Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of agriculture and breeding of domestic animals, in particular milking domestic animals such as cows and sheep. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising an anolyte fraction and a specific tenside preparation. The invention also provides a method of using the composition as well as the tenside preparation for washing domestic animals as well as a washing method suitable for said animals. Technical background

Electrolysis processes of aqueous alkali chloride solutions for producing chlorine, hydrogen and alkali metal hydroxides are well-known in the art. One such process is disclosed in US 4,108,742, wherein the electrolysis is carried out in a cell that has been divided into cathode and anode chambers by a cation exchange membrane. As one objective of the technology of US

4,108,742 is to produce chlorine gas, the electrolysis reaction is run at a low pH. Electrochemical activation or electro-activation of dilute salt solutions in water has been the subject matter of several prior patents and publications. The prior art commonly discloses the use of electrochemical activation to produce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution. Those who are engaged in the art will appreciate that an anolyte solution has a positive oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) or redox potential, which is oxidizing and has microbiocidal properties. The catholyte solution, on the other hand, has a negative ORP, has dispersive and surface active properties and can be used as a reducing agent. Salts used in the prior art almost exclusively refer to sodium chloride (NaCI) and in most prior art applications chloride-based salts are used in a diluted form. However, there are various applications in which anolyte or catholyte are used in an undiluted form, but in many of these applications a major disadvantage of chloride-based or chloride-derived activated solutions is that they are corrosive to the materials with which they come into contact. This is particularly intolerable in medical applications where the solutions typically could be used for cold sterilization of medical instruments. One such sterilization technology is disclosed in GB, A, 1 ,428,920. According to this document, a bacteria-laden surface is disinfected by applying a solution of hypochloric acid (HCIO) generated by electrolyzing an aqueous solution of NaCI at a pH within the range of 6 - 7. Another similar disinfection method is described in WO99/20129. An animal product is exposed to an electrochemically activated, anion-containing aqueous solution. As a consequence, potentially harmful and/or destroying microorganisms are killed and the shelf life of the animal product is prolonged.

It should be kept in mind that objective of the technology disclosed in GB 1 ,428,920 as well as WO99/20129 is sterilization and thus to kill all microorganisms around. When carrying out such processes, presence of chlorine gas is not considered to be a serious drawback and substantial amounts of chlorine are indeed released. It has generally been considered to be much more important to achieve a high degree of sterilization than to protect the close environment from high doses of chlorine.

When breeding domestic animals such as cows, it is important to consider contamination of potentially harmful microorganisms. Typically, the environment in cowsheds and barns is very rich in microorganisms.

Accordingly, it is highly probable that domestic animals in such environments have such microorganisms on their body surface. It is especially important to consider such presence of microorganisms regarding milk-producing domestic animals. Bacteria present on the surface of the udder of a milking domestic animal, such as a cow, a sheep, a buffalo or a goat, may

contaminate the milk produced by the animal. It is therefore advantageous to remove such bacteria from the udder before commencing the milking operation. Furthermore, it is also advantageous to remove such bacteria after milking as the teat canal normally is open for a while after milking and bacteria potentially causing mastitis may enter the udder through the open canal. However, the skin and fur of such animals and in particular their udders often have a high fat content which renders it difficult to wash away lipophilic microorganisms without using any detergents.

There have been attempts to combine anolyte preparations and tenside preparations in order to obtain a disinfecting composition that could be used for washing the body surface of domestic animals. One such attempt is disclosed in GB 1 ,184,200, where water-soluble alkoxylated lanolin is added to an aqueous solution of hypochloric acid. However, most detergent preparations including alkoxylated lanolin destabilize the anolyte preparation. Accordingly, the disinfecting capability is also reduced. Therefore, it is stated in GB 1 ,184,200 that the composition should be used as quickly as possible after mixing. Furthermore, many detergent preparations are skin-irritating in those concentrations that are needed in order to get sufficient effect.

Accordingly, there is a need for a combination of an anolyte preparation and a tenside preparation where the tenside preparation does not destabilize the anolyte and where the resulting combination is not skin-irritating.

Summary of the invention

The objective problem is solved by the present invention by providing a composition for washing domestic animals, and in particular udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep, comprising:

a) an anolyte fraction obtained by electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution at a pH within the range of 6.0 - 7.0, said anolyte fraction having an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) within the range of 450 - 950 mV; and b) an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 - 0.5 % (wt) 2-phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben;

wherein the anolyte fraction constitute 94 - 99 % (wt) and the aqueous tenside preparation constitute the balance up to 100 % (wt) of the

composition. In a second embodiment, the invention provides a method-of-use of a composition according to the first embodiment for washing domestic animals, in particular udders of milking animals such as cows and sheep.

In a third embodiment, the invention provides a method-of-use of an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 - 0.5 % (wt) 2- phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben as an additive to an anolyte preparation in a method of washing domestic animals, and in particular a method of washing udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a method for washing domestic animals, and in particular udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep, comprising the steps of mixing:

a) an anolyte fraction obtained by electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution at a pH within the range of 6.0 - 7.0, said anolyte fraction having an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) within the range of 450 - 950 mV; and

b) an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 -

0.5 % (wt) 2-phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben; in such a way that the anolyte fraction constitute 94 - 99 % (wt) and the aqueous tenside preparation constitute the balance up to 100 % (wt) of the resulting composition; and

washing the domestic animals, in particular the udders of milking domestic animals such as cows and sheep with the resulting composition.

Detailed description of the present invention

The present invention is based on the discovery that a specific anolyte preparation and a specific tenside preparation could be combined in specific concentrations without destabilizing the anolyte preparation and without causing skin irritations for staff taking care of the animals or for the animals themselves. Accordingly, in a first embodiment, the invention provides a composition for washing domestic animals, and in particular udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep, comprising:

a) an anolyte fraction obtained by electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution at a pH within the range of 6.0 - 7.0, said anolyte fraction having an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) within the range of 450 - 950 mV; and

b) an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 - 0.5 % (wt) 2-phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben;

wherein the anolyte fraction constitute 94 - 99 % (wt) and the aqueous tenside preparation constitute the balance up to 100 % (wt) of the

composition. Anolyte preparations having a pH value within the range of 6.0 - 7.0 do not contain much dissolved chlorine gas (Free Available Chlorine, FAC). Instead, the chlorine is present as bacteriocidal hypochloric acid. Hypochloric acid is not stable at acid and alkaline pH values and it is essential to maintain a pH value within the claimed range in order to ensure high content. It is preferred that pH of the anolyte fraction is within the range of 6.2 - 6.8, and most preferred that it is within the range of 6.4 - 6.6. Because of the instability of hypochloric acid, it is advantageous to produce anolyte preparations locally and close to the site where the preparations are to be consumed. Therefore, when carrying out the present invention it is recommended to produce anolyte preparations at the farm site.

Hypochloric acid is an oxidizing compound. Accordingly, an aqueous solution of the compound is associated with an ORP larger than 0 mV. As mentioned above the ORP of the anolyte is within the range of 450 - 950 mV, and preferably within the range of 750 - 900 mV. Information regarding

measurement of ORP and FAC can be found in Technical Bulletin No. 24, issued by Aquarius Technologies Pty. Ltd. (AU).

/tech-

It is preferred that the aqueous tenside preparation contains 2 - 8 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils, 0.2 - 0.4 % (wt) 2 - phenoxyethanol, 0.05 - 0.075 % (wt) methyl paraben, 0.01 -0.02 % (wt) ethyl paraben, 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) propyl paraben, 0.01 - 0.02 % (wt) butyl paraben, and 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) isobutyl paraben. Tenside preparations in accordance with the present invention could be obtained from Trikem AB (SE).

It is preferred that the anolyte fraction constitutes 95 - 98 % (wt) and the aqueous tenside preparation constitutes the balance up to 100 % (wt).

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a method-of-use of a composition according to the first embodiment for washing domestic animals, in particular udders of milking animals such as cows and sheep. In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a method-of-use of an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 - 0.5 % (wt) 2-phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben as an additive to an anolyte preparation in a method of washing domestic animals, and in particular a method of washing udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep. Preferably, the aqueous tenside preparation contains 2 - 8 % (wt)

chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils, 0.2 - 0.4 % (wt) 2 - phenoxyethanol, 0.05 - 0.075 % (wt) methyl paraben, 0.01 -0.02 % (wt) ethyl paraben, 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) propyl paraben, 0.01 - 0.02 % (wt) butyl paraben, and 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) isobutyl paraben.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a method for washing domestic animals, and in particular udders of domestic milking animals such as cows and sheep, comprising the steps of mixing:

a) an anolyte fraction obtained by electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution at a pH within the range of 6.0 - 7.0, said anolyte fraction having an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) within the range of 450 - 950 mV; and

b) an aqueous tenside preparation containing 1 - 10 % (wt) chlorosulfonated and saponified paraffin oils (Chemical Abstract Ref. No. 68188-18-1 ), 0.1 - 0.5 % (wt) 2-phenoxyethanol, and 0.005 - 0.1 % (wt) of at least one

compound selected from the group of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben;

in such a way that the anolyte fraction constitute 94 - 99 % (wt) and the aqueous tenside preparation constitute the balance up to 100 % (wt) of the resulting composition; and

washing the domestic animals, in particular the udders of milking domestic animals such as cows and sheep with the resulting composition. It is advantageous to wash said udders before and/or after milking. It is, of course, also advantageous to wash other parts of the animal body with the

composition according to the invention.

The invention will now be further disclosed in the following examples with reference to the enclosed Fig. 1 which briefly outlines a process for producing an anolyte preparation.

Example 1 : Preparation of an anolyte fraction at a farm site The anolyte fraction produced at a farm site is typically based on local incoming water. The incoming water typically originates from a well but may also originate from a river, lake or another water source. A suitable setup for producing anolyte is shown in Fig. 1 . Accordingly, incoming water flow 1 at a farm site is conveyed through pH sensor 6, which continuously sends pH data to control and calculation means 56, to a branch point 8. At that point, the incoming water flow is divided into a basic water flow and a process water flow. The process water flow is lead through humus/particle filter 2 and a filter 4 absorbing ions, such as Ca ²⁺ , Fe ²⁺ , Fe ³⁺ and Mn ²⁺ . Filter 4 is typically composed in response to a chemical analysis of the incoming water. The process water is then transported to another branch point 10, where a small portion of the water flow is lead through magnet valve 12 to sodium chloride tank 14, wherein sodium chloride is added manually. The amount of saline in sodium chloride tank 14 is monitored by level sensor means 16, which controls magnet valve 12. When the saline level in tank 14 falls under a predetermined level, level sensor means 16 sends signals to magnet valve 12 so that the valve 12 is opened. Saline is pumped off from sodium chloride tank 14 by dosage pump 20. The remaining portion of the process water flow is forwarded by pressure regulation means 18 to branch point 22, where it is reunited with saline from dosage pump 20. The united process water is then forwarded to electrochemical reactor 40, wherein it is pumped into cathode chamber 28. The cathode chamber is separated from anode chamber 26 by a ceramic membrane 24 and an electric current is lead through the membrane. The current is measured by current measurement means 30 which in turn controls dosage pump 20. A higher current results in more saline transported by dosage pump 20. The flow out from cathode chamber 28 is controlled by valve means 32. The produced catholyte may be forwarded to tank 36 in case it is interesting to produce the catholyte fraction. However, the catholyte fraction is normally forwarded to anolyte chamber 26. After leaving the anolyte chamber 26, the produced anolyte passes valve means 34 and is collected in tank 38. Both anolyte tank 38 and catholyte tank 36 are

connected to injector means 48, which in turn is controlled by control and calculation means 56. Injection means 48 injects anolyte (and at specific times only catholyte) through branch point 50 into the basic water flow. Most of the basic water flow from branch point 8 is lead through branch point 50 before reaching water flow sensor means 58. Water flow sensor means 58 is connected to control and calculation means 56 and continuously monitors the basic water flow. Subsequently, the basic water flow is lead through an ORP sensor 52 which also is connected with control and calculation means 56 and continuously monitors ORP of the basic water flow. When the basic water flow has passed through ORP sensor 52, it is forwarded 54 to animals as drinking water. Accordingly, control and calculation means 56 continuously receives signals from pH sensor 6, water flow sensor 58, and ORP sensor 52. Using calibration data stored in memory means 60, control and calculation means 56 controls injection means 48 in such a way that free available chlorine (FAC) in the outgoing drinking water 54 is within the range 0.1 - 0.6 ppm. Example 2: Stability of a mixture of an anolyte fraction and a tenside preparation

An anolyte fraction was produced in accordance with what is disclosed in Example 1 . The pH value was measured to be 6.5 and it had an ORP of 832 mV. 20 ml of an aqueous tenside preparation containing 4 - 8 % sodium alkane sulfonate, 0.2 - 0.4 % 2-phenoxyethanol, 0.05 - 0.075 % (wt) methyl paraben, 0.01 -0.02 % (wt) ethyl paraben, 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) propyl paraben, 0.01 - 0.02 % (wt) butyl paraben, and 0.005 - 0.01 % (wt) isobutyl paraben was added to 980 ml of the anolyte fraction. After 4 hours, the resulting mixture still had an ORP of 750 mV indicating presence of oxidizing hypochloric acid and hence bacteriocidal activity. Example 3: Treatment of cow's udders with an anolvte fraction containing an aqueous tenside preparation

A composition produced as in example 3 was used to treat cow's udders. The udders of 23 cows, and in particular their teats were dipped in the

composition once daily for three months. No lesions were detected on any of the udders.