Bioflavonoid impregnated materials

Abstract

Cellulosic fibrous materials are described which are impregnated with a bioflavonoid composition, the bioflavonoid content of the composition comprising at least naringin and neohesperidin. The use of such impregnated materials is also described, for example as paper or bamboo towels and cardboard, as well as the process for impregnating the materials.

1 . A dry cellulosic fibrous material in the form of a respiratory mask impregnated with a bioflavonoid composition, a bioflavonoid content of the composition comprising at least 70% naringin and neohesperidin. 
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the naringin and neohesperidin together form at least 75% of the bioflavonoid content. 
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 2 , wherein the naringin and neohesperidin together form between 75% and 80% of the bioflavonoid content. 
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the bioflavonoid content of the composition further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of neoeriocitrin, isonaringin, hesperidin, neodiosmin, naringenin, poncirin and rhiofolin. 
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 4 , wherein the bioflavonoid content of the composition comprises neoeriocitrin, isonaringin, hesperidin, neodiosmin, naringenin, poncirin and rhiofolin. 
     
     
         6 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the bioflavonoid composition is uniform throughout the material. 
     
     
         7 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material is paper. 
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material is bamboo fibre. 
     
     
         9 . A process for impregnating a cellulosic fibrous material in the form of a respiratory mask with a bioflavonoid composition comprising the steps of:
 a) immersing or spraying the material or material fibres with the bioflavonoid composition defined in  claim 1 ;   b) mechanically drying the material.   
     
     
         10 . A packaged respiratory face mask comprising a dry cellulosic fibrous material impregnated with a bioflavonoid composition as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A dry cellulosic fibrous material impregnated comprising a bioflavonoid composition, wherein the bioflavonoid composition comprises at least 50% naringin and neohesperidin. 
     
     
         12 . The dry cellulosic fibrous material of  claim 11 , wherein the bioflavonoid composition is as set forth in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         13 . The dry cellulosic fibrous material of  claim 11 , wherein the bioflavonoid composition is uniform throughout the material. 
     
     
         14 . The dry cellulosic fibrous material of  claim 11 , wherein the material is paper, bamboo fibre or cardboard. 
     
     
         15 . The dry cellulosic fibrous material of  claim 11 , in the form of a towel, towelette, cloth, wipe, pad, respiratory mask, garment, sock or gown. 
     
     
         16 . A method of reducing the bacterial load on a surface comprising wetting a fibrous material of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the bacterial load is of  S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa , or  B. subtilis.