CN118679238A

CN118679238A - Sanitary composition

Info

Publication number: CN118679238A
Application number: CN202380021578.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·格霍斯; S·马哈帕特拉; S·V·梅德帕里; N·莫哈帕特拉; R·萨姆帕斯·库马; S·瓦尔玛; P·卡恩特; E·J·桑德斯; D·威廉姆斯
Original assignee: Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2022-02-25
Filing date: 2023-02-07
Publication date: 2024-09-20

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions for providing hygiene on a surface, including the killing of pathogens immediately and over an extended period of time, as evidenced by biofilm disruption. This is achieved by the novel composition of cationic surfactants in combination with bacterial spores.

Description

Sanitary composition

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a composition for providing hygiene on a surface. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions that provide immediate and prolonged periods of germ killing, as evidenced by the ability to address the problem of truly difficult biofilm removal.

Background

Making hard surfaces sanitary is important for people living in the home and using public places such as offices, restaurants, hotels and buses and train stations and airports. This typically involves the use of a sanitizing composition which is diluted with water prior to use. The horizontal surface is sterilized by application of the diluted composition. They may then be allowed to air dry or wiped dry with a clean cloth or mop. Vertical surfaces can be similarly sterilized by spraying the composition onto the surface, and then optionally wiping. Hard surfaces in these places include appliances that may be made of steel, ceramic, glass, and the like. Other important hard surfaces in these areas include floors, walls, windows, kitchen platforms, furniture, and the like. Although products are used which contain very good cleaning and sanitizing agents, these places often leave undesirable stains after the cleaning step.

Toilets and bathrooms are particularly places where very frequent cleaning and disinfection is required, as they are places for drainage and personal cleaning. Toilet cleaners contain more caustic chemicals such as bleach and strong antimicrobial actives that many consumers often dislike.

For most people, washing fabrics with soft surfaces (also known as washing or simply laundry) is a daily chose. Typically, the fabric is rinsed with water one or more times by contacting the fabric with the detergent composition in neat or diluted form; and finally drying it to wash the fabric. After a washing step involving a detergent composition, the fabric is rinsed twice or three times with a large amount of water to render it free of the composition. To provide various benefits such as softening, antimicrobial, odor control, long lasting fragrance impact, whitening, etc., the fabric conditioning composition may be added during the rinse stage, typically during the final rinse stage.

Although highly effective antimicrobial agents, including chlorine-based bleaches, are used, a problem often encountered in disinfecting any surface discussed in the preceding paragraph is that while these products are good at providing immediate killing of germs, they are not very effective in ensuring long-term hygiene by inhibiting or killing the growth of bacteria that remain after initial cleaning or that may colonize the surface after. In surfaces that are difficult to reach into less frequently cleaned corners, stains accumulate, which are also difficult to remove unless caustic chemicals such as chlorine-based bleaches are used. Biofilm formation is a phenomenon in which stubborn stains form due to proteins or carbohydrates adhering to surfaces, which often include bacteria therein that help the biofilm adhere very firmly to such surfaces.

Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms that comprise heterogeneous populations of bacteria, fungi, and algae. They are ubiquitous in nature and represent populations of cells that are functionally interdependent with each other, which collectively provide microbial activity that is not possible with any single constituent species. The biofilm matrix around bacteria and fungi makes them resistant to caustic conditions and resistant to antimicrobial treatments. The formation of microbial biofilms presents challenges in establishing and maintaining sanitary conditions in public health, home and industry. In indoor environments, biofilms form on surfaces including kitchen surfaces, drains and sinks, dishwashing sponges, refrigerators, washing machines, toilets, wet surfaces and ceilings and pose a threat to human health. Biofilms may thus form on hard and soft surfaces. Many biofilm-based infections and the occurrence of multiple antimicrobial resistance thereof are major concerns for human health. It is critical to design or screen anti-biofilm molecules or compositions that are effective in minimizing and eradicating biofilm-related infections.

Sometimes, in addition to caustic chemicals, very intense mechanical scrubbing may be required to remove such recalcitrant biofilms.

Thus, it is relatively easier to provide cleaning benefits (removal of mud and oily/particulate soils from surfaces). It is increasingly difficult to ensure adequate disinfection of germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi) on the current surfaces. Even more difficult is the destruction of the biofilm and the killing of germs present therein.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a solution to the more difficult problems listed above, such as immediate sterilization and removal of recalcitrant biofilms. The above problems are even more difficult to solve if the compounds and ingredients used are not considered caustic, i.e. are mild on the skin and have acceptable organoleptic properties such as no unpleasant chlorine smell. The inventors have now surprisingly found that a novel combination of conventional antimicrobial agents, such as cationic surfactants, with bacterial spores solves at least part of the above problems.

US 6165965 (2000, spartan) discloses compositions comprising an effective disinfecting amount of a quaternary ammonium compound; an effective amount of a sporulation microorganism composition; and an effective water-dispersing amount of surfactant.

While the above publications disclose compositions effective in providing hygienic benefits, the inventors have found that the novel compositions invented herein are not only superior to the above compositions in hygienic benefits (immediate kill and long term kill), but are also greatly superior to the above compositions in biofilm removal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary composition for cleaning surfaces which provides immediate and long lasting sanitary benefits against the growth of pathogens.

It is another object of the present invention to achieve the above benefits using ingredients that are mild on the skin and have other pleasant sensations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sanitary composition which is capable of removing biofilm from hard surfaces (such as those on homes, toilets and appliances) as well as soft surfaces (such as those on clothing and fabrics).

Summary of The Invention

A first aspect of the invention relates to a sanitary composition comprising

(I) 0.005 to 0.5 wt% cationic surfactant; and

(Ii) 0.00005 to 1 wt% of a composition comprising bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), bacillus megaterium (Bacillus megaterium), and bacillus subtilis (Bacillus subtilis); and a combination of bacterial spores of one or both of Bacillus pumilus (Bacillus pumilus) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillus thuringiensis),

Wherein the cationic surfactant is selected from Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (ADBAC), bis (C8-C18) alkyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride (preferably Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC)), cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC), cetyl Pyridine Chloride (CPC), cetrimide, benzethonium chloride (BZE); and one or more of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of ensuring immediate killing of pathogens and biofilm disruption, the method comprising the step of contacting a desired surface with a composition of the first aspect, preferably diluted with water.

Detailed description of the invention

For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be used in any other aspect of the present invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including", but not necessarily "consisting of … …" or "consisting of … …". Thus, the term "comprising" is not meant to be limited to any subsequently stated elements, but may optionally also comprise non-illustrated elements having a major or minor functional significance. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Whenever the words "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above. It should be noted that the examples given in the following description are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these examples per se. Except in the 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". Unless otherwise indicated, numerical ranges expressed in the "x to y" format are understood to include x and y. When describing a plurality of preferred ranges in an "x-to-y" format for a particular feature, it should be understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless otherwise indicated, amounts used herein are expressed in weight percent based on the total weight of the composition and are abbreviated as "wt-%".

The composition of the present invention comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC), also known as benzalkonium chloride (BKC), bis (C8-C18) alkyldimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride, preferably didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), cetrimonium bromide, benzethonium chloride (BZE) and dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride. Preferred aspects of the invention provide that the cationic surfactant is selected from one or more of BKC or DDAC, preferably BKC.

They are available as single quaternary ammonium compounds and as mixtures of two or more different quaternary ammonium compounds, e.g., under the trademark BARDAC ^TM,And(All supplied by Lonza); and(Supplied by Stepan). The quaternary ammonium compounds obtainable as a single quaternary ammonium compound include didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (available as BARDAC ^TM 2250R and1010, 50% Active material; BARDAC ^TM 2280R and1010-80, 80% Active substance), alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (which can be used asMB-50、MX-50、OJ-50、3500、50、50E、65、776、824、835 Is obtained; 50% each of active; and can be used asMB-80、MX-80、3500-80、8248、8358; 80% Active material each).

The cationic surfactant is included at least 0.005%, preferably at least 0.01%, more preferably at least 0.05%, most preferably at least 0.1% by weight of the composition. The cationic surfactant is included at up to 0.5%, more preferably up to 0.4% by weight of the composition. Useful wt% of cationic surfactant included in the compositions of the present invention ranges from 0.01 to 0.5%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.5%, most preferably from 0.1 to 0.4% by weight of the composition. It was observed that the use of cationic surfactant concentrations above the stated range adversely affected the viability of the bacterial spores included in the compositions of the invention.

The composition of the present invention comprises a combination of bacterial spores selected from one or two of bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium and bacillus subtilis, and bacillus pumilus and bacillus thuringiensis. According to the present invention, the combination of bacterial spores means that spores of bacteria may be included in the composition.

Preferred aspects of the invention include combinations of bacterial spores including bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium, bacillus subtilis, and bacillus pumilus. Further preferred aspects of the invention include combinations of bacterial spores including bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium, bacillus subtilis, bacillus pumilus, and bacillus thuringiensis.

Preferably, each bacterial spore is present in 1-70%, more preferably 5-40% of the total bacterial spores. Even more preferred aspects of the invention relate to bacterial spores of bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium and bacillus subtilis contained in 5-40% of the total number of bacterial spores. Particularly preferred aspects of the invention relate to bacillus pumilus and bacillus thuringiensis bacterial spores, each contained in 1-30%, preferably 5-20%, most preferably 5-15% of the total bacterial spores.

The combination of bacterial spores is contained at 0.00005-1%, preferably 0.0001-1%, more preferably 0.0005-1%, even more preferably 0.005-1% by weight of the composition. Bacterial spores for inclusion in the compositions of the invention may be in powder form with a count of about 10 ¹¹ cfu/g, but other methods of growing and introducing spores in the compositions known to those skilled in the art may exist.

The composition of the present invention is preferably applied by using a diluent. The most preferred diluent is an aqueous base, which preferably contains 1-99% water. It is particularly preferred that the pH of the composition is in the range of 5 to 7, preferably in the range of 5 to 6.

Universal or toilet cleaning agent

The compositions of the present invention may be formulated as general purpose cleaners which are commonly used for cleaning floors (in which case it may be referred to as a floor cleaner) or for cleaning toilets (in which case it may be referred to as a toilet cleaner). It can also be used to clean other hard surfaces such as furniture, table tops, kitchen tops, and other surfaces in homes, offices, restaurants, and other public places.

The compositions of the present invention delivered as a general purpose cleaner may further comprise a nonionic surfactant. Typically, these may be included for the purpose of stabilizing the composition. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.

Preferably, the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, for example from 12 to 16. Genapol ^TM C200 (Clariant) based on coco chains and 20 EO groups is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant.

The nonionic surfactant, if present, is present in an amount of from 0.05 to 20%, more preferably from 0.1 to 15%, based on the total weight of the composition.

The floor and toilet cleaner compositions of the present invention may contain ingredients such as amphoteric surfactants and chelating agents. The general purpose cleaners and toilet cleaners may be diluted prior to use. When diluted, they may be diluted with water in a weight ratio ranging from 1:10 to 1:1000. General purpose or toilet cleaners are typically delivered in liquid, gel, foam or cream form.

Fabric conditioning compositions

The compositions of the present invention may also be delivered to provide the benefits of the present invention to the garment or fabric being laundered. It is preferably delivered by a fabric conditioning composition which additionally comprises 1-50% of a fabric softening active. Delivery by the fabric conditioning composition is preferred as it is included in the rinse phase (preferably the final rinse phase) of the wash process. At this stage, the fabric softening active ensures a high level of deposition of bacteria on the fabric, thereby ensuring a durable hygiene benefit.

Fabric conditioning compositions are also known as fabric softeners. Fabric conditioners comprise an active material that softens or conditions fabrics. Examples of suitable fabric softening actives include: quaternary ammonium compounds, silicone polymers, polysaccharides, clays, amines, fatty esters, dispersible polyolefins, polymer latices, and mixtures thereof. The fabric softening active is preferably selected from quaternary ammonium compounds or silicone polymers and mixtures thereof, more preferably quaternary ammonium compounds.

The fabric softening compound may preferably be cationic or nonionic. Preferably, the fabric softening compounds of the present invention are cationic.

The fabric conditioning composition used according to the present invention may be diluted or concentrated. The diluted product typically contains up to about 6% by weight of the composition of softening compound, typically about 1 to 5% by weight, while the concentrated product may contain up to about 50% by weight of the composition of softening compound, preferably about 5 to about 50% by weight, more preferably 6 to 25% by weight. In general, the product of the invention may comprise from 1 to 50% by weight of the composition of softening compound, preferably from 2 to 25% by weight, more preferably from 2 to 20% by weight.

The preferred softening compound for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention is a Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC). The QAC preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from fatty acids. In general, fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Preferably, the fatty acid chain is a palm fatty acid or a tallow fatty acid. Preferably, the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise 10 to 50% by weight saturated C18 chains and 5 to 40% by weight monounsaturated C18 chains, based on the total fatty acid chain weight. In a further preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise 20 to 40% by weight, preferably 25 to 35% by weight, of saturated C18 chains and 10 to 35% by weight, preferably 15 to 30% by weight, of monounsaturated C18 chains, based on the total fatty acid chains.

Preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds for use in the compositions of the present invention are the so-called "esterquats". Particularly preferred materials are ester-linked Triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds, which comprise a mixture of monoester, diester, and triester-linked components.

The compositions of the present invention delivered as fabric conditioning compositions may further comprise a nonionic surfactant. Typically, these may be included for the purpose of stabilizing the composition. Suitable nonionic surfactants are those described above as suitable for use in the general purpose or toilet cleaning compositions. The nonionic surfactant, if present, is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 10wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. Thus, the fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.1 to 5 wt% of a nonionic surfactant, preferably a fatty alcohol ethoxylate.

Co-softeners are useful in fabric conditioning compositions. When used, they are generally present at from 0.1 to 20% by weight, and in particular from 0.5 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred co-softeners include fatty esters and fatty N-oxides. Fatty esters that may be used include fatty monoesters such as glycerol monostearate, fatty sugar esters such as those disclosed in WO 01/46361 (Unilever).

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a fatty complexing agent. Particularly suitable fatty complexing agents include fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Among them, fatty alcohols are most preferable. Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises from 0.5 to 20% by weight of the composition of a perfume material, more preferably from 1 to 15% by weight of the perfume material, most preferably from 2 to 10% by weight of the perfume material.

The fabric conditioning composition is preferably in aqueous form. The composition preferably comprises 75 to 95 wt% water.

The fabric conditioning composition may be used to treat fabrics during hand or machine washing. Preferably, the fabric conditioner is used in the rinse phase of the wash process.

Preferably, for a laundry load of 4 to 7 kg, the laundry is treated with a dose of 10 to 100 ml of fabric conditioner. More preferably, for a laundry load of 4 to 7 kg, a dose of 10 to 80 ml is provided.

The compositions of the present invention may also be delivered as toilet rim cleaning blocks. Toilet rim cleaning blocks refer to shaped solid compositions that are typically hung on a toilet rim in a plastic cage-like container such that each time the toilet is flushed, a certain amount of water flows through the solid composition, thereby eroding a portion of it before flushing into the toilet. The toilet rim cleaning block preferably additionally contains a fragrance to provide a long lasting pleasant smell after each toilet flush.

Liquid dishwashing composition

The compositions of the present invention are useful for the maintenance of kitchen articles, for example, appliances and dishes that may be cleaned with the liquid dishwashing composition. The composition may also be used to clean and disinfect filters in a dishwasher. The various ingredients other than the essential ingredients claimed in the present invention that may be included are anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and hydrotropes. In addition, other ingredients such as amphoteric surfactants and organic acids may be included. Preferably, the liquid dishwashing composition further comprises water in an amount in the range of from 5 to 99 wt%, more preferably from 15 to 80 wt%, even more preferably from 30 to 65 wt%, based on the weight of the composition. Preferably, the liquid dishwashing composition also comprises one or more chelating agents, which may be included in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition. The preferred chelating agent is phosphonic acid or a salt thereof. The most preferred chelating agent is 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP). Preferably the chelating agent is added to the formulation in the form of an acid. Optionally, the liquid dishwashing composition further comprises an enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Preferably, the viscosity of the composition may suitably be in the range of from about 200mpa.s to about 10,000mpa.s at 25 ℃ and at a shear rate of 21sec ^-1. The liquid dishwashing composition preferably has a pH in the range of from 2.0 to 8.0, more preferably 3.5 to 7.0. The liquid dishwashing composition may also comprise one or more polymers, which may be comprised at 0.001 to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 6 wt%, still more preferably 1 to 3 wt%.

Preferably, the composition may be used as is (i.e., neat) or may be diluted prior to use. The degree of dilution is generally dependent on market choice. In some markets, more concentrated products are desired, while in other markets, more dilute products are preferred. When the composition is a liquid dishwashing composition, it is typically diluted with water in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

The liquid dishwashing composition may optionally contain ingredients such as fragrances, colorants, foam enhancers, and odor absorbing materials.

It is particularly preferred that the compositions of the present invention are substantially free of antimicrobial agents other than cationic surfactants. By substantially free of antimicrobial agents is meant that the agents are not intentionally included in the composition at a concentration that provides a functional benefit. Preferably, such agents may be present at most at less than 0.1%, more preferably less than 0.05%, even more preferably less than 0.01% by weight of the composition, and desirably are not present in the composition. It is particularly preferred that the composition is substantially free of bleaching agents, such as oxygen-based bleaching agents or chlorine-based bleaching agents.

Another aspect of the present method relates to a method of disrupting a biofilm on a surface comprising the step of contacting the desired surface with a composition of the present invention, preferably diluted with water.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for removing stains from a surface comprising the step of contacting a desired surface, preferably made of ceramic, with a composition of the invention, preferably diluted with water.

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

Examples

Examples a,1-3: effects of bacterial spore combinations on biofilm disruption:

Combinations of bacterial spores as shown in table-1 were prepared and their effect on biofilm disruption was determined using the protocol given below:

A suspension of a culture of the Pseudomonas strain (PA-01) is prepared in a medium. 1ml of the suspension was pipetted into a multiwell plate. The plates were incubated for 48 hours to form a biofilm. After the incubation time, the selected formulation (1 ml) was added to the preformed biofilm. Plates were incubated for an additional 48-72 hours. After the incubation period, each well was treated with crystal violet dye (0.1%) and washed 3-4 times with distilled water. The plates were dried for several hours and the intensity of the violet staining was observed. The biofilm was extracted by adding 0.1ml of 30% acetic acid to the wells, transferred to microplates and absorbance read at 550 nm. Water was used as a blank. The percentage of biofilm disruption was calculated relative to the control.

The% biofilm disruption measured using the protocol detailed above is also given in table-1.

TABLE-1

In the above table, the following abbreviations are used for the various bacterial spores:

ba: bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Bm: bacillus megaterium

Bs: bacillus subtilis

Bl: bacillus licheniformis

Bp: bacillus pumilus

Bt: bacillus thuringiensis

The term @ refers to spores included in the following amounts: 5 to 40% of Ba, bm and Bs, and 5 to 15% of Bp and Bt of the total number of contained bacterial spores.

The data in the above table show that the combinations of bacterial spores according to the invention (examples 1 to 3) significantly improve biofilm disruption compared to the combinations outside the invention (example a).

Examples a, 3, 4: experiments were performed using combinations of various bacterial spores to better understand biofilm disruption. Several experiments were performed on the following combinations of bacterial spores shown in table-2 below, and general observations of the number and quality of biofilm disruption are summarized in the table.

TABLE-2

Examples	Combinations of bacterial spores	Quantitative ratio of corresponding spores	Biofilm disruption
				A	Ba+Bs+Bm+Bl	1:1:1:1	+
4	Ba+Bm+Bs+Bp+Bt	1:1:1:1:1	++
				3	Ba+Bm+Bs+Bp+Bt	@	+++

++ Indicates bad biofilm disruption

++ Indicates acceptable biofilm disruption

++ Indicates good biofilm disruption.

Stability of bacterial spore combinations at various cationic surfactant concentrations: 500ml of the bacterial spore combination as in example 4 was kept under different temperature conditions (0 ℃, 25 ℃ and 37 ℃). Samples were stored and probiotic spore counts were measured at regular time intervals (4 weeks and 13 weeks). The data are summarized in tables-3A-3C below:

table-3A: storage in the presence of 0.1% bkc. All spore counts were on a logarithmic scale. Initial spore count was 8log.

	0℃	25℃	37℃
				4 Weeks of storage	7	6	6
Storage for 13 weeks	6	6	6

Table-3B: stored in the presence of 0.5% bkc. All spore counts were on a logarithmic scale.

Initial spore count was 8log.

	0℃	25℃	37℃
				4 Weeks of storage	6	5	5
Storage for 13 weeks	6	6	6

Table-3C: stored in the presence of 0.75% bkc. All spore counts were on a logarithmic scale. Initial spore count was 8log.

	0℃	25℃	37℃
				4 Weeks of storage	<1	<1	<1
Storage for 13 weeks	<1	<1	<1

The data in tables 3A to 3C above show that spores are stable at BKC concentrations up to 0.5 wt% and are not viable above this concentration.

Examples B, C, 5-7: effects of various compositions on immediate sanitation and biofilm disruption:

Various compositions as shown in table-4 were prepared and measured for immediate sanitation as well as biofilm disruption as described below. According to example 3, all compositions comprise a mixture of bacterial spores. In addition, a certain amount of the cationic surfactant benzalkonium chloride was contained at the concentration shown in table-4. In addition, the second surfactant was contained at the concentrations given in the table. The results are summarized in table 4:

Instant hygienic measurement

1.0Ml of interfering substance (bovine serum albumin) was pipetted into the tube. 1.0ml of a test suspension of 1.5X10 ⁷ cfu/ml to 5.0X10 ⁷ cfu/ml was added to the initial culture inoculum. 8.0ml of one of the product test solutions/formulation was added. The stopwatch is started at the beginning of the addition until the desired contact time is reached. The tubes were mixed and placed in a temperature controlled water bath at 20 ℃ for a selected contact time. Just before the end of the contact time, they are mixed again.

At the end of the contact time, 1.0ml of a sample of the test mixture was taken and transferred to a tube containing 9.0ml of neutralizing agent. The mixture was mixed and placed in a water bath controlled at (20.+ -. 1) ℃ C. After a neutralization time of 5 minutes.+ -.10 seconds, the samples were mixed and immediately 1.0ml of the neutralization test mixture (containing neutralizing agent, product test solution, interfering substances and test suspension) was taken in duplicate and inoculated using pour plate or spread plate techniques.

For the spread plate technique, 0.25ml of each sample was pipetted into 4 separate petri dishes and 15ml to 20ml of molten medium was added and cooled to (45±1) °c.

TABLE-4

The data in the above table show that the compositions according to the invention (examples 5-7) provide immediate hygiene and biofilm disruption, while the compositions outside the invention (examples B and C) do not.

Claims

1. A sanitary composition comprising:

(i) 0.005 to 0.5 wt% cationic surfactant; and

(Ii) 0.00005 to 1 wt% of a composition comprising bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium, and bacillus subtilis; and combinations of bacterial spores of one or both of Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus thuringiensis,

Wherein the cationic surfactant is selected from Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (ADBAC), bis (C8-C18) alkyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride, preferably Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC), cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC), cetyl Pyridine Chloride (CPC), cetrimide, benzethonium chloride (BZE); and one or more of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium chloride.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the combination of bacterial spores comprises bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium, bacillus subtilis, and bacillus pumilus.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the combination of bacterial spores comprises bacillus amyloliquefaciens, bacillus megaterium, bacillus subtilis, bacillus pumilus, and bacillus thuringiensis.

4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the cationic surfactant is selected from one or both of ADBAC and DDAC, preferably ADBAC.

5. A composition according to any preceding claim comprising 1 to 99% by weight of water.

6. A composition according to any preceding claim which is a fabric conditioning composition additionally comprising from 1 to 50% of a fabric softening active.

7. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 which is a general purpose or toilet cleaning composition additionally comprising from 0.1 to 3% by weight of a nonionic surfactant.

8. A method of ensuring immediate killing of pathogens and biofilm disruption comprising the step of contacting a desired surface with a composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, preferably diluted with water.

9. A method of removing stains from a surface comprising the step of contacting a desired surface, preferably made of ceramic, with a composition according to any of the preceding claims 1-7, preferably diluted with water.