Patent ID: 8877127

Claim:
An aqueous suspension of mineral matter comprising calcium carbonate, at least one dispersing agent, and an antimicrobial agent consisting of one or more OH − ion donors selected from alkali oxides and alkali hydroxides, wherein the aqueous suspension is obtained by a process for disinfecting or preserving the aqueous suspension of or from microbial contamination, wherein the process comprises: a) at least one stage to increase and maintain the OH − ion concentration of the aqueous suspension of the mineral matter comprising calcium carbonate, to a value greater than or equal to 1×10 −2 mole/l, by addition of the antimicrobial agent consisting of one or more OH − ion donors selected from alkali oxides and alkali hydroxides, for a sufficient time to disinfect or preserve the aqueous suspension of the mineral matter comprising calcium carbonate of or from microbial contamination, and b) at least one stage of dispersion and/or grinding of the aqueous suspension of the mineral matter comprising calcium carbonate, occurring before, during or after stage a), wherein the aqueous suspension of mineral matter has a microbe concentration of less than or equal to 100 microbes/gram.