Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Biocidal compositions including a phosphonium quaternary surfactant compound and a biopenetrant, wherein the biopenetrant includes an anionic polymer of an anionic unsaturated carboxylic acid or a copolymer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid with a sulphonic acid, the polymer or copolymer being either terminated by vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) or vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (VDPA) or having such monomers incorporated into the polymer backbone. The compositions preferably further include a quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactant. The compositions optionally include a tetrakis(hydroxyalkyl)phosphonium salt biocide, wherein the salt is selected from sulphate, phosphite, bromide, fluoride, chloride, phosphate, carbonate, acetate, formate, citrate, borate, and silicate. Methods of using same are also provided.

Biocidal compositions including a phosphonium quaternary surfactant compound and a biopenetrant, wherein the biopenetrant includes an anionic polymer of an anionic unsaturated carboxylic acid or a copolymer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid with a sulphonic acid, the polymer or copolymer being either terminated by vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) or vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (VDPA) or having such monomers incorporated into the polymer backbone. The compositions preferably further include a quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactant. The compositions optionally include a tetrakis(hydroxyalkyl)phosphonium salt biocide, wherein the salt is selected from sulphate, phosphite, bromide, fluoride, chloride, phosphate, carbonate, acetate, formate, citrate, borate, and silicate. Methods of using same are also provided.

A method treats an aqueous system to inhibit growth of one or more micro-organisms therein and/or to reduce the number of live micro-organisms therein. The method includes adding treatment agents to an aqueous system wherein said treatment agents include (a) a phosphonium compound; and (b) a compound having formula: M(XO.sub.2).sub.n wherein: M is a Group I or Group II metal; X is a halogen; and n is 1 or 2.

A method treats an aqueous system to inhibit growth of one or more micro-organisms therein and/or to reduce the number of live micro-organisms therein. The method includes adding treatment agents to an aqueous system wherein said treatment agents include (a) a phosphonium compound; and (b) a compound having formula: M(XO.sub.2).sub.n wherein: M is a Group I or Group II metal; X is a halogen; and n is 1 or 2.

A method treats an aqueous system to inhibit growth of one or more micro-organisms therein and/or to reduce the number of live micro-organisms therein. The method includes adding treatment agents to an aqueous system wherein said treatment agents include (a) a phosphonium compound; and (b) a compound having formula: M(XO.sub.2).sub.n wherein: M is a Group I or Group II metal; X is a halogen; and n is 1 or 2.

Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

Compositions and methods to treat biofilms are disclosed based on the discovery of the role of the disaccharide trehalose in microbial biofilm development. In various embodiments to treat body-borne biofilms systemically and locally, the method includes administering trehalase, the enzyme which degrades trehalose, in combination with other saccharidases for an exposition time sufficient to adequately degrade the biofilm gel matrix at the site of the biofilm. The method also includes administering a combination of other enzymes such as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and lipolytic enzymes to break down proteins and lipids present in the biofilm, and administering antimicrobials for the specific type(s) of infectious pathogen(s) underlying the biofilm. Additionally, methods are disclosed to address degradation of biofilms on medical device surfaces and biofilms present in industrial settings.

The present invention relates to water treatment. In one example, there is provided a method of treating an aqueous system to inhibit growth of one or more micro-organisms therein and/or to reduce the number of live micro-organisms therein. The method includes adding treatment agents to an aqueous system wherein said treatment agents include: (a) a phosphonium compound; and (b) a compound having formula:
M(XO.sub.2).sub.n wherein: M is a Group I or Group II metal; X is a halogen; and n is 1 or 2.