WO2015003913A1

WO2015003913A1 - Detergent composition

Info

Publication number: WO2015003913A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarmishta BISWAS; Alagirisamy NETHAJI; Maya Treesa Saji; Rudra Saurabh SHRESTH
Original assignee: Unilever N.V.; Unilever Plc; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: AR096862A1

Abstract

The invention relates to cleaning compositions having anti-microbial benefits, in particular cleaning compositions having enhanced anti-microbial benefit because of the synergistic interaction between a surfactant and an iodine containing inorganic salt and a bleach activator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a detergent composition with good cleaning and enhanced anti-microbial benefit at neutral to alkaline pH. It has been found that a detergent composition comprising surfactant, an iodine containing inorganic salt, and an iodine activator, provides enhanced antimicrobial efficacy.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITION

Field of the invention

The invention relates to cleaning compositions having anti-microbial benefits, in particular cleaning compositions having enhanced anti-microbial benefit because of the synergistic interaction between a surfactant and an iodine containing inorganic salt and a bleach activator.

Background of the invention

Present day consumers appreciate detergent compositions for amongst others laundry cleaning and conditioning as well as household cleaning purposes; including hard surface cleaning and treatment composition, as well as dishwashing compositions. Several anti-microbial agents and compositions are known in the art, but many of them contain halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts in high amounts that can be harmful to humans

There is a long felt need for detergent compositions that have low levels of halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts and based on harmless and environmentally safe anti-microbial substances.

WO 2001/38626 discloses stain treatment compositions comprising surfactant and iodate at acidic pH. The iodate acts as an oxidising agent and gets reduced to iodine under acidic conditions. However acidic pH is not suitable for general detergent compositions, since stains and soil are better removed at alkaline pH. In

WO2001/38626 it has been attempted to overcome the drawback of a low pH by adding bleach to the composition in a separate sub composition. This is undesirable for processing and packaging and needlessly increases the cost of the product.

Additionally, bleach may cause damage to coloured fabrics and surfaces. WO2008/137769 discloses warewashing compositions including a hardness ion (e. g. , magnesium and calcium ions) as a corrosion inhibitor. Such compositions can be used to reduce corrosion or etching of glass, porcelain and ceramic, it also relates to methods employing these warewashing compositions. WO2008/137769 particularly discloses a warewashing composition including a cleaning agent having a detersive amount of a surfactant, an alkaline source in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8 and a corrosion inhibitor in an amount sufficient for reducing corrosion of glass. The corrosion inhibitor as mentions includes a salt of calcium and/or magnesium and iodide salts thereof are disclosed. However no mention is made to anti-microbial effect.

Similarly, US 2,599,140 discloses an iodine detergent for cleansing hands comprising a solvent mixture of a polyalkylene glycol and glycerine having in solution therein elemental iodine, an alkali metal iodide and a detergent compatible with the other ingredients, which detergent is an anionic sulphated synthetic detergent. However, this composition is slightly acidic and remains so on dilution and this is desirable as the iodine is more stable in slightly acidic composition and eliminates the risk of inactivation of the iodine with reaction with an alkali. Therefore, this composition would be undesirable in laundry and there still remains a need to provide an anti-microbial composition having neutral to alkaline pH with low levels of halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts that can be used with a variety of surfactants, including sulphonated anionic surfactants. US 3,821 ,124 discloses detergent and shampoo compositions comprising an anionic, non-soap, non-sulphonate surfactant and iodate. However, sulphonated surfactants are especially preferred in many detergent compositions due to their low cost and high activity. It therefore remains to be desired to provide an anti-microbial composition having neutral to alkaline pH, that can be used with a variety of surfactants, including sulphonated and soap based anionic surfactants.

Similarly, US 3,338,837 relates to a highly germicidally-active iodinated detergent composition of high concentration comprising 4 to 15% of an organic detergent which may be anionic, cationic or non-ionic detergent, 10 to 30% of an organic halogen oxidant , 0.5 to 5% of an inorganic iodide and an inorganic alkalizer sufficient to raise the pH of the composition to between 7.8 to 8.4. This composition comprises a high amount of halogen oxidant which is not preferred in the present invention. It therefore remains to be desired to provide anti-microbial compositions that have low levels of halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts.

Alternatively bleaching agents are proposed in the art for providing anti microbial benefits. However, even though many bleaching agents are known to inhibit the growth of micro organisms, their efficacy is found to be reduced in the presence of a surfactant. Therefore most bleaching agents do not provide adequate antimicrobial efficacy in when used in detergent compositions. Detergent compositions having a neutral to alkaline pH and that have low levels of halogens, halogen oxidants, or halogen salts providing good cleaning and improved anti-microbial benefits remain to be desired.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a detergent composition with good cleaning and enhanced anti-microbial benefit at neutral to alkaline pH.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an anti-microbial composition having low levels of halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts. Surprisingly, it has been found that a detergent composition comprising surfactant, an iodine containing inorganic salt, and an iodine activator, provides enhanced

antimicrobial efficacy.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a detergent composition comprising: 3 to 90% by weight of a surfactant, 0.005 to 10% by weight of an iodine containing inorganic salt selected from iodide salts, and 0.005 to 10% by weight of an iodine activator. In a second aspect the invention provides a cleaning liquor comprising the composition according to the invention, wherein the iodine containing inorganic salt is present in a concentration of between 1 ppm and l OOOppm. In a third aspect the invention provides a cleaning liquor wherein the composition according to anyone of the preceding claims is dosed in a concentration of between 1 ppm and 5000ppm in water. In a fourth aspect the invention provides a packaged cleaning composition, wherein the composition according to anyone of the preceding claims is diluted with water in a ratio of between 1 :10 to 1 :1000 in a direct application container.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a method of rendering a substrate anti-microbial comprising the steps in sequence of preparing a 0.05% - 1 % by weight solution of the composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 in water, allowing the substrate to be in contact with the solution for at least 1 min and; drying the substrate.

In a sixth aspect the invention provides the use of a composition comprising a surfactant selected from anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants, an iodine containing inorganic salt selected from iodide salts, and an iodine activator in a washing process.

In the context of the present invention, the reference to "microbial" in the term anti- microbial includes bacteria, archaea, viruses, protozoa, fungi, algae or cysts.

In the context of the present invention, the reference to "substrate" typically means fabric and household surfaces. By low levels it is meant that the composition does not contain more than 0.5%w of halogens, halogen oxidants or halogen salts.

In the context of the invention, the most preferred applications are laundry cleaning, laundry conditioning, and household cleaning while the present invention could be applicable in other fields like personal care as well.

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of." In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about".

Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

Detailed description of the invention

Accordingly the invention provides a detergent composition comprising a surfactant, iodine containing inorganic salt selected from iodide salts; and an iodine activator selected from oxidizing bleaching agents selected from chlorine, bromine and peroxide based bleaching agents.

Surfactant

The composition according to the present invention comprises 3 to 90% by weight of a surfactant.

The surfactant in the composition may be any type of surfactant, including anionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionc and non-ionic surfactants.

In general, these surfactants are described in well known textbooks like "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1 , by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, and/or the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in

"Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981 . Ionic surfactants are more preferred than non-ionic surfactants in the present invention. However, suitable non-ionic surfactants that may be used are linear or branched fatty alcohol or a condensation product of a linear or branched fatty alcohol and alkylene oxide (e. g. ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide), preferably ethylene oxide (also known as ethoxylated fatty alcohol or alcohol ethoxylate). Linear or branched fatty alcohol chain comprises from 5 to 8 carbon atoms. When the fatty alcohol is

alkoxylated, the number of alkylene oxide groups is not more than 5, preferably between 1 and 4. Ethylene oxide (EO) groups are the most preferred. Anionic surfactants are the most preferred in laundry detergent compositions. Suitable anionic surfactants for the detergent compositions which may be used in the present invention are suphonated and carboxylated anionic surfactants. Suitable suphonated anionic surfactants include (usually) water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulphonates having alkyl radicals typically containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms (the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals), alkaryl sulphonates, alkanoyl isethionates, alkyl sulphosuccinates, N-alkoyl

sarcosinates, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and alpha-olefin sulphonates. The alkyl and acyl groups contain from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, still more preferably 12 to 15 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated.

Suitable carboxylated anionic surfactants which may be used in the present invention includes carboxylates or dicarboxylates having formula R-COO^"Na⁺, wherein R is alkyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms such as alkyl succinates and alkyl ether carboxylates. Alkyl ether carboxylates may contain from 1 to 10 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and preferably contain 1 to 3 ethylene oxide units per molecule.

Another class of suitable anionic surfactant of the present invention is sodium alcohol ethoxy-ether sulphate (SAES), also known as alky ether sulphate (AES). These are sulphated condensation products of a fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide. The preferred chain length of the fatty alcohol is typically between 8 and 22 carbon atoms, more preferably between 10 and 18 carbon atoms. Mixtures of difference fatty alcohol chains are also within the scope of the present invention; especially preferred mixtures comprise comprising high levels of sodium Ci₂ alcohol ethoxy-ether sulphate. A typical example is Sodium Lauryl Ether sulphate. The degree of ethoxylation is preferably between 1 and 8 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of the fatty acid residue. Examples of suitable anionics include linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), Methyl Ester Sulphonate (MES), ammonium lauryl sulphosuccinate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium N- lauryl sarcosinate and sodium salts of fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Cationic surfactants are especially preferred for laundry treatment and conditioning compositions. Cationic surfactants based on a quaternary ammonium group are the most preferred, and are characterised in that the ammonium salt has the general formula: R₁ R₂R₃R₄N⁺ X^", wherein R-i is a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl group, an aryl group or an aryl- alkyl group, R₂ is selected from an aryl group or an aryl-alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a C-|-C₃ alkyl group, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from C-|-C₃ alkyl groups and X^" is an inorganic anion.

In the quaternary ammonium salts according to the present invention, the inorganic anion is preferably chosen from halide (including chloride, bromide and iodide), phosphate, sulphite, sulphate, bisulphate or OH^". Thus, for the purposes of this invention, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide is considered to be a quaternary ammonium salt. More preferably the anion is a halide ion or sulphate, most preferably a chloride or sulphate. Cetyl-trimethylammonium halides and benzalkonium chlorides are specifically preferred as examples of a suitable compounds and commercially abundantly available.

The surfactant is present in the composition in a concentration of between 3% and 90% by weight, preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least 8%, still more preferably at least 10% or even at least 15% by weight, but typically not more than 75%, still more preferably not more than 60%, even more preferably not more than 40% or even not more than 30% by weight of the composition. The surfactant is preferably present in the wash liquor in a concentration of between 50ppm and 2000ppm, preferably at least l OOppm, more preferably at least 150ppm, but typically not more than 1500ppm or even not more than 10OOppm. Iodine salt

The composition according to the present invention comprises 0.005 to 10% by weight of an iodine containing inorganic salt selected from iodide salts. Water-soluble iodide salts are preferred. The preferred cations in the salts of the present invention are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and ammonium with potassium being the most preferred and calcium and magnesium being the least preferred. Calcium and magnesium are hardness ions and will not be suitable with all surfactants. Hardness ion sensitive surfactants are less preferred with calcium and magnesium iodide.

Examples of suitable iodine containing inorganic salts include potassium iodide, sodium iodide, calcium iodide, magnesium iodide, ammonium iodide and ammonium iodide. The iodine containing inorganic salt is present in the composition in a concentration of 0.005 to 10% by weight, preferably at least 0.01 %, still more preferably at least 0.05%, or even at least 0.1 % by weight of the composition, but preferably not more than 8%, more preferably not more than 0.6%, or even not more than 0.5% by weight of the composition.

The iodine containing inorganic salt is preferably present in the wash liquor in a concentration of between 1 ppm and l OOOppm, preferably at least 2 ppm, more preferably at least 5 ppm, but preferably not more than 800ppm, more preferably not more than 500ppm.

For the best results, the ratio of surfactant to the iodine salt, is preferably between 100:1 and 1 :100, more preferably between 20:1 and 1 :20, more preferably between 10:1 and 1 :10. Iodine activator

The composition according to the present invention comprises an iodine activator. The idione activator is preferably a bleaching agent, more preferably a bleaching agent selected from oxidizing bleaching agents selected from chlorine, bromine and peroxide based bleaching agents. In the description iodine activator and bleach agent are used exchangeably.

A preferred class of bleaching agents suitable as iodine activator is the class of halogen bleaches, such as hypo halites and halogen salts. Preferred hypo halites are Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium hypohalites. The most preferred hypohalites are hypochlorites, such as sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, magnesium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. Other halogen containing bleaches halogenated cyanuric acids, most preferably trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), and sodium dichloroisocyanuric acid (NaDCCA)

Another class of iodine activator bleaches is the class of peroxides. A common example is hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂) and alkyl peroxides. However, combinations of a peroxide precursor, especially per-acid precursors and a peroxide activator are also included in the scope of the present invention. Examples of such peroxide precursors are salts of monopersulphate, perborate monohydrate, perborate tetrahydrate, and percarbonate. Monoperoxy acids useful herein include alkyl peroxy acids and aryl peroxyacids such as peroxybenzoic acid and ring-substituted peroxybenzoic acids (e.g. peroxy-alpha-naphthoic acid), aliphatic and substituted aliphatic monoperoxy acids (e.g. peroxylauric acid and peroxystearic acid), and phthaloyl amido peroxy caproic acid (PAP). Typical diperoxy acids useful herein include alkyl diperoxy acids and aryldiperoxy acids, such as 1 ,12-di-peroxydodecanedioic acid (DPDA), 1 ,9- diperoxyazelaic acid, diperoxybrassylic acid, diperoxysebacic acid and

diperoxyisophthalic acid, and 2-decyldiperoxybutane-1 ,4-dioic acid. The most common are percarbonate and perborate, the latter being less preferred for environmental reasons. The bleach activators that are typically used with peroxygen compounds are well known in the art. As non-limiting examples can be named Ν,Ν,Ν',Ν'-tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SNOBS), sodium benzoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SBOBS) and the cationic peroxyacid precursor (SPCC) as described in US 4,751 ,015.

The iodine activator is present in the composition in a concentration of 0.005 to 10% by weight, preferably at least 0.01 %, still more preferably at least 0.05%, or even at least 0.1 % by weight of the composition, but preferably not more than 8%, more preferably not more than 0.6%, or even not more than 0.5% by weight of the composition.

The iodine activator is preferably present in the wash liquor in a concentration of between 1 ppm and l OOOppm, preferably at least 2 ppm, more preferably at least 5 ppm, but preferably not more than 800ppm, more preferably not more than 500ppm.

For the best results, the ratio of iodine salt to iodine activator, is preferably between 100:1 and 1 :100, more preferably between 80:1 and 1 :50, more preferably between 50:1 and 1 :10. pH of the composition

In the present invention, surprisingly the combination of a surfactant and the iodine containing inorganic salts has been found to have a synergistic antimicrobial activity at neutral to alkaline pH making it suitable for cleaning as well. Therefore, the pH of the composition of the present invention is preferably between 6 and 12. The best results are obtained when the pH of the composition between 7 and 12, still more preferably between 7 and 1 1.

Other ingredients

The composition according to the invention may further comprise conventional ingredients including builder, electrolyte and/or fillers. When one or more of these ingredients are present, together they are typically present in the composition in a concentration of between 1 % and 80% by weight of the total composition, preferably at least 5%, and typically not more than 50%.

The composition may further comprise hydrotropes, soil release polymers, perfume, fluorescers, shading dyes, sequestrants, and anti re-deposition agents.

It is noted that the total content of all ingredients of the composition is not more than 100%. Method of use

For laundry main wash including hand wash or conditioning application of the composition of the invention, the composition according to the invention is preferably dosed to a concentration of between 100ppm and 20000ppm, preferably between 300ppm and l OOOOppm, more preferably between l OOOppm and 8000ppm in the wash liquor.

For horizontal axis washing machines the dosing is preferably between 100ppm and l OOOOppm, more preferably not less than 500ppm, or even not less than l OOOppm, but typically not more than 5000ppm in the wash liquor.

For vertical axis washing machines the dosing is preferably between 100ppm and 15000ppm, more preferably not less than 500ppm, or even not less than l OOOppm, but typically not more than l OOOOppm in the wash liquor. Product format

The composition may be used neat or diluted.

For laundry composition the composition is added to the washing process neat and diluted to the concentration as indicated above. The composition for laundry use is preferably a liquid or a powder. However, tablets, bars, gels and pastes are also contemplated in the context of the present invention. A typical dosage for a detergent composition to a washing process is 1-20 grams of detergent composition per litre of wash liquor for horizontal axis washing machines and hand washing process, while the dosage to a vertical axis washing machine is generally in the order of 0.1 to 3 grams per litre of wash liquor.

For hard surface cleaning products the composition is typically applied in a diluted form, directly to the surface. Such a composition is preferably diluted with water in a ratio of between 1 :10 to 1 :1000. Ideally the composition is packaged in a direct application container, such as a trigger spray dispenser.

For dishwashing purposes the composition according to the invention is applied neat. The composition according to the invention for dishwashing use is preferably a liquid, a paste, a powder or a shaped composition. Both manual dishwashing and machine dishwashing are considered in the context of the present invention.

A method for rendering a substrate anti-microbial

A method for rendering a substrate anti-microbial comprising the steps in sequence of preparing a 0.05% - 1 % by weight solution of the composition according to the invention in water, allowing the substrate to be in contact with the solution for at least 1 minute and drying the substrate. The contact time required is dependent on the target microorganism. An enhanced antibacterial effect is achieved with a contact time of at least 1 minute for bacteria but in the case of viruses, a contact time of at least 5 minutes is required depending on the type and structure of the virus. Examples

The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following non-limiting examples. Materials

Iodine containing inorganic salt:

Potassium Iodide, Potassium lodate (ex Sigma Aldrich) Surfactants:

Sodium salt of dodecyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) (ex Rhodia Speciality Chemicals, Sigma Aldrich)

Sodium lauryl Ether Sulphate(SLES)(ex Galaxy Surfactants) Methyl ether sulfate (ex Lion Eco Chemicals Sdn)

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC), (ex Sigma Aldrich Cas No. 63449- 41 -2)

Linear Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate(E0₅)(ex Galaxy Surfcatants)

Activator: Trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) (ex Achlor Donge Ltd)

Sodium percarbonate (2Na₂C0₃ ^■ 3H₂0₂) (ex Sigma Aldrich) Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) (ex GDC Mumbai)

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂)(ex Merck Cas No. CGIC 610475)

Method

Bacteria:

The anti-microbial effect of the composition according to the invention

demonstrated in by a bacterial plate test.

Test solutions

Different test solution of surfactant and the iodine salt in water were prepared in the indicated concentrations. The test solutions as prepared had a pH of 7. Some experiments were done with the composition at pH 7, while for others the pH was adjusted to 10.5. The pH was adjusted with sodium carbonate solution (0.5 g/L Na₂C0₃ in water) or with sodium hydroxide.

Protocol: BS EN 1040 (modified with specific contact time)

Test bacteria: S.aureus ATCC 6538

E.hirae ATCC 10541 The test bacteria was grown overnight at 37°C on TSA plate. The grown culture colonies were resuspended in 0.8% saline solution. The culture cell density was adjusted to get the final count of 1 ^*10⁸ cfu/ml, based on a 620nm optical density calibration chart (0.8 OD at 620nm). 9ml of the test solution was taken in a sterile sample container and 1 ml of the test culture was added. After the specified contact time, 1 ml of the above mixture was immediately neutralized in 9 ml D/E broth as commonly used in the art. This was again serially diluted in D/E broth and plated on TSA (a.k.a. Tryptic Soy Agar; commonly used in the art) in duplicates. In case of the control, 1 ml of test culture was added to 9 ml of saline and was serially diluted and plated on TSA. After solidification, the plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hrs and the residual colonies were counted. All the antimicrobial experiments were performed under aseptic condition under laminar air flow and all the agar media and D/E dilution tubes were autoclaved (15 psig, 121 deg C, 15-20 min) before use. In the examples below the log values of the residual colony forming units (cfu's) is given and compared. In comparing log value 1 point more reduction mean a 10 fold higher kill. So for instance when under comparative conditions the residual log value is 4 (i.e. 10000 cfu) and the inventive composition it is 2 (i,e 100). That means that the end culture that is treated with the inventive composition has only 1 % of the residual bacteria as the comparative composition. So 2 points on the log scale makes a big difference when it comes to hygiene.

Example 1 : Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and sulphonated Anionic surfactant (Sodium LAS) and an oxidizing agent (TCCA) on S. aureus

(ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a sulphonated anionic surfactant (LAS, Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (TCCA) ratio was 40:1 . 1 min, pH 7 Avg. Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S.aureus control 1 .60E+07 7.2

20ppm Kl 1 .50E+07 7.2 0.0

100ppm Na-LAS 1 .30E+06 6.1 1 .1

0.5ppm TCCA 1 .20E+03 3.0 3.6

0.5ppm TCCA + Na-LAS 2.80E+04 4.4 2.8

100ppm Na-LAS + 20ppm Kl 1 .80E+03 3.3 3.9

0.5ppm TCCA + 20ppm Kl 1 .00E+05 5.0 2.2

0.5ppm TCCA + 20ppm Kl + O.OOE+00 7.2 100ppm Na-LAS

The results in the table above show that none of the individual ingredients of the composition give adequate bacterial kill, while the combination of all 3 ingredients does. The results also demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (TCCA) and surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides full bacterial kill of the composition. Example 2: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and sulphated Anionic surfactant (SLES) and an oxidizing agent (TCCA) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a sulphonated anionic surfactant (SLES) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (TCCA) ratio was 20:1.

1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S.aureus control 1.70E+07 7.2

20 ppm Kl 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0 100ppm SLES 1.70E+07 7.2 0.0

1 ppm TCCA 1.0E+01 10 6.2

1 ppm TCCA + 100ppm SLES 1.50E+05 5.2 2.0

100ppm SLES + 20ppm Kl 6.50E+06 6.8 0.4

1 ppm TCCA + 20ppm Kl 4.50E+03 3.7 3.5

1 ppm TCCA + 20 ppm Kl + 1.00E+03 3.0 4.2

100ppm SLES

The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (TCCA) and surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 3: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and Methyl ester solphonate surfactant (MES) and an oxidizing agent (TCCA) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a surfactant (SLES) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (TCCA) ratio was 20:1 .

1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S. aureus control 1 .70E+07 7.2

20 ppm Kl 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

100ppm MES 1 .70E+07 7.2 0.0

1 ppm TCCA 1 .0E+01 1.0 6.2

1 ppm TCCA + 10Oppm MES 1 .40E+05 5.1 2.1

100ppm MES + 20ppm Kl 6.50E+06 6.8 0.4

1 ppm TCCA + 20ppm Kl 4.50E+03 3.7 3.5

1 ppm TCCA + 20 ppm Kl + 9.50E+02 3.0 4.2

100ppm MES The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (TCCA) and another surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 4: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and Nonionic surfactant (E05) and an oxidizing agent (TCCA) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a non-ionic surfactant (E05) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (TCCA) ratio was 20:1 .

The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (TCCA) and non-ionic surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 5: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and soap (laurate) and an oxidizing agent (TCCA) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7 This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of soap (laurate) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (TCCA) ratio was 20:1 .

The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (TCCA) and soap, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 6: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and sulphonated Anionic surfactant (Sodium LAS) and an oxidizing agent (H₂0₂) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a sulphonated anionic surfactant (LAS, Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (H₂0₂) ratio was 1 :4. 1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S. aureus control 1.70E+07 7.2

250 ppm Kl 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

100ppm Na-LAS 1.30E+06 6.1 1.1

5% H202 1.40E+07 7.1 0.1

1 % H202 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 + 100ppm Na-LAS 1.10E+07 7.0 0.2

100ppm Na-LAS + 250ppm Kl 1.70E+03 3.2 4.0

0.1 % H202+ 250ppm Kl 2.00E+06 6.3 0.9

0.1 % H202 + 250 ppm Kl + 7.80E+02 2.9 4.3

100ppm Na-LAS

The results in the table above show that none of the individual ingredients of the composition give adequate bacterial kill, while the combination of all 3 ingredients does. The results also demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (H₂0₂) and surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides full bacterial kill of the composition. Example 7: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and sulphated surfactant (SLES) and an oxidizing agent (H₂0₂) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a sulphated anionic surfactant (SLES) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (H₂0₂) ratio was 1 :4. 1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S. aureus control 1 .70E+07 7.2

250 ppm Kl 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

"l OOppm SLES 1 .65E+07 7.2 0.0

5% H202 1 .40E+07 7.1 0.1

1 % H202 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 + 100ppm SLES 1 .10E+07 7.0 0.2

100ppm SLES + 250ppm Kl 6.50E+06 6.8 0.4

0.1 % H202+ 250ppm Kl 2.00E+06 6.3 0.9

0.1 % H202 + 250 ppm Kl + 1 .20E+04 4.1 3.1

100ppm SLES

The results in the table above demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (H₂0₂) and surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides full bacterial kill of the composition.

Example 8: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and Nonionic surfactant (E05) and an oxidizing agent (H₂0₂) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a non-ionic surfactant (E05) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (H₂0₂) ratio was 1 :4.

1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S. aureus control 1 .70E+07 7.2

250 ppm Kl 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

100ppm E05 1 .65E+07 7.2 0.0

5% H202 1 .40E+07 7.1 0.1 1 % H202 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 1 .60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 + 100ppm E05 1 .10E+07 7.0 0.2

100ppm E05 + 250ppm Kl 8.50E+06 6.9 0.3

0.1 % H202+ 250ppm Kl 2.00E+06 6.3 0.9

0.1 % H202 + 250 ppm Kl + 1 .80E+04 4.3 2.9

100ppm E05

The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (H₂0₂) and non-ionic surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 9: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and soap (laurate) and an oxidizing agent (H₂0₂) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of soap (laurate) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (H₂0₂) ratio was 1 :4.

1 min, pH 7 Residual Residual log Log

cfu/ml (cfu/ml) reduction

S. aureus control 1.70E+07 7.2

250 ppm Kl 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

100ppm Laurate 1.65E+07 7.2 0.0

5% H202 1.40E+07 7.1 0.1

1 % H202 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 1.60E+07 7.2 0.0

0.1 % H202 + 100ppm Laurate 1.30E+07 7.1 0.1

100ppm Laurate + 250ppm Kl 2.50E+06 6.4 0.8

0.1 % H202+ 250ppm Kl 2.00E+06 6.3 0.9 0.1 % H202 + 250 ppm Kl + 1.00E+06 6.0 1 .2

100ppm Laurate

The results demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (H₂0₂) and soap, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides substantially enhanced bacterial kill.

Example 10: Anti-microbial effect of Potassium Iodide and sulphonated Anionic surfactant (Sodium LAS) and an oxidizing agent (percarbonate + TAED) on S. aureus (ATCC 6538) at pH 7

This example shows the antibacterial efficacy of a sulphonated anionic surfactant (LAS, Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate) at pH 7 and compared to the individual components as well as the untreated control sample. The contact time was 1 minute. The Iodine salt (Kl) to activator (percarbonate + TAED) ratio was 1 :4.

The results in the table above show that none of the individual ingredients of the composition give adequate bacterial kill, while the combination of all 3 ingredients does. The results also demonstrate the reduction in antibacterial effect of the combination of a bleaching agent (percarbonate + TAED) and surfactant, compared to the bleaching agent alone. The addition of a small amount of Kl, which in itself hardly kills any bacteria and even inhibits the effect of the bleaching agent at this pH, provides full bacterial kill of the composition.

Claims

1 A detergent composition comprising:

a 3 to 90% by weight of a sulphonated anionic surfactant wherein the alkyl and acyl groups contain from 8 to 22 carbon atoms;

b 0.05 to 10% by weight of an iodine containing inorganic salt selected from iodide salts; and

c 0.005 to 10% by weight of an iodine activator selected from oxidizing

bleaching agents selected from chlorine, bromine and peroxide based bleaching agents,

wherein the pH of the composition is between 7 and 12.

2 A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the sulphonated anionic surfactant is linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS).

3 A composition according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the

composition further comprises 1 % to 80%w of one or more of conventional ingredients selected from builder, electrolyte and fillers.

4 A composition according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the iodine containing inorganic salt is a water-soluble inorganic salt.

5 A composition according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the cation of the salt is selected from sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and

ammonium.

6 A cleaning liquor comprising the composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the iodine containing inorganic salt is in a concentration of between 1 ppm and l OOOppm.

7 Antimicrobial cleaning liquor, wherein the composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 is dosed in a concentration of between 1 ppm and 5000ppm in the cleaning liquor. A packaged cleaning composition, wherein the composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 is diluted with water in a ratio of between 1 :10 to 1 :1000 in a direct application container. A method of rendering a substrate anti-microbial comprising the steps in sequence of:

a Preparing a 0.05% - 1 % by weight solution of the composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 in water,

b Allowing the substrate to be in contact with the solution for at least 1 min and;

c drying the substrate. Use of a composition according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, in a washing process. Use of 1 ppm to 5000ppm of a composition according anyone of claims 1 to 5, for treating a hard surface.