Small molecule agents, compositions, and formulations, for internal use, displaying inhibitory activity against gram-positive and/or gram-negative organisms

Abstract

Active components comprising lauric acid, or a lauric acid derivative, are utilized independently, or in combination, to provide new and useful compositions for bacteriostatic action against susceptible pathogens. The lauric acid derivative includes one or more of 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, sucrose monolaurate, 12-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-ylamino) dodecanoic acid, 4-nitrophenyl dodecanoate, 1-lauroyl-rac-glycerol, 3-oxo-N-(2-oxocyclohexyl) dodecanamide, butyl laurate, benzyl laurate, isoamyl laurate, monolaurin, isopropyl laurate, pentyl laurate, and hexyl laurate. A preparation includes combining the active component with lecithin, and after an initial processing phase, coating with chitosan or a carrier. Final compositions may be or may contain particles, such as nanoparticles. Final compositions, or formulations containing said final compositions, may be utilized internally, causing one or more membrane changes (e.g., a membrane of an internal target pathogen, which may or may not be an antibiotic-resistant pathogen). At least some compositions inhibit growth of one or more Gram-positive bacterial species and one or more Gram-negative bacterial species.

Claims

1. A composition for growth-inhibitory action against at least one susceptible pathogen, the composition comprising: at least one of a lauric acid derivative as an active component of the composition, the lauric acid derivative selected from at least one of 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate, each lauric acid derivative exhibiting hydrophobicity and a partition coefficient, P, in which a logP value of each lauric acid derivative is less than 4; lecithin; and glycol chitosan, wherein the composition includes particulates, the particulates comprising at least the active component, the glycol chitosan and the lecithin, and wherein the glycol chitosan is on an outer portion of at least a portion of the particulates, wherein the composition is suitable for utilization in a formulation, the formulation suitable for internal delivery, and wherein, in the presence of the at least one susceptible pathogen, the composition is a direct-acting composition inhibiting growth of the at least one susceptible pathogen, and the at least one susceptible pathogen is a Gram-negative bacteria.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the lauric acid derivative is in an amount between about 0.001 wt. % and 30 wt. % of the composition.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the lecithin is in an amount up to about 10 wt. % of the composition based on the weight of the composition.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the lecithin is in an amount up to about 30 wt. % of the composition, and wherein the lecithin is any one or more of the lecithin alone, the lecithin with naturally occurring phospholipid, the lecithin with naturally occurring glycerophospholipid, and the lecithin with the naturally occurring phospholipid and the naturally occurring glycerophospholipid, and wherein the naturally occurring phospholipid is selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, lysophospholipid, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and various combinations thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the glycol chitosan is in an amount up to about 10 wt. % of the composition, based on the weight of the composition.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition utilized in the formulation comprises particles, and further comprises a sufficient amount of one or more excipients forming the formulation.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a suspension comprising particles.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in a dry or powder form.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein prior to utilization in the formulation the particulates are any one or more of sonicated and filtered.

10. A method of making a composition, the composition having growth-inhibitory action against a susceptible pathogen that is at least one Gram-negative bacteria, the method comprising: suspending at least one of a lauric acid derivative with chloroform to form a suspension, the lauric acid derivative being an active component of the composition, and selected from at least one of 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate, wherein each lauric acid derivative exhibits hydrophobicity and a partition coefficient, P, in which a logP value of each lauric acid derivative is less than 4; mixing the suspension with water; combining the suspension with a lecithin to form a mixture, the lecithin being in an acidic or neutral solution; combining the suspension containing the lecithin with a glycol chitosan, the glycol chitosan being in a same acidic or neutral solution used for the lecithin; and sonicating and then filtering the suspension, thereby providing a composition containing particulates, wherein the composition containing particulates comprises at least the active component, the glycol chitosan and the lecithin, and wherein the glycol chitosan is on at an outer portion of at least a portion of the particulates, and wherein the composition is for use against the at least one Gram-negative bacteria, and is suitable for use in a formulation, the formulation being for utilization internally.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein mixing the suspension with water includes sonicating the suspension with water.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the lecithin in the acidic or neutral solution is sonicated before the step of combining to form the mixture.

13. A particle-containing composition for growth-inhibitory action against at least one susceptible pathogen, the at least one susceptible pathogen being a susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, the particle-containing composition comprising lecithin, the lecithin forming at least a portion of the particle-containing composition, the particle-containing composition further comprising: an active component being one of a fatty acid derivative of lauric acid or an esterified fatty acid derivative of lauric acid, thereby having a 12-carbon atom backbone, and the active component on its own exhibiting hydrophobicity and, wherein the particle-containing composition has at least one further characteristic comprising glycol chitosan on at least an outer portion of particles of the composition; and wherein the particle-containing composition is for use against the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria as a direct-acting composition on the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria for inhibiting growth of the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria.

14. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the lecithin is any one or more of the lecithin alone, the lecithin with naturally occurring phospholipid, the lecithin with naturally occurring glycerophospholipid, and the lecithin with naturally occurring phospholipid and the naturally occurring glycerophospholipid, wherein the naturally occurring phospholipid is selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, lysophospholipid, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and various combinations thereof.

15. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the particle-containing composition is formulated as an antimicrobial, and, as the antimicrobial, exhibits growth inhibitory activity against the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria.

16. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria includes one or more from the group consisting of Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.

17. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the susceptible Gram-negative bacteria is resistant to one or more antibiotics.

18. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the active component is selected from one or more of the group consisting of 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-l-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate.

19. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the active component is selected from one or more of the group consisting of 12-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-ylamino) dodecanoic acid, 4-nitrophenyl dodecanoate, 3-oxo-N-(2-oxocyclohexyl) dodecanamide, butyl laurate, benzyl laurate, isoamyl laurate, monolaurin, isopropyl laurate, pentyl laurate, and hexyl laurate.

20. The particle-containing composition of claim 13, wherein the at least one susceptible pathogen further comprises a Gram-positive bacterium selected from one or more from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlostridium difficile, Mycobacterium spp., Group A Streptococcus, and Group B Streptococcus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the description provided herein and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the brief description of the drawings below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and with the description.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a representative structure of a medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, with a methyl ester.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a representative structure of 12-aminododecanoic acid, as described herein.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a representative structure of 12 amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, as described herein.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a representative structure of sucrose monolaurate, as described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(6) Although making and using various embodiments are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that as described herein are provided many inventive concepts that may be embodied in contexts outlined and/or contemplated herein and/or interpreted or varied by the skilled artisan. Embodiments discussed herein are merely representative and do not limit the scope of the invention.

(7) Compositions described herein comprise one or more active components, the active component may comprise one or more of a specific derivative and/or synthetic by-product of a medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, or may be or include a medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid. When prepared in the manner described herein, the lauric acid, or the derivatives and/or synthetic by-products of the medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, may be utilized internally in a safe and effective manner for effective bacteriostatic action and/or bactericidal action against one or more susceptible pathogens, and in which the more susceptible pathogens include internal susceptible pathogens. In one or more embodiments, each specific and/or representative derivative and/or synthetic by-product of lauric acid, including those embodied herein and/or as described herein, are provided in a composition, as described or as embodied herein. The compositions described herein have unexpected outcomes, and have been prepared to allow the lauric acid or lauric acid derivative to be provided internally and in a manner that allows, with internal utilization, internal bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal activity against susceptible pathogens. In one or more embodiments, when the lauric acid, or the derivatives and/or synthetic by-products of the medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, are so provided in a composition described herein, the composition was found unexpectedly to preserve activity of the active component, and, thereby, allowing the composition containing the active component to exhibit improved action or improved function, especially in prevention of growth, which has not been found by others. In addition or as an alternative, in one or more embodiments, when the lauric acid, or the derivatives and/or synthetic by-products of the medium chain fatty acid, lauric acid, are so provided in a composition described herein, the composition was prepared in a manner that unexpectedly preserved activity of the active component, and, thereby, allowed the composition containing the active component to exhibit improved action or improved function, especially in prevention of growth of a susceptible pathogen, which has not been found by others. Such improved action or improved functions described herein show that the one or more active components described herein will, when provided internally, be effective as a bacteriostatic agent, preventing growth of a susceptible pathogen, and providing bacteriostatic activity better than a same active component that is used alone without being prepared in a composition as described herein. Such improved action or improved functions described herein show that the one or more active components described herein will, when provided internally, be effective as a bactericidal agent, killing at least some of the susceptible pathogen, and providing bactericidal activity better than a same active component used alone without being prepared in a composition as described herein. For example, each specific derivative and/or synthetic by-product of lauric acid, as described and/or as embodied herein, may be provided in a composition, in a manner as described herein, and when so provided in such a composition, has bacteriostatic activity against one or more susceptible target pathogens, which includes one or more internal susceptible target pathogens, and inhibiting as well as preventing growth of the one or more susceptible target pathogens. In some instances, with such a composition, as described and/or as embodied herein, there is activity, where no activity was found before. In some instances, with such a composition, as described and/or as embodied herein, there is significantly better activity, where only weak activity was found before. In some embodiments, the one or more susceptible target pathogens include at least one or more than one susceptible Gram-positive bacterial strain. In some embodiments, the one or more susceptible target pathogens are at least one, or more than one, susceptible antibiotic resistant Gram-positive bacterial strain. In some embodiments, the one or more susceptible target pathogens include at least one, or more than one, susceptible Gram-positive bacterial strain as well as at least one, or more than one, susceptible Gram-negative bacterial strain. In one or more embodiments, some of the specific derivatives and/or synthetic by-products of lauric acid as described and/or as embodied herein were found, unexpectedly, to be capable of a certain and unique manner of manipulation to directly influence function and activity of a final composition. In some embodiments, the manner of manipulation could increase the inhibitory effect or bacteriostatic activity of the so-manipulated composition against the at least one or more than one susceptible Gram-positive bacterial strains. In some embodiments, the manner of manipulation could directly influence inhibitory or bacteriostatic activity of the so-manipulated composition and the type of pathogen that is susceptible to the so-manipulated composition, such that more than one type of pathogen becomes susceptible to the so-manipulated composition. These and other considerations are further described below.

(8) In one or more embodiments, the one or more active components, including one or more medium chain fatty acid as described herein and/or one or more medium chain fatty acid derivatives, as described herein, is miscible with water. In one or more embodiments, the one or more active component, including one or more medium chain fatty acid as described herein and/or one or more medium chain fatty acid derivatives as described herein, is suspended in an organic solvent, such as chloroform, and/or an organic solvent having a tetrahedral molecular geometry. Generally, with such preparations, and when evaluated further in vitro, such as in a microdilution assay against a Gram-positive or a Gram-negative pathogen, the one or more active components were not effective at inhibiting growth of the Gram-positive pathogen or the Gram-negative pathogen. As such, the one or more active components were found, unexpectedly, to require a number of more complicated steps in order to exhibit selective bacteriostatic activity (and/or bactericidal activity), and to require certain characteristics and even further manipulation in order to exhibit a broad-spectrum activity (e.g., inhibitory and/or killing activity against at least certain Gram-positive bacteria as well as Gram-negative bacterial strains), and/or calculatable and significant improvements in its selective activity (e.g., against Gram-positive bacterial strains). In one or more embodiments, the manner of manipulation described herein is contrary to previous findings described by others.

(9) In a first embodiment is described at least an active lauric acid derivative, 12-aminododecanoic acid. In another embodiment is described at least an active lauric acid derivative, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester. In still another embodiment is a combination of at least the active lauric acid derivatives, 12-aminododecanoic acid and 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester. In yet another embodiment is at least an active lauric acid derivative, sucrose monolaurate. In still another embodiment is a combination of at least two or more of the active lauric acid derivatives selected from 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate. In still another embodiment is a combination of at least two or more of the active lauric acid derivatives that include 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate. In yet another embodiment is at least one or more of an active lauric acid derivative, in which the active lauric acid derivative is selected from one having the following characteristics: (a) a 12-carbon atom (C12) backbone; and (b) considered hydrophobic, e.g., having a Log P value that is less than 4. In addition, or as an alternative, the at least one or more of the lauric acid derivative of any of the above embodiments may have the following characteristics: (a) a 12-carbon atom backbone and at least one methyl and/or ethyl side chain on the 12-carbon atom backbone, and (b) considered strongly hydrophobic, e.g., having a Log P value that is less than 4. With each of said above-identified embodiments, when the one or more active lauric acid derivative is prepared in at least one composition as described herein, the at least one composition, when tested with susceptible pathogens, was found to exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, demonstrating inhibitory activity (growth inhibition) against one or more Gram-positive bacterial strains (e.g., the one or more including one or more of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pneumoniae, C. difficile, Mycobacterium spp., Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus, including drug resistant strains), as well as inhibitory activity (growth inhibition) against Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., the one or more including one or more of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, Shigella spp., including drug resistant strains) and yeast (e.g., Candida). The broad-spectrum activity was unexpected. The broad-spectrum activity was unexpected and was not found when any one of the above identified active components (consisting of the lauric acid derivative described above) was used alone and, hence, was not prepared in a composition as further described herein (data not shown). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and broad-spectrum activity was sufficient to utilize the at least one composition in a formulation for internal delivery of the composition. And, with any such composition preparation, and for any such compositions prepared therefrom, a formulation for internal delivery with suitable or sufficient inhibitory activity (growth inhibition) against many, or most, or all Gram-negative bacterial strains will be found.

(10) In a manner of preparation of the one or more compositions described above, and in a condition in which such a composition is prepared, in which a preparatory mixture comprises at least lecithin (or one or more variants thereof, with or without cholesterol), and a carrier or chitosan, as well as a suitable active component (or one or more suitable active components as described above), the composition is prepared in a mixture that is at an alkaline pH (e.g., about pH 9, as an example). This is contrary to previous findings, in which others have found fatty acids to provide their best activity in an acidic environment. It is further noted that the composition described herein have not been previously described. In addition, the compositions as described above then demonstrated the broad-spectrum activity, with inhibitory activity (preventing growth) against susceptible Gram-positive bacterial strains and susceptible Gram-negative bacterial strains. (See also TABLE 2, in which maximum concentration of each composition tested was 10 mg/ml, and in which testings also included a positive control for inhibitory activity against the tested Gram-positive bacterial strain, which included octanoic acid, having 8 carbon atoms, and decanoic acid, having 10 carbon atoms). Said compositions described herein, when compared to its fatty acid alone (e.g., absent the preparation described herein) exhibited significantly better in vitro growth inhibitory activity (not all data shown).

(11) In an alternative manner of preparation of one or more compositions utilizing one or more active components described above, and to illicit broad spectrum activity, a preparatory mixture may comprise at least lecithin (or one or more variants, thereof, with or without cholesterol), a carrier or chitosan, as well as a suitable active component (or one or more suitable active components as described above), and is not alkaline, and is, instead, at least at a neutral pH (e.g., about pH 7), and in which the preparatory mixture used to prepare such a composition further comprises a certain chemical agent that imparts a positive charge to the carrier or the chitosan in the preparatory mixture. (See, again, TABLE 2). Said compositions, when compared in vitro to its fatty acid alone (e.g., absent the preparation described herein) exhibited significantly better in vitro growth inhibitory activity (not all data shown). An example of such a chemical agent that may be utilized in the alternative manner of preparation is glycol. Additional representative chemical agents that may be utilized include but are not limited to polyethylene glycol, acrylate, and a chemical prepared in a quaternization process with a quaternary compound (e.g., a cation consisting having a central positively charged atom with four substituents that are generally, or especially organic groups, such as alkyl and aryl groups, including but not limited to quaternary ammonium salts). These and other chemical agents suitable of imparting a strong positive charge are contemplated herein.

(12) Without being bound by theory, the above and unexpected findings suggest a hydroxyl dominant environment for synthesis of a composition of the embodiments and active components described above, in order to achieve, when internalized, sufficient inhibitory activity against the susceptible pathogens and/or the improvements in inhibitory activity against the susceptible pathogens. This hydroxyl dominant environment is in the preparatory mixture containing the carrier or chitosan, which allowed such a composition, when so prepared, to become more active (e.g., exhibiting strong inhibitory activity) against not only susceptible Gram-positive bacterial strains, but also against susceptible Gram-negative bacterial strains. Without being bound by theory, the hydroxyl dominant environment is believed to promote formation of positively charged carrier or chitosan, which when included in a formed composition containing or comprising particles, will provide positively charged particles. The hydroxyl dominant environment that promotes formation of positively charge particles will occur at an alkaline pH, such as pH 9. Similarly, positively charged particles are created with an innately charged chitosan, in which a certain chemical agent (e.g., glycol) carries an innate positive charge at a neutral pH (pH 7).

(13) With still further analysis, as is described briefly below, in addition to the hydroxyl dominant environment of said composition, there is, on one or more embodiments, an additional requirement for synthesis of one or more compositions of the embodiment described above, which includes having a suitable active component (or one or more suitable active components) as described above. Having an active component with a 12-carbon atom backbone appears necessary for a composition of the embodiment described above to exhibit inhibitory activity against a Gram-negative pathogen. (See, e.g., TABLE 2).

(14) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 MIC (mg/ml) for S. epidermidis (chitosan prep. mixture was MIC (mg/ml) for E. coli Active lauric acid at pH 5 or (chitosan prep. mixture derivative at pH 7) was at pH 5 or at pH 7) 12-aminododecanoic acid 10 — (no inhibitory activity) 12-amino-1-dodecanoic 10 — (no inhibitory activity) acid methyl ester HCl sucrose monolaurate 10 — (no inhibitory activity) octanoic acid 10 — (no inhibitory activity) decanoic acid 10 — (no inhibitory activity)

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 MIC (mg/ml) MIC (mg/ml) for E. coli for E. coli (chitosan prep. (chitosan prep. mixture was at Active lauric acid mixture was pH 7 with derivative at pH 9) glycol chitosan) 12-aminododecanoic acid 10 10 12-amino-1-dodecanoic 10 0.8 acid methyl ester HCl sucrose monolaurate 10 10 octanoic acid — (no inhibitory — (no inhibitory activity) activity) decanoic acid — (no inhibitory — (no inhibitory activity) activity)

(16) In still further embodiments, also referred to herein as second embodiment (which does not mean nor imply that there are only two embodiments, as is clear from the full description provided herein), are still further, or additional, active components selected from lauric acid, as well as representative active lauric acid derivatives, which include, but are not limited to, at least, 12-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-ylamino) dodecanoic acid, 4-nitrophenyl dodecanoate, 1-lauroyl-rac-glycerol, 3-oxo-N-(2-oxocyclohexyl) dodecanamide, butyl laurate, benzyl laurate, isoamyl laurate, monolaurin, isopropyl laurate, pentyl laurate, hexyl laurate, as well as any combination of lauric acid and/or such additional active lauric acid derivatives (as well as a suitable analog or salt form, represented as a structural and/or functional alternative, and/or structural and/or functional equivalent, or any combination thereof). Compositions prepared with one or more of these additional active components of the second embodiment, and when tested in vitro, were found to exhibit selective activity, with good inhibitory (growth inhibition) activity against only susceptible Gram-positive pathogens, the susceptible Gram-positive pathogens including one or more of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pneumoniae, C. difficile, Mycobacterium spp., Group A Streptococcus, and Group B Streptococcus (including drug resistant strains). Moreover, as exemplified in TABLES 1, 2, 3, compositions prepared with one or more of these additional active components of the second embodiment, and when tested in vitro, exhibited, in general, no inhibitory activity against a representative Gram-negative bacterial pathogen. (See TABLES 1, 2, 3, in which maximum concentration of each composition tested was 10 mg/ml against the tested representative Gram-positive bacteria, and in which testings also included positive controls, octanoic acid, having 8 carbon atoms, and decanoic acid, having 10 carbon atoms; prep.=preparation). Such findings were unexpected, and not found when any one of the additional active components was used alone and, hence, when not prepared in a composition as described (data not shown). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and selective activity was sufficient to utilize any one or more of the additional active components, when prepared in a composition and provided in a formulation, for internal delivery of the composition. This does not mean that combinations of active components (e.g., from the earlier embodiments, and/or from the second embodiment) cannot be combined together, either in a single composition, or in a plurality of compositions, and utilized internally, such as in a subject, or in a subject in need thereof. Any combination of more than one active component described herein is contemplated in a composition, and a suitable or sufficient inhibitory activity (e.g., growth inhibition) will be found against the susceptible pathogens when the composition, formed as described herein, is internalized.

(17) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 MIC MIC (mg/ml) (mg/ml) MIC S. epidermidis E. coli (mg/ml) (chitosan (chitosan E. coli prep. prep. (chitosan mixture mixture prep. Active lauric acid at pH 5 or at pH 5 or mixture derivative at pH 7) at pH 7) at pH 9) 12-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4- 10 — — ylamino) dodecanoic acid 4-nitrophenyl dodecanoate 10 — — 1-lauroyl-rac-glycerol 10 — — 3-oxo-N-(2-oxocyclohexyl) 10 — — dodecanamide butyl laurate 10 — — benzyl laurate 10 — — isoamyl laurate 10 — — monolaurin 10 — — isopropyl laurate 10 — — pentyl laurate 10 — — hexyl laurate 10 — — octanoic acid 10 — — decanoic acid 10 — —

(18) In a manner of manipulation in which a composition of a second embodiment is prepared, in a condition in which a preparatory mixture contains at least lecithin (with or without cholesterol), and a carrier or chitosan, and further includes a suitable additional active component (or one or more suitable additional active components), the preparatory mixture is acidic or neutral pH (e.g., about pH 5 and about pH 7, as examples, or between about pH 5 and about pH 7, as an example). As shown in TABLES 1, 2, 3, said compositions of the second embodiment demonstrated selective activity, with inhibitory activity against only susceptible representative Gram-positive bacterial strains, and exhibiting, in general, no inhibitory activity against tested representative Gram-negative bacterial strains. The selective nature associated with the compositions of the second embodiment was found regardless of whether synthesis of the composition (e.g., in the preparatory mixture for preparation of a composition of the second embodiment) was at an acidic, neutral, or alkaline pH. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that a lack of inhibitory activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains as exhibited in compositions of the second embodiment, those containing the one or more additional active components (see above), corresponds with the degree of hydrophobicity of these one or more additional active component (lauric acid, or the active lauric acid derivative). It is understood in the art that the degree of molecular hydrophobicity (or lipophilicity) is generally measured as a logarithmic value of the octanol-water partition coefficient P. The logarithmic value is referred to as log P.

(19) Calculations for the log P value for the various representative active lauric acid derivatives described herein were made and are provided in TABLE 4, in which a lower log P values corresponds with an increased degree of molecular hydrophobicity.

(20) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Number of carbon atoms in fatty Log P Active lauric acid derivative acid backbone (hydrophobicity) 12-aminododecanoic acid 12 3.08 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid 12 3.54 methyl ester HCl sucrose monolaurate 12 2.12 12-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-ylamino) 12 5.25 dodecanoic acid 4-nitrophenyl dodecanoate 12 6.8 1-lauroyl-rac-glycerol 12 4.04 butyl laurate 12 7.09 benzyl laurate 12 7.24 isoamyl laurate 12 7.43 monolaurin 12 4.27 isopropyl laurate 12 6.37 pentyl laurate 12 7.62 hexyl laurate 12 8.15 octanoic acid 8 2.9 decanoic acid 10 3.98

(21) As depicted in TABLE 4, active lauric acid derivatives that could (and can) be manipulated as described above to shift from selective activity (in which inhibitory activity was against only susceptible Gram-positive bacteria) to broad-spectrum activity (in which inhibitory activity was against both susceptible Gram-positive and susceptible Gram-negative bacteria) are those that have the appropriate number of 12-carbon atoms in the fatty acid backbone, and are more highly hydrophobic, having a log P of less than 4. This is evidenced by finding that decanoic acid, having a log P of less than 4 but having 10 carbon atoms, was not found, when prepared as described herein into particulated or particle-containing compositions, to exhibit inhibitory activity against representative Gram-negative bacteria, even when manipulated to impart positivity (e.g., when prepared with the addition of a certain chemical agent that imparts a positive charge to the chitosan at neutral pH, or when prepared at a pH of 9). (See, TABLES 2 and 4). Similarly, octanoic acid, also having a log P of less than 4 and having only 8 carbon atoms, was also not found to exhibit inhibitory activity against representative Gram-negative bacteria, when prepared as described herein into particulated or particle-containing compositions, even when so prepared by manipulation to impart positivity (e.g., when prepared with the addition of a certain chemical agent that imparts a positive charge to the chitosan at neutral pH, or when prepared at a pH of 9). (See, TABLES 2 and 4).

(22) For productive processing of any one or more active components, including one or more medium chain fatty acid as described herein (lauric acid) and/or one or more medium chain fatty acid derivatives as described herein, and for forming any of the compositions as described herein (compositions of the first embodiments and/or compositions of the second embodiments), a plurality of unexpected steps are required. This includes combining an active component (or more than one) with any one of lecithin, lecithin-like components (naturally occurring components), and/or with lecithin products or by-products (phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylserine (PS), and lysophospholipids, e.g., lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), sphingomyelin (SPM)), and/or bulky fatty acids, such as cholesterol, or lipids having a chain length predominantly from about C-14 to C-20). In some embodiments, the lecithin (or its variants thereof as described herein), may be further combined with at least one bulky fatty acid, such as cholesterol, or lipids having a chain length predominantly from about C-14 to C-20).

(23) The lecithin (or variants thereof as just described, referred to hereinafter as lecithin) should be amphiphilic. The lecithin may include a mixture of naturally occurring phospholipids. The lecithin may include a mixture of naturally occurring phospholipids and/or glycerophospholipids (e.g., PC, PE, PI, and/or PA). In addition, or as an alternative, the lecithin may include bile salts. In addition, or as an alternative, the lecithin may include cholesterol. The lecithin (or variants thereof as just described) may be in any amount, often between about 0.001 wt. % and about 50 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition. The lecithin may be in an amount between about 0.001 wt. % and about 20 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition. The lecithin may be in an amount between about 0.001 wt. % and about 10 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition. The lecithin may be in an amount between about 0.5 wt. % and about 20 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 1 wt. % and about 20 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 5 wt. % and about 50 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 5 wt. % and about 20 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 10 wt. % and about 20 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 10 wt. % and about 30 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition, or between about 5 wt. % and about 40 wt. %, based on the total wet weight of the composition. The lecithin may be predominantly phosphatidylcholine. The lecithin may include predominantly PC, with an additional phospholipid, lecithin, cholesterol, and/or bile or bile salts (often in a smaller amount). The lecithin may be from any source. The lecithin may be from a natural source, such as egg lecithin, soy lecithin. The lecithin may be in a granular form (e.g., L-alpha-lecithin granules).

(24) In many embodiments, prior to the above combining step (with a sufficient amount of lecithin, or appropriate variants thereof), any one or more of the active components described herein (lauric acid and/or lauric acid derivatives, including any utilized for any of the first or second embodiments), either together (with some lecithin) or separately (without lecithin), should be initially suspended in an organic solvent, preferably an evaporatable organic solvent, such as chloroform, which, as a suspension, is then mixed with water, and further processed to evaporate the organic solvent. These prior steps are utilized to provide a more aqueous solution for the one or more of the lauric acid derivatives, which, in some embodiments, is a preferable state for the one or more lauric acid derivatives, prior to combining with the lecithin (or the sufficient lecithin variants thereof).

(25) In some embodiments, the organic solvent of the prior step is buffered. In some embodiments, this organic solvent has a pH less than 7. In some embodiments, this organic solvent has a pH between about pH 4 and pH 7, or between pH 4 and pH 6. In some embodiments, this organic solvent is acidic and is between about pH 5 and pH 6, or between pH 4 and pH 5. In some embodiments, this organic solvent is or is between about pH 5 and pH 7. In some embodiments, the pH is above a physiologic pH (above pH 7).

(26) The one or more of the active components (lauric acid and/or lauric acid derivatives, including any utilized for any of the first or second embodiments), when combining with lecithin, and/or when initially processing to provide in a more aqueous state, may be in a sufficient amount, generally between about 0.001 wt. % and about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition.

(27) Generally, after combining any one or more of active components (hereinafter, any one or more of lauric acid and/or one or more lauric acid derivatives, including any utilized for any of the first or second embodiments) with lecithin in the manner(s) described above, the combination is provided in a preparatory mixture, when processed, may form particulates, liposomes, bilayer sheets, and/or micelles. Such forms may be sterilized. Particles, micelles, liposomes may generally occur via self-assembly once the preparatory mixture is prepared as described herein. The processing may include sonication. The processing may include freeze drying. In some embodiments, sonication may precede sterilization. In addition, or as an alternative, such processed forms may be filtered. Filtration may precede or follow sonication. Filtration may be performed at the same time as sterilization.

(28) In some embodiments, the prepared (processed) forms (particulates, liposomes, bilayer sheets, and/or micelles) may be further coated in a coating step. When preparing, coating may be performed before, during, or after sonication. When preparing, coating may be performed before, during or after sterilization.

(29) The coating may include coating or covering or otherwise applying (e.g., chemically, ionically, electrostatically, or otherwise) with a coating material. The coating material may be a non-toxic biopolymer or polysaccharide. The coating material may be a non-toxic biodegradable biopolymer, such as an aminopolysaccharide. The biopolymer or coating material may be a carrier. The coating material or carrier may be acidic, anionic, or modified with one or more carboxyl groups, phosphate groups, sulfur esters, or ester groups to interact or to selectively interact with one or more cell or cell types or target pathogens when introduced internally and/or topically. A suitable example of a coating material is chitosan or chitin. Chitosan may be hydroxylated. Additional examples include, but are not limited to, carrageenan, alginate, polylysine, xanthum gum, gellan gum, FucoPol, pullulan. In one or more embodiments, the coating step provides or involves an adhesion or incorporation of a portion of the coating material or carrier (e.g., biodegradable biopolymer or aminopolysaccharide) with the prepared form or with the particle. In some embodiments, the coating step may be performed by blending, dipping, spraying, and/or otherwise adding a prepared biodegradable biopolymer or aminopolysaccharide with the prepared form (e.g., particulates, liposomes, bilayer sheets, and/or micelles). The coating material may be provided in a suitable amount, or desired amount. The coating step may be followed by an incubation step. The incubation may include incubating for a few minutes, or one hour or more than one hour, or for several hours, or overnight. The coating step may include a suspension/dispersion/gelation/emulsion and/or a drying phase. Several coating steps may be performed in series, with the same or different coating materials. After coating, the coated composition(s) may be further agitated, sonicated, filtered, and/or sterilized.

(30) Resulting compositions may, in final form, be particulated. The particles may have a large size distribution, or may be selected for a particular size. Generally, nanoparticle sizes are acceptable. Representative particle size examples include any size or range of sizes from 1 nm to 1000 nm, or any size or range of sizes therebetween. A higher diversity in nanoparticle size will generally be associated with larger variations in release of the one or more active components from the particles.

(31) Representative and non-limiting examples are provided below.

(32) Compositions containing a lauric acid derivative, 12-aminododecanoic acid or 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, were prepared, and the preparations were performed independently (with either 12-aminododecanoic acid or 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester).

(33) Initially, to determine basic characteristics, each active component was separately mixed, generally under agitated conditions, with water, and each was miscible with water. Each, after being mixed with water, was tested in a broth microdilution assay, against a variety of bacteria using amounts of the each of the lauric acid derivatives, ranging from about 0.0009 wt. % to about 8 wt. %. The bacteria included Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA strains). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) needed to prevent growth of the target bacteria was evaluated based on a method published by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), broth microdilution method M-07 (M07). In one or more embodiments, each active component (e.g., lauric acid derivative) as so prepared independently demonstrated no inhibitory activity against any of the bacteria tested, whether Gram-positive or Gram-negative. Each of the samples containing one of the lauric acid derivatives was compared with a positive control, decanoic acid. Decanoic acid, when prepared independently, was not miscible in water.

(34) In another preparation, each of the lauric acid derivatives of TABLE 4 was independently suspended in an organic solvent, chloroform, and then mixed with water, generally under agitated conditions. This was followed by chloroform evaporation, generally under vacuum, using a freeze dryer. The same preparations were evaluated against the positive control, decanoic acid. Here, for all samples, the amount of water to the amount of chloroform was at least 2:1, and was as high as 10:1. The pH was neutral or was acidic. For each of the lauric acid derivatives as so prepared independently, there was no evidence of any growth inhibitory activity (growth inhibition) against representative bacteria tested in vitro, whether Gram-positive or Gram-negative. The positive control, decanoic acid, similarly prepared, also did not demonstrate growth inhibitory activity against representative bacteria when tested in vitro.

(35) In a further preparation, lauric acid derivative, 12-aminododecanoic acid or 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, was suspended individually (and independently) in an organic solvent, chloroform, and mixed with water, generally under agitated conditions. Here, for each sample, the amount of water to the amount of chloroform was at least 2:1, and was as high as 10:1. This was followed by chloroform evaporation, generally under vacuum using a freeze dryer. After removal of the chloroform, a lecithin solution was added to each sample. The lecithin was in a solution of acetic acid (e.g., 98 mM acetic acid and 2 mM sodium acetate), in which the amount of lecithin in solution was between about 1% to 5%. With addition of lecithin, each sample mixture contained up to about 4.8% lecithin (or generally about 5% or less), and up to about 7.8% of one of the lauric acid derivatives (or generally about 8% or less). pH of the solution was neutral. It is noted that the lecithin should be in a suitable form (e.g., solution or granules) acceptable for internal utilization (e.g., pharmaceutical grade). The lecithin may also include cholesterol, or other lecithin variants as described above, with similar results. Chitosan was then added to each of the samples, and each sample was then independently sonicated, followed by independent sterilization by high pressure filtration. The chitosan, as a coating, was generally mixed into the samples after addition of lecithin. The chitosan was added in several amounts up to about 10% (w/v). Chitosan was provided in solution (generally in the same solution provided with the lecithin, which was the solution of acetic acid, provided as 98 mM acetic acid and 2 mM sodium acetate). The mixing included stirring. With addition of chitosan, each sample mixture generally contained up to about 4.8% lecithin (or generally about 10% or less, or about 9% or less, or about 8% or less, or about 7% or less, or about 6% or less, or about 5% or less), up to about 5% chitosan (or generally about 10% or less, or about 9% or less, or about 8% or less, or about 7% or less, or about 6% or less, or about 5% or less), and up to about 7.8% of one of the lauric acid derivatives (or generally about 10% or less, or about 9% or less, or about 8% or less, or about 7% or less, or about 6% or less, or about 5% or less). Some sample mixtures contained about 0.75% chitosan (or between about 0.5% to about 1%, or any range or amount therebetween), about 1% lecithin (or between about 0.5% to about 2%, or any range or amount therebetween), and about 0.5% of one of the lauric acid derivatives (or between about 0.5% to about 1%, or any range or amount therebetween). Some mixtures were at a pH of between pH 5 and pH 7. Some mixtures were at a pH of about pH 9. After addition of chitosan, each of the samples was either simply filtered (e.g., via high pressure filtration for sterilization), or with 0.45 micrometer sterilized filter. In some embodiments, samples were sonicated, and thereafter underwent high pressure filtration for sterilization, or were filtered with 0.45 micrometer sterilized filter. Such samples just described, after filtration, or after sonication and filtration, were generally particulated, and may be reconstituted (and/or for dilution purposes), as necessary. Such samples may also be freeze dried. Said samples are also suitable for encapsulation. In some embodiments, sonication can decrease particle size, and also improve uniformity in size distribution (narrow the size distribution). In broth microdilution assays, each of the compositions, when formed as just described, exhibited growth inhibitory activity against representative Gram-positive pathogens and yeast, including the Gram-positive bacterial strains described and shown. The same preparation steps just described for the lauric acid derivatives samples were performed with the positive control, decanoic acid.

(36) For TABLES 1 to 3, compositions were generally prepared as described above, and as further outlined in this paragraph. For these examples, the active component, as a lauric acid derivative or lauric acid, was suspended in an organic solvent, chloroform, and then mixed with water, under robust agitation. The amount of water to the amount of chloroform was at least about 2:1, and could be as high as 10:1. Chloroform was then evaporated (e.g., under vacuum using a freeze dryer). After removal of the chloroform, a 2.2% lecithin solution in an acetate buffer (e.g., 98 mM acetic acid and 2 mM sodium acetate) was prepared and added, so the final amount of the active component was about 1 part active component mixture and about 9 parts of the 2.2% lecithin solution. Of course, it is noted that other ranges to achieve final amount of the active component as described above (e.g., active component mixture and lecithin solution) may also be utilized. Cholesterol could also be optionally added. The mixture of lecithin and the active component was mixed and sonicated, and then a solution of about 1.5% chitosan was added. Thereafter, the entirety of the mixture containing the lecithin and the active component was further blended, in which a final ratio was about 1 part active component to about 9 parts of the 2.2% lecithin solution to about 10 parts of the 1.5% chitosan solution. The pH was then varied, to a pH of 5, or a pH of 7, or a pH of 9. In some mixtures having a pH of 7, a chemical agent imparting a positive charge to the chitosan was included in a form of glycol chitosan. In these tests, the chemical agent used was glycol. In these examples, the amount of chemical agent, glycol was about one molecule glycol moiety to one molecule chitosan sacharide unit; higher amounts of glycol moieties are also acceptable, while lower amounts of glycol moieties were often found to decrease overall inhibitory activity associated with a composition when formed and tested in vitro. It is noted that negatively charged chitosan containing particles were prepared. The negatively charged chitosan containing particles exhibited no inhibitory activity. After mixing, the mixtures could each be filtered through a 0.45 microMol filter. In some tests, the mixtures were sonicated before filtering. Sonication produced small particles. In some studies, particles were freeze dried as a powder (generally, after mixing, sonicating and filtering). In such freeze-dried preparation, all compositions were found to retain their activity. This shows that particles may be stored, and/or encapsulated, any of which should have a long shelf-life.

(37) The positive controls were prepared and evaluated in a similar manner. All prepared samples were tested using a broth microdilution test.

(38) Without being bound by theory, the charge of the chitosan or carrier material on compositions described herein appears to influence the type of action exhibited by certain chitosan- or carrier-containing particles described herein. For example, synthesis of chitosan- or carrier-containing particles at a neutral pH (e.g., pH 7) in the manner described herein appears to improve the degree of activity of the lauric acid derivatives against Gram-positive pathogens, such that inhibitory activity or growth inhibition is stronger in the compositions described herein, particularly when the active component when used alone (and not in a composition as described herein) exhibited some but only very weak activity against certain Gram-positive pathogens. When the chitosan- or carrier-containing particle includes an active component that has a higher hydrophobicity (having log P value less than 4), then there is both a stronger inhibitory activity as well as broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive pathogens (e.g., Gram-positive pathogens described herein) and Gram-negative pathogens (e.g., Gram-negative pathogens described herein) when the chitosan- or carrier-containing particles are synthesized in a hydroxyl-dominated environment (e.g., when synthesis occurs at pH 9, or when synthesis occurs at pH 7 or pH 9 and the chitosan or carrier material is a positively charged chitosan or carrier material). This also occurs when the chitosan- or carrier-containing particle includes an active component that has a log P value that is less than 4 and includes a methyl and/or ethyl side chain (e.g., 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester). It is noted that synthesis of negatively charged chitosan- or carrier-containing particles showed no activity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens. Examples of active components that have a log P value less than 4 include 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate. For sucrose monolaurate, the stronger inhibitory activity as well as broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive pathogens and Gram-negative pathogens was observed in vitro at least when a hydroxyl dominated environment was created by performing the synthesis (with chitosan) at pH 9. For 12-aminododecanoic acid, 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, and sucrose monolaurate, the stronger inhibitory activity as well as broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive pathogens and Gram-negative pathogens, was observed in vitro at least when a hydroxyl dominated environment was created by performing the synthesis (with chitosan) at pH 7 and by utilizing a positively charged chitosan in the synthesis. Having an active component with a log P value less than 4, (or less than 3), will, thereby, influence activity characteristics of a composition or formulation prepared therefrom, and will allow, under different synthesis environments, as just described, the capability of creating a selective or a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

(39) The broad spectrum activity of a composition described herein is exemplified in TABLE 5, in which the active component, sucrose monolaurate, being hydrophobic and having a log P value less than 4, was prepared in a manner described above, which included synthesis of chitosan-containing particles by initially blending about 1 part sucrose monolaurate with about 9 parts 2.2% lecithin solution in an acetate buffer, mixing and sonicating, and then adding about 1.5% chitosan in an acetate buffer, such that a final ratio is about 1 part sucrose monolaurate to about 9 parts of 2.2% lecithin solution to about 10 parts of 1.5% chitosan solution. With the chitosan solution, the mixture is in a buffered solution that is at pH 9. After the chitosan is added, the mixture is blended, sonicated and filtered through a sterile filter. Samples, in a particulated form, and up to 10 mg/ml were evaluated for inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The antibiotic-resistant strains tested included at least twelve of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria identified by the WHO Global Priority List as being of concern, and three of the tested strains being those considered to be of critical concern (Priority 1). Representative findings are provided in TABLE 5, depicting the pathogens tested with a composition comprising the active component, sucrose monolaurate, prepared at pH 9 in order to harness the broad-spectrum activity of the active component.

(40) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Growth inhibition (chitosan prep. Pathogen mixture at pH 9) Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant + Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant + Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant, + cephalosporin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant, + vancomycin resistant Campylobacter, fluoroquinolone-resistant + Salmonella spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant + Streptococcus pneumoniae + Shigella spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant + Chlostridium difficile + Candida + Mycobacterium spp. + Group A Streptococcus + Group B Streptococcus +

(41) Laboratory trials have shown that no resistance has developed in pathogens exposed to the compositions described herein, even with long term, repeated exposure (data not shown). In addition, no intrinsic resistance can or has been detected in target pathogens. Animal trials show no safety concerns, in which various groups of 10 mice are given a set of capsules, orally, three times per day and continued for seven days, each of the set of capsules containing approximately 4 mg of one of the active components, either 12-amino-1-dodecanoic acid methyl ester, or sucrose monolaurate (independently), and each of the active components in the chitosan-containing particles prepared generally as described herein. A placebo group is also included, in which a group of 10 mice are given a placebo set of capsules, orally, three times per day and continued for seven days, each of the placebo set of capsules containing similarly prepared chitosan-containing particles without an active component, the preparation being generally as described herein. Initial mice have been infected with Salmonella typhimurium prior to oral delivery of one of the set of capsules. The capsules may be vegetable capsules. The capsules may have an enteric coating. For delivery, a formulation may be prepared in a manner understood in the relevant art. For delivery, a formulation may be in at least any one or more of the following forms: liquid, capsule, dried powder, mist, and the like. For delivery, the formulation will contain pharmaceutical grade materials, including one or more excipients and or fillers for internal and/or topical delivery in sufficient amounts known to those of skill in the relevant art. Flavors, colors, sugars, sugar-substitutes, and the like may also be included in any of the formulations, as is understood to those of skill in the relevant art.

(42) Active components of the compositions described herein are associated with a strong safety profile. Active components of the compositions described herein have GRAS status in the U.S.

(43) The above description and examples demonstrate unexpectedly that the described active components (one or more of lauric acid, and lauric acid derivatives), prepared in the unexpected and/or nonobvious manner, as described above, may be so prepared to alter the level of action and/or scope of activity of a final composition. As such, a composition may be manipulated to achieve a different level of activity and/or a more selective or expansive inhibitory action. This allows fine tuning where needed in the treatment of one or more pathogens. At least some of the composition described herein are capable of providing bacteriostatic against gram-positive bacteria, as well as gram-negative bacteria. The broad spectrum inhibitory activity found as described herein would not have been anticipated, particularly in view of the conflicting and contradictory reports that pre-date these findings. The inhibitory activity found with the active components described herein appear to differ from previous understandings of lauric acid.

(44) By utilizing preparations described herein, formulations containing the lauric acid and/or any one or more of the lauric acid derivatives may be prepared as described herein, at desired dosing concentrations and/or for desired inhibitory activity, and, when necessary, with the appropriate fillers and/or additives (e.g., excipient, colorant, flavorant, etc.) known to the skilled artisan (e.g., to provide a formulation in the form of any one or more of a liquid, gel, suspension, tablet, caplet, capsule, granules, powder, inhalant, lozenge, mouthwash, cream, lotion, and the like). Such formulations may now be internalized, which has not been previously shown. Dosing of any of the formulations may be maximized based on pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamics data, which can be obtained by known methods known already in the relevant art.

(45) In addition, any of said compositions described herein may still be deliverable topically. Thus, formulations, when properly prepared in the manner described herein and with further preparation dependent on the form of deliver (and in a manner known to the skilled artisan in the relevant art), may be administered for delivery internally and/or externally, and may be further tailored for inhibiting growth (bacteriostatic activity) and/or killing (bactericidal activity) of one or more susceptible pathogens. The nature of the lauric acid and lauric acid derivatives prepared as described herein makes them suitable for many uses. The lauric acid derivatives described herein are likely active at inhibiting growth and/or killing yeast, as well as fungi. One or more lauric acid derivatives described herein are active against select Gram-positive bacteria or yeast. One or more lauric acid derivatives may be provided at sub-inhibitory amounts for bacteriostatic activity. One or more lauric acid derivatives may be provided serially at sub-inhibitory amounts for bacteriostatic activity. Higher and lower doses can also be administered with greater or lesser efficacy. Formulations of the described compositions can be administered for internal and/or external activity at or around a pathogen MIC for anti-inflammatory activity. Formulations of the described compositions can be administered for internal and/or external activity below the pathogen MIC for anti-inflammatory activity with or without serial exposures to reduce resistance development (or change in MIC). Formulations of the described compositions can also be administered outside the pathogen MIC range and still provide anti-inflammatory activity.

(46) Although representative processes and compositions have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions and modifications for preparation of the new lauric acid derivatives may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of what is described and defined by the appended claims.