| United States Patent Application |
20020187203
|
| Kind Code
|
A1
|
|
Cioca, Gheorghe
; et al.
|
December 12, 2002
|
Stable antimicrobials in structured water
Abstract
The invention relates to structured water and the ability to achieve
antimicrobial activity when the structured water has two antimicrobial
agents in its cluster structure. One of the two antimicrobial agents can
be stabilizing agent for the other antimicrobial agent. Thus, the
antimicrobial structured water contains a combination of positively
charged ions having antimicrobial activity and a stabilizing agent
present within its cluster structure. In particular, the present
invention relates to potassium sorbate and ionic silver incorporated
within the cluster structure of either electropositive (S water) or
electronegative (I water). The structured water, having the stabilizing
agent and the positively charged ions incorporated within the cluster
structure of structured water acts as a preservative when used in
cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. The structured water of the
present invention also has a stabilizing effect on the antimicrobial
activity of the ionic silver. The present invention also includes methods
of treating, ceasing or retarding the onset of skin diseases associated
with microbes, and thereby, promotes the overall general health of the
skin.
| Inventors: |
Cioca, Gheorghe; (Lake Grove, NY)
; Ionita-Manzatu, Mirela Cristina; (Old Bethpage, NY)
; Schnittger, Steven F.; (Huntington Station, NY)
; Ionita-Manzatu, Vasile; (Old Bethpage, NY)
; Bevacqua, Andrew J.; (East Setauket, NY)
|
| Correspondence Name and Address:
|
KENYON & KENYON
ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK
NY
10004
US
|
| Serial No.:
|
838649 |
| Series Code:
|
09
|
| Filed:
|
April 19, 2001 |
| U.S. Current Class: |
424/600; 424/618; 514/574 |
| U.S. Class at Publication: |
424/600; 424/618; 514/574 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61K 033/00; A61K 033/38; A61K 031/19 |
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A structured water comprising a cluster structure and at least two
antimicrobial agents within said cluster structure.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein one of said antimicrobial agents is
a silver ion having a valency selected from the group consisting of one,
two, and three.
3. The composition of claim 2 wherein one of said antimicrobial agents is
potassium sorbate.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said cluster structure further
comprises electronegative aggregates of water molecules forming I water.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said cluster structure further
comprises electropositive aggregates of water molecules forming S water.
6. A structured water prepared by adding an antimicrobial effective amount
of silver ions and potassium sorbate to an unstructured feed water,
reducing the surface tension of the feed water, and processing the feed
water in a device for producing structured water.
7. The structured water of claim 6 wherein said feed water has a pH of
about 5.0 to 7.5 and a conductivity of about 350 to 550 .mu.S/cm.
8. The structured water of claim 6 wherein the step of reducing the
surface tension further comprises passing the feed water through a
tourmaline filter.
9. A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition containing the structured
water of claim 1.
10. The composition of claim 9 wherein one of said antimicrobial agents is
a silver ion having a valency selected from the group consisting of one,
two, and three.
11. The composition of claim 9 wherein said structured water is selected
from the group consisting of I water, S water, and a combination thereof.
12. The composition of claim 11 wherein said structured water is I water.
13. A topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising the
structured water of claim 6.
14. A method of producing structured water having antimicrobial activity
comprising the steps of integrating silver ions and a stabilizing agent
within a cluster structure of the structured water.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of integrating the silver ions
and the stabilizing agent within the cluster structure further comprises
the steps of adding silver ions and the stabilizing agent to unstructured
feed water, and processing the feed water in a device for producing
structured water.
16. The method of claim 14 in which the stabilizing agent is potassium
sorbate.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of reducing the
surface tension of the unstructured feed water.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of reducing the surface
tension comprises passing the feed water through a tourmaline filter.
19. A method of ceasing or retarding the growth of bacteria comprising the
step of applying the structured water of claim 1 to the skin.
20. A method of ceasing or retarding the growth of microbes comprising
applying to the skin the structured water of claim 1.
21. A method of stabilizing silver ions having antimicrobial activity
comprising the steps of preparing feed water containing 0.001 to about
1.0 mg/100 ml monovalent silver ions and 10 to 200 mg/100 ml potassium
sorbate, passing the feed water through a tourmaline filter, and
processing the tourmaline treated feed water in a structured water
producing device.
22. A method of preserving a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition
comprising adding to the composition the structured water of claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to antimicrobial structured water and
compositions containing antimicrobial structured water. In particular,
the invention relates to the cluster structures of structured water
containing silver ions, and the stabilization of the antimicrobial
activity of silver ions by being present within the cluster structure of
structured water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Silver complex compounds and
colloidal silver are believed to have
therapeutic and antibacterial activity. Since about the time of the
Vikings (800 A.D.), silver has been heralded for its bactericidal
activity. In ancient times, for example, there was the belief that
disease could not be transmitted by drinking from a silver cup. Today,
eating utensils are still referred to their common name "silverware" even
though their actual composition is typically stainless steel. In the
early part of the 20.sup.th century, silver was ground into ultrafine
particles and suspended in water for therapeutic uses. In this form, it
is commonly referred to as
colloidal silver and it has been used for
infections, diseases, and burns. When antibiotics were developed on a
commercial basis, around the end of World War II, the use of silver
waned.
[0003]
Colloidal silver is a suspension of monovalent silver particles in
a colloidal base, typically water. The silver particles are positively
charged and have a minute particle size, approximately 0.001 to 0.006
microns. The smaller the particle size of the silver, the greater the
therapeutic effect of
colloidal silver is believed to be. To produce
colloidal silver, a small generator emits a small D.C. current through an
electrolyte with silver electrodes. A voltage of about 30 V is
recommended. Minute molecular sized particles, having a positive
electrical charge, are drawn off of the positive electrode. The positive
charge of the particles is important to maintain the therapeutic and
antibacterial activity of the silver. Numerous ultrafine silver
particles, which are positively charged, creates a large force of
repulsion among the individual particles and prevents them from
agglomerating. However, the electrical charge is unstable and gradually
dissipates. The particle size of the silver increases as it loses its
positive charge, and produces varying colors. The color of the suspension
changes from yellow, to brown, to red, to gray, and finally to black as
the particle size grows. Thus, the presence of color indicates that the
silver particles are inferior.
[0004] Proteins are known to stabilize the silver ionic particles in
suspension. The protein increases the viscosity of the colloidal solution
and keeps the silver particles in suspension for a longer period of time.
However, after time, the silver particles still settle out and the
solution must be agitated to redisperse the particles. In addition, the
use of stabilizers also has an adverse effect on the beneficial effects
of the silver particles themselves. Other alternatives to
colloidal
silver which have been proposed to avoid the stability problems
associated with the monovalent silver ion are, for example, polyvalent
forms of silver. In particular, silver (II, III) disinfectants have been
reported as having improved activity compared to monovalent silver, and
further, specific silver (II, III) compounds have been reported as being
stable against photodegradation unlike monovalent silver. "Silver (II,
III) Disinfectants" Soap/Cosmetics/Chemical Specialties, March, 1994,
pgs. 52 to 59. The use of silver ion salts are also known to be
irritating to the skin, and mucous membranes. To protect silver from the
light, because it is photosensitive, special packaging requirements must
be employed such as the use of dark glass bottles.
[0005] The purity of the water in which silver ions are suspended is an
important factor in making
colloidal silver and also contributes to the
size of the silver particles produced. High quality distilled water is
preferable. However, the use of structured water has not previously been
suggested in relation to the suspension of silver ions for use as an
antimicrobial. Developments in water technology have led to the
development of structured water, commonly referred to as I and S water.
It has been postulated that water, itself, may in fact change structure
and function once it has been taken into tissues and cells (see, e.g.,
Stillinger, F. H., "Water Revisited", Stillinger, Science, vol. 209: no.
4455, pp. 451-57, 1980). Taking this theory into consideration, the use
of I and S structured waters in compositions has increased. For example,
several oil-in-water emulsions are disclosed in RO 107546, RO 107545, and
RO 107544 using structured water. These compositions relate to the use of
structured water in specific cosmetic products, for the treatment of oily
skin, dry skin, or acne.
[0006] Different biological properties have been suggested for the two
types of structured water. S water is said to have a stimulatory effect
on enzymatic and other biosynthetic processes; whereas, I water is said
to be inhibitory of the same processes. Substantial differences are found
among the UV spectra of I, S, tap and deionized waters, particularly in
the 200 to 250 nm band. When their reactivities are measured in an
electronographic field, I, S and tap waters also show significant
differences. In particular, with respect to tap water, the total light
flux emitted after electronographic stimulation with a positive impulse,
I.sup.+, is substantially equivalent to its negative impulse, I.sup.-.
For structured water, on the other hand, S water stimulated in the same
way exhibits a very high light reactivity to a positive impulse, while
its reactivity to a negative impulse is almost equivalent to that of
distilled water, yielding a positive to negative ratio of greater than 1.
Further in contrast, I water samples show a high light reactivity to a
negative impulse, with reactivity to a positive impulse approximately
equivalent to distilled water, and having a ratio of positive to negative
less than 1.
[0007] It is known to add active agents, as separate and individual
components, to structured water. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,855, for example,
I and S waters are described as being able to enhance the level of
certain types of actives, including an antioxidant. This result has been
observed with materials of very distinct chemical identity and biological
activity, particularly, caffeine an anti-irritant, and BHT as an
antioxidant. However, these biological actives are in combination with
the structured water (i.e., the active is separate from the cluster
structures of the structured water). It is also described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/632059 that compounds having antioxidant activity
can be incorporated in the cluster structure of structured water.
[0008] It has now surprisingly been discovered that structured water is
capable of stabilizing the antimicrobial activity of silver ions while
maintaining its beneficial effects in combating bacteria, yeast, fungus,
and viruses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to structured water comprising
cluster structures having at least two antimicrobial agents within its
cluster structures, and compositions containing the structured water of
the present invention. The antimicrobial activity of the agent arranged
within the cluster structure of structured water is stabilized.
Specifically, the antimicrobial agents are ionic silver and potassium
sorbate because they are particularly suited for incorporation into the
cluster structure of structured water. The structured water of the
present invention, having the ionic silver and potassium sorbate in its
cluster structure, can be added to cosmetic or pharmaceutical
compositions in an antimicrobial effective amount, to preserve and
protect the composition against microbes. In addition, the compositions
can be topically applied to the skin to protect the skin from microbes,
and to treat or retard the growth of microbes which increase the
likelihood of the onset of skin diseases.
[0010] The ionic silver and potassium sorbate are integrated in the
cluster structure of structured water by feeding a solution of
unstructured feed water containing silver ions and potassium sorbate
through a device for producing structured water. The silver particles are
added to the feed water before the structured water is produced. Passing
the combined silver particles and feed water through the device causes
the feed water to divide into fractions of clusters which form the
cluster structures of the structured water. The silver ions and potassium
sorbate are integrated within the cluster structures. The present
invention also includes a method of stabilizing the antimicrobial
activity of the ionic silver as the silver ions are protected against
agglomeration when they are inside of the cluster structures of the
structured water. The surface tension of the feed water is reduced before
treating the feed water in the device for producing structured water. In
addition, a stabilizing agent, potassium sorbate, can be added to the
unstructured and untreated feed water. Because of the ability to protect
the skin and its surface from microbes, the structured water compositions
of the present invention also aid in promoting the health of the skin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It has now been discovered that ionic silver and potassium sorbate
can be incorporated into the cluster structure of structured water. The
silver ions are incorporated in the cluster structure and stabilized by
the presence of the potassium sorbate. The resulting structured water has
antimicrobial activity and the silver does not precipitate out of the
structured water. As noted above, structured water is known in the art.
In general, structured water contains electronegative and electropositive
clusters of water molecules stabilized by ions. Each of these two types
of clusters, when they are present in water, is commonly referred to as
"I water" and "S water". On the one hand, I water contains
electronegative clusters of water molecules stabilized by a majority of
anions, and conversely, on the other hand, S water contains
electropositive clusters of water molecules stabilized by a majority of
cations. In each case of I water and S water, cluster structure
stabilizing anions are, for example, Cl.sup.-, PO.sub.4.sup.-3,
SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions and cluster structure stabilizing cations are, for
example, Ca.sup.+2, Mg.sup.+2, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ ions. Interaction of the
dipolar molecular structure of feed water containing stabilizing ions
with an electrical field simultaneously produces I and S water. In
general, the conductivity of I water is characterized by C (.mu.S/cm) of
about 900 to 3500, and a pH of about 2.0 to 4.0; and the conductivity of
S water is characterized by C (.mu.S/cm) of about 600 to 2500, and a pH
of about 10.0 to 12.0.
[0012] The structured I water of the present invention having silver ions
and potassium sorbate in its cluster structure is characterized by C
(.mu.S/cm) of about 1500 to 3000, and a pH of about 2.0 to 3.5. The
structured S water of the present invention, with the silver ions and
potassium sorbate in its cluster structure has a C (.mu.S/cm) of about
600 to 2000, and a pH of about 10.0 to 13.0. It is believed that I water
has less silver ions and potassium sorbate in its cluster structure than
S water. The concentration of cluster structure stabilizing cations and
anions in the feed water used to produce the structured water affects the
stability of the silver ions within the cluster structure of structured
water. In addition, if the amount of the silver ions is too great, they
will precipitate out because the are not part of the cluster structure.
This will be evidenced by, for example, the presence of silver ions that
settle out of the structured water. Precipitation of silver is similarly
experienced with
colloidal silver when it is subjected to normal
environmental conditions. Stability of the silver ions in the cluster
structure is also enhanced by reducing the surface tension of the feed
water. Therefore, the feed water can be pre-treated to reduce its surface
tension. When the silver ions and the potassium sorbate are nestled in
the cluster structure of structured water, the present invention protects
the silver ions from destabilizing factors, such as, for example, light
and oxygen. The silver ions and the potassium sorbate are protected while
also providing desirable anti-microbial activity. The antimicrobial
activity of the structured water of the present invention is stable for
years, more specifically about 1 to 5 years.
[0013] Although the ions of the ionic component stabilize the cluster
structure of structured water, it has been surprisingly discovered by
extensive research that the addition of silver ions and potassium sorbate
to the feed water causes them to be integrated within the cluster
structure when processed in a structured water producing device. The
antimicrobial structured water is effective against yeast and bacteria.
Specifically, I water is effective against yeast and bacteria, and S
water is effective against bacteria. While not wishing to be bound by any
particular theory, the antimicrobial activity of structured water is more
effective than simple addition of traditional antimicrobials to water.
Traditional antimicrobials physically kill microbes by coming into
contact with the microbe. However, it is believed that specific wave
frequencies of the cluster structure containing the silver ions and
potassium sorbate have a fatal effect on the microbes. The synergism of
the silver ions, with the other cluster structure stabilizing ions in the
cluster structure, upon being incorporated into the cluster structure
creates an in-phase oscillation of a particular frequency and wavelength.
Traditionally, the antimicrobial itself has to come into physical contact
with the microbe, however, with the present invention, it is the
frequency of waves that acts on the microbe to bring about its death. The
antimicrobial and/or antibacterial activity of the structured water, and
as used in the present specification, the terms "antimicrobial and
antibacterial activity", refer to the ability to act as a preservative
and the ability to exhibit preservative activity as such is known in the
art.
[0014] Silver ions incorporated within the cluster structure of structured
water have a positive electrical charge, large mass, and large ionic
radius. The ability to enrich structured water with silver ions is
surprising because of their large ionic radius. The other cluster
structure stabilizing ions have a considerably smaller ionic radius than
the silver ion. Therefore, there is no room for the silver ion to replace
the other stabilizing ions, and the large silver ion is not simply
incorporated into the cluster structure of structured water. However, it
has been discovered that the potassium ion causes a perturbation in the
cluster structure that opens a space for the large silver ion to enter
into the cluster structure system.
[0015] The silver ions incorporated within the network of the cluster
structure, can be added to the feed water as, for example, silver
nitrate, silver lactate, silver, and any other water soluble source of
silver ion. The concentration of silver ions in the unstructured feed
water is about 0.001 to about 1.0 mg/100 ml, preferably 0.01 to 0.5
mg/100 ml, and more preferably about 0.02 to 0.4 mg/100 ml, as measured
by atomic absorption analytical methods. The resulting structured water
having ionic silver in its cluster structure contains about 0.01 to about
0.5 mg/100 ml of ionic silver. It is believed that some of the silver
ions may be lost during filtering and structured water processing. The
potassium sorbate, is added to the feed water in an amount of about 10 to
200 mg/100 ml, and preferably 20 to 140 mg/100 ml, potassium sorbate. In
the structured water, potassium is present in greater amounts in the S
water than in the I water.
[0016] The stability of the silver ions in the structured water is also
dependent upon reducing the surface tension of the feed water. Thus, the
inherent surface tension of the feed water is reduced before treating it
with the electrostatic field. Alternatively, water without any
stabilizing ions or antimicrobials can be treated to reduce its surface
tension (i.e., plain water). Any known method can be used to reduce
surface tension of the feed water. However, in the present invention, to
reduce the surface tension, preferably, a tourmaline filter is used.
Tourmaline, well known as a gem, exhibits an unusual variety of
pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. In the present invention, the
filter can take on any shape, but is preferably a cylinder closed at each
end by covers which hold inlet and outlet tubes. The filter material
inside of the cylinder is made of symmetrical layers of ceramic particles
of various sizes. There are at least three particle sizes used in the
filter. The ceramic particles are coated with tourmaline, and each of the
layers as well as the ends of the tube are separated by foam and/or
sponge.
[0017] The feed water is fed through the filter at a flow rate of about 10
to 200 L/hour. Due to the electrostatic fields of tourmaline crystals,
dissociation of water occurs and produces H.sup.+ ions and OH.sup.- ions,
and finally produces hydronium ions H.sub.3O.sup.+ and hydrated hydroxyl
ion H.sub.3O.sub.2.sup.- which act as a surfactant. The tourmaline
treated water is ready for use as the feed water to be fed through the
structured water making device. Another tourmaline filter suitable for
lowering surface tension is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,089, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0018] Feed water used to make the structured water of the present
invention comprises a stabilizing ionic component in addition to the
silver ions and potassium sorbate. The stabilizing ionic component
supports the cluster structure of the structured water, and therefore, as
a consequence, stabilizes the structured water itself. The feed water is
an aqueous solution and has a C (.mu.S/cm) of about 350 to about 550 and
a pH of about 5.0 to about 7.5. The aqueous solution can be deionized
water, distilled water or tap water. Preferably, the water is deionized
water. Specifically, the feed water solution is prepared with a cluster
structure stabilizing ionic component of extremely small concentrations
of cations and anions such as for example, CaCl.sub.2, MgCl.sub.2,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, KH.sub.2PO.sub.4, and KNO.sub.3. The range of
concentrations of ions in the ionic component can be, for example,
CaCl.sub.2 in an amount of about 5.00 to 100.00 mg/100 ml of the feed
water, MgCl.sub.2 in an amount of about 1.00 to 10.00 mg/100 ml,
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 in an amount of about 2.00 to 90.00 mg/100 ml,
KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 in an amount of about 0.20 to about 2.00 mg/100 ml, and
KNO.sub.3 in an amount of about 0.90 to 9.00 mg/100 ml. For example, the
ion content of the ionic component can be 11.00 mg/100 ml CaCl.sub.2,
4.20 mg/100 ml MgCl.sub.2, 5.00 mg/100 ml Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.70 mg/100
ml KH.sub.2PO.sub.4, and 1.10 mg/100 ml KNO.sub.3. The feed water has,
for example, a pH of about 6.0 to 6.4 and a C (.mu.S/cm) of about 470 to
520.
[0019] After the desired feed water is prepared, it can be processed to
make the structured water. The present invention includes methods of
making structured water having positively charged silver ions and
potassium sorbate within its cluster structure. The process of making
structured water is described for example, in RO 88053 which describes a
method for producing "B" or basic (S-type) water, and RO 88054 which
discloses a method for making "A" or acid (I-type) water. Improvements in
simultaneously making either of these types of water are further
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,397. The content of each of these
documents is incorporated herein by reference. The structured water
making device uses one or several serial structuring cells placed in a
chemically inert parallelipipedic column made out of glass or plexiglass,
for example.
[0020] The cells are typically supported on four legs and are enclosed on
top by a cover, but other means of support and enclosure can be used.
Each structuring cell has a pair of activators and numerous working
spaces. The working spaces are generally arranged such that there are two
working spaces available to supply feed water, two working spaces each
for generating, and for gathering and disposing S water, and two working
spaces each for generating, and for gathering and disposing I water. In
the space for generating or producing the S water, the polarization and
energy needed for binding water molecules, by hydrogen and hydroxyl
bridges, in polymolecular aggregates (i.e., clusters) with radicals
(R.sub.m.sup.+ stabilizing ions), is present as a result of the
electrostatic field being about 80 to 120 V. Similarly, polymolecular
aggregates (i.e., clusters) with radicals (R.sub.k.sup.- stabilizing
ions) are simultaneously formed to make I water, in the space for
producing I water.
[0021] The activators are made of two inox stainless (e.g., stainless
steel) lamellar electrodes and are held tightly in place by a gasket in
the parallelipipedic column. The positive electrode is in the space for
gathering and disposing the I water and the negative electrode is in the
space for S water. The activators which are arranged as a sandwich of
chemically inert porous membranes are resistant to solutions having a pH
of about 2 to 14, by means of plastic spacing pieces. The feed water
passes through the activators. An electrostatic field of about 80 to 120
V is applied between the two electrodes in the structuring cell. The feed
water is fed through the parallelipipedic column with a volume, for
example, of about 80 to 220 L, at a flow rate of about 100 to 220 L/hour
to make structured water having the silver ions and potassium sorbate in
its clustered structure.
[0022] The structured water of the present invention does not require
special storage conditions or special packaging to protect it from
destabilizing factors. Further, the cluster structure of structured water
is very stable. The potential energy of the system of cluster structures
in structured water as a whole is minimized. In addition, the structured
water containing ionic silver in its cluster structure does not stain the
skin, as
colloidal silver is believed to cause argyria, nor does it
modify the color of the product in which it is contained. The structured
water having small amounts of silver ions and potassium sorbate in its
cluster structure has antimicrobial activity better than traditional
preservatives such as parabens, and the like. Therefore, the structured
water is useful for its antimicrobial properties and can be used in a
cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition as a replacement for added
preservative compounds. This aids in reducing formulation problems which
can occur with added preservatives that may interact with active agents
in the formula or other desired features of the formula.
[0023] Structured I or S water, or a combination of I and S water having
the silver ions and potassium sorbate within its cluster structure, can
constitute the entire aqueous component of the composition. Thus, the
structured water of the present invention can be used to provide
antimicrobial activity in any topical or non-topical cosmetic or
pharmaceutical product in which there is an aqueous component. In other
words, the structured water of the present invention having the silver
ions and potassium sorbate in its cluster structure acts as a
preservative. The present invention can be used as a preservative in
compositions without any added preservatives. The antimicrobial effective
amount of structured water having the silver ion and potassium sorbate in
its cluster structure when used in a cosmetic or pharmaceutical
composition can be 15.0 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the
composition as a whole, more preferably about 15 to 80 percent, and more
preferably about 15 to 60 percent.
[0024] Use of the term "antimicrobial effective amount" herein means an
amount sufficient to prevent, reduce, or cease the growth of microbes and
their harmful effects substantially equally to or better than about 0.01
to 0.50 percent, preferably about 0.02 to 0.20 percent paraben, silver
and potassium sorbate, or any other known preservatives, added to water
and simply comixed. The actual comparable amount varies depending on the
traditional antimicrobial being replaced and the microbe being protected
against. With respect to "antibacterial effective amount" as used herein
the same definition applies as previously defined for antimicrobial
effective amount except it applies only to bacteria. In addition, because
of its antimicrobial activity, the structured water of the present
invention can be used in products to clean tools and utensils such as
those used in medical facilities, surgical rooms, manufacturing
equipment, and manufacturing areas in an environmentally conscious
manner.
[0025] The structured water having silver ions and potassium sorbate in
its cluster structure can be used in a purely aqueous vehicle, a
hydroalcoholic vehicle, or it can be used as part of the aqueous phase of
any emulsion such as, for example, a water-in-oil or oil-in-water
emulsion to provide antimicrobial activity. The form the vehicle takes
can be any which is suitable for topical application to the skin, for
example, solutions, colloidal dispersions, emulsions, suspensions,
creams, lotions, gels, foams, mousses, sprays and the like. For example,
it can be used in skin care products, such as cleansers, toners,
moisturizers, masks, scrubs, and the like, and it can be used in makeup
products, such as lipsticks and glosses, foundations, blushes, eyeliners,
eyeshadows and the like. It will also be useful in treatment products,
including pharmaceutical products, in which the stability of the
antimicrobial is particularly crucial such as for example, ointments for
wound cleansing, and the like.
[0026] Other biological active agents can be added to the structured water
of the present invention or to the compositions containing the structured
water as long as the presence of the silver ions and potassium sorbate in
the cluster structure can be stabilized. The biological active agents are
simply added after processing the feed water to produce the antimicrobial
structured water or are added to compositions containing the structured
water. The type of biological active agent added, can be any which is
beneficially used in a topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition.
For example, additional actives include but are not limited to,
moisturizing actives, agents used to treat age spots, keratoses and
wrinkles, as well as analgesics, anesthetics, anti-acne agents, antiyeast
agents, antifungal agents, antiviral agents, antidandruff agents,
antidermatitis agents, antipruritic agents, antiemetics, antimotion
sickness agents, anti-irritant agents, anti-inflammatory agents,
antihyperkeratolytic agents, anti-dry skin agents, antiperspirants,
antipsoriatic agents, antiseborrheic agents, hair conditioners and hair
treatment agents, antiaging agents, antiwrinkle agents, sunscreen agents,
antihistamine agents, skin lightening agents, depigmenting agents,
wound-healing agents, vitamins, corticosteroids, self-tanning agents, or
hormones.
[0027] The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention.
EXAMPLES
Example I
[0028]
1
Antimicrobial Structured Water
Ion Amount (mg/100
ml)
CaCl(2) .times. 6 H(2)O 10.00
MgCl(2)
.times. 6 H(2)O 4.23
Na(2)SO(4) 5.00
KH(2)PO(4) 0.70
KNO(3) 1.00
Potassium Sorbate 40.00
Silver Nitrate
0.05
[0029] Feed water is prepared with the stabilizing cluster structure ionic
composition described above by adding each ion to the feed water. After
stabilizing ions are added, the potassium sorbate and silver nitrate are
added to the feed water. The resulting feed water has a conductivity of
about 450 to 550 .mu.S/cm and a pH of about 6.0 to 6.5. The feed water is
filtered through a tourmaline filter at a flow rate of about 200 L/hour,
and then it is fed into the structured water making device at a flow rate
of about 200 L/hour. The treated feed water is processed in a structured
water producing device which has spaces for gathering and disposing the I
water and S water. The spaces hold a volume of about 220 L. The dipolar
molecular structure of the feed water containing silver ions and
potassium sorbate is subjected to an electrostatic field having a voltage
of about 80 V which causes the cluster structuring process. Negative
R.sub.k.sup.- ions and negative ionic components of potassium sorbate
(i.e., sorbate ions) are in the majority and the positive R.sub.m.sup.+
ions (i.e., silver and potassium) are in the minority, and as a result of
dissociation of the feed water containing the silver ions and potassium
sorbate, they bind into clusters and migrate into the spaces for I water.
The resulting I water has a pH of about 2.2 to 2.5 and a conductivity of
about 1500 to 2200 .mu.S/cm. The other result of dissociation produces S
water where negative R.sub.k.sup.- ions are in the minority (i.e., the
sorbate ions), and the positive R.sub.m.sup.+ ions and positive ionic
components of silver ions and potassium ions are in the majority. The
resulting S water with mostly silver ions and potassium ions in its
cluster structure has a pH of about 11.2 to 11.5 and a conductivity of
about 1500 to 2000 .mu.S/cm.
Example II
[0030] Comparative Study
[0031] To demonstrate that the antimicrobial structured water of the
present invention exhibits improved activity over simple addition of
traditional antimicrobials to water, a comparative study is conducted. A
sample of antimicrobial I and S water is compared with deionized water
containing 40 mg/100 ml potassium sorbate, and the feed water used to
make the I and S water. The feed water is prepared as described in
Example I except that the feed water is not treated for cluster
structuring for purposes of the comparative study. The deionized water
containing 40 mg/100 ml potassium sorbate is prepared by simply adding
potassium sorbate to the water, i.e., not treated to incorporate
potassium sorbate into the cluster structure of structured water. Samples
of antimicrobial I and S water samples prepared as described in Example
1. The test is a 10.sup.6 inoculation where each of five pools are
inoculated with enterococcus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus
aureus, yeast and mold respectively, for each of the four samples. The
samples are reinoculated after 3 weeks and reinoculated again after 6
weeks. All five pools demonstrate antimicrobial activity for I water
after the initial inoculation and the two subsequent reinoculations.
Results indicate that S water exhibits activity against enterococcus,
pseudomonas aeruginosa, and staphylococcus aureus, and therefore,
demonstrates antibacterial activity. In comparison, however, four of the
five pools of the feed water are contaminated after the first
reinoculation, and demonstrate that the feed water with silver ions and
potassium sorbate simply added to water, lack comparable antimicrobial
activity. Finally, all of the pools of the deionized water containing 40
mg/100 ml potassium sorbate, failed to demonstrate antimicrobial
activity. Moreover, these pools failed after the initial inoculation.
Therefore, the antimicrobial activity of the I and S water of the present
invention is due to the incorporation of silver ions and potassium
sorbate in the cluster structure of the structured water.
Example III
[0032]
2
Makeup Remover Containing Antimicrobial Structured Water
Ingredient Percent
Antimicrobial Structured Water
90.00
Sucrose 0.50
Butylene glycol 4.00
Sodium
chloride 0.20
Anti-irritant 1.20
Mild surfactant 4.00
Arginine 0.10
[0033] This example illustrates the cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition
containing structured water having silver ions and potassium sorbate in
its cluster structure according to the present invention. When the silver
ions and potassium sorbate are present within the cluster structure of
structured water, the antimicrobial structured water is stable and does
not succumb to the threat of instability due to external factors.
