Botanical skin and surface disinfectants

This technology is a composition of botanical oils and acids that can be incorporated into personal care products and surface disinfectants for preventing the transmission of pathogens.

Unmet Need: Safe, natural product-based antimicrobial compositions

Essential oils from aromatic and medicinal plants have been reported to possess antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making them potential candidates to replace the toxic and irritating chemicals currently used in personal care products and disinfectants. However, to be effective, these oils must be used at high concentrations where they may also exhibit toxicity and cause contact dermatitis.

The Technology: Botanical antimicrobial compositions for use in personal care products and surface disinfectants

This technology describes compositions of botanical oils and fruit acids that display antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. By using a combination of essential oils and fruit acids dissolved in ethanol, lower essential oil concentrations can be utilized to effectively control the transmission of pathogens, avoiding the potential irritant effects of these oils at higher concentrations. In addition, the natural products can be combined with triclosan in soaps for synergistic antimicrobial activity. These botanical compositions can provide a safe, natural alternative to the chemicals currently used in personal care products and surface disinfectants.

Applications:

• Surface disinfectant wipes, sprays
• Antibacterial liquid and bar soaps, ointments, lotions
• Veterinary products
• Enhancement of antimicrobial activity of topical creams used for burns, wounds, and skin infections
• Antimicrobial wound dressings
• Disinfectant for medical devices

Advantages:

• Uses non-toxic natural products
• Safe, low concentrations of essential oils
• Significantly reduces infection risk resulting from transfer of resident and transient microbes
• Enhanced antimicrobial activity
• Diminished risk of irritation, dermatitis, or allergic reactions
• Can potentiate the effect of triclosan
• Compatible with a wide range of personal care products

Lead Inventor:

Shanta Modak, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Status

Related Publications:

• Suman P, Ramachandran H, Sahakian S, Gill KZ, Horst BA, Modak SM, Hardy MA. “The use of angiogenic-antimicrobial agents in experimental wounds in animals: problems and solutions” Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 Oct; 1270: 28-36.

• Geraldo IM, Gilman A, Shintre MS, Modak SM. “Rapid antibacterial activity of 2 novel hand soaps: evaluation of the risk of developmental of bacterial resistance to the antibacterial agents” Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2008 Aug; 29(8): 736-741.

• Shintre MS, Gaonkar TA, Modak SM. “Evaluation of an alcohol-based surgical hand disinfectant containing a synergistic combination of farnesol and benzethonium chloride for immediate and persistent activity against resident hand flora of volunteers and with a novel in vitro pig skin model” Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007 Feb; 28(2): 191-197.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR 2317

• Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang