阅读说明：本技术 抗菌防腐剂组合物 (Antimicrobial preservative compositions ) 是由 P·萨拉玛 于 2019-01-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了由以下组成的制剂：乙基己基甘油(EHG)、有机溶剂和季铵。公开了包括一种或多种有机溶剂和一种或多种阳离子表面活性剂的制剂。进一步公开了包括该制剂的制品。(Disclosed is a formulation consisting of: ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG), organic solvents, and quaternary ammonium. Formulations comprising one or more organic solvents and one or more cationic surfactants are disclosed. Further disclosed are articles of manufacture comprising the formulation.)

1. A formulation, comprising: ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG), an organic solvent, a quaternary amine, and a counter anion, wherein:

(i) the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in an amount of 1: 3 to 1: a ratio in the range of 9, and wherein

(ii) The quaternary amine and the EHG are each present in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1: a ratio in the range of 7 is present.

2. A formulation, comprising: from 50% to 98% (w/w) of one or more organic solvents, from 2% to 15% (w/w) of one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions.

3. The formulation of claim 2, further comprising any one of water, Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG), one or more acids, one or more halogenated preservatives, or any combination thereof.

4. The formulation of claim 3, wherein the ethylhexyl glycerin (EHG) is 10% to 30% (w/w) of the total formulation.

5. The formulation of claim 3, wherein the water is 0.5% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation.

6. The formulation of claim 3, wherein the one or more acids is 1% to 10% (w/w) of the total formulation.

7. The formulation of any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the one or more acids are selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

8. The formulation of claim 3, wherein the one or more halogenated preservatives is from 1% to 20% (w/w) of the total composition.

9. A formulation comprising water, one or more acid salts, one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions, wherein the one or more cationic surfactants is from 0.5% to 10% (w/w) of the total formulation.

10. The formulation of claim 9, wherein the one or more acid salts is 20% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation.

11. The formulation of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the one or more acid salts are salts of an acid selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

12. The formulation of any one of claims 2-11, wherein the one or more cationic surfactants comprise quaternary ammonium, quaternary pyridinium, quaternary phosphonium, tertiary ammonium, tertiary sulfonium, or any combination thereof.

13. The formulation of claim 12, wherein the quaternary pyridinium is selected from the group consisting of: octenium, lauryl pyridinium, cetyl pyridinium, and any combination thereof.

14. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the quaternary amine is selected from the group consisting of: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium, didecyl dimethyl ammonium, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium, lauramide ammonium, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-80, cocamidopropyl PG-dimethyl ammonium chloride phosphate, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyl decyl glucoside, and any combination thereof.

15. The formulation of claim 14, wherein the quaternary amine is selected from the group consisting of: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium and didecyl dimethyl ammonium.

16. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the counter anion is selected from the group consisting of: chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof.

17. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the organic solvent comprises one or more aromatic alcohols, one or more glycols, or any combination thereof.

18. The formulation of claim 17, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of: benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-octanediol, 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol, 3-phenylpropanol, each of which is substituted or unsubstituted, or any mixture thereof.

19. The formulation of any one of claims 1 to 18, which is a synergistic antimicrobial formulation.

20. The formulation of any one of claims 1-19 for use in treating a medical, cosmetic and/or cosmeceutical condition.

21. An article of manufacture comprising the formulation of any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The article of claim 21 which is a personal care product.

23. The article of any one of claims 21 or 22, selected from the group consisting of: fabrics, bandages, wipes, batts, swabs, suppositories, dressings, solutions, mousses, pads and patches.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the product comprises a formulation in a form selected from the group consisting of: pastes, ointments, lotions, foams, gels, creams, ointments and soaps.

25. The article of any one of claims 21 to 24, for treating a condition selected from the group consisting of medical, cosmetic and cosmeceutical conditions.

26. A method of inhibiting or reducing the formation of a microbial load in and/or on an article, the method comprising contacting the article with the formulation of any one of claims 1 to 20.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, mold, and fungi.

28. A method of preserving a cosmetic product comprising adding the formulation of any one of claims 1 to 20 to the cosmetic product.

Technical Field

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to personal care formulations comprising cationic surfactants and their use, for example, in reducing or preventing microbial growth.

Background

Antimicrobial compositions are used by individual consumers in, for example, the health care industry, food service industry, meat processing industry, and private sector.

The preservation of personal care products from microbial contamination has been a formidable task because very few approved antimicrobial agents are available and antimicrobial agents with good antimicrobial activity are highly toxic. Consumers seek products for topical application that are useful as preservatives, free of toxic antimicrobial agents.

Infection is a constant risk for any healthy person and poses an even higher risk to hospitalized patients. The risk of infection is further increased when the natural infection barrier of the skin or other epithelial surface is broken during surgery, and/or in addition where bacteria normally present on the skin or in the air are allowed to enter the inner surface of the body.

Even following good hygiene and disinfection techniques, hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections occur despite the reduced incidence. Even with the most rigorous of sterile procedures, humans cannot be completely isolated from pathogens.

The widespread use of antimicrobial compositions indicates consumer interest in controlling bacterial and other microbial populations on the skin. However, it is important that antimicrobial compositions provide a large and broad spectrum reduction of microbial populations quickly without causing problems associated with toxicity and skin irritation. In particular, antimicrobial cleansing compositions typically comprise an active antimicrobial agent, a surfactant, and various other ingredients, such as dyes, fragrances, pH adjusters, thickeners, and the like, in an aqueous carrier.

Despite the success in controlling or eliminating bacterial infections, the widespread use of antibiotics in human medicine and as feed supplements in poultry and livestock production has led to resistance to many pathogenic bacteria. The evolution and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria has increasingly emerged as a genetic determinant of resistance leading to life-threatening infections, and as a result, the effectiveness of antibiotics has been greatly reduced over the past decade. Furthermore, as resistance spreads between bacteria, there is a strong concern that antibiotic therapy will be less and less effective, and in some cases completely ineffective.

Nosocomial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause patient pain and death, and place a large burden on medical systems due to prolonged hospital stays. The economic impact of managing infections caused by nosocomial infections is enormous and the annual cost is estimated to exceed $ 40 million.

Currently, many blends are available for the preservation of personal care products, where synergy between antimicrobial agents is utilized to reduce the concentration of individual ingredients. Another great advantage is that if the microorganisms are attacked by a combination of antibiotics, they will not easily develop resistance.

Disclosure of Invention

The present inventors have surprisingly found that personal care formulations comprising ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG), an organic solvent and a quaternary ammonium in specified proportions can be readily prepared and that such formulations exhibit excellent, even synergistic, antibacterial activity.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a formulation comprising: ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG), an organic solvent, and a quaternary ammonium, wherein: (i) EHG and organic solvent are added in amounts of 1: 3 to 1: 9, and wherein (ii) the quaternary ammonium and EHG are present in a ratio of 1:1 to 1: a ratio in the range of 7 is present.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a formulation comprising: from 50% to 98% (w/w) of one or more organic solvents, from 2% to 15% (w/w) of one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions.

In some embodiments, the formulation further comprises any one of water, Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG), one or more acids, one or more halogenated preservatives, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, ethylhexyl glycerin (EHG) is 10% to 30% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, water is 0.5% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acids are 1% to 10% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acids are selected from: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more halogenated preservatives are 1% to 20% (w/w) of the total composition.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a formulation comprising: water, one or more acid salts, one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions, wherein the cationic surfactant is 0.5% to 10% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acid salts are 20% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acid salts are salts of an acid selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more cationic surfactants comprise quaternary ammonium, quaternary pyridinium, quaternary phosphonium, tertiary ammonium, tertiary sulfonium, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary pyridinium is selected from: octenium (octenidium), lauryl pyridinium, cetyl pyridinium, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary amine is selected from: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium, didecyl dimethyl ammonium, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium, lauralkonium, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-80, cocamidopropyl PG-dimethyl ammonium chloride phosphate, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyl decyl glucosides (lauridimimumhydroxypropyl glucosides), and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary amine is selected from: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium and didecyl dimethyl ammonium.

In some embodiments, the counter anion is selected from: chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent comprises one or more aromatic alcohols, one or more glycols, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent is selected from: benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-octanediol, 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol, 3-phenylpropanol, each substituted or unsubstituted, or any mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the formulation comprises: (i) 10% -18% (w/w) EHG; (ii) 3% -10% quaternary ammonium (w/w); (iii) 70-90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, the formulation comprises: (i) 10% -18% (w/w) EHG; (ii) 2% -7% (w/w) dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium halide; (iii) 70-90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, the formulation comprises: (i) 10% -18% (w/w) EHG; (ii) 2% -7% (w/w) didecyl dimethyl ammonium halide; (iii) 70-90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, the formulation is a synergistic antimicrobial formulation.

In some embodiments, the formulations are used for the treatment of medical, cosmetic and/or cosmeceutical conditions.

According to another aspect, there is provided an article of manufacture comprising a formulation as disclosed in any embodiment thereof.

In some embodiments, the article is a personal care product.

In some embodiments, the article is selected from: fabrics, bandages, wipes, batts, swabs, suppositories, dressings, solutions, mousses, pads and patches.

In some embodiments, the product comprises a formulation in a form selected from: pastes, ointments, lotions, foams, gels, creams, ointments and soaps.

In some embodiments, the article is used to treat a condition selected from the group consisting of medical, cosmetic, and cosmeceutical conditions.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of inhibiting or reducing the formation of a microbial load in and/or on an article, the method comprising contacting the article with a formulation as disclosed in an embodiment thereof.

In some embodiments, the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, mold, and fungi.

In some embodiments, the bacterium is a gram-positive bacterium selected from the group consisting of: staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis and bacillus cereus; andor a gram-negative bacterium selected from: escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Burkholderia cepacia.

In some embodiments, the fungus is candida albicans.

In some embodiments, the mold is aspergillus niger.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of preserving a cosmetic product, the method comprising adding to the cosmetic product a formulation as disclosed in embodiments thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the following description of exemplary methods and/or materials is provided. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Detailed Description

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to compositions, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to personal care compositions having antibacterial (also referred to as "antimicrobial") activity, articles of manufacture containing the compositions, and uses thereof, for example, in reducing or preventing the growth of microorganisms.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details set forth by the examples or illustrated in the following description. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

High quality antimicrobial compositions are desirable because they provide a good solution to the biological contamination and/or infection process and/or the formation of biofilm on surfaces. Conventional personal care compositions suffer from several disadvantages, as many of these compositions are known to be toxic (or release toxic substances to the environment), unstable, inefficient or limited in preventing (or completely reducing) microbial growth, expensive and produced by complex manufacturing processes, sometimes requiring expensive equipment for their manufacture.

Throughout this document, "composition" further refers to a formulation.

The inventors have designed a non-toxic antimicrobial formulation (also referred to as a "mixture").

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising a compound comprising a diol or triol, another organic solvent and a cationic surfactant.

In some embodiments, the diol (diol) is a glycol. In some embodiments, the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentanediol, and hexanediol.

In some embodiments, the glycol is caprylyl glycol.

In some embodiments, the glycol is glyceryl caprylate.

In some embodiments, the glycol is ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG).

As demonstrated in the examples section below, the inventors have shown that compositions (e.g., formulations) comprising EHG, organic solvent, and cationic surfactant in certain predetermined ratios exhibit desirable stability and improved antimicrobial activity as compared to other compositions comprising different materials than the formulations of the invention or as compared to formulations comprising the same materials but having different volume or weight ratios.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a composition comprising one or more organic solvents, one or more cationic surfactants and one or more counter anions.

In some embodiments, the composition further comprises any one of water, Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG), one or more acids, one or more halogenated preservatives, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the term "preservative" refers to any ingredient that protects a product from microbial contamination. Preservatives are also commonly referred to as antimicrobials or bactericides. As used herein, the term "preservative" refers to any such ingredient, whether or not protection from microbial contamination is the primary stated purpose of the ingredient.

In some embodiments, the one or more acids are selected from: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more cationic surfactants comprise quaternary ammonium, quaternary pyridinium, quaternary phosphonium, tertiary ammonium, tertiary sulfonium, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the tertiary ammonium is different from lauroyl arginine ethyl ester.

In some embodiments, the quaternary pyridinium is selected from: octenium, lauryl pyridinium, cetyl pyridinium, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary amine is selected from: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium, didecyl dimethyl ammonium, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium, lauramide ammonium, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-80, cocamidopropyl PG-dimethyl ammonium chloride phosphate, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyl decyl glucoside, and any combination thereof.

As demonstrated in the examples section below, the inventors have shown that compositions (e.g., formulations) comprising one or more organic solvents, one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions in certain predetermined ratios exhibit desirable stability and improved antimicrobial activity as compared to other compositions comprising different materials than the formulations of the present invention or other compositions comprising the same materials but having different volume or weight ratios thereof.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent is selected from: benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, each substituted or unsubstituted, or mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

The solvent is selected from: each substituted or unsubstituted benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-octanediol, 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol, 3-phenylpropanol, or any mixture thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the organic solvent comprises phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium.

In some embodiments, the quaternary ammonium is selected from, but is not limited to, dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, laurylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-80, and any combination thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising: EHG, organic solvents, and quaternary ammonium. In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are present in the specified ratios as described below.

As demonstrated in the examples section below, the inventors have shown that specific ratios of the above compounds confer antimicrobial activity on the formulation.

The inventors have also shown that the disclosed formulations can be used to impart antimicrobial activity to articles.

Exemplary formulations

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG), an organic solvent, and a cationic surfactant.

In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in a weight ratio of 1: in a ratio ranging from 1 to 1: 15. In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in a weight ratio of 1: in a ratio in the range of 2 to 1: 10. In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in an amount of 1: 3 to 1: a ratio in the range of 9 is present. In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in a weight ratio of 1: 3 to 1: a ratio in the range of 9 is present.

In some embodiments, the EHG and the organic solvent are each present in a ratio of 1: 1. 1: 2. 1: 3. 1: 4. 1: 5. 1: 6. 1: 7. 1: 8. 1: 9. 1: 10. 1: 11. 1: 12. 1: 13. 1: 14 or 1:15, including any values and ranges therebetween.

In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant and EHG are each present in a weight ratio of 1: in a ratio ranging from 1 to 1: 10. In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant and EHG are each present in a weight ratio of 1: in a ratio in the range of 2 to 1: 10. In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant and EHG are each present in a weight ratio of 1: 2 to 1: a ratio in the range of 7 is present. In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant and EHG are each present in a weight ratio of 1: 2 to 1: a ratio in the range of 5.

In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant and EHG are each present in a ratio of 1: 1. 1: 2. 1: 3. 1: 4. 1: 5. 1: 6. 1: 7. 1: 8 or 1:10, including any values and ranges therebetween.

In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium cation (also referred to as "quaternary ammonium cation (quat)").

In some embodiments, the quaternary ammonium cation is of structure NR₄ ⁺The positively charged polyatomic ion of (a). In some embodiments, R is alkyl. In some embodiments, R is aryl. In some embodiments, the quaternary ammonium cation is derived from a quaternary ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the quaternary ammonium salt (e.g., dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium, didodecyldimethylammonium) includes a counter anion.

As used herein, the term "alkyl" describes aliphatic hydrocarbons including straight and branched chain groups. Preferably, the alkyl group has 21 to 100 carbon atoms, and more preferably 21 to 50 carbon atoms. Whenever numerical ranges are set forth herein; for example, "21-100" which represents the group, in the case of alkyl, may include 21 carbon atoms, 22 carbon atoms, 23 carbon atoms, and the like, up to and including 100 carbon atoms. In the context of the present invention, a "long alkyl group" is an alkyl group having at least 20 carbon atoms in its backbone (the longest path of consecutive covalently linked atoms). Thus, short alkyl groups have 20 or fewer backbone carbons. As defined herein, an alkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.

The term "alkyl" as used herein also encompasses saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons, and thus the term further encompasses alkenyl and alkynyl groups.

As defined herein, the term "alkenyl" describes an unsaturated alkyl group having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond. As described above, the alkenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted with one or more substituents.

The term "alkynyl" as defined herein is an unsaturated alkyl group having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. As described above, the alkynyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted with one or more substituents.

The term "cycloalkyl" describes an all-carbon monocyclic or fused-ring (i.e., rings that share adjacent pairs of carbon atoms) group in which one or more of the rings does not have a fully conjugated pi-electron system. Cycloalkyl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted, as described herein.

The term "aryl" describes an all-carbon monocyclic or fused-ring polycyclic (i.e., rings which share adjacent pairs of carbon atoms) group having a fully conjugated pi-electron system. As described herein, aryl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted.

In some embodiments, the counter anion is a halide. In some embodiments, the halide is a chloride. In some embodiments, the halide is bromide.

In some embodiments, the disclosed composition is formulation I, which includes concentrations by weight of: 8% to 25%, 8% to 20%, 10% to 22%, 10% to 20%, or 10% to 18% EHG, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation I further comprises 1% to 15%, 2% to 15%, 3% to 14%, or 3% to 10% by weight of quaternary ammonium, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation I further comprises 60% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 65% to 90%, or 70% to 90% by weight of phenoxyethanol, including any values and ranges therebetween.

In some embodiments, the disclosed composition is formulation II, comprising by weight concentrations of: 8% to 25%, 8% to 20%, 10% to 22%, 10% to 20%, or 10% to 18% EHG, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation II further comprises 1% to 15%, 2% to 15%, 3% to 14%, or 3% to 10% by weight of dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation II further comprises 60% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 65% to 90%, or 70% to 90% by weight of phenoxyethanol, including any values and ranges therebetween.

In some embodiments, the disclosed composition is formulation III, including concentrations by weight of: 8% to 25%, 8% to 20%, 10% to 22%, 10% to 20%, or 10% to 18% EHG, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation III further comprises 1% to 15%, 2% to 15%, 3% to 14%, or 3% to 10% by weight of didecyldimethylammonium chloride, including any values and ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, formulation III further comprises 60% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 65% to 90%, or 70% to 90% by weight of phenoxyethanol, including any values and ranges therebetween.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a composition comprising one or more organic solvents, one or more cationic surfactants and one or more counter anions.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a composition comprising 50% to 98% (w/w) of one or more organic solvents, 2% to 15% (w/w) of one or more cationic surfactants and one or more counter anions.

In some embodiments, compositions are provided that include one or more organic solvents in an amount of 50% to 97% (w/w), 50% to 95% (w/w), 50% to 90% (w/w), 50% to 87% (w/w), 50% to 85% (w/w), 50% to 80% (w/w), 50% to 75% (w/w), 50% to 70% (w/w), 55% to 97% (w/w), 60% to 97% (w/w), 65% to 97% (w/w), or 70% to 97% (w/w).

In some embodiments, compositions are provided that include 3% to 15% (w/w), 4% to 15% (w/w), 5% to 15% (w/w), 6% to 15% (w/w), 7% to 15% (w/w), 8% to 15% (w/w), 9% to 15% (w/w), 10% to 15% (w/w), 3% to 14% (w/w), 3% to 13% (w/w), 3% to 12% (w/w), 3% to 11% (w/w), or 3% to 10% (w/w) of one or more cationic surfactants and one or more counter anions.

In some embodiments, the composition further comprises any one of water, Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG), one or more acids, one or more halogenated preservatives, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises 10% to 30% (w/w) ethylhexyl glycerol (EHG). In some embodiments, the composition comprises 12% to 30% (w/w), 13% to 30% (w/w), 14% to 30% (w/w), 15% to 30% (w/w), 20% to 30% (w/w), 10% to 29% (w/w), 10% to 27% (w/w), 10% to 25% (w/w), or 10% to 20% (w/w) ethylhexyl glycerin (EHG).

In some embodiments, the composition comprises 0.5% to 60% (w/w) water. In some embodiments, the composition comprises 0.5% to 60% (w/w), 0.9% to 60% (w/w), 1% to 60% (w/w), 2% to 60% (w/w), 3% to 60% (w/w), 4% to 60% (w/w), 5% to 60% (w/w), 10% to 60% (w/w), 15% to 60% (w/w), 20% to 60% (w/w), 25% to 60% (w/w), 0.5% to 58% (w/w), 0.5% to 55% (w/w), 0.5% to 45% (w/w), 0.5% to 40% (w/w), 0.5% to 35% (w/w), or 0.5% to 30% (w/w) water.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises 1% to 10% (w/w) of one or more acids. In some embodiments, the composition comprises 1% to 9.5% (w/w), 1% to 9% (w/w), 1% to 8.5% (w/w), 1% to 8% (w/w), 1% to 7.5% (w/w), 1% to 7% (w/w), 1% to 6% (w/w), 1% to 5% (w/w), 2% to 10% (w/w), 2% to 9% (w/w), 2% to 8% (w/w), 2% to 7.5% (w/w), or 2% to 7% (w/w) of one or more acids.

In some embodiments, the one or more acids are selected from: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises 1% to 20% (w/w) of one or more halogenated preservatives. In some embodiments, the composition comprises 1% to 19% (w/w), 1% to 18% (w/w), 1% to 17% (w/w), 1% to 16% (w/w), 1% to 15% (w/w), 1% to 12% (w/w), 1% to 10% (w/w), 3% to 20% (w/w), 5% to 20% (w/w), 3% to 15% (w/w), or 5% to 15% (w/w) of one or more halogenated preservatives.

In some embodiments, the one or more cationic surfactants comprise quaternary ammonium, quaternary pyridinium, quaternary phosphonium, tertiary ammonium, tertiary sulfonium, or any combination thereof. Both of which are described below.

In some embodiments, the one or more cationic surfactants comprise DL-methionine methyl sulfonium chloride, dodecyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary pyridinium is selected from: octenium, lauryl pyridinium, cetyl pyridinium, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary amine is selected from: dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium, didecyl dimethyl ammonium, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium, lauramide ammonium, polyquaternium-2, polyquaternium-80, cocamidopropyl PG-dimethyl ammonium chloride phosphate, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyl decyl glucoside, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the quaternary ammonium is selected from the group consisting of dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium and didodecyldimethylammonium.

In some embodiments, the counter anion is selected from: chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent comprises one or more aromatic alcohols, one or more glycols, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the organic solvent is selected from: benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1, 3-propanediol, 1, 2-octanediol, 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol, 3-phenylpropanol, each substituted or unsubstituted, or any mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, compositions are provided that include 10% -18% (w/w) EHG, 3% -10% (w/w) quaternary ammonium, and 70% -90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, compositions are provided that include 10% -18% (w/w) EHG, 2% -7% (w/w) dodecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium halide, and 70% -90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, compositions are provided that include 10% -18% (w/w) EHG, 2% -7% (w/w) didodecyldimethylammonium halide, and 70% -90% (w/w) phenoxyethanol.

In some embodiments, the formulation is a synergistic antimicrobial formulation.

In some embodiments, the formulations are used for the treatment of medical, cosmetic and/or cosmeceutical conditions.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a composition comprising water, one or more acid salts, one or more cationic surfactants and one or more counter anions.

In some embodiments, a composition is provided that includes water, one or more acid salts, one or more cationic surfactants, and one or more counter anions, wherein the cationic surfactant is from 0.5% to 10% (w/w) of the total formulation. In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant is 0.7% to 10% (w/w), 0.9% to 10% (w/w), 1% to 10% (w/w), 2% to 10% (w/w), 3% to 10% (w/w), 4% to 10% (w/w), 5% to 10% (w/w), 0.5% to 9% (w/w), 0.5% to 8% (w/w), 0.5% to 7% (w/w), 0.5% to 6% (w/w), or 0.5% to 5% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acid salts are 20% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation. In some embodiments, the one or more acid salts are 20% to 55% (w/w), 20% to 50% (w/w), 20% to 45% (w/w), 20% to 40% (w/w), 15% to 60% (w/w), 20% to 60% (w/w), or 30% to 60% (w/w) of the total formulation.

In some embodiments, the one or more acid salts are salts of an acid selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the formulation is a preservative, e.g., for use in a personal care composition.

The formulation of the cationic surfactant is an emulsifier.

As used herein and in the art, the term "emulsifier" is intended to mean a surfactant that facilitates mixing of two or more liquid substances that under normal conditions will separate into their component parts.

In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant provides a cleansing function to the formulation or simply acts as a wetting agent.

In some embodiments, the formulation is free of parabens (parabens). In some embodiments, the formulation is free of formaldehyde. In some embodiments, the formulation is free of formaldehyde, and further free of parabens.

In some embodiments, the formulation does not contain lauroyl arginine ethyl ester.

In some embodiments, the formulation is not pH dependent.

In some embodiments of the invention, the formulation further comprises a buffer solution or pH adjuster to control the desired pH of the formulation.

As used herein, the terms "formulation" or "blend" used interchangeably throughout refers to a vehicle composition in the form of an emulsion, lotion, cream, gel, and the like, optionally further comprising physiologically acceptable carriers and/or excipients and optionally other chemical components, such as cosmetic, cosmeceutical, or pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., drugs). The formulation may optionally further comprise a carrier, and optionally additional active agents and/or additives (e.g. cryoprotectants).

In some embodiments, the term "by weight" refers to the weight of the total composition.

As used herein, the term "physiologically acceptable" refers to use in animals and more specifically humans approved by a regulatory agency of the federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia.

Herein, the term "excipient" refers to an inert substance added to the formulations described herein to further facilitate processing and administration of the active ingredient.

The formulations of the present invention may be prepared by any of the usual methods for preparing compositions of materials. For example, the components of the formulation may be added and mixed together, or one component may be added to another in the form of a solution, which may be evaporated or lyophilized after mixing to obtain a homogeneous and stable solution or suspension, if desired.

In some embodiments, in any embodiment thereof, the disclosed compositions are stable formulations.

As used herein, the term "stable formulation" or "sustained formulation" refers to a state or condition in which the formulation maintains sufficient stability to have utility as a personal care agent while maintaining antibacterial activity (with a ± 20% difference). For example, but not limited to, the formulation has sufficient stability to allow storage at a convenient temperature, e.g., between 10 ℃ and 30 ℃, for a reasonable period of time, e.g., more than one month, more than three months, more than six months, and more than one year.

In some embodiments, the disclosed compositions are incorporated into substrates susceptible to microbial growth as preservatives or personal care systems. For example, the preservative system may be incorporated into or as a personal care product, such as a shampoo, conditioner, cream, lotion, cosmetic or soap; household products such as fabric softeners, laundry detergents or hard surface cleaners.

In some embodiments, the disclosed compositions are incorporated into a preservative or personal care system at a concentration (by total weight) of, e.g., 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, 7%, 7.5% (6.5%), 8%, 8.5%, 9%, 9.5%, 10%, 10.5%, 11%, 11.5%, 12%, 12.5%, 13%, 13.5%, 14%, 14.5%, or 15%, including any values and ranges there between.

As used herein, the phrase "personal care" refers to compositions that can be formulated in a variety of cosmetic and pharmaceutical consumer products using a variety of delivery systems and carrier matrices. Such consumer product forms include, but are not limited to, shampoos, aftershave lotions, sun creams, body and hand lotions, skin creams, liquid soaps, toilet soaps, bath oils, shaving creams, hair conditioners, hair curlers, hair relaxers, hair detangling lotions (hair detangling deposition), styling gels, styling polishes (styling glazes), spray foams, styling creams, styling waxes, styling emulsions, mousses, spray gels, pomades, shower gels, bubble baths, hair dyes, conditioners, hair lighteners (hair lighteners), colored and colorless hair rinses (coloring and coloring hair dyes), hair styling aids (hair styling aids), hair tonics, sprays (sprays), styling waxes, band aids, and balms.

In some embodiments, the disclosed formulation is in the form of, or a portion of, a paste, ointment, paste, gel, lotion, milk, oil, suspension, solution, aerosol, spray, foam, or mousse.

Ointments are semi-solid formulations, usually based on petrolatum or petroleum derivatives. The particular ointment base used is one that provides the best delivery of the active agent selected for a given formulation, and preferably also provides other desirable characteristics (e.g., emollient). As with the other carriers or vehicles, the ointment base should be inert, stable, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. As described in Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Ed., Pa., Mack publishing Co. (1995), 1399-: an oleaginous base; an emulsifiable base; an emulsion base; and a water-soluble base. Oleaginous ointment bases include, for example, vegetable oils, fats obtained from animals and semi-solid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Emulsifiable ointment bases, also known as resorbable ointment bases, contain little or no water and include, for example, hydroxystearin sulfate (hydroxystearin sulfate), anhydrous lanolin, and hydrophilic petrolatum. The cream ointment base is a water-in-oil (W/O) or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, including, for example, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin, and stearic acid. Exemplary water-soluble ointment bases are prepared from polyethylene glycols of varying molecular weights.

Lotions are preparations that are to be applied to the skin surface without rubbing. Lotions are generally liquid or semi-liquid formulations in which solid particles (including sunscreen-containing microcapsules) are present in a water or alcohol base. Due to the ease of applying more fluid composition, it is generally preferred to use a lotion to cover/protect a large body area. Lotions are typically suspensions of solids and typically comprise liquid oily emulsions of the oil-in-water type. It is generally desirable to finely divide the insolubles in the lotion. Lotions typically include suspending agents to create better dispersion, as well as compounds for positioning and maintaining the active agent in contact with the skin, such as methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and the like.

In some embodiments, the personal care system includes an ionic agent. In some embodiments, the personal care system includes a cationic formulation. In some embodiments, the personal care system includes a natural formulation.

The paste is a viscous liquid or semisolid emulsion, O/W or W/O. The cream base is typically water-washable and includes an oil phase, an emulsifier, and an aqueous phase. The oil phase, also referred to as the "internal" phase, generally comprises petrolatum and/or fatty alcohols, such as cetyl or stearyl alcohol. The volume of the aqueous phase typically exceeds the volume of the oil phase, although not necessarily, and typically includes a humectant. Emulsifiers in paste formulations are generally nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants. For more information reference may be made to Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, as described above.

Pastes are semisolid dosage forms in which the bioactive agent is suspended in a suitable matrix. Pastes are classified as fatty pastes or pastes made from single-phase aqueous gels, depending on the nature of the matrix. The base in the fatty paste is usually vaseline, hydrophilic vaseline, etc. Pastes made from single phase aqueous gels typically incorporate carboxymethyl cellulose or the like as a base. For more information reference may additionally be made to Remington The Science and Practice of Pharmacy.

Gel formulations are semi-solid suspension type systems. Single phase gels comprise organic macromolecules distributed substantially uniformly throughout a carrier liquid, which is typically aqueous, but also preferably comprises an alcohol and optionally an oil. Preferred organic macromolecules, i.e. gelling agents, are crosslinked acrylic acid polymers, such as the carbomer polymer family, such as may be marketed under the trademark Carbopol^TMCommercially available carboxypolyalkylene. In this case, other types of preferred polymers are hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer and polyvinyl alcohol; cellulose polymers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate and methyl cellulose; gums, such as tragacanth and xanthan gum; sodium alginate; and gelatin. To prepare a homogeneous gel, a dispersing agent such as an alcohol or glycerin may be added, or the gelling agent may be dispersed by grinding, mechanical mixing or stirring, or a combination thereof.

Sprays generally provide the active agent in aqueous and/or alcoholic solutions, which can be aerosolized onto the skin for delivery. Such sprays include those formulated to provide a concentrated solution of the active agent at the site of application after delivery, for example, the spray solution may consist essentially of an alcohol or other volatile liquid in which the active agent may be dissolved. After delivery to the skin, the carrier evaporates, leaving a concentrated active agent at the site of application.

The foam composition is typically formulated in a single or multi-phase liquid form and placed in a suitable container, optionally together with a propellant which aids in expelling the composition from the container, thereby converting it to a foam upon application. Other foam forming techniques include, for example, "bagging in-a-can" formulation techniques. The compositions so formulated typically comprise a low boiling hydrocarbon, for example, isopropane. Application and agitation of such compositions at body temperature will cause the isopropyl alcohol to vaporize and create a foam in a manner similar to pressurized aerosol foaming systems. The foam may be water-based or hydroalcoholic, but is typically formulated with a high alcohol content that evaporates rapidly when applied to the skin of the user, driving the active ingredient through the upper layers of the skin to the treatment site.

Personal care formulations may further include, but are not limited to, human or hair deodorant solutions, deodorant gels, deodorant sprays, deodorant sticks, deodorant roll-ons, deodorant pastes, deodorant creams, deodorant lotions, deodorant aerosols, and other commonly marketed human and commonly marketed animal and pet deodorant compositions.

Additional cosmetically or pharmaceutically beneficial (active) ingredients may also be included in the formulations of the present invention, which may be selected from, but are not limited to, skin cleansers, cationic, anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, skin and hair conditioners, vitamins, hormones, minerals, plant extracts, anti-inflammatory agents, collagen and elastin synthesis promoters, UVA/UVB sunscreens, plant extract concentrates, emollients, moisturizers, skin protectants, humectants, silicones, skin soothing ingredients, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, treatment of skin infections and lesions, improvement of blood microcirculation, benefit of reducing skin redness, other moisturizing adsorbents, analgesics, skin permeation enhancers, solubilizers, humectants, emollients, anesthetics, colorants, skin moisturizing agents, skin conditioning agents, skin and hair conditioning agents, vitamins, hormones, minerals, plant extracts, anti-inflammatory agents, collagen and elastin synthesis promoters, UVA/UVB sunscreens, plant extract concentrates, emollients, moisturizers, skin soothing agents, skin soothing ingredients, anti-microbial agents, anti, Perfumes, preservatives, seeds, broken nut shells, silica, clays, beads, loofah particles, polyethylene spheres, mica, pH adjusters, processing aids, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the invention, the formulation is characterized by resistance to discoloration.

As used herein, "discoloration" is defined as a change in the hue or appearance of a formulation due to an internal reaction between its ingredients or bleaching or oxidation caused by a combination of factors, including but not limited to air, high temperature, humidity, uv exposure (e.g., sunlight).

Article comprising a formulation

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an article comprising any one of the personal care formulations described herein.

In the above, some embodiments of this aspect of the present embodiments are included under "exemplary formulations" and form an integral part of the embodiments in connection with "articles of manufacture including formulations".

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical product comprising a formulation as described in any of their respective embodiments herein for use in the treatment of a medical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical condition as described herein.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, the formulation described herein in any of their respective embodiments is used as a preservative or part of a preservative in any pharmaceutical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical product or any preparation as described herein.

As used herein, "preservatives" are used to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and/or mold in any personal care composition or formulation.

According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided the use of a formulation as described herein in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical product for treating a medical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical condition as described herein.

In some embodiments, methods of treating a medical, cosmeceutical, or cosmetic condition treatable by topical or transdermal administration are provided, the methods comprising topically applying a formulation described herein (e.g., in the case of a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or cosmeceutical product) to skin or mucosal tissue of a subject afflicted with the condition.

The phrases "topical," "topical administration," and/or any grammatical derivative thereof, are intended to encompass applications including, but not limited to, dermal, ophthalmic, vaginal, rectal, and intranasal applications.

When topically applied, medical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical conditions that may benefit from inclusion of the formulations described herein, with or without additional active ingredients, include, but are not limited to, infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms, as discussed in further detail below, wounds, particularly wounds associated with infections, acne, skin infections, viral blisters (e.g., blisters caused by herpes), sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction).

Thus, according to some embodiments of the invention, the pharmaceutical, cosmetic or cosmeceutical formulation or product further comprises an antibacterial agent as an additional pharmaceutically active agent.

Microbial infections include any infection caused by a pathogenic microorganism, including bacterial infections, fungal infections, protozoal infections, viral infections, and the like, for example, molluscum contagiosum (viral infection of the skin or occasionally mucous membranes), nail fungal infections, and cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Local body parts include skin, mucosal tissue, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, rectum and vagina.

In some embodiments, an article (e.g., a medical device, such as a bandage or adhesive patch), preparation, or product as described herein is provided that is configured for topical application, whereby the condition treatable by, for example, the article, product, or preparation is an infection caused by a microorganism.

In some embodiments of the invention, the article is, for example, a fabric, a bandage, a wipe (e.g., a moist wipe), a batting, a swab, a suppository, a dressing, a solution, a mousse, a pad, or a patch.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the article is in the form of a paste, a cream, a lotion, a foam, a gel, a cream, an ointment, or a soap.

In some embodiments, the personal care formulations of the present invention may be used to treat skin tissue or damaged or unhealthy skin tissue.

As used herein, the phrase "damaged or unhealthy skin tissue" refers to deviations from healthy functioning skin tissue. In the case of skin, skin is weaker, less elastic and more vulnerable to injury than healthy skin. The structure of unhealthy or damaged skin is inferior to that of healthy skin (e.g., dermis and epidermis contain fewer cells and collagen).

The phrase "healthy skin tissue" as used herein refers to strong, elastic, smooth and plump skin. One purpose of treating healthy skin is to prevent degradation of the skin caused by aging or environmental stress, including but not limited to microbial infections.

As used herein, the term "damaged" or any grammatical derivative thereof broadly refers to damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue and to internal organs caused by any of a variety of means (e.g., pressure sores resulting from extended bed rest, wounds resulting from trauma, wounds harvested during or after surgery, etc.) and having different characteristics. Examples include, but are not limited to, contusions, abrasions, burns, sunburn, incised wounds, excisional wounds, surgical wounds, necrotizing fasciitis, ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers, decubitus ulcers, aphthous ulcers, pressure sores, scars, alopecia areata, dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, berrocco dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis (dyshidrotic dermatitis), psoriasis, eczema, erythema, warts, anal warts, hemangiomas, cherry hemangiomas, tinea pedis, atypical nevus, basal cell tumors, Betmann purpura, pemphigus bullosa, candida, otic cartilaginous dermatitis, clarithrone nevi, cold sores, condyloma, darriella, dermatofibroma, discoid lupus erythematosus, nummular eczema, atopic eczema, sweaty blisters, hand eczema, erythema nodosum, psoriaticum, folliculitis, and combinations thereof, Neck Keloids, folliculitis, granuloma annulare, graves' disease, heat rash, herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, hyperhidrosis, ichthyosis, impetigo, keratoderma follicular, Keloids (Keloids), keratoacanthoma, lichen planus, chronic lichen simplex, lichen sclerosus, lymphomatous papulosis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, lyme disease, lichen striatus, mucous cysts, mycosis fungoides, molluscum contagiosum, nevi, nail fungi, lipoid progressive necrotizing diabetes mellitus, nummulus, onychomycosis, pityriasis mosa, pityriasis rosea, pityriasis pedis, poison ivy, dyshidrosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pruritis ania, and pityriasis alba.

Antibacterial activity

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of inhibiting or reducing or delaying the formation of microbial load and/or biofilm in and/or on an article. The method comprises incorporating any of the formulations disclosed herein (including any of its various embodiments) into and/or onto an article of manufacture. The article may be any of the articles described herein.

Such articles take advantage of the improved antimicrobial activity exhibited by formulations as described herein.

In some embodiments, the components of the formulation act synergistically.

In some embodiments, the term synergistic or any grammatical derivative thereof is defined as the simultaneous action of two or more compounds wherein the total response of the organism to the combination is greater than the sum of the individual components. Although various combinations of antibacterial compounds have been investigated, little synergy has been revealed, and the global use of antibacterial combinations with synergistically enhanced activity is quite limited.

In the above, some embodiments of this aspect of the present embodiments are included under "exemplary formulations" and "articles of manufacture including formulations" and form an integral part of embodiments relating to "antimicrobial activity".

As used herein, "antimicrobial activity" refers to the ability to inhibit (prevent), reduce or delay bacterial growth, fungal growth, biofilm formation or to destroy living bacterial cells, or spores thereof, or fungal cells or viruses in suspension or in a moist environment.

In this context, inhibiting or reducing or delaying the formation of a microbial load refers to inhibiting, reducing or delaying the growth of microorganisms and/or eliminating a part or all of the existing microbial population. Thus, the formulations described herein can be used both to reduce the formation of microorganisms on or in an article, and to kill microorganisms in or on an article or living tissue.

The microorganism can be, for example, a unicellular microorganism (prokaryote, archaea, bacteria, eukaryote, protist, fungus, algae, mold, yeast, euglena, protozoa, flagellates, acrozoon, trypanosome, amoeba, etc.), or a multicellular microorganism.

Articles according to these embodiments may also be living tissue, for example, skin or mucosal tissue as described herein.

In the context of this embodiment, the formulations, articles of manufacture, and methods described herein can be used to produce a cytostatic surface or a microbial cell killing surface that remains active for an extended period of time. Such antimicrobial surfaces may not require additional treatment of the antimicrobial composition, a cleaning process to achieve stain removal and cosmetic painting, thereby simplifying maintenance of the physical condition and appearance of surfaces susceptible to microbial infestation. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the formulations of the present invention may be readily applied to susceptible surfaces prior to and/or during exposure to microorganisms.

In some embodiments, the microorganism comprises a bacterial cell of a bacterium, such as a gram-positive bacterium and a gram-negative bacterium.

In some embodiments, the gram-positive bacteria are staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis, and bacillus cereus.

In some embodiments, the gram-negative bacteria are escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and burkholderia cepacia.

In some embodiments of the invention, the microorganism is a fungus, such as candida albicans and aspergillus niger.

As used herein, the term "biofilm" refers to an aggregate of living cells that adhere to each other and/or are immobilized as colonies on a surface. Cells are usually embedded in an autocrine matrix of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS), also known as "mucus", which is a polymeric viscous mixture of nucleic acids, proteins and polysaccharides.

In the context of the present embodiment, the living cells forming the biofilm may be cells of a unicellular microorganism (prokaryote, archaea, bacteria, eukaryote, protist, fungus, algae, euglena, protozoa, flagellate, apicomplexa, trypanosoma, amoeba, etc.), or cells of a multicellular organism, in which case the biofilm may be considered as a colony of cells (as in the case of a unicellular organism) or as a lower-order form of tissue.

In the context of this embodiment, the cells are of microbial origin and the biofilm is a biofilm of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Cells of a microorganism growing in a biofilm are physiologically distinct from cells of a "planktonic form" of the same organism, in contrast to cells of a "planktonic form" which are single cells that can float or swim in a liquid medium. Biofilms can undergo several life cycle steps including initial attachment, irreversible attachment, one or more stages of maturation, and dispersion.

The phrase "anti-biofilm forming activity" refers to the ability of a substance to affect the prevention of biofilm formation by bacteria, fungi, and/or other cells, and/or to affect a decrease in the rate of biofilm formation by bacteria, fungi, and/or other cells at the surface of the substance. This activity is also referred to herein as anti-biocontamination activity or anti-contaminant activity.

As used herein, the term "prevent," in the context of antibiosis, means that the growth rate of microbial cells substantially eliminates or reduces the appearance of microbial cells by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% (including any value therebetween) in the absence of a preparation or a comparable article of manufacture containing the preparation. Alternatively, preventing refers to reducing the appearance of microbial cells to at least 15%, 10%, or 5% in the absence of a preparation or a comparable instance of a preparation containing the preparation.

Methods for determining the level of appearance of microbial cells are known in the art.

General description:

as used herein, the term "about" means ± 10%.

The terms "comprising," including, "" containing, "" having, "and conjugates thereof mean" including, but not limited to.

The term "consisting of means" including and limited to.

The term "consisting essentially of means that the composition, method, or structure may include additional ingredients, steps, and/or portions, provided that the additional ingredients, steps, and/or portions do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed formulation, method, or structure.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of the present invention may be presented in a range format. It is to be understood that the description of the range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, a description of a range from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, such as 1,2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This is independent of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is intended to include any reference number (fractional or integer) within the indicated range. The phrases "amplitude/range" between a first indicated number and a second indicated number and "amplitude/range" from the first indicated number "to the second indicated number are used interchangeably herein and are intended to include the first and second indicated numbers and all fractions and integers therebetween.

As used herein, the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

As used herein, the term "treating" includes eliminating, substantially inhibiting, slowing or reversing the progression of the condition, substantially ameliorating clinical or aesthetic symptoms of the condition, or substantially preventing the appearance of clinical or aesthetic symptoms of the condition.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments should not be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiments are inoperable without those elements.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention described hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section are supported experimentally in the following examples.