Antimicrobial Compositions and Related Methods of Use

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an antimicrobial composition that includes a plurality of esters of C 2 -C 5 acids; a plurality of C 2 -C 5 alcohols; at least one C 2 -C 5 acid; and at least one C 2 -C 5 aldehyde. The antimicrobial composition is absent naphthalene and azulene derivative compounds. The antimicrobial composition can be incorporated into a variety of carriers, and the antimicrobial composition can be used in methods of affecting antimicrobial activity of various microbes on various substrates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An antimicrobial composition, comprising:
 a plurality of esters of C 2 -C 5  acids;   a plurality of C 2 -C 5  alcohols;   at least one C 2 -C 5  acid; and   at least one C 2 -C 5  aldehyde;   wherein the antimicrobial composition is absent naphthalene and azulene derivative compounds.   
     
     
         2 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one C 3 -C 5  ketone. 
     
     
         3 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one C 3 -C 5  ketone comprises 2-butanone. 
     
     
         4 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of esters of C 2 -C 5  acids is selected from a group consisting of ethyl acetate; propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester; acetic acid, 2-methylpropyl ester; propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methylpropyl ester, 1-butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate; propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methylbutyl ester; and acetic acid, 2-phenylethyl ester. 
     
     
         5 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of C 2 -C 5  alcohols is selected from a group consisting of ethanol; 1-propanol, 2-methyl-; and 1-butanol, 3-methyl-. 
     
     
         6 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one C 2 -C 5  acid is selected from a group consisting of acetic acid, propanoic acid, and propanoic acid, 2-methyl-. 
     
     
         7 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one C 2 -C 5  aldehyde comprises acetaldehyde. 
     
     
         8 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of esters of C 2 -C 5  acids, the plurality of C 2 -C 5  alcohols, the at least one C 2 -C 5  acid, and the at least one C 2 -C 5  aldehyde are each generally recognized as safe for human consumption according to Chapter 21 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. 
     
     
         9 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a rhamnolipid component. 
     
     
         10 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of esters of C 2 -C 5  acids are esters of acetic acid, propanoic acid, isobutyric acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . An article, comprising:
 a carrier component; and   the antimicrobial composition according to  claim 1 ;   wherein the antimicrobial composition is incorporated into the carrier component.   
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier component is at least one of an animal litter, kaolin, bentonite, kieselguhr, dolomite, calcium carbonate, talc, powdered magnesia, fuller's earth, gypsum, diatomaceous earth, or china clay. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the antimicrobial composition further comprises a rhamnolipid component. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier component is a food wrapper or film. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier component is at least one of water, ethanol, a polyol, a vegetable oil, or an organic ester. 
     
     
         16 . A method of accepting microbial activity comprising contacting at least one of a microbe or a substrate capable of supporting microbial activity with the antimicrobial composition of  claim 1  to at least partially affect microbial activity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is a seed, a plant surface, a fruit, a vegetable, or a nut. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plant surface is at least one of a roots, stems, leaves, foliage, or produce. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is animal waste. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is an animal carcass or meat.