Method and composition for controlling the growth of microorganisms

Abstract

The composition comprises certain 5-alkylsalicylanilides and more particularly comprises the compounds encompassed by the following generic formula: ##STR1## Where Z is a substituted phenyl ring of from 6 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents, and R is a substituted or unsubstituted n-alkyl or phenyl group of from 4 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents. The preferred compositions of the invention have a partition coefficient greater than 4 and the substituted moieties in the phenyl ring of the Z group have a combined overall electron withdrawing effect on the phenyl ring of the Z group. The method of the invention comprises contacting a microorganism affected by the above composition with a sufficient concentration of the above composition for a sufficient time to inhibit the growth of the microorganism. The above compositions are effective antiseptics against a wide range of microorganisms, especially bacteria, and the compositions surprisingly are effective against microorganisms prevalent in dental plaque.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.