Barrier film-forming germicidal composition for controlling mastitis

Abstract

A long-lasting persistent, uniform film-forming skin protecting germicidal composition provides a long-lasting persistent barrier film when applied to skin. The compositions have particular utility as barrier teat dips for protecting cows against mastitis. A barrier film-forming agent is selected from the modified or hydrolyzed polysaccharides, particularly a hydrolyzed or modified starch, such as dextrin and maltodextrin. The barrier film-forming agent is stably solubilized in a solvent that dries to form the long-lasting persistent uniform film over the animal skin. The compositions also contain antimicrobial agents that fight against microbes that manage to penetrate the protective barrier film. Particularly, advantageous is that all the materials used are safe food additive and cost effective over the traditional barrier film forming agents.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A composition capable of forming a barrier film, comprising:
 a) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of a polysaccharide film-forming agent, wherein said polysaccharide film-forming agent comprises a majority polysaccharide component forming the majority of said polysaccharide film-forming agent based on the total weight of the polysaccharide film-forming agent, wherein said majority polysaccharide component is selected from the group consisting of starch, modified starch, hydrolyzed starch, starch derivative, and combinations thereof;   b) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of at least one antimicrobial active agent;   c) a viscosity ranging from 100 cPs to 4000 cPs; and   d) at least one solvent constituting at least 50% by weight of the composition.   
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , further comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of at least one emollient or skin conditioning agent. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component has an overall Dextrose Equivalence (DE) value ranging from 2 to 50. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component has an overall Dextrose Equivalence (DE) value ranging from 3 to 27. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component is present in an amount comprising at least 1% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component is selected from the group consisting of dextrin, maltodextrin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component comprises maltodextrin. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said polysaccharide film-forming agent consists essentially of said majority polysaccharide component. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said polysaccharide film-forming agent further comprises cellulose. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said composition comprises a viscosity adjusting agent, wherein said viscosity adjusting agent comprises xanthan gum. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said antimicrobial active agent comprises a combination of organic acids and organic alcohols. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said antimicrobial active agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of chlorohexidine digluconate, chlorohexidine diacetate, lactic acid, benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, isopropyl alcohol, organic peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxy acids, bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol), salicylic acid, polyhexamethylenebiguamide, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine dioxide, hypohalous acid, alkali hypohalites, chlorine dioxide precursors, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 20 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a buffering agent, a pH adjusting agent, an emollient, a preservative, a moisturizing agent, a skin conditioning agent, a surfactant or wetting agent, a viscosity control agent, a colorant, an opacifying agent, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 20 , further comprising from about 0.001% to about 5.00% (w/w) of a coloring agent. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said composition has a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 9.0. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said majority polysaccharide component comprises less than 1,000 monosaccharide units.