Boronium ion antimicrobial additive for enhanced disinfectant and detergent performance

Overview

This technology centers on a novel benzyl-derived boronium ion that serves as a highly effective antimicrobial additive for household and industrial cleaning products. Laboratory testing has demonstrated that the boronium ion is up to 8X more effective than a leading commercial quaternary ammonium disinfectant (Bacdown Quat Detergent Disinfectant) at inhibiting bacterial growth, including against typically antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Beyond disinfection, the boronium ion also exhibits strong surfactant properties, making it a dual-function additive that can enhance both antimicrobial performance and cleaning/stain-removing capability when formulated into laundry detergents and surface disinfectants. Importantly, formulations containing the boronium ion are expected to be non-damaging to fabrics, addressing a common limitation of harsher disinfectants.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Novel benzyl-derived boronium ion with combined antimicrobial and surfactant activity
• Antimicrobial action likely mediated through solubilization of cell plasma membranes, insertion into cytoplasm, and disruption of cell metabolism
• Validated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) results against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli
• 4X more effective than Bacdown Quat on E. coli (MIC 40 µg/mL vs 170 µg/mL) and S. aureus (MIC 20 µg/mL vs 80 µg/mL)
• 8X more effective than Bacdown Quat at inhibiting P. aeruginosa (MIC 170 µg/mL vs 1410 µg/mL)
• Boron-containing chemistry supports enzyme stabilization, dye transfer inhibition, and wax/oil emulsification
• Biostatic against bacteria and fungi, with potential applicability across metals, glass, bathroom surfaces, floors, and equipment

Planned validation:

• Antifungal MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration testing against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus (including dormant spores and growing hyphal fragments)
• Antiviral testing against SARS-CoV-2
• Time-to-kill studies for bacterial, fungal, and viral inactivation

Technology readiness level

The boronium ion has completed initial laboratory validation against three bacterial species using standard clinical microbiology methods, with MIC and MBC data already in hand. The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development (TRL approximately 3–4). Additional validation is planned to extend efficacy claims to fungi (yeasts and molds), viruses including SARS-CoV-2, and to establish time-to-kill kinetics. An industry partner is being sought to support the costs of these upcoming studies. The research team includes Dr. James H. Davis Jr. as a co-investigator, bringing chemistry expertise to support formulation and scale-up considerations.