Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a novel antimicrobial composition and to novel methods related thereto.

More particularly, the invention relates a novel composition formulated using natural derived intermediates suitable for general purpose ((working surfaces, packing cases {plastic or mild steel 316)) and clean-in-place (CEP) cleaning and decontamination, extending the storage life of fresh produce, such as fruit, vegetables, poultry meat and fish.

Furthermore, the use of the composition and the method of the invention prevents or mitigates the spoilage of such fresh produce. Background of the Invention

Prior to packing either as whole or sliced fresh produce as described above the suitable packaging as described above need to be washed in a suitable medium so as to decontaminate the packaging, removing or killing any microorganisms that are deposited on the surfaces thereof. Such microorganisms include, inter alia, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi murium, staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae. Listeria monocytogenes. Bacillus cereus, Candida Albicans, Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Campylobacter.

It is essential to ensure packaging as described is properly washed/ decontaminated prior to being packed with fresh produce or that surfaces that come into contact with fresh produce are properly washed/decontaminated. If not, cross contamination will occur resulting in potential bouts of diarrhoea, colic, and vomiting.

There is an increased demand for fresh food produce to be delivered as fresh and healthy as can be achieved. Therefore the prevention or mitigation of cross contamination of such prepared foods is especially important for the retailer of such produce. If the produce is contaminated, i.e. with microorganisms, this can result in food poisoning the legal consequences can be damaging as well as financially and affect a retailers credibility to supply fresh safe edible fruit and vegetables.

The eradication of food-borne pathogens and food spoilage micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses is a major issue to the food industry. Elimination of the bio burden in a food manufacturing plant exceeding required standards especially where there is an environmental contamination issue with a known food pathogen or spoilage organism is a pre-requisite. The provision of microbiologically safe food is paramount to meet the needs of the food manufacturer's regulators including Environmental Health and the FSA (Food Standards Agency), as well as the supermarkets, suppliers and consumers.

Conventionally, decontamination is controlled with chemicals, such as, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, quaternary ammonium halides, or by destroying with heat, i.e. thermal sterilisation. However, there are consumer and industry concerns about the use of chlorine products in treating foodstuffs and packaging. Summary of the Invention

We have now developed a novel method for the decontamination of a surface the method comprising:

(i) an optional first step of pre-washing the surface in high concentration of the decontaminant to deal with heavy spoilage;

(ii) washing the surface in a low concentration of the decontaminant to deal with any residual microbial presence;

wherein the decontaminant comprises an acidulant. According to this aspect of the invention the acidulant is selected from those that will reduce the pH to at least about 3 or less. In a preferred aspect of the invention the acidulant will reduce the pH to at least about 2.3 or less, preferably 2 or less, preferably to about 1.8 or less and most preferably to about 1.4 or less. The amount of concentration of decontaminant present may vary depending upon, inter alia, the nature of the decontaminant, the level of spoilage on the surface, e.g. packaging, being treated. However, the amount of decontaminant/acidulant, present may be from about from about 0.1% to about 25% (w/v), preferably from about 0.1% to about 6% (w/v), preferably from about 0.1% to about 4% (w/v), preferably from about 1% to about 4% (w/v).

In a preferred aspect of the study the acidulant is a modified acidified salt. The acidified salt may be acidified sodium chloride, e.g. bisulphate of soda/ sodium bisulphate/ sodium hydrogen sulphate (NaHS0 ₄ ). Preferably, the modified acidified salt may include an antioxidant reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid. Desirably the antioxidant/reducing agent will be a free radical scavenger which can prevent oxidation by altering the REDOX potential of the system and can reduce undesirable oxidative products.

However, a variety of antioxidants/reducing agents may be used. Thus, specific antioxidants/reducing agents which may be mentioned include, but shall not be limited to, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium ascorbate; erythorbic acid and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium erythorbate; phenolic antioxidant carboxylic acids, such as a rosmarinic acid ([[3-(3,4- dihydroxyphenyl)-l-oxo-2E-propenyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy- benzenepropanoic acid), and optionally salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts; tannic acid, and optionally salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts. The aforementioned antioxidants/reducing agents, such as, ascorbic acid, act as a reducing agent which functions as a free radical scavenger preventing oxidation by altering the REDOX potential of the system and reduces undesirable oxidative products.

The amount of antioxidant/reducing agent, as hereinbefore described, may vary and may be from about 0.25% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v), preferably from about 0.5% (w/v) to about 5% (w/v), more preferably from about 1% (w/v) to about 2% (w/v). According to one aspect of the invention we provide a method as herein before described wherein the pre-wash pre-dipping step is present.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention we provide a method as hereinbefore described wherein the pre-wash/pre-dipping step is absent. The antioxidant/reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid, may be prepared in a diluent. Whilst a variety of diluents may be used, a preferred diluent comprises one or more of ; flavouring and preservative agents, such as, succinic acid, and optionally salts thereof, and citric acid, and optionally salts thereof; a surfactant, such as, an alkyl (alkyl CI to 20, preferably C8) glucoside; and a pH regulator, such as, lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof. Preferably, the diluent comprises a blend of two or more of a flavouring and preservative agent(s), a surfactant and a pH regulator. Most preferably the diluent comprises a blend of two or more of succinic acid, citric acid, an alkyl glucoside and lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof, and more preferably a blend comprising each of succinic acid, citric acid, an alkyl glucoside, lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof, and tannic acid, and optionally salts thereof.

The modified bisulphate of soda may function as an acidulant and thereby has a denaturing effect on microorganisms, for example, by reducing the pH to below the level at which is required to inactivate microorganisms.

Preferentially the decontaminant is one which can reduce or better "kill" those bacterium/micro-organisms common to fruit and vegetables, fish meat and poultry which are detrimental to health. Such a decontaminant will achieve a minimum Log Reduction of 5 against both Gram+ and Gram- organisms. The microbiological analysis will use the methodology as prescribed by ENBS 1276: 1997, available from BSI in the UK.

The term "high concentration" when used in connection with the pre-washing according to the present invention would generally be understood by the person skilled in the art. However, a high concentration may be from about 2 to about 10% (w/v), preferably 2.5 to about 5% (w/v). The term "low concentration" when used in connection with the main wash according to the present invention would generally be understood by the person skilled in the art. However, a low concentration may be from about 0.1 to about 1.5% (w/v), preferably 0.5 to about l% (w/v). Preferentially, the method of the invention comprises the simultaneous treatment of a surface with a decontaminant formulated using naturally derived intermediates formulated in such a way to maximise a quick effective and efficient decontamination process. When the surface to be contaminated comprises a packaging surface, such as packaging for use with fresh food produce, the method of decontamination is desirably carried out quickly and efficiently without adverse effects to the integrity of the fresh food produce. Thus, the decontaminant may be present in a solution and the produce may be sprayed or wiped with the solution to achieve the desired effect of decontamination. However, preferably the surface, e.g. packaging, may be dipped in the decontaminant solution to achieve the desired effect. The method of the invention as hereinbefore described may comprise the treatment, i.e. decontamination, of a variety of surfaces. Thus, the method of decontaminant may comprise, inter alia, food related cleaning applications (clean-in-place (CIP), floors, walls, mixing vessels, pipe work, work tops, etc.; transport, e.g. vessels used for transporting food produce; packing cases (plastics, stainless steel, etc); decontamination of fishing vessels, etc.

Therefore, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a composition suitable for the decontamination of a surface comprising an acidulant present in an amount from about from about 0.1% to about 25% (w/v). According to this aspect of the invention the acidulant is a modified acidified salt as hereinbefore described. Preferably, the modified acidified salt in the composition of the invention may be a mixture of bisulphate of soda and an antioxidant reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid.

However, a variety of antioxidants/reducing agents may be used. Thus, specific antioxidants/reducing agents which may be included in the composition of the invention, are one or more of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium ascorbate; erythorbic acid and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium erythorbate; phenolic antioxidant carboxylic acids, such as a rosmarinic acid ([[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-l-oxo-2E-propenyl]oxy]-3,-dihydro xy- benzenepropanoic acid) and optionally salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts.

In the composition of the invention the antioxidant/reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid, may comprise a diluent. Whilst a variety of diluents may be used, a preferred diluent comprises one or more of flavouring and preservative agents, such as, citric acid, and optionally salts thereof, or succinic acid, and optionally salts thereof; a surfactant, such as, an alkyl (alkyl CI to 20, preferably C8) glucoside; and a pH regulator, such as, lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof. Preferably, the diluent comprises a blend of two or more of a flavouring and preservative agent(s), a surfactant and a pH regulator. Most preferably the diluent comprises a blend of two or more of succinic acid, citric acid, an alkyl glucoside and lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof, and more preferably a blend comprising each of succinic acid, citric acid, an alkyl glucoside and lactic acid, and optionally salts thereof. According to a yet further aspect of the invention we provide a kit suitable for the decontamination of a surface, the kit comprising:

(i) an optional pre-dipping component as hereinbefore described; and (ϋ) a low concentration decontaminant as hereinbefore described.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a kit as hereinbefore described in which the pre-dipping component is present.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention we provide a kit as hereinbefore described in which the pre-dipping component is absent.

In the composition or kit as herein before described, the optional pre-wash/dipping component may comprise a chelating agent. Thus, as hereinbefore described the chelating agent should have an affinity to copper or iron and salts thereof. It will be understood that more than one chelating agent may be present, for example, a copper selective chelating agent may be combined with an iron selective chelating agent. The chelating agent may also be an agent, e.g. an acidulant, which may reduce the pH of the environment, such as, an organic acid selected from one or more of citric acid, lactic acid, succinic acid or tannic acid or a combination thereof, and optionally salts thereof.

In the kit of the present invention as herein before described the chelating agent e.g. in a single composition or solution, or separate. In the composition or kit as hereinbefore described, the decontaminant may comprise a combined treatment of an acidulant and an antioxidant/ reducing agent. In such a decontaminant combination, i.e. acidulant and an antioxidant/ reducing agent, the acidulant may desirably be a modified acidified salt, such as bisulphate of soda as hereinbefore described. Therefore, the acidulant is selected from those that will reduce the pH to at least about 3 or less. In a preferred aspect of the invention the acidulant will reduce the pH to at least about 2.3 or less, preferably 2 or less, preferably to about 1.8 or less and most preferably to about 1.4 or less. In the composition or kit as hereinbefore described, the antioxidant/ reducing agent may preferentially be one or more of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium ascorbate; erythorbic acid and especially salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium erythorbate; phenolic antioxidant carboxylic acids, such as a rosmarinic acid ([[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-l-oxo-2E-propenyl]oxy]-3,4-dihydr oxy- benzenepropanoic acid) and optionally salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts.

The present invention relates to decontamination formulations for disinfection and sterilization applications. In particular, the present invention is directed to aqueous formulations that include at least one reactive compound, bleaching activator, and inorganic base; and that allow the formulation to be pre-mixed and packaged as a one or two-part kit system. The decontamination composition can be delivered in a wide variety of embodiments, including, but not limited to, foams, sprays, liquids, gels, fogs, aerosols, etc.

In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention comprises an amount of bisulphate of soda from about 0.5% to about 25% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention comprises an amount of lactic acid from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of erythorbic acid may be from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of sodium erythorbate may be from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of succinic acid may be from about 0.1% to about 2% (w/v).

In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of alkyl (preferably C8) glucoside may be from about 2% to about 10% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of tannic acid may be from about 1% to about 15% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of ascorbic acid may be from about 1% to about 20% (w/v). In one aspect a method, composition or kit of the present invention an amount of rosmarinic acid may be from about 0.25% to about 1% (w/v).

In a preferred aspect of the present invention a method, composition or kit of the present invention comprises an amount of bisulphate of soda from about 0.5% to about 25% (w/v), an amount of lactic acid from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v), an amount of erythorbic acid from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v), an amount of sodium erythorbate from about 0.5% to about 10% (w/v), an amount of succinic acid from about 0.1% to about 2% (w/v), an amount of alkyl (preferably C8) glucoside from about 2% to about 10% (w/v), an amount of tannic acid from about 1% to about 15% (w/v), an amount of ascorbic acid from about 1% to about 20% (w/v), and an amount of rosmarinic acid from about 0.25% to about 1% (w/v). The decontamination as hereinbefore described may comprise the removal, elimination, mitigation of prevention of one or more of bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses. The decontamination is particularly useful against gram-positive bacteria, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, Staphylococci, such as, S. aureus; Streptococci, such as, S. pyogenes, S ¹ . agalactiae, S. pneumonia, etc.; Enterococci, such as, E. faecal is; Corynebacteria, such as, C diphtheriae; Clostridia, such as, C. botulinum; and Listeria, such as, L. monocytogenes; or the decontamination of gram-negative bacteria which shall include, but shall not be limited to, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella. The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only.

Example 1

Decontamination of Plastic and Mild Steel 316 (Carboys, Intermediate Bulk Containers, Packing Cases, Ceramic, Marble and Formica Work Surfaces and CEP systems).

This study is focussed on:

1. The Decontamination of Plastic and Mild Steel 316 components (as described above) using a single phase treatment with the decontamination formulation as described.

2. Commercially feasible, cost effective as a decontaminant and by extending the shelf life of the produce.

3. Minimising the need to modify in-house processing plant and equipment. Example 2

Formulation (NATRApHASE™ DCA Plus)

Formulation can be (w/v):

1. Acidified salt - Sodium Hydrogen Sulphate (NaHS0 ₄ ), Bisulphate of Soda 0.5% - 25%

2. Lactic Acid 0.5% - 10%

3. Erythorbic Acid 0.5% - 10%

4. Sodium Erythorbate 0.5% - 10%

5. Succinic Acid 0.1% - 2%

6. C8 Alkyl Glucoside 2% - 10%

7. Tannic Acid 1% - 15%

8. Ascorbic Acid 1% - 20%

9. Rosmarinic Acid 0.25% - 1%

Example 3

Microbiological Analysis

F. A. O. : The Quality Manager

En 1276: 1997 Test Certificate

Test Substance: NATRApHASE™ DCA Plus

Concentration^ % v/v

Contact time: 5 minutes

Conditions: Clean 22'c Microbiological Analysis

0170P.WO.SpecDCA(3)