A pest control composition that includes an active component having between about 0.001 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of spearmint oil, between about 0.01 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of geranium oil, and between about 0.01 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of a third oil. The composition further includes a solvent, a carrier, and a surfactant, and the third oil may be cinnamon oil, cedarwood oil, and mixtures thereof.

A pest control composition that includes an active component having between about 0.001 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of spearmint oil, between about 0.01 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of geranium oil, and between about 0.01 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of a third oil. The composition further includes a solvent, a carrier, and a surfactant, and the third oil may be cinnamon oil, cedarwood oil, and mixtures thereof.

An improved beverage holder for supporting a beverage or beverage container while also providing pest repellant properties.

An improved beverage holder for supporting a beverage or beverage container while also providing pest repellant properties.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.

A method for forming a composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and a modified starch polymer within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Unlike the problems associated with proteins, the use of starch polymers allows for a greater degree of flexibility in the processing conditions and is still able to achieve good properties in the resulting composition. The present inventors have also discovered that a plasticizer may be employed to facilitate melt processing of the starch, as well as to enhance the ability of the botanical oil to flow into the internal structure of the starch where it can be retained in a stable manner. The composition is also typically generally free of solvents. In this manner, the starch will not generally disperse before use and prematurely release the botanical oil. Due to the water sensitivity of the modified starch, however, it may be subsequently dispersed by moisture when it is desired to release the botanical oil.

A method for forming a composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and a modified starch polymer within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Unlike the problems associated with proteins, the use of starch polymers allows for a greater degree of flexibility in the processing conditions and is still able to achieve good properties in the resulting composition. The present inventors have also discovered that a plasticizer may be employed to facilitate melt processing of the starch, as well as to enhance the ability of the botanical oil to flow into the internal structure of the starch where it can be retained in a stable manner. The composition is also typically generally free of solvents. In this manner, the starch will not generally disperse before use and prematurely release the botanical oil. Due to the water sensitivity of the modified starch, however, it may be subsequently dispersed by moisture when it is desired to release the botanical oil.

The present technology relates to botanical antimicrobial compositions that comprise various ingredients, including undecylenic acid, organic acid or solvents; and that can be used as surface cleaners, disinfectants, sanitizers, or preservatives for food or consumer products. The present technology also relates to methods of disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces, or preserving food or personal care compositions, comprising contacting such surfaces, or food or personal care compositions, with an antimicrobial composition herein.

The present technology relates to botanical antimicrobial compositions that comprise various ingredients, including undecylenic acid, organic acid or solvents; and that can be used as surface cleaners, disinfectants, sanitizers, or preservatives for food or consumer products. The present technology also relates to methods of disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces, or preserving food or personal care compositions, comprising contacting such surfaces, or food or personal care compositions, with an antimicrobial composition herein.