Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02627616 2008-04-07
FORMULATION AND METHOD FOR TREATING ANIMAL WASTE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of animal waste. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the use of surfactant in a
formulation and
method for sanitizing, disintegrating and/or deodorizing animal waste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Animal waste, particularly raw fecal material, poses a number of potential
problems to people (and other animals) that live, work or recreate in the
vicinity of the
waste. The problems include, but are not limited to, risk of infection by
pathogens in the
raw waste material, inhalation of obnoxious odours, and contamination of soil,
water and
food products grown in the vicinity of the raw waste material. The enormous
volume of
uncontrolled animal waste produced each year has a significant impact on the
health of
the population as well as the environment. In addition to the potential health
risks, the
presence and accumulation of animal waste in places such as backyards, public
parks
and recreational grounds is a general nuisance.
Animal waste is composed of both organic and inorganic matter. Organic matter
includes proteins, polysaccharides, mucus and many microorganisms, including
pathogens. In certain cases, animal waste contains infectious pathogens that
can cause
disease in humans. Infectious diseases that can be transmitted directly from
animals to
humans are termed zoonotic diseases. The risk of human infection depends on
the
resilience of the pathogen, the duration and nature of contact with the waste
material and
continuing contamination of the site. Persons at highest risk of infection
from pathogens
in raw animal waste include immuno-compromised individuals and children. Also
at risk
are individuals who come into frequent contact with animal waste, such as pet
owners, gardeners and farmers. The hazards posed by zoonotic pathogens present
in
raw fecal material can be reduced with proper treatment and/or disposal of
animal waste.
Exemplary zoonotic pathogens that may be present in raw animal waste include,
but are not limited to, bacteria, such as Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Salmonella
and
Campylobacter jejuni, and protozoa, such as Giardia duodenalis,
Cryptosporidium
parvum and Toxoplasma gondii. The use of antibiotics and the like in
formulations for
treatment of animal waste is undesirable for many reasons, including high cost
and the
promotion of microbial resistance.
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For the typical pet owner, cleaning up and disposing of pet waste is one of
the
biggest inconveniences of owning a pet. Disposal of pet waste in plastic bags
and the like
is detrimental to the environment, as are harsh chemical treatments of raw
waste
material. Composting of pet waste, while more environmentally friendly, is
cumbersome
and unpleasant. Furthermore, since most pet owners do not compost pet waste
correctly,
it is generally discouraged for public health reasons since it can promote the
growth of
pathogens.
On a somewhat larger scale, golf course operators and caretakers of various
recreational grounds must contend with droppings from migratory and non-
migratory birds
and wildlife. Proper disposal of large amounts of animal waste can be
extremely
burdensome, not to mention unpleasant.
Public safety, cost and the environment must be taken into account when
considering chemical treatment options. Many of the currently available animal
waste
treatment and disposal methods are uneconomical, toxic and environmentally
unfriendly.
The industrial facilities and treatment methods utilized in the farming
industry are
simply not practical for use by pet owners, recreational groundskeepers and
the like,
especially in cities. Various attempts at improving methods of treatment of
animal waste
have been made on an industrial scale, for example, in providing holding ponds
or
lagoons for water and/or bacterial decomposition, or by burning the solid
refuse.
However, these methods have not been entirely satisfactory and are impractical
for use
on less than an industrial scale.
Attempts have also been made to control the odour associated with animal fecal
material. Such formulations are disclosed in United States Patent Application
2006/0228323 published October 12, 2006. This application discloses a
formulation
containing an amphoteric surfactant for removing malodours from animal waste.
When
sprayed or fogged, the formulation forms a chemical complex with the odorous
gas
molecules thereby eliminating the unwanted odours. The formulation may be used
to treat
solid waste but only to the extent that the solid waste contains gas or liquid
pHase within
it. It does not treat solid waste itself nor does it sanitize or disintegrate
the solid waste.
The solid waste remains after use of this amphoteric formulation.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide improved formulations and methods for
treating animal waste that are effective, economical, practical, safe, and
environmentally
friendly. It is also desirable to provide a formulation and method of
sanitizing,
disintegrating and/or deodorizing animal waste.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of previous formulations or methods for treating animal waste. In
particular,
it is desirable to provide an economical and environmentally friendly
formulation and
method for sanitizing, disintegrating and/or deodorizing animal waste, such as
pet and
wildlife waste.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a formulation for
treating
solid waste from animals, the formulation comprising a surfactant and a
suitable solvent,
preferably an aqueous solvent such as water. The surfactant may be a cationic,
anionic,
amphoteric, zwitterionic, non-ionic or other surfactant. Preferably, the
surfactant is a
cationic surfactant. More preferably, the cationic surfactant is a quatemary
ammonium
compound. The quaternary ammonium compound is preferably a quaternary ammonium
salt, such as benzyitrimethylammonium chloride, cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium
chloride pHosphate or stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl laurylglucosides chloride.
The formulation may also include one or more of acids, bases, enzymes (such as
proteases or amylases), sanitizers, foamants, fragrances, redox reagents
and/or
colourants. Other additives commonly found in disinfectants and cleansers may
also be
added.
The formulation is preferably prepared as a concentrate composition for use
with
a suitable diluent. The formulation is preferably applied to the animal waste
in diluted form
to sanitize, disintegrate and/or deodorize the waste.
In one embodiment, the concentrate composition for treating solid waste
from animals comprises from about 0.5-50.0% surfactant, from about 0.0-3.0%
enzyme,
from about 0.0-5.0% acid, from about 0.0-5.0% colourant, from about 0.0-5.0%
foamant
and from about 0.0-5.0% oxidizing agent; the remainder being a suitable
solvent.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of
applying
the formulation to solid waste from animals, the preferred method comprising
diluting a
concentrate composition with a suitable diluent and spraying the diluted
composition as a
pressurized jet of fluid onto the waste to break down the waste.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention generally provides a formulation and method for
sanitizing,
disintegrating and/or deodorizing animal waste. The formulation is preferably
prepared as
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a concentrate composition and is diluted at the time of, or prior to,
application to the
animal waste.
The formulation and method of the present invention are particularly useful
for
sanitizing animal waste on a non-industrial scale since the formulations and
methods are
practical, economical, safe and environmentally friendly. By "animal waste" is
meant raw
fecal material, such as from wild, domesticated or companion animals.
By "non-industrial" scale is meant a scale where dedicated waste management
facilities are not necessarily required or available. The formulations and
methods of the
present invention are thus particularly useful for sanitizing animal waste
deposited, for
example, in backyards, public parks, animal shelters, kennels, small farms,
zoos or
recreational facilities, such as golf courses. As a skilled person will
appreciate, certain
modifications could easily be made to scale-up the invention for use on an
industrial
scale.
The formulation of the invention comprises a surfactant or combination of
surfactants for effecting one or more of sanitizing, disintegrating and
deodorizing animal
waste. The term surfactant refers to any number of surface active agents,
which
preferentially orient toward an interface. Classes of surfactants include non-
ionic
surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric
surfactants, zwitterionic
surfactants and combinations thereof. The surfactant preferably has
antimicrobial activity.
The antimicrobial activity may be bactericidal or bacteristatic depending on
the particular
formulation.
Preferably, the surfactants used in the present invention are cationic
surfactants
having antimicrobial activity. Cationic surfactants were found to provide the
most effective
antimicrobial action compared to other types of surfactants in treating animal
waste.
Cationic surfactants demonstrated significantly improved anti-bacterial effect
and were
found to be the most effective in disintegrating the fecal material itself.
These surfactants
also reduced the color of the waste, thereby enhancing the feeling that the
waste was
being disintegrated.
Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl ammonium
salts,
quatemary ammonium compounds, quaternary pHosphonium salts, quaternary
arsonium
salts, tertiary sulfonium salts and tertiary selenonium salts.
A quaternary ammonium compound is analogous to an ammonium salt molecule
wherein all four hydrogen atoms have been substituted with organic radicals.
In general,
when one of these radicals is a primary alkyl of about 8 to 18 carbon atoms
chain length,
and the others are only about 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the compound will be
reasonably
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water soluble, surface active and strongly biocidal. If two or more of the
substituent
radicals are higher alkyls then the compound retains its cationic nature but
becomes less
water soluble and less biocidal.
Where quaternary ammonium salts are used, the immonium salts are considered
to be particularly effective as antimicrobials or sanitizing agents. Quatemary
ammonium
compounds with no or low level of branching are considered to be the most
environmentally friendly. In instances where the surfactant is a quatemary
ammonium
salt, the associated anion is preferably an inorganic anion. A halide (Cl, Br
or I) is
particularly preferred.
Exemplary quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to,
benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, Cola@ Lipid C (cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium
chloride pHosphate), Suga Quat S-1210 and Suga@Quat S-1218 (both
stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl laurylglucosides chloride).
In one embodiment, the surfactant is Cola Lipid C, a coconut-
derived pHosphoLipid Comprised predominantly of diester and triester
pHosphatides with
multiple chain groups, available from Colonial Chemical, Inc. (South
Pittsburg, TN). This
surfactant provided significantly better antimicrobial activity than a simple
quaternary
ammonium salt such as benzyltrimethylammonium chloride.
Cola Lipid C is a cationic surfactant having the structure:
O
I~ CH3 0
(CH2)3~ N
NH O P + xClo
CH3 OH ( ONa)y
wherein R represents cocoamidopropyl (C15H31 CONH-(CHZ)3-) and x + y = 3.
In certain embodiments where a cationic surfactant is used, it is preferable
that
the formulation has an acidic pH, i.e. below about 7. In general, cationic
surfactants are
more stable in an acidic pH.
Anionic surfactants are also useful in the context of the present invention,
with
significant antimicrobial effect. Anionic surfactants suitable for use in
accordance with the
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present invention include, but are not limited to, sodium dodecyl sulfate
(SDS) and
sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.
In certain embodiments where an anionic surfactant is used, it is preferable
that
the formulation has a basic pH, i.e. above about 7. In general, anionic
surfactants are not
stable at low pH.
It is considered within the ordinary ability of the person skilled in the art
having
regard to the teachings of the present invention to determine the optimal pH
of the
formulation.
Non-ionic surfactants are also useful in the present invention. While they
were
found to be suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, they
provided less
antimicrobial effect than the anionic surfactants. Suitable non-ionic
surfactants include,
but are not limited to, TweenTM 80 (polysorbate 80), TweenTM 20 (polysorbate
20),
TritonTM X-100 (octoxynol), BRIJ 35TM (polyoxyethyleneglycol dodecyl ether)
and BRIJ
58T"" (polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether).
The surfactant is dispersed or dissolved in a suitable carrier or solvent,
preferably
an aqueous carrier or solvent, such as water.
The formulation may comprise additional optional ingredients, including but
not
limited to, enzymes for breaking down organic matter, foamants, colourants,
fragrances,
stabilizers, emulsifiers, acids, bases, redox reagents and/or buffers. Other
additives
commonly used in sanitizers and cleansers may also be added.
The concentration of surfactant or combination of surfactants in the treatment
formulation depends on the structure and antimicrobial activity of the
individual
surfactants. A desired amount of surfactant is an amount effective for
sanitizing,
disintegrating and/or deodorizing a sample of animal waste. Typically, the
concentration
of surfactant or combination of surfactants can range from about 0.5% to about
50%
(w/w), more preferably from about 5% to about 50%, most preferably from about
15% to
about 25%, in the concentrate composition.
One or more enzymes may optionally be added to the formulation to aid in
degrading carbonaceous material present in the animal waste. For example,
proteases or
amylases may be added to the formulation to aid in digesting proteins or
polysaccharides,
respectively.
Enzymes also aid in decomposing microorganisms present in the waste, thereby
enhancing the sanitizing effect of the formulation. Furthermore, destruction
of odour-
causing bacteria in the waste improves the odour of the waste and enhances the
feeling
of sanitization.
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In one embodiment, enzymes are present in the formulation in an amount up to
about 3% in the concentrate composition.
A protease may be present in the formulation in a range from 0.1% to
about 10.0%, preferably 0.1% to about 5.0%, more preferably from about 0.1 %
to
about 1.0%, in the concentrate composition. An exemplary protease preparation
is
AlcalaseTM 3.OT, commercially available from Novozymes North America, Inc
(Franklinton, NC). In the formulation exemplified in Table 3, the
concentration of protease
is 0.8 %.
An amylase may be present in the formulation in a range from 0.1% to
about 10.0%, preferably 0.1% to about 5.0%, more preferably from about 0.1 %
to
about 1.0%, in the concentrate composition. An exemplary amylase preparation
is
TermamylTM T, commercially available from Novozymes North America, Inc
(Franklinton,
NC). In the formulation exemplified in Table 3, the concentration of amylase
is 0.2%.
In determining the optimal pH of the formulation, an acidic pH both inhibited
the growth of bacteria present in the waste and assisted in neutralizing
odour. Thus, while
a basic or neutral pH is permissible in accordance with the present invention,
an
acidic pH, i.e. pH less than about 7, is preferred when cationic surfactants
such as
Cola@Lipid C are employed.
Where a cationic surfactant is used in the formulation of the present
invention, the
antimicrobial activity of the surfactant is enhanced in an acidic environment.
An acid may
optionally be added to the formulation to enhance the antimicrobial activity
of the
particular surfactant, particularly where a cationic surfactant is used. By
way of example,
addition of citric acid in the formulation exemplified in Table 3
significantly enhanced the
antimicrobial activity of Cola@Lipid C compared to the same formulation
without citric
acid.
Other exemplary acids include, but are not limited to, acetic acid, propionic
acid,
oxalic acid and lactic acid.
The acid may be present in the formulation in a range from about 0.1 % to
about 10.0 !0, preferably 0.1% to about 5.0%, more preferably from about 0.1 %
to
about 1.0% in the concentrate composition. In the formulation exemplified in
Table 3, the
concentration of citric acid is 0.15%.
One option in the prior art to minimize the malodor of feces is to apply
specific
enzymes or microorganisms. However, the action of bacteria or relevant enzymes
is not
very fast in neutralizing odors. Some existing enzyme-based products promise
fast
results in 2 to 12 hours, which timeframe is generally not considered to be
"fast".
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In the present invention, one option to reduce malodor was to take advantage
of
the basic or acidic character of malodorous components of feces and to use pH
to reduce
malodor. The malodor components of feces and urine derive almost exclusively
from protein fermentation and can be divided into five categories, which are:
ammonia in
feces and urine, pHenois and indoles in feces and urine, branched-chain fatty
acids in
feces, amines in feces, and volatile sulfur-containing compounds in feces. The
compounds can be made non-odorous if they are transformed into non-volatile
products.
In general, the higher the molecular weight of a compound, the higher its
boiling point and
the less volatile it is. Compounds that are ionic are generally not volatile.
Furthermore,
compounds capable of the formation of hydrogen bonds will be of much lower
volatility. In
order for such compounds to become vapors they must overcome the forces of
hydrogen
bonds in addition to other forces.
Amines exhibit basic properties and include the malodorous amines potentially
present in dog feces, such as putrescine and cadaverine, and indoles including
skatole.
Ammonia, amines (such as putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine), and indoles
(such as
skatole) react with acid to form relevant, non-volatile (ionic) salts. Amines
can be oxidized
to nitroso or nitro compounds, amine oxides and hydroxylamines, depending on
the
oxidizing agent and whether the amine is primary, secondary or tertiary.
Phenols, hydrogen sulfide, thiols, and carboxylic acids exhibit an acidic
character.
Many of these acidic compounds are malodorous components of feces. An increase
in pH by reaction with a base transforms some pHenols (such as p-cresol),
branched-
chain carboxylic acids (such as isobutyric, vale(c, and isovaleric) and
hydrogen sulfide
and thiols (mercaptans) into relevant, non-volatile salts. For example, some
pHenois can
be oxidized to quinones. However, by far, the most important oxidation in the
context of
odor is the oxidation of sulfur in sulfur-containing compounds to sulfur-
oxygen bonds to
produce higher boiling, hydrogen bond-forming (for example, with water), and
water-
soluble products. Thiols can be oxidized to non-volatile sulfonic acids,
sulfides can be
oxidized to sulfoxides and sulfones. Additionally, thiols can be oxidized with
mild oxidants
to disulfides (hydrogen sulfide can be oxidized with hydrogen peroxide to
elemental
sulfur).
Based on the above and without being bound by any particular theory, it is
thought
that destruction of amines and ammonia from urea compounds in the waste is
enhanced
in an acidic environment, i.e. pH below 7, thereby reducing odour caused by
these
compounds. In basic conditions, i.e. pH above 7, it is thought that thiols
(i.e. mercaptans)
are transformed into non-volatile salts thereby reducing odour.
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One embodiment of the formulation uses an acidic pH (for example, pH about 2.0-
6.5, about 3.0-6.0, about 4.0-5.0, or about 4.0), to remove amines while
destroying the
acidic malodor components by oxidation.
Another embodiment of the formulation uses a basic pH (for example pH
about 7.5-11.0, about 8.0-10.0, about 9.0-10.0 or about 9.0), to address
pHenols,
hydrogen sulfide, thiols, and/or carboxylic acids while destroying the acidic
malodor
components by oxidation.
Unfortunately, an increase or decrease in pH does not significantly affect
malodorous sulfides (thioethers such as dimethylsulfide) and low molecular
weight
disulfides. Thus, while it was hoped to achieve fast removal of most
malodorous
compounds by decreasing pH, this gave only partial success. It was found that
addition of
an oxidizing agent, such as sodium perborate trihydrate or the like, to the
formulation
significantly reduced malodours in the feces. Without being bound by any
particular
theory, it is believed that odours derived from thioethers (sulfides) and
disulfides, which
cannot be addressed by employing acidic or basic pH, are addressed in the
presence of
the oxidizing agent.
Aqueous solutions of oxidizing agents, such as sodium perborate and
metachloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA), destroy the malodor very effectively. It is
believed
that this is due to sulfur atoms being oxidized to sulfoxides and/or sulfones.
Many oxidizing agents are known to execute some or all of the above
oxidations.
They include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide (ex. in water or in
acetic acid),
sodium perborate, benzoyl peroxide, di-sodium pHosphate, potassium
permanganate,
air/oxygen, dimethyidioxirane, peracids such as peracetic and
peroxytrifluoroacetic, t-
butyl hydroperoxide, sodium chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, potassium hydrogen
persulfate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarbonate among others.
Preferred oxidizing agents for use in the formulation of the present invention
are
those that are least harmful to humans and animals, such as hydrogen peroxide,
sodium
perborate, sodium persulfate and sodium percarbonate.
Sodium perborate is preferred in one embodiment of the formulation of the
present invention since it has been shown to execute most of the oxidation
reactions of
interest. The inventors have also demonstrated that it effectively minimizes
the malodor of
feces. However, there is a potential concern with the environmental impact of
boron
compounds and thus certain caution must be exercised when using boron
compounds.
The inventors have shown that most oxidants are effective as components of the
inventive formulation, even when they act indirectly by releasing hydrogen
peroxide.
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The oxidizing agent may be present in the formulation in any suitable amount,
for
example, an amount from about 0.01% to about 5%, more preferably from about
0.1% to
about 0.5% in the concentrate composition. In the formulation exemplified in
Table 3, the
concentration of oxidant is 0.3%.
In one embodiment, the formulation comprises 0.3% sodium percarbonate with a
formulation pH of about 9. In another embodiment, the formulation comprises
0.3%
sodium persulfate at a formulation pH of about 9.
In an alternative embodiment, an aqueous solution comprising hydrogen peroxide
at about 0.1 !o - 0.5%, preferably about 0.25%, at a formulation pH of about
4 to about 5,
is employed. Hydrogen peroxide slowly decomposes but this is inhibited in
acidic solution.
Foamants generally give a user an enhanced feeling that the formulation is
actually "working". Foamants suitable for use in accordance with the present
invention
include, but are not limited to, Cola Mate SS40 (disodium cocamido-MIPA
sulfosuccinate), Cola Mate DSLS and Cola l.ux Cao-35. Foamants may be present
in
the formulation in any suitable amount, for example, an amount from about
0.01% to
about 5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1% in the concentrate
composition.
In the formulation exemplified in Table 3, the concentration of foamant is
0.5%.
Colourants may be used to give the formulation a pleasant appearance.
Exemplary colourants are those selected from the OrcotergeT''" line of tints,
which are
specialty dyes specifically selected for applications to detergents, chemical
blends, and
coatings, commercially available from Organic Dyestuffs Corporation (East
Providence,
RI). For example, OrcotergeT"'' Brilliant Green AN-PH is used in the
embodiment of the
formulation shown in Table 3. Colourants may be present in the formulation in
any
suitable amount, for example, an amount from about 0.01% to about 5%, more
preferably
from about 0.01% to about 0.1% in the concentrate composition. In the
formulation
exemplified in Table 3, the concentration of colourant is 0.01%.
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Table 1. Exemplary General Formulation For Treating Animal Waste (Concentrate
Composition)
CATEGORY FUNCTION PERCENT %
Surfactant Antimicrobial, helps 0.5 - 50.0
disintegrate the
material
Enzymes Digest organic matter 0.0 - 3.0
Acid Antimicrobial, 0.0 - 5.0
maintains pH required
for other in redients
Colourant Gives color, no 0.0 - 5.0
functionalit
Foamant The visualize detergent 0.0 - 5.0
action
Oxidizing agent Forms sulfur-oxygen 0.0 - 5.0
bonds, for example
transforms sulfides into
sulfoxides and
sulfones.
Solvent make up to 100%
Table 2. Exemplary Formulation For Treating Animal Waste (Concentrate
Composition)
CATEGORY INGREDIENT FUNCTION PERCENT (%)
exem l.a
Surfactant Cola@ Lipid C Antimicrobial, to help 15 - 25
(ex. cationic) disintegrate the material
Enzyme Alcalase 3.OT Hydrolyses proteins 0.1 -1.0
(ex. protease)
Enzyme Termamyl T Hydrolyses most 0.1 -1.0
(ex. am ase polysaccharides
Acid Citric Acid Antimicrobial, to 0.1 - 0.2
maintain pH required for
other ingredients
Colourant Orcoterge Gives green color, no 0.01 - 1
Brilliant Green AN- functionality
PH
Foamant Cola@Mate SS-40 The visualize detergent 0.01 -1
action
Oxidizing Sodium Perborate To transform sulfur 0.1 - 0.5
agent tetrahydrate compounds into non-
volatile, water soluble
products
Solvent Water 70.3 - 84.58
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Table 3. Embodiment of Formulation For Treating Animal Waste (Concentrate
Composition)
CATEGORY INGREDIENT FUNCTION PERCENT %
Surfactant Coia Lipid C Antimicrobial, to help 19.5
(cationic) disintegrate the
material
Enzyme Alcalase 3.OT Protease; Hydrolyses 0.8
roteins
Enzyme Termamyf T Amylase; Hydrolyses 0.2
most polysaccharides
Acid Citric Acid Antimicrobial, 0.15
maintains pH required
for other ingredients
Colourant Orcoterge Brilliant Gives green color, no 0.01
Green AN-PH functionality
Foamant Cola Mate SS-40 The visualize detergent 0.5
action
Oxidant Sodium Perborate To transform sulfur 0.3
Tetrahydrate compounds into non-
volatile, water soluble
products
Solvent Water 78.54
The formulation is preferably prepared as a concentrate composition. The
concentrate composition may be applied directly to the animal waste but is
preferably
diluted at the time of, or just prior to, application to the animal waste. The
concentrate
composition is diluted with a suitable diluent, preferably water, for example,
at a ratio of
about 1: 10 to about 1: 200 when the waste is to be treated.
In one embodiment, the concentrate composition is prepared by first thoroughly
dissolving a colourant in a selected quantity of carrier or solvent,
preferably water. The
surfactant, or combination of surfactants, and foamants are then added gently,
with non-
vigorous mixing to minimize formation of foam. Enzyme, oxidizing agent, and
other
optional ingredients are added, as desired, and gently mixed. It is
advantageous to add
enzymes dissolved in a small amount of water or other solvent. Finally, water
or other
suitable solvent is added carefully to bring the solution up to the required
final mass.
The formulation is preferably applied by spraying or blasting the waste with
the
diluted formulation. For example, the concentrate composition can be diluted
and applied
to the animal waste using a spray bottie. In a preferred embodiment, the
formulation is
applied using a sprayer attached to a garden hose or the like, or a
specialized device
having a means for providing a pressurized jet of fluid, to dilute the
concentrate
composition during, or just prior to, applying the treatment.
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In one particular embodiment, the formulation is used in conjunction with the
waste disintegrator described in United States Patent Application 60/810,764,
filed
June 2, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, a sprayer,
for
providing the concentrate composition, is attached to a hose, such as a garden
hose or
other device for providing a pressurized jet of fluid. This is where the
dilution step occurs.
The resultant jet of fluid includes the formulation of the present invention
in diluted form,
and is applied at pressure to break up the solid waste. This pressurized
application
increases the disintegration of the solid waste and increases the surface area
over which
the surfactant and other active ingredients in the formulation can act on the
waste.
The surfactant breaks down organic matter and destroys mucus, polysaccharides
and the cell walls of microorganisms present in the waste. It also breaks up
aggregates of
microorganisms, thereby increasing access to the individual microorganisms to
enhance
microbial destruction. Although the surfactant will not sterilize the solid
waste, it does
significantly reduce the pathogens and sanitize it. Another advantage of this
method of
application is that disintegration and dilution allow the waste to readily
soak into
the ground or flow to a drain in the street to thereby dispose of the waste.
Example 1
The Effect of Various Additives on the Lowerinq of Animal Waste Bio-Burden
Materials and devices were as follows:
1. Dog waste collected at the local "Animals in Distress" facility (note: the
specimen was ref(gerated and replenished every 4 weeks)
2. Homogenizer
3. Sterile Erlenmeyer flasks
4. Vortex
5. Eppendorf pipetter
6. Graduated cylinder
7. Sterile pipette tips
8. Sterile test vials
9. Solid bacterial medium on Petri dishes (agar plates)
10. Deionized water (freshly boiled and cooled to the room temp)
11. Balance
The Protocol was as follows:
1. A specific amount of a dog waste weighed with the accuracy of 1 mg
(usually between 3 and 7 g) was transferred into the sterilized homogenizer.
In a set of
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experiments performed on a given day the mass of all the samples were the same
within
200 mg.
2. All the required additives were weighed out using the same balance and
introduced into a specific amount of deionized, freshly boiled (but cooled to
room
temperature) water (usually between 50.0 g and 100.0 g) in the sterilized
Erlenmeyer
flask.
3. Next, the aqueous solution of additives was transformed into the
homogenizer.
4. The mixture was mixed at low (18,000 RPM) for a specific amount of time
(usually 30 seconds).
5. The resulting suspension was transferred to the sterilized Erlenmeyer flask
and gradually diluted 10 times in several subsequent dilution steps.
Initially, 5.0 mL of the
non-diluted solution was added to 45.0 mL of deionized, freshly boiled water.
The
Eppendorf pipettes were used for further dilutions and in each case 0.100mL of
the
previous sample after vortex was added to 0.900 mL of deionized, freshly
boiled water in
a sterile vial. Usually, 6 or 7 dilutions were performed. In every set of
experiments one
sample consisted of the feces and water only. All the results were measured
against this
sample.
6. After all the dilutions were finished, 100 microliters of each diluted
sample was spread (sterile tip) onto a Petri dish with agar solid medium (kept
in the
refrigerator and removed from the refrigerator about 6 hours prior to
experiments). Then,
all the Petri dishes were tumed upside down for about 20 minutes and returned
to the
original position after the agar was clearly dried.
7. The dishes were left for 48 or 72 hours at ambient temperature.
8. Next, each sample was counted to determine the number of CFUs (colony
forming units).
Table 4 below shows results from a typical experiment.
Table 4: Results from a typical experiment:
Waste Water Detergent Acid or Enzyme pH Foam Suspension
(g) (mL) (g) base (g) Protease formed color
Aldrich
1 3.951 75.0 none none 0 7 none dark
2 4.095 75.0 Cola Lipid Acetic 0.35 0.490 4 plenty light
1.050 Citric 0.25
3 4.061 75.0 Cola Lipid Acetic 0.40 0 4 plenty light
1.01 Citric 0.25
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Waste Water Detergent Acid or Enzyme pH Foam Suspension
(g) (mL) (g) base (g) Protease formed color
(Aldrich)
4 4.022 75.0 SDS KHCO3 0.501 8.5 plenty dark
0.196 0.231
4.021 75.0 S1210 Acetic 0.40 0 4 much light
0.400 Citric 0.25 less
6 4.021 75.0 S1210 Acetic 0.40 0.58 4 much light
0.386 Citric 0.25 less
7 4.102 75.0 BTMA Acetic 0.38 0.59 4 very rather dark
0.23 Citric 0.24 little
SDS = sodium dodecyl sulfate
BTMA = benzyltrimethylammonium chloride
The results (counted CFUs) after 72 hours on agar were as follows: Sample 1:
CFUs after 5 dilutions, 2 CFUs after 6 dilutions; Sample 2: 200 CFUs after 2
dilutions,
12 CFUs after 3 dilutions; Sample 3: 200 CFUs after 2 dilutions, 15 CFUs after
3 dilutions; Sample 4: 36 CFUs after 4 dilutions, 3 CFUs after 5 dilutions;
Sample 5:
40 CFUs after 3 dilutions, 3 CFUs after 4 dilutions; Sample 6: 60 CFUs after 3
dilutions,
8 CFUs after 4 dilutions; and Sample 7: 40 CFUs after 3 dilutions, 5 CFUs
after
4 dilutions. The final number represents the agar plate still containing CFUs.
The next
agar plate did not contain any CFUs. For example the difference between sample
2 and
1 is more than two orders of magnitude.
Example 2
The Effect of Various Additives on the Rate of Disintegration of Animal Waste
Materials and devices were as follows:
1. Dog waste collected at the local "Animals in Distress" facility (note: the
specimen was refrigerated and replenished every 4 weeks)
2. Sterile Erlenmeyer flasks
3. Balance
4. Magnetic stirrer and bars
5. Deionized water (freshly boiled and cooled to the room temp)
The protocol was as follows:
1. The selected amount of feces was weighed out with the accuracy of
10 mg. All the samples had the same mass within 200 milligrams.
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2. Next, the sample was transformed to the Erienmeyer flask and treated with
the selected amount of deionized water (100.0 g) containing either no
additives or
selected additives.
3. The mixture was mixed at specific rate (about 90 rpm) using a magnetic
bar inside the solution and a magnetic stirrer. The amount of time necessary
to produce a
uniformly distributed suspension was measured.
Table 5 below shows results from a typical disintegration experiment.
Table 5. Results from a typical disintegration experiment:
Mass of Mass of Detergent and amount Time until feces
waste water disintegration
5.03 90.0 none 16 minutes
5.03 90.0 Tween 80 (non-ionic) - 0.60 g 2 minutes
4.95 90.0 Triton X100 (non-ionic) - 0.62 g 4 minutes
4.96 90.0 Sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic) - 0.14 g 1 minute
5.01 90.0 Cola lipid (cationic) - 0.59 g 1 minute
Example 3
The Effect of Various Additives on the Rate of Malodor Disappearance
Materials and devices were as follows:
1. Dog waste collected at the local "Animals in Distress" facility (note: the
specimen was refrigerated and replenished every 4 weeks)
2. Sterile beakers
3. Balance
4. Hot plate, magnetic stirrer and bars
5. Deionized water (freshly boiled and cooled to the room temp)
6. pH-meter
The protocol was as follows:
1. The specific amount of feces was weighed (about 4.0 g; accuracy of 1 mg)
out and transferred to the 200 mL beaker. The amount of feces did not differ
between
samples more than 0.20 g.
2. 100.0 g of aqueous solution containing either no additives or the selected
ones weighed at the same balance (accuracy of I mg) was added to the beaker.
3. The sample was located on a hot plate and stirred magnetically at 40 C in
the fume hood.
4. The samples were checked for the released smell every few minutes.
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Typical experiment and results were as follows:
50.0 mL of deionized water containing selected quantities of detergent, pH
affecting agent and protease (same concentration as in the formulation divided
by 50
since this is the planned dilution with water), pH affecting agent and
protease
a. no additives
b. Cola Lipid (0.20 g); protease (Alcalase 3.OT, 0.008 g), sodium perborate
tetrahydrate (0.012 g), citric acid (to adjust pH to about 3.0),
c. Cola Lipid (0.20 g); protease (Alcalase 3.OT, 0.008 g), sodium perborate
tetrahydrate (0.012 g), sodium hydrogen carbonate (to adjust pH to about
10.0),
d. Cola Lipid (0.20 g); protease (Alcalase 3.OT, 0.008 g), 5% hydrogen
peroxide (0.100 g), citric acid (to adjust pH to about 3.0)
was added to 3.00 g of the dog waste. The mixtures were located in the fume
hood, heated on the hot plate to 40 C and stirred magnetically. The malodor of
the
samples b, c and d disappeared practically instantaneously. The malodor of the
sample "a" disappeared after about 30 minutes.
The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples
only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the
particular
embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention,
which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
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