Lubricant compositions having antimicrobial properties and methods for manufacturing and using lubricant compositions having antimicrobial properties

A method for manufacturing a lubricant composition, the method comprising a step of:

• (a) mixing machinery lubricant and an antimicrobially effective amount of a parahydroxy benzoic acid antimicrobial agent to provide said lubricant composition with at least a two log reduction in bacteria in about two weeks or at least a two log reduction in mold and yeast in about one month from a concentration of bacteria of between 105 and 106 CFU/ml and a mold and yeast concentration of between 105 and 106 CFU/ml, wherein the parahydroxy benzoic acid antimicrobial agent exhibits a partition coefficient between water and said machinery lubricant of between about 0.01 and about 1,000.

A method for using a lubricant composition, the method comprising a step of:

• (a) introducing a lubricant composition into machinery to provide lubrication, said lubricant composition comprising a machinery lubricant and an antimicrobially effective amount of a parahydroxy benzoic acid antimicrobial agent to provide said lubricant composition with at least a two log reduction in bacteria in about two weeks or at least a two log reduction in mold and yeast in about one month from a concentration of bacteria of between 105 and 106 CFU/ml and a mold and yeast concentration of between 105 and 106 CFU/ml, wherein the parahydroxy benzoic acid antimicrobial agent exhibits a partition coefficient between water and said machinery lubricant of between about 0.01 and about 1,000.