Odorless phenolic compositions

Details Odorless phenolic compositions Odorless phenolic compositions

2000-05-31

2002-01-01

Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Live hair or scalp treating compositions

Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant containing

C424S401000, C514S731000, C514S737000, C514S844000, C514S733000, C514S736000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06335004

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to reduced odor or odorless antimicrobial compositions comprising a substituted phenolic compound, and to methods for reducing the odor of the antimicrobial compositions. Further, the present invention relates to methods of using the compositions wherein microbial populations are reduced. The compositions of the present invention may be utilized in antimicrobial cleaning and antimicrobial emollient compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Compositions such as skin cleansers, lotions, and hard surface antimicrobial preparations, which possess antimicrobial properties, are widely used.
Phenol derivatives are a common class of antimicrobial agents used in antimicrobial cleaning compositions. For example, halogenated phenols, halogenated phenol homologues, hydroxybenzoic acids, and hydroxyquinolines are common antimicrobial agents used in such compositions. A specific example of a phenolic antimicrobial agent is p-chloro-m-xylenol (PCMX).
Compositions containing antimicrobial phenolic compounds however, typically have a very strong, unpleasant and undesirable odor. The undesirable odor associated with phenolic compounds is particularly disadvantageous in personal hygiene products such as lotions and skin cleansers. In order to overcome the odor problem fragrances or perfumes are frequently incorporated into the compositions. The use of fragrances or perfumes, however, increases the cost of the products containing them. Also, they are not particularly effective in masking phenolic odor and can induce allergic reactions in people sensitive to fragrances or perfumes. Typically, manufacturers of antimicrobial products such as lotions, skin cleansers or hard surface treatments emphasize the absence of phenolic based compounds in their products due to the negative association such compounds have with the consumer due to their unpleasant odor.
Consequently, a need remains for a fragrance-free antimicrobial composition wherein the odor of the phenolic based antimicrobial agent is counteracted.
Collagen amino acids are commonly used as a skin conditioner in lotions and creams. Collagen amino acids are a crude mixture of amino acids obtained by either enzymatic or alkaline hydrolysis of collagen. Collagen amino acids however, typically have an unpleasant sulfurous odor associated with them. This unpleasant odor is generally counteracted in compositions containing these collagen amino acids through the addition of fragrances of perfumes. Again, the use of fragrances or perfumes can lead to allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Furthermore, the addition of such fragrances of perfumes increases the cost of the products. Therefore, a need exists for a fragrance-free means of counteracting the odor of hydrolyzed collagen amino acids as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to compositions and methods which reduce the undesirable odor of antimicrobial compositions which contain phenolic compounds. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial populations through the application of reduced odor antimicrobial compositions which contain phenolic compounds.
One embodiment of the present invention is an antimicrobial composition which includes an amount of collagen amino acids sufficient to decrease the odor of an antimicrobial phenolic compound and an amount of an antimicrobial phenolic based compound sufficient for reducing microbial populations.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for reducing the odor of a phenolic compound which includes combining the phenolic compound with an amount of collagen amino acids sufficient to decrease the odor of the phenolic compound.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a method for effectively reducing the amount of collagen amino acids used.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a method for effectively reducing the microbial population of a surface which includes contacting the surface with a composition including an antimicrobial phenolic compound and an odor reducing amount of collagen amino acids, to effectively reduce a microbial population.
The Figures and the detailed description which follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed to reduced odor or odorless antimicrobial compositions and to methods for reducing the odor of antimicrobial cleaning and antimicrobial emollient compositions. In particular, the invention relates to reduced odor or odorless phenolic compositions which include a mixture of collagen amino acids and phenolic compounds. While the present invention is not limited to the following aspects of the invention, an appreciation of the invention will be gained through the discussion provided below.
Reference herein to the term weight percent (wt-%) of any phenolic compound, collagen amino acid, or mixtures thereof in a composition is, unless otherwise specified, based on the weight of the phenolic compound or solutions thereof, or collagen amino acids or solutions thereof, present in the particular composition. For example, an antimicrobial emollient composition or a antimicrobial cleaning composition compared to the total weight of the final composition.
Reference herein to “percent solids”, of any phenolic compound, collagen amino acid, or mixtures thereof in a composition is, unless otherwise specified, based on the weight of the solid substance, such as phenolic compound, compared to the total weight of a composition of the solid substance in a solvent such as water, ethanol, and so forth.
Reference herein to “phenolic compound,” unless otherwise specified, refers to compounds which include one or more phenol moieties of the general formula I.
Reference herein to “collagen amino acid,” unless otherwise specified, refers to amino acids obtained by hydrolysis of collagen. Typically, collagen amino acids are obtained by either enzymatic or alkaline hydrolysis of collagen.
Reference herein to “antimicrobial composition,” unless otherwise specified, includes composition which are active against bacteria, fungi, yeast, protozoa, viruses, and so forth.
Reference herein to “reduced odor,” unless otherwise specified, refers to the odor of a composition which is lessened in reference to the initial odor of the individual components as determined by human olfactory assessment. This is typically accomplished through the use of panel sensory evaluations.
Reference herein to “odorless,” unless otherwise specified, refers to the odor of a composition which is considered nondetectable in a sensory panel evaluation in reference to the initial odor of the individual components as determined by human olfactory assessment. PCMX by itself, in contrast, has a very unpleasant odor.
A halogen is defined as one of the group VII elements of the periodic table including chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine.
A heteroatom is defined as nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Reference herein to “alkyl” unless otherwise specified, refers to C
1
-C
20
linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group. An alkyl ether group is an alkyl group containing an oxygen atom such as —(CH
2
)
n
—O— or —(CH
2
—CH
3
—CH
2
)
n
—O—, and an alkoxy group is an alkyl group containing an oxygen atom such as —(CH
2
CH
2
O)
n
— or —(CH
2
CH(CH
3
)CH
2
O)
n
— where n=1 to 20, for example.
An aryl group is defined as a phenyl, benzyl, or naphthyl group containing 6 to 17 carbon atoms and in which the aromatic ring on the phenyl, benzyl or naphthyl group may be substituted with a C
1
-C
3
alkyl group. An aryloxy group is aryl having an oxygen substituent such as -phenyl-O— or -benzyl-O—, for example. An aralkyl group is aryl having an alkyl substituent of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
Reference herein to “lotion,” unless otherwise specified, refers to a composition or agent which softens, smoothes, or moisturizes the skin. Agents useful for such effects, often referred to as emollients, include polyh

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