NUM> days. After incubation, colonies on TSA-TW80 plates were enumerated and log reduction of each sample were calculated against the CFU counts of the control sample (BHI).

Table <NUM> indicates that the addition of binary mixtures of (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>%, (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>%, (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>%, (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: Terpineol (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>%, (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol: <NUM>-neopentylpyridine (<NUM>:<NUM>) at <NUM>% in the <NUM>% deodorant roll-on base improve the antimicrobial effect of base against C. xerosis ATCC <NUM> after a contact time of <NUM> sec.

Table <NUM> shows that mixture of (<NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol + <NUM>% <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol) had greater log reduction than that of <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol or <NUM>% <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol. However, a mixture of (<NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol + <NUM>% <NUM>-neopentylpyridine) had similar log reduction as that of <NUM>% (2E,6Z)-nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol or <NUM>% <NUM>-neopentylpyridine.

Claim 1:
An antimicrobial composition comprising ingredients selected from the group consisting of: nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol in combination with at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-neopentylpyridine, <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime, terpineol and <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol, wherein the ingredients are present in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect, wherein the antimicrobial effect is an inhibition of growth of a bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of: C. xerosis, S. aureus and E. coli,
wherein the amount sufficient of the nona-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-neopentylpyridine is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the terpineol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-methylhexan-<NUM>-one oxime is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm, and the amount sufficient of the <NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylphenol is from <NUM> to <NUM> ppm.