Lactam solubility

Abstract

Compositions comprising a lactam and an alkyl lactate. The compositions are suitable for use as anti-microbial, anti-biofilm and bacteriostatic compositions.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a lactam and an ethyl lactate, wherein the lactam is 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylene-pyrrol-2-one of Formula I: ##STR00008## wherein the lactam is dissolved in the composition; wherein the amount of ethyl lactate is 0.01 to 10% wt. of the composition; and wherein the composition is at least 60 wt % water.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is at least 70 wt % water.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is an aqueous composition.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a homecare composition.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a personal care composition.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of ethyl lactate is 0.01 to 5% wt. of the composition.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of ethyl lactate is 0.01 to 3% wt. of the composition.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of ethyl lactate is 0.01 to 1% wt. of the composition.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of ethyl lactate is 0.001 to 1% wt. of the composition and the composition is an aqueous composition.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.000001 to 5% wt. lactam.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.001 to 5% wt. lactam.

12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.01 to 2% wt. lactam.

Description

DESCRIPTION

(1) Lactams may be obtained using methods as described in WO 2007/085042 and WO 2004/016588, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(2) Compositions

(3) The compositions described herein may be compositions having anti-microbial activity. In some cases, the compositions are anti-bacterial. They may have bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic activity. The inventor(s) have observed desirable bacteriostatic activity. Accordingly, in some cases, the composition is a bacteriostatic composition.

(4) The compositions may also prevent and/or inhibit biofilm formation. Biofilms are formed when microorganisms stick to a surface. Biofilm extracellular polymeric substances may be formed. Biofilms (also referred to as slime) present problems in industrial environments; for example, they may form in pipes in apparatus, or industrial and agricultural structures, on solar panels, and on boat hulls and other marine structures. Biofilms may also pose a problem in domestic environments. For example, biofilms may form in domestic appliances such as washing machines. Biofilms are also present in personal care, for example, they may form on tooth surfaces.

(5) Compositions suitable for any and all of these applications are within the scope of the invention. In some cases, the composition is a paint or other coating. In such cases, the composition may further comprise a binder, optionally a pigment and optionally one or more conventional additives (for example, to modify surface tension, improve flow properties, improve the finished appearance, increase wet edge, improve pigment stability, etc—such additives are known in the art). The composition may comprise an aqueous solvent or an organic solvent to suit purpose.

(6) The composition may also be used in medical applications, for example to coat equipment including medical devices.

(7) In some cases, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. In other words, the composition may comprise a lactam as described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The composition may be suitable for topical use (for example, it may be a cream or lotion), it may be suitable for ocular use (for example, it may be an used as a pharmaceutical eye drop), it may be suitable for otic use (for example, it may be used as an ear drop), it may be suitable as a mouth wash, or it may be suitable for oral administration.

(8) In some cases, the composition is a composition suitable for use in the home (often referred to as a homecare composition) or institutions. Homecare compositions include, without limitation, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and fabric conditioners. In some cases, the composition is a homecare composition, for example a laundry liquid. The composition may therefore comprise a detergent surfactant and a builder. The composition may be a fabric conditioner (also called a fabric softener) and may comprise an antistatic agent. The composition may also be a domestic cleaning product.

(9) In some cases, the composition is a personal care composition. For example, the composition may be intended for use on the skin (for example, a cream, cleanser or serum). For example, the composition may be useful in the prevention or treatment of acne. For example, the composition may comprise one or more of dimethicone, petrolatum, a humectant such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin; and ceramide(s). In some cases, the composition is a personal care composition comprising a detergent, for example, the composition may be a face wash or shower gel or hair shampoo. The composition may be a hair treatment composition other than a shampoo. The composition may be a deodorant composition (for example, a deodorant powder, paste or liquid). The composition may be an oral care composition (such as a toothpaste or mouthwash and may include, for example, fluoride and/or flavourings.

(10) In some cases, the composition is a contact lens cleaning fluid.

(11) The composition may be a composition suitable for use in agriculture, for example, as a soil additive (solid or liquid).

(12) The composition may be a composition suitable for use in the treatment of or manufacture of glass or lens for example as an additive/treatment for solar panels.

EXAMPLES

(13) The following example uses, without limitation, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylene-pyrrol-2-one and ethyl lactate.

(14) Excess solid lactam (˜3 mg) was placed in a Whatman® Mini Uniprep sample vial, fitted with a 0.45 μm nylon filter. Water or water+ethyl lactate (500 μL) was added the mixture shaken and tapped briefly to initially disperse the solid and the mixture then agitated for 48 hours using a plate shaker fitted with a vial holder (see image below). After 48 hours, the solid was removed from the system by pressing down the plunger with integral filter on the vial (see image below). This removes the solid and provides filtered solution within the inner chamber which is then ready for analysis.

(15) The level of lactam dissolved in solution was quantified using HPLC analysis. Samples were analysed on an Agilent 1200® series HPLC fitted with a Thermo Hypersil® Gold C18 column (15×2.1×3 μm), isocratic elution with 60/40 methanol/water (+0.1% Formic Acid), 0.4 mL/min flow rate, using a DAD detector at 285 nm. 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylene-pyrrol-2-one has a retention time of ˜2.8 minutes.

(16) The absolute level of lactam in solution is measured and reported as an increase in solubility of lactam relative to water alone. The results are shown below.

(17) TABLE-US-00001 Mean Lactam Level in Solubility % Additive in Solution Increase vs Additive Water (ppm) water alone Ethyl lactate 0 5.7 1.00 0.5 6.9 1.21 1 6.9 1.21 2 11.3 1.99 5 26.4 4.63 10 60.2 10.57

(18) It will be appreciated that, except where expressly provided otherwise, all preferences are combinable.