Methods and compositions for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Abstract

This application relates to methods and compositions for cleaning and disinfecting unclean surfaces that are contaminated, typically with bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds. Broadly speaking contaminated surfaces includes hard and soft surfaces such as those found in household environments, in industrial environments, and hospitals, as well as surfaces of food products such as fruits, vegetables and meat. Further, the compositions can be prepared with naturally occurring components that are classified as generally considered as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA and/or comply with National Organic Production (NOP) standards of the USDA and can therefore be used in situations where such a classification is required such as organic food production.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning or disinfecting a surface comprising contacting said surface with a composition comprising
 an organic surfactant comprising a blend of C 4 -C 24  saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, such that the blend comprises at least about 1-6% C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts, and at least about 30% C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts; and   an organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and malic acid;   or   an organic surfactant derived from the saponification of one or more natural oils and comprising at least about 1-6% caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts, and at least about 30% lauric and myristic acid salts; and   an organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and malic acid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts and where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  where a biofilm is present on the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  for the control of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  for the control of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds, where the gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, viruses, yeast and molds exist in the presence of biofilms, or are incorporated into biofilms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of rinsing of the surface and removal of the excess solution. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  where the organic acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  where the natural oils are selected from coconut oil or palm oil. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  where the contacting of the surface by the composition is achieved by means of a low pressure applicator or a pressure washer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  where the contacting of the surface by the composition is achieved by means of Clean-In-Place technology. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  where the surface is selected from a metallic, textile, plastic, glass, composite, plant material and protein surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  where the surface is selected from a surface in the food and beverage industry. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         16 . A method of removing a biofilm from a surface comprising contacting said surface with a composition comprising
 an organic surfactant comprising a blend of C 4 -C 24  saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, such that the blend comprises at least about 1-6% C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts, and at least about 30% C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts; and   an organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and malic acid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts and where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         21 . An antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of
 an organic surfactant comprising a blend of C 4 -C 24  saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, such that the blend comprises at least about 1-6% C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts, and at least about 30% C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts; and   an organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and malic acid.   
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 21  where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 21  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts and where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 21  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         26 . An antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of
 an organic surfactant comprising a blend of C 4 -C 24  saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, such that the blend comprises at least about 1-6% C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts, and at least about 30% C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts;   an organic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and malic acid; and   water.   
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 26  where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 26  where the C 6 -C 10  fatty acids salts are a blend of caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts and where the C 12 -C 14  fatty acid salts are a blend of lauric and myristic acid salts. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 26  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         31 . An antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of
 from about 0.5% to about 10% saponified coconut oil as the sodium or potassium salt;   from about 1.0% to about 50% citric acid; and   from about 40% to about 99% water.   
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         33 . An aqueous antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of
 about 2% saponified coconut oil as the sodium or potassium salt;   about 10% citric acid; and   about 88% water.   
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 33  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         35 . An antimicrobial solid composition consisting essentially of
 from about 0.5% to about 20% of an organic surfactant comprising
 at least 1-6% caproic, caprylic and capric acid salts, and 
 at least about 30% lauric and myristic acid salts; and 
   from about 1.0-99.5% citric acid.   
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP). 
     
     
         37 . An antimicrobial solid composition consisting essentially of
 about 17% saponified coconut oil as the sodium or potassium salt; and   about 83% citric acid.   
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 37  wherein the components of the composition are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use on food or are acceptable under the regulations of the USDA National Organic Production (NOP).