Compositions including ammonia oxidizing bacteria and methods of using same

• US 20050106126A1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David R. Whitlock
• Original Assignee: David R. Whitlock
• Inventors: Whitlock, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/501,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20050106126A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/93.400
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 17/00 Selection of special materials for underwear
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 2400/34 antimicrobial or antibacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/00 Materials specially adapted for outerwear
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/30 Antimicrobial, e.g. antibacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/305 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/8405 Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/74 Bacteria therapeutic use of a bacterial protein A61K38/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/46 Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/114 Nitric oxide, i.e. NO
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/30 Compounds of undetermined constitution extracted from natural sources, e.g. Aloe Vera
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/06 Antianaemics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/12 Antihypertensives

Abstract

A method of enhancing health through the generation in close proximity of a surface of a subject, nitric oxide and nitric oxide precursors using bacteria adapted to oxidize ammonia and urea derived from perspiration is described. Local and systemic effects are described including reduction in vascular disease, enhancement of sexual function, improved skin health, and reduced transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Claims

1. A method of supplying nitric oxide to a subject comprising positioning ammonia oxidizing bacteria in close proximity to the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of positioning ammonia oxidizing bacteria comprises:

applying ammonia oxidizing bacteria to a surface of the subject in an effective amount to cause the bacteria to metabolize any of ammonia, ammonium salts, or urea on the surface into any of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria in a suitable carrier.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying a bacteria selected from the group consisting of any of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, Nitrosocystis, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosovibrio, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria to a surface comprises applying the bacteria to skin, hair, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying a substantially pure bacteria.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises:

applying the bacteria to an article; and

contacting the article with the surface of the subject.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria mixed with an acid.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying further comprises metabolizing any of urine, feces, blood, wound secretions, menstrual secretions, vaginal secretions, topically applied mixtures, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising the act of applying a compound selected from any of a component of perspiration, urea, nitrite, lactic acid, nitrate, salt, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof, to the surface of the subject.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to a subject that is a non-human vertebrate.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

applying at least one of urea or metal salts to the surface of the subject in an effective amount to stimulate the growth of the bacteria.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of applying the bacteria to a surface of a subject includes applying the bacteria to the skin, hair, or a combination thereof, of a human.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to the subject wherein the subject has a disorder selected from any of a vascular disease, impotence, infertility, or combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the act of contacting the article with the surface of the subject further comprises contacting the bacteria with surface of the subject.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the act of contacting the article with the surface of the subject further comprises contacting a fluid excretion from the surface of the subject with the bacteria.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to an article of clothing.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the act of applying the bacteria mixed with an acid comprises applying the bacteria nixed with lactic acid.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the acts of applying the compound and the bacteria include applying compound and the bacteria in a mixture.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the act of applying the bacteria to the surface of the non-human vertebrate comprises:

applying the bacteria to any of skin, feather, hair, fir, scale or combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to an underarm surface.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of applying the bacteria to the article of clothing comprises the acts of:

wearing the article and impregnating the article with the bacteria.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of applying the bacteria to the article of clothing comprises the acts of:

wearing the article and coating the article with the bacteria.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to a diaper.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to an article of clothing selected from the any of shoe, sneaker, belt, hat, undergarment;

pajama, athletic garment, sock, shoe insert, bandage, face mask, scarf, tampon, and condom.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises applying the bacteria any of bedding, litter, an article of clothing, or a habitat.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the act of impregnating the article includes contacting the article with a culture media containing the bacteria.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of contacting the article with a culture media containing the bacteria comprises applying an animal manure.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of contacting the article with a culture of media containing the bacteria comprises contacting the article with a substantially pure culture of bacteria.

30. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of positioning the bacteria comprises:

applying the ammonia oxidizing bacteria the a surface Of the subject in an amount effective to metabolize a normal bodily secretion on the surface into any of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, or combinations thereof.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the act of applying bacteria comprises applying the bacteria to the skin between intervals of bathing.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the act of metabolizing a normal constituent of skin secretion comprises metabolizing a component of perspiration.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the act of applying the bacteria between intervals of bathing includes applying the bacteria at an interval of at least about one day.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the act of metabolizing comprises metabolizing a component of perspiration selected from any of urea, nitrites lactic acid, nitrate, salt, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the act of applying the bacteria between intervals of bathing comprises applying the bacteria at an interval that is greater than or equal to about one week.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the at of applying the bacteria is applied to a subject who lacks bathing facilities, is immobile, or has a bandage.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein the act of applying the bacteria comprises locally applying the bacteria to genitalia prior to engagement in a sexual act.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the act of applying the bacteria includes locally applying the bacteria to a penis.

39. The method of claim 30, where in the act of applying the bacteria comprises locally applying the bacteria to a vagina.

40. The method of claim 2, further comprising applying any of urea, ammonium salts, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, trace mineral salts, iron, coppers zinc, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, buffers, and combinations thereof to the surface of the subject in an effective amount to stimulate the growth of the bacteria.

41. A preparation to be applied to a surface of a subject comprising ammonia oxidizing bacteria that metabolizes perspiration when present, into any of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, or combinations thereof.

42. The preparation of claim 41, wherein the preparation is any of a cosmetic composition, a body deodorant, or an athletic preparation.

43. The preparation of claim 41, wherein the bacteria is selected from any of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, Nitrosocystis, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosovibrio, and combinations thereof.

44. The preparation of claim 41, wherein the component of perspiration is selected from any of urea, nitrite, lactic acid, nitrate, salt, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.

45. The preparation of claim 42, further comprising at least one component selected from any of water, mineral oil, coloring agent, perfume, aloe, glycerin, sodium chloride, pH buffers, UV absorbing agents, silicone oil, natural oil, vitamin E, herbal concentrates, Lactic acid, citric acid, talc, clay, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, starch, urea, nitrite, nitrate, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.

46. The preparation of claim 42, wherein the preparation is any of powder, cream, stick, aerosol, or salve.

47. The preparation of claim 41, wherein the surface of the subject is of a human being.

48. The preparation of claim 41, further comprising a component selected from any of water, mineral oil, coloring agent, perfume, aloe, glycerin, Sodium chloride, pH buffers, UV absorbing agents, silicone oil, natural oils, vitamin E, herbal concentrates, lactic acid, citric acid, talc, clay, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, starch, urea, nitrite, lactic acid, nitrate, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.

49. The preparation of claim 41, further comprising:

at least one compound selected from any of urea, ammonium salts, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, trace mineral salts, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, buffers, and combinations thereof.

50. An article of clothing comprising:

the article of clothing treated with bacteria adapted to metabolize any of ammonia, ammonium salts, or urea into any of nitric oxide, nitric oxide precursors, or combinations thereof.

51. The article of claim 50 wherein the ammonia, ammonium salts, or urea are a component of any of perspiration, urine, feces, blood, wound secretions, menstrual secretions, vaginal;

secretions, topically applied mixtures, and combinations thereof.

52. The article of claim 50, wherein the article of clothing is a diaper.

53. The article of claim 50, wherein the article is selected from any of a shoe, sneaker, belt, hat, undergarment, athletic garment, sock, shoe insert, bandage, face mask, scarf, tampon, and condom.

54. The article of claim 50, wherein the bacteria is an ammonia oxidizing bacteria.

55. The article of claim 50, further comprising at least one of urea, nitrite, lactic acid, nitrate, salt, iron salts, ammonium salts, and combinations thereof.

56. The article of claim 54, wherein the bacteria is selected from any of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, Nitrosocystis, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosovibrio, and combinations thereof.