Salicylaldehyde-containing composition having antimicrobial and fragrancing properties and process for using same

The present invention relates to fragrance compositions exhibiting antimicrobial activity with a hedonically acceptable odor. The present invention also relates to antimicrobial-flavor compositions which are capable of eliminating one or more microorganisms from a solid or semisolid surface (e.g., skin) or a three-space inhabited by said microorganisms, which compositions include salicylaldehyde and at least one organoleptically compatible antimicrobial synergism cofactor substance. Described are synergistic antimicrobial-fragrance compositions including broad spectrum antimicrobial compositions containing salicylaldehyde and at least one organoleptically-compatible antimicrobial synergism cofactor substance. The weight ratio range of salicylaldehyde:synergism cofactors substance is from 1:10 up to 10:1. The cofactor substance is such that the degree of synergism of the resultant mixture is defined according to the IFF Antimicrobial Synergism Test wherein the difference between the actual and expected antimicrobial values of the mixture is greater than or equal to a multiple of (i) 0.05 and (ii) the expected antimicrobial value of the mixture. Cofactor substances include phenolics such as cresol, caravacrol and thymol; ethyl vanillin; benzyl alcohol; indol; -orcinol; and terpinenol-4. Microorganisms against which the synergistic compositions are effective include:andThe compositions have application in all-purpose cleaning compositions, gel-type toilet rim articles, liquid-type toilet rim articles, personal shower cleaning compositions, and body and hair care products including shower gel compositions, shampoo compositions and foam bath compositions.