Stable solid enzyme compositions and methods employing them
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsJames J. Tarara, Sally K. Swart, Tareasa Lynn Bradley, Reid Rabon, Denise Chandler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a solid enzyme cleaning composition in which the enzyme is stable in the presence of mixtures of carbonate and bicarbonate at alkaline pH, and methods employing this composition. The enzyme cleaning composition preferably employs weight ratios of carbonate and bicarbonate to stabilize one or more enzymes in a solid, a concentrate, and/or a use composition, and at temperatures higher than ambient.
Claims31
A method of cleaning a medical or dental instrument, comprising:
- dissolving a solid enzyme cleaning composition in water, the solid enzyme cleaning composition comprising detersive enzyme and a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate;
- the carbonate and bicarbonate being present in a weight ratio of about 0.5:1 to about 4.75:1;
- contacting the medical or dental instrument with the dissolved solid enzyme cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature wherein said;
- the medical or dental instrument comprising forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, burr, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratome, expressor, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stent, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.
A solid enzyme cleaning composition:
- the composition being in the form of pellet, tablet, lozenge, puck, briquette, brick, solid block, or unit dose;
- the composition comprising:
- detersive enzyme and
- a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate;
- the carbonate and bicarbonate being present in a weight ratio of about 3.5:1 to about 4.75:1;
- wherein the ratio of carbonate to bicarbonate is selected to increase stability of the detersive enzyme in the solid composition at ambient temperature.
A liquid concentrate composition comprising:
- about 0.3 to about 4 wt-% water,
- detersive enzyme,
- and a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate;
- the carbonate and bicarbonate being present in a weight ratio of about 3.5:1 to about 4.75:1.
A solid enzyme cleaning composition comprising:
- plurality of detersive enzymes, the plurality of detersive enzymes comprising:
- protease plus;
- amylase, lipase, cellulase, peroxidase, gluconase, or a combination thereof;
- and
- a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate;
- the carbonate and bicarbonate being present in a weight ratio of about 3.5:1 to about 4.75:1;
- wherein the ratio of carbonate to bicarbonate is selected to increase stability of the plurality of detersive enzymes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.