Wipe coated with a botanical composition having antimicrobial properties

Abstract

A wipe containing a fibrous web on which is coated an antimicrobial composition is provided. The composition includes a botanical oil derived from a plant (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.). Because the oil is volatile and tends to evaporate and lose efficacy prior to use, a protein is also employed to enhance the composition's long term stability and antimicrobial efficacy. The protein tends to form a substantially continuous film when coated onto the fibrous web. Because such proteins are typically stiff and brittle, a continuous film would restrict the ability of the fibers to move and bend, reducing web flexibility and drape. Thus, it is typically desired that the antimicrobial composition form a discontinuous coating on the web. In this regard, the present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the addition of an organopolysiloxane can help achieve a discontinuous coating without adversely impacting the ability of the protein to stabilize the oil.