Decontamination process

• US 5,882,916 A
• Filed: 02/15/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTI International, LLC, Raspberry Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Nouveau Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wiersma, Jack G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Witz, Jean C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANLEY, SUSAN MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/602,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 435/261, 424/405, 426/326, 426/320, 426/335, 451/903, 210/643, 510/417, 585/514
• US Class Current: 435/261
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 5/00 Preservation of eggs or egg products
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 5/06 Coating eggs with a protective layer; Compositions or apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/00 Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0014 by incorporation in a layer which is removed with the contaminants
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/14 Hard surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/382 Vegetable products, e.g. soya meal, wood flour, sawdust
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/48 Medical, disinfecting agents, disinfecting, antibacterial, germicidal or antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

The instant invention is a decontaminating process for reducing the surface tension of a biofilm allowing for the removal of the biofilm and control of underlying bacteria. A solution consists of saponin and a soft acid such as food grade sodium lactate. The saponin acts as a foaming agent providing surface tension reduction capable of loosening the biofilm. The solution is preferably applied by a mechanical device providing an efficient coating of the surface to be treated allowing a reduced amount of the lactate acid to be used allowing the acid to make contact with the bacteria while stripping away of the biofilm is made possible.

Claims

1. A process for removal of a biofilm consisting essentially of the steps of:

admixing an effective amount of non-steroidal saponin with an amount of water at about 100 degrees F. to form an emulsion having an effective amount of saponin for removal of a biofilm;

adjusting said emulsion to a pH between 4 and 10;

coating a surface contaminated by a biofilm with said emulsion;

allowing said emulsion to remain on said surface for at least 30 seconds; and

removing said emulsion from said surface.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said water is maintained at a temperature of about 100 degrees F.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said saponin is classified as a triterpene saponin.

4. A process for removal of a biofilm consisting essentially of the steps of:

admixing an effective amount of non-steroidal saponin with an amount of water at about 100 degrees F. to form an emulsion having an effective amount of saponin for removal of a biofilm;

admixing a biocidally effective amount of a solution of sodium lactate to said emulsion,

adjusting said emulsion to a pH between 4 and 10;

coating a surface contaminated by a biofilm with said emulsion;

allowing said emulsion to remain on said surface for at least 30 seconds; and

removing said emulsion from said surface.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of admixing a biocidally effective amount of a solution is further defined as admixing an aqueous solution of about 2% saponin and about 1% sodium lactate having a quality suitable for human consumption with water.