[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013901845 titled "MILK FROTHER CLEANING COMPOSITION" and filed on 23 May 2013, the content of which is .hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] Disclosed herein are cleadiixg compositions.- More specifically, disclosed herein are sanitising cleaning compositions that are particularly suitable for use on devices that are in regular contact with milk or milk-derived products, such as milk frothers on espresso coffee machines.

BACKGROUND

[0003]: Espresso coffee machines having a facility for frothing milk are widely used in domestic, office and commercial settings. Many automatic or semi-automatic espresso coffee machines have built in milk tanks or milk frothing systems whereby heated and/ or frothed milk is produced and dispensed into a cup via a froth dispensing tube. It is common for milk residues to remain in the froth dispensing tube or other tubes associated with the milk frothing system after use. Milk residues are a very good nutritional source for bacteria and, therefore milk frothing systems cars, become infected with undesirable bacteria. Furthermore, a build-up of milk residues in tubes of the milk frothing systems can lead to partial blockage with a resultant lo ss in performance of the milk frothing system.

[0004] For the reasons mentioned above, milk frothing systems need to be cleaned and sanitised on a daily basis to keep them safe. This is typically done by pumping a solution of a milk frother cleaning and sanitation product through the milk frothing system. To this end, various cleaning and sanitising compositions are -available commercially. For example, some prior art cleaning and sanitising compositions contain a quaternary ammonium compound as- an active ingredient and some of these also contain tetrasodium emylenediammetetraaeetate to assist with cleaning and scale removal. Other compositions use chlorine based ingredients to provide sanitation to the milk line,

[0005] Many consumers are reluctant to use know milk Another cleaning compositions ^' because many of them contain "harsh" chemicals that can cause skin irritations and/or concerns regarding any 0 residues remaining after cleaning of devices that are used for food or beverage production.

Compositions that use chlorine based ingredients can lead to corrosion of components of the milk frothing system or machine, they have an unpleasant odour and any residues left behind after cleaning can. subsequently taint milk. Some of these products also have a relatively short shelf life.

Furthermore, there is a growing preference among consumers in the marketplace for organic approved products. With this in mind, we initially developed a composition that contained a biodegradable secjuestfant system, an alkyi polyglucoside surfactant and a quaternary ammonium sanif iser. This gave good cleaning and sanitising performance- but could not be certified as an organic product by GMRI (Organic Materials Review institute) in the USA or BFA (Biological Fanners Australia) because of the presence of the quaternary ammonium compound.

[0006] There is a need for cleaning compositions that overcome one or more of the problems associated with prior art cleaning compositions. Alternatively, or in addition, there is a need for cleaning compositions that provide users with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention results from our research in to cleaning compositions for both sanitising and cleaning milk fxothers and other food and beverage preparation devices and machinery that come into contact with milk or milk-derived products that could be certified as suitable for use in organic systems. The composi tions are particularly suitable for use in a range of applications in which milk and milk-derived products come into contact with surfaces, including milk frothing systems hi domestic, office and commercial coffee machines, dairy processing machinery, lines, etc.

Advantageously, certified organic cleaning compositions described herein may be used in organic dairy processing applications and/or in place of harsher chemical cleaning techniques such as washing with caustic solutions.

[0008] in a first aspect, provided herein is a composition for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition comprising a Cj-Q organic acid and an alkyi polyglucoside.

[0009] Specifically, the composition is particularly suitable for cleaning and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices that are in regular contact with milk or milk-derived products. Thus, in a second aspect, provided herein is a milk frother cleaning and sanitising composition, the composition comprising a Cj-Q organic acid and an alkyi polyglucoside. [0010] In embodiments of the first and second aspects, the composition, is a liquid or solution, in these embodiments, the composition ma further comprise water. In other embodiments of the first and second aspects, the composition is a solid or gel. such as a powder, tablet, pellet, granule or gel. In these embodimenis, the compositiosi may be used in this form or it may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid, such as water, prior to use.

[0011] In embodiments of the first and second aspects, the composition contains the C Q organic acid in an amount of from about 5% (w/w) to about 70% (w/w),

[00123: Ijti embodiments of the first and second aspects, the Ci-C _& organic acid is lactic acid.

[001 _. 3] la embodiments of the first and second aspects, the alkyl polygiucoside is a coconut alkyl polyglyeeside. hi embodiments of the first and second aspects, the composition contains the alkyl polygiucoside in an amount of from about 0.1% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w),

[0014] Optionally, the composition may also compr se a minor amount of an amphoteric surfactant, in embodiments, the amphoteric surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.1 % (w/w) to about 5% (w/w). The amphoteric surfactant may be an amine oxide amphoteric surfactant.

[0015] Advantageously, lactic acid, the alkyl polygiucoside and, if present, the amine oxide amphoteric surfactant are certified for use in organic systems and applications and, therefore, the composition is suitable for use in such systems. Thus, in a third aspect, provided herein is an organic certifiable composition for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition comprising a C _r C ₆ organic acid and an alkyl polygiucoside.

[0016] As with the first and second aspects, in embodiments of the third aspect the composition is a liquid or solution, 1» these embodiments, the composition may further comprise water, in other embodiments of the third aspect, the composition is a solid or gel, such as a powder, tablet, pellet, granule or gel. in these embodiments, the composition may be used in this form or it may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid, such as water, prior to use.

[0017] In embodiments of the first , second and third aspects, the composition comprises subsiantially no anionic surfactant. Thus, in a fourth aspect, provided herein is a composition fo cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition consisting essentially of from aboat 5% (w/w) to about 70% (w/w) of a C _r C ₆ organic- aci d, from about 0.1% (w/w) to about- 20% (w/w) of aa alkyl poiygfucoside, from about 0, 1 % (w/w) to about 5% (w/w) of an amine oxide amphoteric surfactant and water.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, provided herein is a composition for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition consisting essentially of 20-30% (w/w) lactic acid, 2-4% (w/w) alkyl polygfticoside, 0.5-1.0% (w/w) amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, and water.

[0019] Liqui d forms of the compositions of the first to fifth aspects may be in the form of a ready- to- use solution or in the form of a concentrate suitable for dilution prior to use,

[Q020] In a sixth aspect, provided herein is a method for cleaning milk or milk products from food or beverage preparation devices and also sanitising said devices, the method comprising contact a surface of the device that has been, in contact with milk with the composition of the first to fifth aspects for a time and at a temperature sufficieat to clean and sanitise the surface.

[0021] Microbial screening of compositions according to the first to fifth aspects showed strong antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella chloreasuis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella cholereashts, and Listeria monocytogenes. Accordingly, in a seventh aspect, provided herein is an antibacterial composition comprising a i~C ₆ organic acid and an alkyl polyglucoside. In embodiments, the antibacterial composition is suitable for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices. In embodiments, the composition is used to reduce the number of bacteria on a surface, wherein the bacteria are selected from one or more of the group consisting of: Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella chloreasuis, Escherichia col Salmonella cholereasiiis, and Listeria monocytogenes.

BRIEF .DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Embodiments will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a plot of % milk stone removal for compositions at 20°C ( ¾), 40°C (§=§)

[0024] Figure 2 shows a plot of % milk stone removal for compositions 70*C.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0025] Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that amy, of course, vary. For ease of description reference will be made to use of the composition as a milk frother cleaner but it ill be appreciated that the composition is not limited in its use to that particular application and could be used in other applications in which milk or milk-derived products come into contact with surfaces, such as in the dairy industry. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

[0026] Provided herein is a cleaning composition. The composition is especially suited to cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices.. A typical use of the cleaning composition is to clean and sanitise milk frother systems on espresso coffee machines.

[0027] The composition comprises a C _r Q organic acid and an alky! polyglucoside, ¾. embodiments, the only active ingredients in the composition are naturally derived products and, therefore, the product is a "natural" or "organic" cleaning composition. Therefore, provided herein is an organic certifiable composition for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition comprising a Cj-Ce organic acid and an alkyl polyglucoside.

[0028] The d-C _& organic aeid may be any water soluble molecule having from one to six carbon atoms in the normal chain and at least one carboxyi group. Suitable -Q organic acids include: acetic acid, citric acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, rnalonie acid-, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, piraelic acid, fumaric acid, maieic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, giycoiic acid, lactic acid, hydroxyaerylic acid, c^hydroxybtttyric acid, glyceric acid, tartromc acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. Ci-C« organic acids suitable for use in the compositions are widely available from various commercial sources.

[0029] The composition may contain the C,-Q organic acid in an amount of from about 5% (w/w) to about 70% (w/w), A minimum concentration Of the Cj-Q organic acid may be required for the composition to be a i -bacterial and the amount required may depend on the specific organic acid used. An effective amount of the organic acid can be determined empirically using methods readily available in the art.

[0030] In embodiments,, the d-C ₆ organic acid is lactic acid. Lactic acid is safe for human consumption and also has antibacterial properties that assist in saniti satioa of the foo d or bevera ge preparation devices. The composition may contain lactic acid in an amount of from about 5% (w/w) to about 70% (w/w). In specific embodiments, the composition contains lactic acid in an amount of 20- 30% (w/w), such as about 26% (w/w).

[0031] The cleaning compositions contain at least one alkyl polygiucoside surfactant. As the term is used herein, a ''surfactant" is a substance or compound that reduces surface tension when dissolved in water or water solutions, or that reduces interfacial tension between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. The term "surfactant" thus includes cationic, anionic, nonionic and/or amphoteric agents. We tested: a series of lactic acid compositions containing sodium lauryi sulphate (SLS) (an anionic surfactant), aikyl polygiucoside (APG) (a non-ionic surfactant), and blends of the two surfactants. Initially, sodium lauryi sulphate, was chosen because the literature referred to its enhancement of the anti-bacterial properties of lactic acid (Byelashov, et aI., J Pood Prot. 200S; 7 i (4):72&~34).. The alkyl polygiucoside was chosen for its environmental acceptability and known cleaning performance.

[0032] We found that sodium lauryi sulphate had significantly lower mitkstone removal than the alkyl polygiucoside formula at 63.6% compared to 93.8% with a blend of the two being in between. Other anionic and non-ionic surfactants were evaluated but the alkyl. polygiucoside had the best results by a large margin.

[0033] Thus, we have found that a combination of alkyl polygiucoside and organic acid is synergistic. The alkyl polygiucoside surfactant may have a naturally derived alkyl s bstituent, such as coconut fatty alcohol. Thus, the aikyl polygiucoside may be made from renewable resources. In embodiments, the cleaning composition has an absence of other surfactants or substantially no additional surfactant, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. Indeed, in embodiments the composition comprises substantially no anionic surfactant.

[0034] Alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) are a class of non-ionic surfactants derived from glucose and fatty alcohols. Advantageously, they are manufactured from renewable resources with (he raw materials for their manufacture typically being glucose and fat.

[0035] Suitable alkyl polygiucoside surfactants, are the alkylpolysaccharides that are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.. 5,776.872 to Giret et.aL; LIS. Pat. No. 5,883,059 to Furtean et a!.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,062 to Addison et ir, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,973 to Guzounis et αί., all of which are incorporated by reference. Suitable aikyl polyglucosides have a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, or from about 10 to about 15 carbon, atoms and polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside (polygiucoside), hydropMlic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, or from about 1.3 to about 3 , or from about 1.3 to about 2,7 saccharide units. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched containing from about 8 to about 18, or from about 10 to about 1 , carbon. atoms. Suitably, the alk l group can contain up to about 3 hydroxy groups and/or the poiyalkyleneoxide chain can contain up to about 10, or less than about 5, alkyleneoxide moieties. Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldeeyi, undecyldodecyL tridecyi, tetradecyl, pentadeeyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecy!, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and

hexaglucosides. galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses and/or galactoses, Suitable mixtures include coconut alky], di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentagiucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-. penta- . and hexaglucosides.

[0036] Suitable aikylglycosides include, for example, APG 425™ (a coconut alkyl polyglycoside having naturally derived components available from Cognis Corporation), APG 325™ (a j-Cn alkyl polyglycoside available from Cognis Corporation), APG 625™ (a C^-O _f .* alkyl polyglycoside available from Cognis Corporation), Dow Triton™ CG1 10 (a Cg-Cio alkyl polyglycoside available from Dow Chemical Company), AG6202™ (a C _s alkyl polyglycoside available from Akzo Nobel) and Alkadet IS™- (a C _S -C _J0 alkyl polyglycoside available from Huntsman Corporation).

[0037] In embodiments, the composition contains the alkyl polyglucoside in an amount of from about 0.1% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w). In specific embodiments, the composition contains the alkyl polyglucoside in an amount of about 3% (w/w).

[0038] In specific embodiments, the alkyl polyglucoside is APG 425™ and is present in an amount of 2-4% (w/w), such as about 3% (w/w).

[0039] As discussed, we found that anionic surfactants reduced the cleaning performance of the composition. Therefore, a range of amphoteric surfactants were evaluated as these would have some catiome character in acidic condi tions. The addition of a small amount of amphoteric amine oxides to compositions comprising lactic acid and alkyl polyglucoside gave an increase in anti-microbial kill.

[0040] Thus, in embodiments the composition further comprises a minor amount of an amphoteric surfactant. The amphoteric ^' surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of; amine oxides, such as coco dimethylaraine oxide; di sodium ^' cocoamphodipropionate (commercially available under the trade name Miranoi C2MSF); and coeamidopropyl betaine (commercially available under the trade name Dehyton KE). The amphoteric surfactant may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 % (w/w) to about 5% (w/w). δ

[0043 ] in specific embodiments,, the amphoteric surfactant is an amine oxide. The amine oxide may be coco di ethylamine oxide (commercially available under the trade name Keminox DM24). In specific embodiments, the amphoteric surfactant is Keminox DM24 and it is present in the composition in an amount of 0.5-1.0% (w/w), such as about 0.9% (w/w).

[0042] Microbial screening of a composition comprising lactic acid, APG and Keminox DM24 against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella chloreasuis at 30°C and against Escherichia coii. Salmonella cholereasius and Listeria monocytogenes at 40°C showed a > log 5 reduction. Thws, the composition provided herein is an antibacterial composition comprising a CrCV, organic acid and an alkyl polyglucoside. The antibacterial composition is suitable for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices. The composition is used to reduce the number of bacteria on a surface, wherein the bacteria are selected from one or more of the group consisting of: Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus, aureus, Salmonella chloreasuis, Escheriehia a i _f Salmonella cholereasius, and Listeria monocytogenes.

[0043] Testing was also earned out on blends with small additions of SLS but even small additions led to a significant loss in performance. Thus, i embodiments the composition contains substantially no anionic surfactant.

[0044] It will be evident from the foregoing description that specific embodiments provide a composition for cleaning milk products from and sanitising food or beverage preparation devices, the composition consisting essentially of from about 5% (w/w) to about 70% (w/w) of a C _r Q organic acid, from about 0.1% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w) of an alky] polyglucoside, from about 0.1% (w/w) to about 5% (w/w) of an. amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, and water. In specific embodiments, the. composition consists essentially of 20-30% (w/w) lactic acid, 2-4% (w/w) alkyl polyglucoside, 0.5- 1.0% (w/w) amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, and water.

[0045] The composition ma be a liquid, solution, suspension, emulsion, gel, powder, tablet, pellet or granule. The form of the composition may depend, at least in part, on the properties of the Cj-C _& organic acid and the alkyl polyglucoside. Fo example, if any one of these components is normally in a liquid form at room temperature then the composition will most preferably be in the form of a liquid solution, suspension, emulsion or gel. Alternatively, if the components in the composition are all solids as room temperature then the composition may be in a solid form. Suitable solid forms include powders, tablets, pellets and granules. [0046] Thus, in some embodiments, the composition is a liquid. In these embodiments, the composition may further comprise water. In these embodiments, the remainder of the composition may be water. Deionized or filtered water is preferred. The liquid may in the form of a ready to use solution that does not require dilution, or in the form, of a concentrated liquid that can be diluted with water prior to use.

[0047] In other embodiments the composition is a solid. In these embodiments, the composition may farther comprise solid excipients, diluents, fillers or adjuvants. For example, the composition may be in the form of a tablet that is formed by compressing the components of the composition with one or more fillers, such as cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, raannitol, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate and the like. Alternatively, the solid components of the composition may be granulated using granulations techniques know m the art. In these forms, the composition can be used as is (i.e. in a solid form) or it may be dissolved or suspended in a liquid, such as water, prior to use. Alternatively, powders, tablets and other suitable solid forms of the composition may be added directly to a container in an espresso machine and the machine can then automatically run a cleaning cycle that dissolves the powder, tablet or other solid form and pumps it through.

[0048] The composition may be reconstituted, dissolved or diluted prior to or during use. Therefore, it will be appreciated that, unless otherwise stated, the amounts stated herein refer to the composition prior to dilution. Typically, the composition will be diluted with water. The dilution may be from about 1 : 1 to about 1 :50. In embodiments, the dilution is 1 : 1 , 1 :5, 1 :10, 1 :20, 1 :30, 1 :40 or 1 :50. In specific embodiments, the dilution is 1 :20.

[0049] The pH of the cleaning composition may be between about 1 and about 4. In some embodiments, the pH of the cleaning compositio is between about 1 and about 2, such as 1.0, 1.1 , 1 .2, 1 .3, 1 .4, 1 .5, 1.6, 1 .7, 1.8, 1 .9, and 2.0, In specific embodiments, the pH of the cleaning compositio is about 1.7.

[00503 ^' The amounts of C _r C _e organic acid arid alkyl poiygiucoside in the composition may be determined or adjusted depending on the degree to which the composition is to be diluted. For example, a minimum concentration of lactic acid of 1% (w/w) in the diluted composition as used may be requited for the composition to be anti-bacterial.

[0051] The compositions provided herein are especially suitable for descaling and/or cleaning milk or milk products from food or beverage preparation devices and also sanitising said devices. A surface of a device that has been in contact with milk is contacted with the composition for a time and at a temperature sufficient to clean and sanit se the surface.

[0052] A typical milk frother system of a coffee machine comprises a milk pick-up line and. a milk frother block where steam is used to create the foam. The temperature of the solution in the pick-up line will be whatever the operator makes the solution at. This can range from cold to warm water. The temperature in the milk frother unit will generally be around 70°C, The most difficult soil to clean is in the milk frother as it is normally baked on. So testing of cleaning efficacy is done at 70"C. The most difficult part to sanitise is the pick-up line as this is not thermally disinfected. For this reason, the disinfectant testing is done at 20 or 40°C, The solution is in the system for at least 1 minute.

[0053] It will be evident from the preceding description and the examples below that provided herein are compositions whic contain certified organic ingredients and, therefore, are suitable for use in organic systems but also provide excellent cleaning and descaling properties as shown in the milk stone tests below and also excellent antimicrobial properties against a range of bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes* Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella ch reasuis all of which are problematic in the food and beverage industries.

EXAMPLES

[0054] Example .1 ~ Preparation and milk stone lasting of cleaning compositions comprising a kyl pofyglucoskle or anionic surfactant

[0055] Milk frother cleaning compositions comprising the following ingredients were prepared by mixing.

(a) (bj

Water 350 330

Lactic acid 150 1 0

Sodium lauryl sulphate ("SLS") 15 - (Ufarol, UNGER)

Alky! polyglycoside C8-C14 ("APG")

- 30

(Glucopon 425, BASF)

W ater to 500 500 pH (neat) 1.72 1 .73 pH (at 1 :20 dilution) 2:29 2.24

[0056] Compositions (a) and (b) were diluted in water ( 1 :20) and ased in. milk stone tests at 70°C under standard conditions (Milk Stone Plates, 5 minutes followed by agitation and cold water rinse, Tap, ?G°C, 500mL). For comparati ve purposes, the same tests were also conducted a commercially available milk frother cleaning composition (DMFC) comprising 1 -hydroxy ethylidene- 1 ,1- diphosphonic acid (HEDP), caustic potash, ethylenedia inetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a quaternary ammonium compound, metasilicate, alkyi polyglycoside (Glucopon 425,. BASF), disodium cocoainphodipropionate (Miranol C2MSF), and a non-ionie surfactant (Plurafac).

[0057] Example 2 - Preparation and milk stone testing of cleaning compositions comprising aik l polygiueosi e and anionic surfactant [0058] A 50:50 -mixture of compositions (a) and (b) was then prepared and had the following composition.

[0059] Compositions (a), (b) and (c) were diluted in water (1 :20) and used in milk stone tests at 70 under standard conditions (Milk Stone Plates, 5 minutes fbilowed by agitation and cold water rinse, Tap, 7Q°C, 5O0mL). Again, for comparative purposes the- same tests were conducted using the commercially available milk frother cleaner DMFC.

[0060] Example 3 - Biological testing: effect of anionic surfactant

[00 1] Compositions were tested against E. colt at 40°C in commercial tests (Silliker Australia), Composition (b) gave a >log5 reduction in E. coli and was the best performed composition in the tests.

[0062] The sarae biological tests were then conducted with composition (b) at 20°C and it gave a Iog4,3 reduction in E. coli from 6.5: x 10 ⁷ to 3.3 x 10 ^" .

[0063] The test showed that antimicrobial performance of the compositions dropped as more of the anionic surfactant SLS was added.

[0064] Example 4 - Milk stone testing: effect of anionic surfactant

[0065] Composition (b) was tested against the sarae composition with 0.4% Ufaroi (SLS) added. Testing was conducted at 40°C and 70°C using standard milk stone tests (Milk Stone Plates, 5 minutes followed by agitation and cold water rinse. Tap, SOOnaL) and the results are shown in the table below,

Average Removal (%)

Concentration 40 ^Q C 7Q°C

(b) 50g/L 66,67 S3.7

(b) + θ.4%

50g L 62.49 68.16

Ufaroi SLS £0066] The tests showed that the addition of even small amounts -of anionic Siiriactant leads to a significant drop in performance.

[0067] Example S - Milk ston testing: comparison with other cleaners

[0068] Composition (b) was tested against two commercially available milk frother cleaners (DMFC and Rinza) as well as a composition containing 20% EDTA, a quaternary ammonium compound, alkyl polyglycoside (Gtucopon 425, BASF) and Hydropol 90 (referred to as "20% EDTA" in the table). Testing was conducted at 20°C, 40°C and 7G°C using standard miik stone tests (Milk Stone Plates, 5 minutes followed by agitation and cold water rinse, Tap. SOOmL) and the results are shown in the table below and in Figure 1.

[0069] Example 6 --- Miik stone testing: effect of amphoteric surfactants

[0070] Amphoteric surfactants become cationic in acid solutions and, therefore, we prepared compositions to see what effect they would have on performance. A composition containing the following ingredients was prepared by mixing. (d)

Water 660

Lactic acid 300

Alkyi polyglycoside C8-C1 ("APG")

60

(Glucopon 425, BASF)

Water to 1000

[0071] To this composition, 250ml portions of the following were added:

Composition (e) 7.5g Kerainox DM24 (coco dirnethylamine oxide)

Composition (i) 7.5g Miranol C2MSF (disodium coeoamphodtpropionate)

Composition (g) 7.5g Dehytoa KE (cocamidopropyl betaitie)

[0072] The railk stone removal testing was conducted ou composition (e) and the data are shown, in the table below and in Figure 2. Composition (e) gave the highest milk atone removal.

[0073] Example 7 - Biological testing: effect of amphoteric surfactants

[0074] Composition (e) was tested against Listeria, monocytogenes NCTC 11994. Staphylococcus Mif'eus ATCC 653$ and Salmonella cholereasim ATCC 10708 by Sillifcer Australia Pty Ltd. The product concentration was 50rnL/lL w/w, the contact time was 1 minute, the organic challenge was 0,1% Skim Milk and the temperature was 30°C. The results are shown in the table below.

Notes: Counts are Geometric Means of duplicate results

[0075} Thus, composition (e) achieved a greater than 5.0 log reduction (>99.999% kill} against the test organisms under the conditions tested.

[0076] The same composition. Composition (e), was tested against Escherichia mli ATCC 8739, Salmonella cholereasi s ATCC 10708 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 13932 by ams

Laboratories. The product concentration was SOmL/lL w/w, the contact time was 1 minute, the organic challenge was 0,1% Skim Milk and the temperature was 40°C. The results are shown in the tabic below. Surviving organisms (CFU/mL)

Inoculum Count

and Log _!( ) Reduction

Organism

CFU/mL Test Inoculum CFU/mL

Log reduction Oogi-o) (logio) (log)o)

2,1 x 10 ^s <10

Escherichia coli 7.38 >6.38

(8.38) (<1.00)

Salmonella 2.9 x 10* <10

7,46 >6.46 cholereasius (8.46) (<1.00)

Listeria 1.7 x 10* 20

7.23 5.93 monocytogenes (8.23) (1.30)

Notes: CFU: Colony Forming Unit

[0077] Thus, composition (e) achieved a greater than 5.0 log reduction (>99.999% kill) against the test, organisms under the conditions tested.

[0078] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope -of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to he considered m all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0079] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exchision of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0080] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention- It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art bas or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application..