Natural plant-made micro-emulsions as germ-killing actives

Overview

PhytoCentric Solutions LLC, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, has developed proprietary plant-made microemulsions that serve as highly effective antimicrobial actives. These formulations achieve greater than 5-log reductions of major foodborne pathogens in water when diluted at 1:200 within just 5 minutes, with continued improvement in germ-killing performance over time. The technology targets key pathogens including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes, making it well-suited for integration into disinfectant products and other consumer health applications.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Proprietary plant-made microemulsion formulations developed through university research
• Effective at high dilution ratios of 1:200 while maintaining potent antimicrobial activity
• Rapid kill time of 5 minutes or less in aqueous matrices
• Concentration-dependent antimicrobial efficacy
• Storage time-dependent activity enhancement, meaning effectiveness improves as the product ages

Validated pathogen targets:

• Salmonella enterica — demonstrated significant reductions with many instances of no detectable survivors
• Escherichia coli O157:H7 — achieved ≥5 log reductions depending on initial inoculum levels
• Listeria monocytogenes — consistent concentration-dependent kill performance

Performance highlights:

• Up to ≥5 log reductions observed on various food matrices
• Statistically significant differences between controls and treatments (p <0.05) across multiple test conditions
• Flexible concentration and combination options for diverse application contexts

Technology readiness level

The technology has progressed through extensive laboratory validation, including systematic evaluation against three major foodborne pathogens at varying concentrations. Testing has been completed on multiple food matrices, demonstrating consistent and significant pathogen reductions. Future validation efforts are planned in partnership with industry collaborators to test the microemulsions against additional germs of interest across specific matrices, concentrations, and exposure times. The anticipated research timeline is 6 to 12 months depending on scope, with support needed for personnel, supplies, and data analysis. The technology is positioned for collaborative co-development toward commercial disinfectant and consumer product applications.