Claims:1. An effervescent anti-microbial surface cleaning composition, the composition comprising:
a) an acid in the range of 10-25% w/w;
b) a base in the range of 5-20 % w/w;
c) soda ash in the range of 40-70 % w/w;
d) a surfactant in the range of 5-15 % w/w;
e) zinc oxide nanoparticles in the range of 1-6 % w/w;
f) silica in the range of 0.2-2% w/w;
g) tea tree oil in the range of 0.1 -1.0% w/w; and
h) patchouli oil in the range of 0.1-1.0 % w/w.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid an amino acid, and a combination thereof.
3. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate salts of potassium, lithium, sodium, calcium, or ammonium, sodium silicate, sodium perborate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and a combination thereof.
4. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein silica is precipitated or fumed silica.
5. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, biosurfactant, and a combination thereof.
6. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid ester, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate, quarternary ammonium salt and a combination thereof.
7. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a foaming aid in the range of 1-10 %w/w.
8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foaming aid is selected from the group consisting of sodium tripolyphosphate, zeolites, and a combination thereof.
9. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising an enzyme in the range of 0.01 -1.0 %w/w.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of cellulase, lipase, protease, amylase, esterase, and a combination thereof.
11. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising an additional essential oil selected from the group consisting of eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, cinnamon oil, ajowan oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and a combination thereof.
12. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is in a form of powder, tablet, granules, or pellets.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to surface cleaning compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to effervescent anti-microbial surface cleaning compositions.

BACKGROUND

All-purpose cleaners are cleaning agents that can be used on different surfaces and for different cleaning tasks such as removing dust, stains, cleaning spills, and removing bad odours. Most cleaners contain mixtures of anionic and non-ionic surfactants, polymeric phosphates or other sequestering agents, solvents, hydrotropic substances, polymeric compounds, corrosion inhibitors, perfumes, and colorants. Some, but not all surface cleaners also function as disinfectants. The disinfectant additives that are most commonly added to cleaners include alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, phenol derivatives, terpene alcohols (pine oil), aldehydes, and aldehyde-amine condensation products.

The ingredients of most surface cleaners are synthetic chemicals that are toxic and their frequent use is not recommended. Also, the disinfectant properties of most cleaning agents are primarily directed towards bacteria.

Hence, there is a need for surface cleaning compositions that are environment friendly, are not harsh on the skin, and have broad-spectrum anti-microbial properties.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an effervescent anti-microbial surface cleaning composition. The composition comprises an acid in the range of 10-25% w/w; a base in the range of 5-20 % w/w; soda ash in the range of 40-70 % w/w; a surfactant in the range of 5-15 % w/w; zinc oxide nanoparticles in the range of 1-6 % w/w; silica in the range of 0.2-2% w/w; tea tree oil in the range of 0.1 -1.0% w/w; and patchouli oil in the range of 0.1-1.0 % w/w.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: FIG. 1 shows a tile with a thin coat of soil mixture.

FIG. 2: FIG. 2 shows the left half and the right half of the tile applied with the Inventive Composition solution in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and water respectively.

FIG. 3: FIG. 3 shows the difference in the cleaning with the Inventive Composition solution in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

The terms “a,” “an,”, and “the” are used to refer to “one or more” (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion and are not intended to be construed as “consists of only”, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method.

Likewise, the terms “having” and “including” and their grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitations of said items in a list are not to the exclusion of other items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, the preferred methods, and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference.

The term “effervescent composition” as used herein refers to any composition which, on contact with water, liberates carbon dioxide.

The term "cleaning” as used herein refers to the removal of grease, dirt, stains, and soil from inanimate surfaces.
The terms “microbe” or “microbial” or microorganisms include microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or cell clusters and encompass bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

The terms “disinfecting” and “anti-microbial” as used herein refer to inhibitory activity against microorganisms including bacteria, virus, fungi, and protozoa. The terms comprehend microbe killing, leading to a reduction in the number of microbes, as well as a retarding effect of microbial growth.

The term “tea tree oil”, also known as melaleuca oil as used herein refers to oil derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca linariifolia, Melaleuca dissitiflora and other species of Melaleuca. It is usually derived by steam distillation from the leaves and terminal branches of said species. It is commercially available.

The term “patchouli oil” as used herein refers to oil derived from Pogostemon cablin. It is usually derived from dried leaves, young leaves, twigs, and shoots of Pogostemon cablin. It is commercially available.

The present disclosure relates to an effervescent anti-microbial cleaning. The composition comprises an acid in the range of 10-25% w/w; a base in the range of 5-20 % w/w; soda ash in the range of 40-70 % w/w; a surfactant in the range of 5-15 % w/w; zinc oxide nanoparticles in the range of 1-6 % w/w; silica in the range of 0.2-2% w/w; tea tree oil in the range of 0.1 -1.0% w/w; and patchouli oil in the range of 0.1-1.0 % w/w.

In accordance with an embodiment, the acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid an amino acid, and a combination thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the acid in the range of 12-16% w/w.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base is selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate salts of potassium, lithium, sodium, calcium, or ammonium, sodium silicate, sodium perborate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and a combination thereof. In an example, the composition comprises a mixture of one or more bases. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the base in the range of 9-14% w/w.

In accordance with an embodiment, silica is precipitated silica. In another embodiment, silica is fumed silica. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises silica in the range of 0.8-1.2% w/w.

In accordance with an embodiment, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a biosurfactant, and a combination thereof. Suitable examples of the surfactant include but are not limited to linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid ester, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate, quarternary ammonium salt, and a combination thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the surfactant in the range of 6-9% w/w.

The composition may further comprise additional ingredients. Examples of the additional ingredients include but are not limited to one or more of a foaming aid, an enzyme, an additional essential oil, a dye, a builder, a fragrance, an anti-caking or a drying agent, a colorant or a dye, a carrier, a bulking agent, emulsifier, salt, iodine, and a disinfecting agent such as benzalkonium salt.

In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the foaming aid in the range of 1-10% w/w. In accordance with an embodiment, the foaming aid is in the range of 4-6% w/w. Examples of suitable foaming aid include but are not limited to sodium tripolyphosphate, zeolites, and a combination thereof.

In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the enzyme in the range of 0.01 -1.0% w/w. In an embodiment, the enzyme is in the range 0.05-0.5% w/w. Examples of the suitable enzyme include but are not limited to cellulase, lipase, protease, amylase, esterase, and a combination thereof.

In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the additional essential oil selected from the group consisting of eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, cinnamon oil, ajowan oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, orange peel oil, lemon peel oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and a combination thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, the essential oil is in the range 0.1-0.4% w/w. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises two or more of the other essential oil each in the range of 0.1-0.4% w/w.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises the one or more builders. In accordance with an embodiment, the composition comprises the one or more builder in the range of 2-5% w/w Examples of the one or more builders include but are not restricted to sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, quaternary ammonium silicates, sodium carbonate, sodium or potassium salts of citric acid, zeolites, nitrilotriacetic acid, and a combination thereof.

The composition may be formulated in any suitable form. In an embodiment, the composition is provided in an easily dispersible form. Examples of such forms include powder, tablet, granules, or pellets. A pellet is defined as a small rounded compressed mass of a substance, which may be pressed into any convenient shape.

The composition is capable of disinfecting and cleaning various types of surfaces, for example, wood, glass, tiles, steel, ceramics, plastics, and other such surfaces, and materials that are encountered in a household or in industrial settings.

The composition easily disperses in water. In an embodiment, 10 grams of the composition disperses in water in less than 5 mins. In a specific embodiment, 10 grams of the composition disperses in water in 1-2 mins.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of cleaning a surface with the disclosed composition. The method includes applying the composition to the surface followed by wiping and/or rinsing the surface.

In an embodiment, the composition in the powder form is sprinkled on the surface. In another embodiment, the composition is dispersed in water before applying it to the surface. In a specific embodiment, the tablet of composition is dispersed in water.

The composition may be applied using an appropriate implement, such as a mop, a paper a towel, a brush, or a cloth. The composition dispered in water may be sprayed on the surface. Once applied onto the surface the composition may be agitated over the surface using an appropriate implement. The surface may be wiped using a mop, a paper towel, a brush, or a cloth.

In accordance with an embodiment, the method comprises dispersing 10-20 grams of the composition in 1-2 litres of water to obtain a solution, treating the surface with the solution for about 1-10 mins, wiping and/or rinsing the treated surface. In accordance with an embodiment, 10 grams of the composition is dispersed in 1 litre of water and applied to a surface.

EXAMPLES

The examples below illustrate embodiments of the inventive compositions, the method of making and using them, and the advantages achieved. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the examples, and it is to be appreciated that one skilled in the art would understand that a variety of compositions can be prepared, by following the teachings herein, which would achieve the same results.

Example 1: Preparation of an effervescent anti-microbial cleaning composition

An effervescent anti-microbial cleaning composition was prepared by mixing 15 grams of sodium bicarbonate, 60 grams of sodium carbonate, 10 grams of citric acid, 8 grams of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, 5 grams of sodium tripolyphosphate, 3 grams of nano ZnO, 0.2 grams of precipitated silica, 0.5 ml of tea tree oil and 0.5 ml of patchouli oil using a mechanical mixer. The powder so obtained was then further processed into tablets and granules.

Tea tree oil was of Australian origin and was purchased from Vedic Nutraceuticals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Patchouli oil was of Indonesian origin and purchased from VedaOils, New Delhi, India.

Example 2: The antiviral effect of the composition

The anti-viral effect of the composition obtained in Example 1 (hereinafter the “Inventive Composition”) was studied using the ASTM E1052 a standard test method for testing the efficacy of antimicrobial agents against viruses in suspension (Tube Method).

10 grams of the Inventive Composition was dissolved in 1 litre of water. One part of the MS2 bacteriophage ATCC-15597-B1 virus suspension was added to nine parts of the Inventive Composition solution and the mixture so obtained was held at room temperature for 10 minutes. It was then assayed for viable virus particles in an Escherichia coli host system. For the control, one part of the virus was added to nine parts of a buffer, which is harmless to the virus and its host cells. The results are provided in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Test Microbial count Test 1 Test 2 Test 3
Control
MS2 Bacteriophage + Buffer Counts in
plaque-forming unit (pfu)/ml 1240000000 (1.24 x 109) 1240000000 (1.24 x 109) 1240000000 (1.24 x 109)
Log Values 9.0934 9.0934 9.0934
Test
MS2 Bacteriophage +
Inventive Composition Solution Counts in
pfu/ml 10 10 10
Log Values 1.00 1.00 1.00
Log reduction in the number of pfu 8.0934 8.0934 8.0934
Percentage reduction in number of pfu 99.999999 99.999999 99.999999

Observation: It was observed that after 10 minutes of contact time with the Inventive Composition solution, there was an 8.0934 log reduction (99.999999%) in the bacteriophage counts. Therefore, the Inventive Composition at a concentration of 10 grams in 1 litre water was found to be effective against MS2 Bacteriophage (ATCC-15597-B1).

Example 3: Surface Cleaning Effect of the Inventive Composition

The effectiveness of the Inventive Composition to clean dirt from surfaces was tested using a BIS 14364:1996 certified method. Calcium stearate (35 parts) was dispersed in white spirit (61 parts) and was mixed thoroughly with carbon black (4 parts). This was denoted as Mix A. 0.3 g each of lanolin and grease were mixed together. This was denoted as Mix B. 3 g of Mix A was added into Mix B to obtain a mixture referred to as a soil mixture.

Preparation of Test tile: A mosaic tile of dimensions 15 cm × 6 cm, was suitably cleaned and made free from any scratch marks. A thin coat of the soil mixture was applied on the surface of the mosaic tile uniformly. The tile was left to dry at 30oC overnight. FIG. 1 shows the tile with a thin coat of soil mixture.

Test Procedure: Three sprays of the Inventive Composition solution at a dose of 10 grams in 1 litre water were applied to the left half surface of the tile with the soil mixture. Three sprays of water were applied to the right half surface of the said tile. FIG 2. shows the left half and the right half of the tile applied with the Inventive Composition solution and water respectively.

After 10 minutes, with the help of a lint-free cloth, both the left and the right halves were wiped with equal force and the cleaning effect was measured. FIG. 3 shows the difference in the cleaning with the Inventive Composition solution and water. The Inventive Composition solution showed remarkably good cleaning efficiency compared to water.

The results were quantified using the Hunter Lab instrument. The Hunter lab instrument is based on the theory assuming that the receptors in the human eye perceive color as the following pairs of opposites.

- L scale: Light vs. dark where a low number (0-50) indicates dark and a high number (51-100) indicates light.
- a scale: Red vs. green where a positive number indicates red and a negative number indicates green.
- b scale: Yellow vs. blue where a positive number indicates yellow and a negative number indicates blue.

The “L” value for each scale, therefore, indicates the level of light or dark, the “a” value redness or greenness, and the “b” value yellowness or blueness.

Method: Calibration was done using a white tile as well as a black tile. The control tile, the tile half cleaned with water, and the tile half cleaned using the Inventive composition solution were placed in the instrument and the L, a, b values were noted in Table 2 below.

Table 2
Sample L a b
Control tile 47.27 -2.73 6.45
Right half surface of the tile cleaned with water 21.58 -0.07 -0.74
Left half surface of the tile treated with the composition for 10 mins 44.22 -2.72 6.71

Observation: In the case of the tile half cleaned using the Inventive Composition solution, the “L” value, which indicates lightness, was very close to the control. The “a” value which indicates redness and the “b” value which indicates yellowness, were almost the same as the control.

In contrast, the tile half cleaned with water had a significant variation in the values as compared to the control. The L value of the tile cleaned with water indicated less lightness or more darkness, which indicated that the dirt had not been removed. The a value was towards red and b value was negative indicating blue and thus dark colour in comparison to surface treated with the Inventive Composition solution. Thus, the BIS method had been quantified using the t Hunter Lab instrument.
The results indicated that the Inventive Composition solution showed remarkably good cleaning efficiency compared to water on a hard surface.

Example 4: Synergistic Effect of the Composition

Combinations A-F containing different ingredients were prepared. The details of Combinations A-F are provided in Tables 3-8 respectively.

Table 3: Combination A

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Citric Acid 10
Alkyl benzene sulfonate-70 8
Sodium tripolyphosphate 5
Silica 0.2
Tea Tree Oil 0.25
Patchouli Oil 0.25
Nano Zinc Oxide (WD Supplied by Tata Chemicals Ltd.) 3

Table 4: Combination B

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Citric Acid 10
Alkyl benzene sulfonate-70 8
Sodium tripolyphosphate 5

Table 5: Combination C

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Silica 0.2

Table 6: Combination D

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Nano Zinc Oxide (WD Supplied by Tata Chemicals Ltd.) 3

Table 7: Combination E

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Citric Acid 10
Alkyl benzene sulfonate-70 8
Sodium tripolyphosphate 5
Silica 0.2
Tea Tree Oil 0.25
Patchouli Oil 0.25
Table 8: Combination F

Ingredient % w/w
Soda Ash 60
Sodium bicarbonate 13.3
Tea Tree Oil 0.25
Patchouli Oil 0.25

The surface cleaning effect and anti-viral effect of the combinations were studied as per the methods given above. Table 9 provides the surface cleaning effect and anti-viral effect of the combinations.

Table 9

S. No Combination L a b pH Viral reduction in load%
1. A 44.22 -2.72 6.71 9.6 99.9999%
2. B 37.17 -1.98 4.49 9.7 85%
3. C 34.91 -1.09 2.77 9.9 73.35%
4. D 35.72 -0.95 2.4 7.35 82.14%
5. E - - - 7.3 69.64%
6. F - - - 8.7 99.9999%
7. Negative Control
(Coated tile) 27 -0.09 -0.27 NA NA
8. Positive Control
(Uncoated tile) 47.27 -2.73 6.45 NA NA

Observation: Synergistic effect of sodium salts, nano ZnO and silica was observed for cleaning effect. Synergistic effect of sodium salts, nano ZnO and essential oil was observed for anti-viral effect.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed composition is a broad-spectrum anti-microbial composition. The disclosed composition exhibits superior anti-viral properties and is able to remove around 99.9% of virus particles. The composition also has superior cleaning properties and effectively removes dirt and grime from various types of surfaces. The composition easily disperses in water. The composition is also non-toxic and non-hazardous and therefore, can be used safely. The composition is also in a dry form which reduces packaging, transportation, and storage costs.