Antimicrobial composition and methods for using same

Abstract

An aqueous composition adapted to kill bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm states is lethal toward a wide spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as other microbes. The composition, which is slightly to moderately acidic, includes a significant amount of one or more surfactants and large amounts of osmotically active solutes. The composition can be applied directly to a site of bacterial growth. Even when the bacteria is in biofilm form, the surfactant component(s) begin to kill the bacteria before the macro-molecular matrix is removed or dislodged from the site.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a surface intended for contact with food, said method comprising applying to said surface a composition that comprises
 1) water,   2) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids,   3) dissociation product of a buffer precursor, and   4) cationic surfactant,   
       said composition having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 inclusive and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising removing said composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said applying step is accomplished by delivering said composition in or on a rubbing or buffing medium. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surface, prior to said applying step, comprises live bacteria, said bacteria optionally being present in a biofilm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said composition is capable of reducing the amount of live bacteria by at least 99.9% when said composition is permitted a 5-minute residence time on an entrenched biofilm tested in accordance with a drip-flow reactor test. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has a pH of less than 5.0. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.6. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.2. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition has a solute concentration of from 2 to 4 Osm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said composition has an effective solute concentration of at least about 2.25 Osm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more biocompatible organic acids comprises a polyacid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said buffer precursor is a salt of said polyacid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said buffer precursor comprises a salt of an organic acid. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating a surface intended for contact with food, said method comprising applying to said surface a composition that consists essentially of
 1) water,   2) dissociation product of one or more biocompatible organic acids comprising citric acid,   3) dissociation product of a sodium salt of citric acid, and   4) cationic surfactant,   
       said composition having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 inclusive and an effective solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.2 Osm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising removing said composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said applying step is accomplished by delivering said composition in or on a rubbing or buffing medium. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said surface, prior to said applying step, comprises live bacteria, said bacteria optionally being present in a biofilm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said composition is capable of reducing the amount of live bacteria by at least 99.9% when said composition is permitted a 5-minute residence time on an entrenched biofilm tested in accordance with a drip-flow reactor test. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said composition has a pH of less than 5.0. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said composition has a pH of less than 4.6.