Process and composition for killing spores
AssigneeAmerican Sterilizer Company
InventorsPeter A. Burke, Mark James Leggett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to a process and an aqueous composition for killing spores. The process comprises contacting the spores with the aqueous composition for a sufficient period of time to effect a desired reduction (e.g., at least a 4 log reduction) in the number of spores capable of reproduction, metabolism and/or growth. The aqueous composition comprises water, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of peracetic acid in the water may be in the range from about 0.001 to about 60% by weight, or from about 0.001 to about 0.5% by weight. The weight ratio of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide may be in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.5.
Claims52
A process for killing spores, comprising:
- contacting the spores with an aqueous composition comprising water, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide for a period of time in the range from about 30 seconds to about 20 minutes to effect at least a 4 log reduction in the number of spores capable of reproduction, metabolism and/or growth, the aqueous composition having a concentration of peracetic acid in the water in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.04% by weight, the weight ratio of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.5.
(canceled)
A process for killing bacterial spores, comprising:
- contacting the spores with an aqueous composition comprising water, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide for a period of time in the range from about 30 seconds to about 20 minutes to effect at least a 4 log reduction in the number of spores capable of reproduction, metabolism and/or growth, the aqueous composition having a concentration of peracetic acid in the water in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.04% by weight;
- the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the water being in the range from about 0.1 to about 6.4% by weight;
- the weight ratio of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.5.
An aqueous composition for killing spores, comprising:
- water;
- peracetic acid;
- and hydrogen peroxide;
- the concentration of peracetic acid in the water being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.04% by weight;
- the weight ratio of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.5.
(canceled)
An aqueous composition for killing bacterial spores, comprising:
- water;
- peracetic acid;
- and hydrogen peroxide;
- the concentration of peracetic acid in the water being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.04% by weight;
- the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the water being in the range from about 0.1 to about 6.4% by weight;
- the weight ratio of peracetic acid to hydrogen peroxide being in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.