Use of derivatized nanoparticles to minimize growth of micro-organisms in hot filled drinks

Abstract

A method and article for removing a selected metal-ion from a solution. The method included providing a container for holding a liquid, the container having an internal surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent and antimicrobial agent for inhibiting growth of microbes in the liquid, filling the container with the liquid in an open environment, closing the container with the liquid contained therein, and shipping the container for use of the liquid without any or reduced further processing of the container containing the liquid.

1 . A method of removing a selected metal-ion from a solution, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a container for holding a liquid, said container having an internal surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent provided on at least a portion of said internal surface for removing a designated metal-ions from said liquid and an antimicrobial agent for reducing and/or maintaining the amount of microbes in said liquid to a prescribed condition;    b. filling said container with said liquid in an open environment;    c. closing said container with said liquid contained therein; and    d. shipping said container for use of said liquid without any further processing of said container containing said liquid.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said container is positioned such that said metal-ion sequestering agent and said antimicrobial agent contacts said liquid for a time period sufficient for removing said designated metal-ions from said liquid and for reducing and/or maintaining the amount of microbes in said liquid to a prescribed condition.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said container comprises a bottle and cap assembly.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said bottle is made of a plastic material.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent and/or antimicrobial agent is provided on the internal surface of said bottle.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said bottle is made of a material that includes said metal-ion sequestering agent and/or antimicrobial agent.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent and/or said antimicrobial agent is provided on the internal surface of said cap.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said liquid has a pH equal to or greater than about 3.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial active material selected from benzoic acid, sorbic acid, nisin, thymol, allicin, peroxides, imazalil, triclosan, benomyl, metal-ion release agents, metal colloids, anhydrides, and organic quaternary ammonium salts, a metal ion exchange reagents such as silver sodium zirconium phosphate, silver zeolite, or silver ion exchange resin.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III).  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a high-affinity for biologically important metal-ions such as Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent comprises a metal ion selected from one of the following: 
 silver;    copper;    gold;    nickel;    tin;    zinc.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said sequestering agent has a high-selectively for certain metal-ions but a low-affinity for at least one other ion.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III) and said antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial active material selected from benzoic acid, sorbic acid, nisin, thymol, allicin, peroxides, imazalil, triclosan, benomyl, metal-ion release agents, metal colloids, anhydrides, and organic quaternary ammonium salts. Preferred antimicrobial reagents are metal ion exchange reagents such as silver sodium zirconium phosphate, silver zeolite, or silver ion exchange resin.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 20  with iron (III).  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III) and said antimicrobial agent comprises a metal ion selected from one of the following: 
 silver;    copper;    gold;    nickel;    tin;    zinc.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent comprises derivatized nanoparticles comprising inorganic nanoparticles having an attached metal-ion sequestrant, wherein said inorganic nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than 200 nm and the derivatized nanoparticles have a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III).  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized in a polymeric layer, and the polymeric layer contacts the fluid contained therein.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes in a biostatic state.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes in a substantially biocide state.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes to a prescribed level.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes to a level that will not harm users.  
     
     
         23 . A method for bottling a liquid having a pH equal to or greater than about 2.5, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a container having a metal-ion sequestering agent and an antimicrobial agent provided on at least a portion of said internal surface for inhibiting growth of microbes;    b. filling said container with a liquid having a pH equal to or greater than about 2.5;    c. closing said container with said liquid contained therein; and    d. shipping said container for use without any further sterilization of said liquid and/or container.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said container comprises a bottle and cap.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein metal-ion sequestering agent and/or said antimicrobial agent is provided on the interior surface of said bottle.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein metal-ion sequestering agent and/or said antimicrobial agent is provided on the interior surface of said cap.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said bottle is made of a material that includes said metal-ion sequestering agent.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said liquid is a beverage that is consumed by individuals.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said pH is equal to or greater than 3.0.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said pH is equal to or greater than 4.0.  
     
     
         31 . An article for inhibiting the growth of microbes in a liquid nutrient when placed in contact with the liquid nutrient, said article having a metal-ion sequestering agent and an antimicrobial agent such that when said article is placed in contact with said liquid nutrient said metal-ion sequestering agent and said antimicrobial agent inhibits the growth of microbes in said liquid nutrient.  
     
     
         32 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent and/or antimicrobial agent is secured to said article by a support structure.  
     
     
         33 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III).  
     
     
         34 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a high-affinity for biologically important metal-ions such as Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe.  
     
     
         35 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a high-selectivity for biologically important metal-ions such as Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe.  
     
     
         36 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said sequestering agent has a high-selectively for certain metal-ions but a low-affinity for at least one other ion.  
     
     
         37 . An article according to  claim 36  wherein said certain metal-ions comprises Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe and said other at least one ion comprises calcium.  
     
     
         38 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III) and said antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial active material selected from benzoic acid, sorbic acid, nisin, thymol, allicin, peroxides, imazalil, triclosan, benomyl, metal-ion release agents, metal colloids, anhydrides, and organic quaternary ammonium salts. Preferred antimicrobial reagents are metal ion exchange reagents such as silver sodium zirconium phosphate, silver zeolite, or silver ion exchange resin.  
     
     
         39 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent is immobilized on the surface(s) of said container and has a stability constant greater than 10 30  with iron (III).  
     
     
         40 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent comprises derivatized nanoparticles comprising inorganic nanoparticles having an attached metal-ion sequestrant, wherein said inorganic nanoparticles have an average particle size of less than 200 nm and the derivatized nanoparticles have a stability constant greater than 10 10  with iron (III).  
     
     
         41 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said metal-ion sequestering agent and/or antimicrobial agent is immobilized in a polymeric layer, and the polymeric layer contacts the fluid contained therein.  
     
     
         42 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes in a biostatic state.  
     
     
         43 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes in a substantially biocide state.  
     
     
         44 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes to a prescribed level.  
     
     
         45 . An article according to  claim 31  wherein said antimicrobial agent maintains said microbes to a level that will not harm users of said article  
     
     
         46 . A method of removing a selected metal-ion from a solution, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a container for holding a liquid, said container having an internal surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent provided on at least a portion of said internal surface for removing a designated metal-ion from said liquid for reducing and/or maintaining the amount of microbes in said liquid to a prescribed condition wherein the heating or cooling of said container after filling is substantially reduced;    b. filling said container with said liquid in an open environment;    c. closing said container with said liquid contained therein;    d. heating of said filled closed container;    e. cooling of said heated container; and    f. shipping said container for use of said liquid without any further processing of said container containing said liquid.    
     
     
         47 . A method for bottling a liquid having a pH equal to or greater than about 2.5, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a container having a metal-ion sequestering agent on at least a portion of said internal surface for inhibiting growth of microbes wherein the heating or cooling of said container after filling is substantially reduced;    b. filling said container with a liquid having a pH equal to or greater than about 2.5;    c. closing said container with said liquid contained therein;    d. heating of said filled closed container;    e. cooling of said heated container; and    f. shipping said container for use without any further sterilization of said liquid and/or container.