Biostatic polymer

Abstract

Methods and compositions effective for at least a week for prevention of microbial colony growth on a surface, for example an inanimate surface, where the surface is covered with a dry or substantially dry film formed from a composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound. The film may be formed in situ by coating the surface with a solution or emulsion comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound and then causing or allowing it to dry or substantially dry.

1 . A method effective for at least a week for prevention of microbial colony growth on an inanimate surface which is a plastic, metal, glass or ceramic surface, comprising the step of covering the surface with a dry film consisting essentially of a biostatic complex formed by a polyvinyl alcohol with a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the biostatic complex is effective to reduce a population of  P. Aeruginosa  to less than 1 log within 24 hours, as tested according to the method of ASTM E2180-01, and to maintain the population at less than 1 log for at least 7 days, as tested according to the method of ASTM E2180-01. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the dry film is formed in situ by coating the surface with a solution or emulsion consisting essentially of a polyvinyl alcohol with a quaternary ammonium compound, and then causing or allowing the coating to dry. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the biostatic complex is characterized by a shift in the infrared spectrum of a vinyl alcohol OH group peak from 3296 cm −1  to 3346 cm −1 . 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol has a hydrolysis range of greater than 96 mole %. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the quaternary ammonium compound comprises from 0.5 to 75 wt. % of the dried film composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is an alkyl benzalkonium compound. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A composition for prevention of microbial colony growth on an inanimate surface which is a plastic, metal, glass or ceramic surface, comprising a dry film consisting essentially of a biostatic complex formed by a polyvinyl alcohol with a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the biostatic complex is effective to reduce a population of  P. Aeruginosa  to less than 1 log within 24 hours, as tested according to the method of ASTM E2180-01, and to maintain the population at less than 1 log for at least 7 days, as tested according to the method of ASTM E2180-01. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the polyvinyl alcohol has an average degree of hydrolysis of greater than 96 mole %. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the quaternary ammonium compound comprises from 0.5 to 75 wt. % of the dried film composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is an alkyl benzalkonium compound. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 8  wherein the biostatic complex is in a solution or emulsion prior to formation of the dry film. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dry film further consists essentially of a surfactant which does not inactivate the quaternary compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the solution or emulsion further includes a surfactant which does not inactivate the quaternary compound. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the dry film further consists essentially of a surfactant which does not inactivate the quaternary compound. 
     
     
         22 . The composition according to  claim 21 , wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the solution or emulsion further includes a surfactant which does not inactivate the quaternary compound. 
     
     
         25 . The composition according to  claim 24 , wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)