| abstract |
Mixtures with antimicrobial activity contain a synergistically active combination of (A) at least one aromatic alcohol, which has antimicrobial activity, of the formula I <IMAGE> (B) at least one diol, which has antimicrobial activity, of the formula (II> R<2>-CHOH-(CHR<3>)x-CH2OH (II) Suitable and preferred aromatic alcohols are phenylethyl alcohol and hydrocinnamyl alcohol. Preferred diols are alkanediols and glycerol monoethers in which x is 0, R<2> is an alkyl or alkoxymethyl group with 8 to 14 C atoms in the alkyl or alkoxy group. The mixtures are particularly suitable as preservatives for aqueous formulations containing components which can undergo microbial degradation. |