U.S. patent application number 09/822301 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-27 for cleaning of fruit, vegetables, and meats.
Invention is credited to Giesen, Brigitte, Meine, Georg, Ziganke, Kerstin.
Application Number | 20010056047 09/822301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7636529 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010056047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meine, Georg ; et
al. |
December 27, 2001 |
Cleaning of fruit, vegetables, and meats
Abstract
A low-foaming clear composition for cleaning fruit, vegetables,
or meat that can be diluted by the user before use and/or directly
sprayed on and that shows high cleaning performance, particularly
in dissolving wax, and also high wetting power. The compositions
contain C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides.
Inventors: |
Meine, Georg; (Mettmann,
DE) ; Giesen, Brigitte; (Duesseldorf, DE) ;
Ziganke, Kerstin; (Duesseldorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Glenn E.J. Murphy
Henkel Corporation, Patent Law Dept.
2500 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 200
Gulph Mills
PA
19406
US
|
Family ID: |
7636529 |
Appl. No.: |
09/822301 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
510/111 ;
510/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 1/8255 20130101;
C11D 1/662 20130101; A23L 5/57 20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
510/111 ;
510/470 |
International
Class: |
A01K 043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2000 |
DE |
100 15 126.4 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of cleaning fruit, vegetables, or meat, comprising the
steps of applying a cleaning effective amount of one or more
C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides to a piece of fruit, vegetable, or
meat in need of cleaning of soil, residue, coating, or any other
undesirable substance, and removing the one or more C.sub.4-9 alkyl
polyglycosides and the of soil, residue, coating, or other
undesirable substance from the fruit, vegetable, or meat by an
appropriate means.
2. A water-based composition for cleaning fruit, vegetables, or
meat, comprising one or more C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides.
3. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more additional
surfactants.
4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the one or more additional
surfactants comprise one or more nonionic surfactants.
5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the one or more additional
surfactants comprise one or more C.sub.10-22 alkyl
polyglycosides.
6. The composition of claim 2, comprising no soaps.
7. The composition of claim 2, comprising no anionic
surfactants.
8. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more complexing
agents
9. The composition of claim 3, comprising one or more complexing
agents.
10. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more pH
regulators.
11. The composition of claim 9, comprising one or more pH
regulators.
12. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more organic
solvents.
13. The composition of claim 11, comprising one or more organic
solvents.
14. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more
antimicrobial agents.
15. The composition of claim 13, comprising one or more
antimicrobial agents.
16. The composition of claim 2, comprising one or more
perfumes.
17. The composition of claim 15, comprising one or more
perfumes.
18. The composition of claim 2, having a pH value of 1 to 14.
19. The composition of claim 2, having a pH value of 2 to 13.
20. The composition of claim 2, having a pH value of 3 to 12.
21. The composition of claim 2, having a pH value of 3.5 to 11.
22. The composition of claim 2, having a pH value of 4 to 10.5.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
of DE 100 15 126.4, filed Mar. 28, 2000 in the German patent
office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the cleaning of fruit
and vegetables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is generally known and recognized among consumers that
fruit and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before eating to
remove dirt and other unwanted residues which can undesirably
adhere to their surfaces. In addition, some consumers like to
remove the artificial "wax-like" coating which is applied to some
fruit in order to delay the loss of moisture for an extended life
and to improve appearance. A majority of consumers are aware of the
need for thorough cleaning but generally use only tap water for
this purpose. Only a small percentage of consumers use a domestic
cleaner--normally a manual dishwashing detergent--to achieve more
thorough cleaning. However, dishwashing detergents are only
suitable to a limited extent for this application because they are
generally characterized by vigorous foaming and a stable foam which
makes them difficult to remove from the fruit and vegetables washed
with them. The formulation of really effective compositions for
cleaning fruit and vegetables, particularly those which can be
safely used by individual consumers, also represents a particular
problem insofar as many known cleaning ingredients do not appear
suitable for use in direct contact with foods from which they might
not be able to be completely removed again.
[0004] In addition, it would be particularly desirable to provide
effective, toxicologically safe compositions for cleaning fruit and
vegetables in the form of substantially low-foaming liquid
solutions which are clear or at least only very slightly cloudy.
Liquid solutions are convenient for the user because they can be
directly applied to "dirty" fruit and vegetables and then rinsed
off with tap water. The clarity of the liquid signifies cleanliness
to the user and is thus particularly desirable. The low foaming is
another important attribute which guarantees quick and easy removal
of the solution by rinsing. In addition, it would be of advantage
if such compositions could be formulated as concentrates which can
be diluted by the consumer before use and/or sprayed directly onto
the fruit and vegetables.
[0005] In addition, many toxicologically safe cleaning ingredients
do not meet the above-mentioned need for clear, low-foaming,
dilutable liquid products. Thus, many surfactants form cloudy or
even opaque suspensions in water. Moreover, many surfactants are
actually formulated to be high-foaming. Also, concentrated
surfactants form phases that are relatively difficult to
handle.
[0006] Water-based compositions for cleaning fruit and vegetables
which contain oleic acid or oleate are known from International
patent applications WO 95/12326 A1, WO 97/01288 A1, WO 97/01289 A1,
WO 97/01290 A1, WO 97/15202 A1 and WO 98/18352 A1. C.sub.10-18
alkyl polyglucosides are disclosed as optional nonionic
surfactants. Unfortunately, the compositions in question tend to
cloud undesirably in both concentrated and dilute form,
particularly where they are used with hard water.
[0007] The problem addressed by the present invention was to
overcome some or all of the difficulties mentioned above and to
provide a clear composition for cleaning fruit and vegetables which
would develop high cleaning performance, particularly in removing
waxes, and wetting power and which would remain clear even in the
presence of hardness elements introduced into the cleaning process
both via water and via the dirt on the fruit/vegetables to be
cleaned.
[0008] This problem is surprisingly solved by the use of C.sub.4-9
alkyl polyglycosides.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of one
or more C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides for cleaning fruit and/or
vegetables.
[0010] Accordingly, in a second embodiment, the present invention
relates to a water-based composition suitable for cleaning fruit
and/or vegetables containing one or more C.sub.4-9 alkyl
polyglycosides.
[0011] The composition according to the invention is also suitable
for cleaning meat. Accordingly, in a third embodiment, the present
invention relates to the use of a composition according to the
invention for cleaning fruit, vegetables and/or meat.
[0012] In the context of the teaching according to the invention,
fruit is understood in particular to be the fruit--edible raw--of
perennial trees and bushes growing wild or in plantations.
[0013] Vegetables in the context of the teaching according to the
invention are understood in particular to be any annual plants or
parts thereof which are used raw or processed for human
nutrition.
[0014] Meats in the context of the teaching according to the
invention are understood in particular to be any parts of animals,
for example ungulates, such as cattle or pigs, and of fowl, fish
and other saltwater and freshwater animals.
[0015] Substances which also serve as ingredients of cosmetic
preparations may be referred to in the following by their names
under the INCI nomenclature (INCI=International Nomenclature of
Cosmetic Ingredients). Chemical compounds bear an INCI name in
English while vegetable ingredients are all referred to by their
Latin names according to Linn, so-called trivial names such as
"water", "honey" or "sea salt" also being shown in Latin. The INCI
names can be found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient
Dictionary and Handbook--7th Edition (1997) which is published by
the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA), 1101 17th
Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA and which
contains more than 9,000 INCI names and references to more than
37,000 commercial names and technical names, including the
associated distributors from more than 31 countries. The
International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook assigns
the ingredients to one or more chemical classes, for example
Polymeric Ethers, and one or more functions, for example
Surfactants--Cleansing Agents, which in turn are explained in
detail and to which reference may also be made in the
following.
[0016] The initials CAS mean that the following sequence of digits
is a reference number of the Chemical Abstracts Service.
[0017] Unless otherwise stated, the embodiments of the invention
described in the following always relate to all three subjects of
the invention, i.e. uses, compositions and procedures, even when
they are explicitly disclosed for only one subject, for example a
composition or a use.
[0018] In selecting the ingredients to be used, the expert
routinely takes into account the requirements arising from the
particular application envisaged for the composition.
Alkyl Polyglycosides
[0019] The short-chain C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides (APG-I)
essential to the invention preferably correspond to general formula
I:
R.sup.1O(AO).sub.a1[G].sub.x1 (I)
[0020] in which
[0021] R.sup.1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated
alkyl group containing 4 to 9, preferably 5 to 9, more preferably 6
to 9, most preferably 7 to 9 and, in one most particularly
preferred embodiment, 8 to 9 carbon atoms,
[0022] [G] is a glycosidic sugar unit, more particularly a glucose
unit,
[0023] x1 is a number of 1 to 10, preferably 1.1 to 3, more
preferably 1.2 to 2, most preferably 1.3 to 1.8 and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 1.4 to 1.6,
[0024] AO is a C.sub.2-4 alkyleneoxy group, preferably an
ethyleneoxy and/or propyleneoxy group and more preferably an
ethyleneoxy group and a1 stands for the average degree of
alkoxylation of 0 to 20, preferably 0 to 10, more preferably 0 to 5
and most preferably 0.
[0025] The group (AO).sub.a1 may also contain different alkyleneoxy
units, for example ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units, in which
case a1 stands for the average total degree of alkoxylation, i.e.
the degree ethoxylation and the degree of propoxylation added
together. The alkyl group R.sup.1 is preferably saturated and more
particularly saturated and linear. Unless indicated in detail or
otherwise indicated in the following, the alkyl groups R.sup.1 of
the APG-I are linear saturated groups with the indicated number of
carbon atoms.
[0026] Alkyl polyglycosides (APGS) are nonionic surfactants and
represent known substances which may be obtained by the relevant
methods of preparative organic chemistry. The index x1 indicates
the degree of oligomerization (DP degree), i.e. the distribution of
mono- and oligoglycosides, and is a number of 1 to 10. Whereas x1
in a given compound must always be an integer and, above all, may
assume a value of 1 to 6, the value x1 for a certain alkyl
oligoglycoside is an analytically determined calculated quantity
which is generally a broken number. Alkyl glycosides having an
average degree of oligomerization x1 of 1.1 to 3.0 are preferably
used. Alkyl--glycosides having a degree of oligomerization of less
than 1.7 and, more particularly, between 1.2 and 1.6 are preferred
from the applicational point of view. The glycosidic sugar used is
preferably xylose but especially glucose.
[0027] The alkyl group R.sup.1 may be derived from primary alcohols
containing 4 to 9 carbon atoms. Typical examples are caproic
alcohol, caprylic alcohol and nonyl alcohol and mixtures thereof or
the technical mixtures containing them which are obtained as linear
alcohols, for example in the hydrogenation of technical fatty acid
methyl esters, or as branched alcohols, for example in the
hydrogenation of aldehydes from Roelen's oxosynthesis.
[0028] Particularly preferred APG-I are not alkoxylated (a1=0), for
example C.sub.8 and/or C.sub.9 alkyl polyglucoside with a DP of
1.4, 1.5 or 1.6, more particularly C.sub.8 alkyl polyglucoside with
a DP of 1.5 (C.sub.8 alkyl-1,5-glucoside).
[0029] Alkyl polyglycosides are obtainable, for example, under the
names of APG.RTM., Plantaren.RTM., Plantacare.RTM. and
Glucopon.RTM. from Cognis Deutschland GmbH and from Cognis
Corporation (USA).
[0030] The content of one or more C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides is
normally 0.01 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight,
more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, most preferably 1 to 5% by
weight and, in one most particularly preferred embodiment, 1.5 to
2% by weight, for example 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 or 1.9% by weight.
Other Surfactants
[0031] Besides the short-chain C.sub.4-9 alkyl polyglycosides
essential to the invention, the composition according to the
invention may contain one or more surfactants from the group of
nonionic, anionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants.
[0032] The total surfactant content is normally 0.01 to 50% by
weight, preferably 0.1 to 30% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 20%
by weight, most preferably 1 to 10% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 2 to 5% by weight, for example 3
or 4% by weight. The very high levels of up to 50% by weight can be
reached in concentrated or highly concentrated embodiments and
normally call for corresponding dilution before use.
[0033] The content by weight of short-chain C.sub.4-9 alkyl
polyglycoside (APG-I) essential to the invention, based on the
total surfactants, preferably based on the total nonionic
surfactants and more preferably based on the total alkyl
polyglycosides, is normally 10 to 100%, preferably 20 to 90%, more
preferably 30 to 80%, most preferably 40 to 70% and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 50 to 65%. In one particular
embodiment of the invention, the content by weight of APG-I, based
on the total surfactants, preferably based on the total nonionic
surfactants and more preferably based on the total alkyl
polyglycosides, is at least and more particularly above 50%.
Other Nonionic Surfactants
[0034] Suitable nonionic surfactants are, for example, other alkyl
polyglycosides, C.sub.6-22 alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers and
nitrogen-containing surfactants or even sulfosuccinic acid
C.sub.1-12 alkyl esters and mixtures thereof. Other nonionic
surfactants in the context of the invention are alkoxylates, such
as alkyl phenol polyglycol ethers, polyglycol ethers, end-capped
polyglycol ethers, mixed ethers and hydroxy mixed ethers and also
fatty acid polyglycol esters and fatty acid polyglycol ethers.
Suitable polyglycol ethers (polyalkylene glycols, polyglycols) are,
above all, polyethylene glycols (polymeric ethylene oxide) and
polypropylene glycols (polymeric propylene oxide) and block
polymers and block copolymers thereof.
[0035] The composition according to the invention contains one or
more other nonionic surfactants, more particularly other alkyl
polyglycosides, in a quantity--based on the composition--of
typically 0 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight,
more preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, most preferably 0.5 to 4% by
weight and, in one most particularly preferred embodiment, 1 to
1.5% by weight, for example 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4% by weight.
Other Alkyl Polyglycosides
[0036] In one preferred embodiment, the composition according to
the invention contains one or more long-chain C.sub.10-22 alkyl
polyglycosides (APG-II) in addition to the short-chain C.sub.4-9
alkyl polyglycosides essential to the invention (APG-I). In one
particular embodiment of the invention, the composition contains
only alkyl polyglycosides as surfactants.
[0037] The long-chain alkyl polyglycosides (APG-II) preferably
correspond to general formula II:
R.sup.2O(AO).sub.a2[G].sub.x2 (II)
[0038] in which
[0039] R.sup.2 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated
alkyl group containing 10 to 22, preferably 10 to 20, more
preferably 10 to 18, most preferably 11 to 16 and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 12 to 14 carbon atoms,
[0040] [G] is a glycosidic sugar unit, more particularly a glucose
unit,
[0041] x2 is a number of 1 to 10, preferably 1.1 to 3, more
preferably 1.2 to 2, most preferably 1.3 to 1.8 and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 1.4 to 1.6,
[0042] AO is a C.sub.2-4 alkyleneoxy group, preferably an
ethyleneoxy and/or propyleneoxy group and more preferably an
ethyleneoxy group and
[0043] a2 stands for the average degree of alkoxylation of 0 to 20,
preferably 0 to 10, more preferably 0 to 5 and most preferably
0.
[0044] Apart from the different number of carbon atoms in the alkyl
group, the foregoing observations on the APG-I apply equally to the
APG-II.
[0045] The alkyl group R.sup.2 may be derived from primary alcohols
containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms. Typical examples are capric
alcohol, undecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl
alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol,
oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, arachidyl
alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and erucyl alcohol and
mixtures thereof or the technical mixtures containing them which
are obtained as linear alcohols, for example in the hydrogenation
of technical fatty acid methyl esters, or as branched alcohols, for
example in the hydrogenation of aldehydes from Roelen's
oxosynthesis. The alkyl or alkenyl group R.sup.2 is preferably
derived from capric alcohol, undecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol,
myristyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol and mixtures thereof, more
particularly from capric alcohol and/or undecyl alcohol.
[0046] Particularly preferred APG-II are also not alkoxylated
(a2=0), for example C.sub.10 and/or C.sub.11 alkyl polyglucoside
with a DP of 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6, more particularly C.sub.10 alkyl
polyglucoside with a DP of 1.5 (C.sub.10 alkyl-1,5-glucoside).
[0047] Preferred mixtures of APG-I and APG-II contain C.sub.6-9
APG-I and C.sub.10-16 APG II, more particularly C.sub.8/9 APG-I and
C.sub.10-14 APG-II and most preferably C.sub.8/9 APG-I and
C.sub.10-12 APG-II, for example C.sub.6/8 APG-I and C.sub.10/12
APG-II, C.sub.8 APG-I and C.sub.10 APG-II, C.sub.8/9 APG-I and
C.sub.10-12 APG-II, Cg APG-I and C.sub.10/11l APG-II or C.sub.9
APG-I and C.sub.10 APG-II ("-" stands for "to"; "/" stands for
"and"; i.e. "C.sub.10-12" stands for "C.sub.10 to C.sub.12" whereas
"C.sub.6/8" stands for "C.sub.6 and C.sub.8" and does not include
"C.sub.7").
[0048] A suitable mixture of APG-I and APG-II contains--based on
the weight of the mixture--about 21% C.sub.9 APG-I, 45% C.sub.10
APG-II and 33% C.sub.11 APG-II and in all about 1% C.sub.8 APG-I
and C.sub.12 APG-II. Such a mixture with a DP degree of 1.4 is
obtainable as APG.RTM. 300 or Plantaren.RTM. 300 and--with a DP
degree of 1.6--as APG.RTM. 300 or Plantaren.RTM. 300 from Cognis
Deutschland GmbH (DE) or from Cognis Corporation (US).
[0049] A preferred mixture of APG-I and APG-II contains--based on
the weight of the mixture--about 0 to 2% C.sub.4/6 APG-I, 55 to 63%
C.sub.8 APG-I, 33 to 43% C.sub.10 APG-II and 0 to 7% C.sub.12
APG-II. Such a mixture with a DP degree of 1.4 is obtainable as
APG.RTM. 200 or Plantacare.RTM. 700, with a DP degree of 1.5 as
APG.RTM. 220, Plantacare.RTM. 220 or Glucopon.RTM. 215 and with a
DP degree of 1.6 as APG.RTM. 225, Plantacare.RTM. 800 or
Glucopon.RTM. 225 from Cognis Deutschland GmbH (DE) or from Cognis
Corporation (US). A mixture with a DP degree of 1.5 is particularly
preferred.
Alkyl Alcohol Polyglycol Ethers
[0050] C.sub.6-22 alkyl alcohol polypropylene glycol/polyethylene
glycol ethers are preferred known nonionic surfactants. They may be
described by formula
RO--(CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.p(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.e--H, in
which R is a linear or branched, aliphatic alkyl and/or alkenyl
group containing 6 to 22, preferably 8 to 18 and more preferably 10
to 16 carbon atoms, p is 0 or a number of 1 to 3 and e is a number
of 1 to 20.
[0051] The C.sub.6-22 alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers corresponding
to the above formula may be obtained by addition of propylene oxide
and/or ethylene oxide onto alkyl alcohols, preferably onto
oxoalcohols, the branched-chain primary alcohols obtainable by the
oxosynthesis, or onto fatty alcohols, more particularly onto fatty
alcohols. Typical examples are polyglycol ethers corresponding to
the above formula, in which R is an alkyl group containing 8 to 18
carbon atoms, p=0 to 2 and e is a number of 2 to 7. Preferred
representatives are, for example C.sub.10-14 fatty alcohol+1PO+6EO
ether (p=1, e=6), C.sub.12-16 fatty alcohol+5.5EO (p=0, e=5.5),
C.sub.12-18 fatty alcohol+7EO ether (p=0, e=7) and isodecanol+6EO
(R=isomer mixture of C.sub.10 oxoalcohol radicals, p=0, e=6) and
mixtures thereof. In particular mixtures, at least one
representative corresponding to the above formula with a linear
alkyl chain R is combined with at least one representative
corresponding to the above formula with a branched alkyl chain R,
for example C.sub.12-16 fatty alcohol+5.5EO and isodecanol+6EO. In
this case, the linear alkyl chain preferably contains more carbon
atoms than the branched alkyl chain. C.sub.8 fatty
alcohol+1.2PO+8.4EO, C.sub.8-10 fatty alcohol+5EO, C.sub.12-14
fatty alcohol+6EO and C.sub.12-14 fatty alcohol+3EO and mixtures
thereof are particularly preferred. Nonionic surfactants and alkyl
alcohol polyglycol ethers in particular produce an increase in the
volume of the lower phase.
[0052] End-capped C.sub.6-22 alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers, i.e.
compounds in which the free OH group in the above formula is
etherified, may also be used. The end-capped C.sub.6-22 alkyl
alcohol polyglycol ethers may be obtained by relevant methods of
preparative organic chemistry. Preferably, C.sub.6-22 alkyl alcohol
polyglycol ethers are reacted with alkyl halides, more especially
butyl or benzyl chloride, in the presence of bases. Typical
examples are mixed ethers corresponding to formula II, in which
R.sup.1 is a technical fatty alcohol moiety, preferably a
C.sub.12/14 cocoalkyl moiety, p=0 and e=5 to 10, which are
end-capped with a butyl group.
Nitrogen-containing Nonionic Surfactants
[0053] Suitable nitrogen-containing nonionic surfactants are, for
example, amine oxides, fatty acid polyhydroxyamides, for example
glucamides, and ethoxylates of alkyl amines, vicinal diols and/or
carboxylic acid amides containing alkyl groups with 10 to 22 carbon
atoms and preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. The degree of
ethoxylation of these compounds is generally between 1 and 20 and
preferably between 3 and 10. Ethanolamide derivatives of alkanoic
acids containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms and preferably 12 to 16
carbon atoms are preferred. Particularly suitable compounds include
lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid monoethanolamides.
Amine Oxides
[0054] Amine oxides suitable for the purposes of the invention
include alkyl amine oxides, more particularly alkyl dimethyl amine
oxides, alkylamidoamine oxides and alkoxyalkyl amine oxides.
Preferred amine oxides correspond to the formula
R.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3N.sup.+--O.sup.31 in which R.sup.1 is a
saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl group, preferably a
C.sub.8-18 alkyl group, more preferably a saturated C.sub.10-16
alkyl group, for example a saturated C.sub.12-14 alkyl group which,
in the alkylamidoamine oxides, is attached to the nitrogen atom N
via a carbonylamidoalkylene group --CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.z-- and,
in the alkoxyalkyl amine oxides, via an oxa-alkylene group
--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.z-- where z is a number of 1 to 10, preferably
2 to 5 and more preferably 3, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently
of one another represent an optionally hydroxysubstituted C.sub.1-4
alkyl group such as, for example, a hydroxyethyl group, more
particularly a methyl group.
[0055] Examples of suitable amine oxides are the following
compounds identified by their INCI names: Almondamidopropylamine
Oxide, Babassuamidopropylamine Oxide, Behenamine Oxide,
Cocamidopropyl Amine Oxide, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Cocamine
Oxide, Coco-Morpholine Oxide, Decylamine Oxide,
Decyltetradecylamine Oxide, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl
C8-10 Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl C9-11
Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl C12-15 Alkoxypropylamine
Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Cocamime Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Lauramine
Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Stearamine Oxide, Dihydroxyethyl Tallowamine
Oxide, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Amine Oxide, Hydrogenated
Tallowamine Oxide, Hydroxyethyl Hydroxypropyl C12-15
Alkoxypropylamine Oxide, Isostearamidopropylamine Oxide,
Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Oxide, Lauramidopropylamine Oxide,
Lauramine Oxide, Methyl Morpholine Oxide, Milkamidopropyl Amine
Oxide, Minkamidopropylamine Oxide, Myristamidopropylamine Oxide,
Myristamine Oxide, Myristyl/Cetyl Amine Oxide, Oleamidopropylamine
Oxide, Oleamine Oxide, Olivamidopropylamine Oxide,
Palmitamidopropylamine Oxide, Palmitamine Oxide, PEG-3 Lauramine
Oxide, Potassium Dihydroxyethyl Cocamine Oxide Phosphate, Potassium
Trisphosphonomethylamine Oxide, Sesamidopropylamine Oxide,
Soyamidopropylamine Oxide, Stearamidopropylamine Oxide, Stearamine
Oxide, Tallowamidopropylamine Oxide, Tallowamine Oxide,
Undecylenamidopropylamin- e Oxide und Wheat Germamidopropylamine
Oxide. A preferred amine oxide is, for example, Cocamine Oxide
(N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide), Dihydroxyethyl Tallowamine
Oxide (N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethyl amine oxide) and/or
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (cocoamidopropyl amine oxide), more
particularly Cocamidopropylamine Oxide.
Polyhydroxyfatty Acid Amides
[0056] Other suitable surfactants are polyhydroxyfatty acid amides
corresponding to formula (III): 1
[0057] in which RCO is an aliphatic acyl group containing 6 to 22
carbon atoms, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group
containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and [Z] is a linear or branched
polyhydroxyalkyl group containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 3 to 10
hydroxyl groups. The polyhydroxyfatty acid amides are known
substances which may normally be obtained by reductive amination of
a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and
subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or
a fatty acid chloride.
[0058] The group of polyhydroxyfatty acid amides also includes
compounds corresponding to formula (IV): 2
[0059] in which R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group
containing 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 is a linear, branched or
cyclic alkyl group or an aryl group containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms
and R.sup.2 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group or an aryl
group or an oxyalkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,
C.sub.1-4 alkyl or phenyl groups being preferred, and [Z] is a
linear polyhydroxyalkyl group, of which the alkyl chain is
substituted by at least two hydroxyl groups, or alkoxylated,
preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated, derivatives of that
group.
[0060] [Z] is preferably obtained by reductive amination of a
reduced sugar, for example glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose,
galactose, mannose or xylose. The N-alkoxy- or
N-aryloxy-substituted compounds may then be converted into the
required polyhydroxyfatty acid amides by reaction with fatty acid
methyl esters in the presence of an alkoxide as catalyst, for
example in accordance with the teaching of International patent
application WO-A-95/07331.
Anionic Surfactants
[0061] Suitable anionic surfactants are normally at least one
linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl or acyl group
containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms or a derivative thereof and at
least one anionic head group such as, for example, aliphatic
sulfates such as fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether
sulfates, dialkyl ether sulfates and monoglyceride sulfates,
aliphatic sulfonates such as alkane sulfonates, olefin sulfonates,
ether sulfonates, n-alkylether sulfonates, ester sulfonates and
lignin sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, fatty acid cyanamides,
sulfosuccinic acid esters, fatty acid isethionates, acylaminoalkane
sulfonates (fatty acid taurides), fatty acid sarcosinates, ether
carboxylic acids and alkyl (ether) phosphates.
[0062] Particularly suitable anionic surfactants are C.sub.8-18
alkyl sulfates, C.sub.8-18 alkyl ether sulfates, i.e. the sulfation
products of the above-described alkyl alcohol polyglycol ethers,
and/or C.sub.8-18 alkyl benzenesulfonates, more particularly
dodecyl benzenesulfonate, but also C.sub.8-18 alkanesulfonates,
C.sub.8-18 .alpha.-olefin sulfonates, sulfonated C.sub.8-18 fatty
acids, C.sub.8-22 carboxylic acid amide ether sulfates,
sulfosuccinic acid mono-C-.sub.1-2-alkyl esters, C.sub.8-18 alkyl
polyglycol ether carboxylates, C.sub.8-18 N-acyl taurides,
C.sub.8-18 N-sarcosinates and C.sub.8-18 alkyl isethionates and
mixtures thereof.
[0063] The anionic surfactants are normally used in the form of
their alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts, more
particularly sodium, potassium and magnesium salts, ammonium and
mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-alkyl ammonium salts and--in the case of
the sulfonates--in the form of their corresponding acid, for
example dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid. Where sulfonic acid is used,
it is normally neutralized in situ to the above-mentioned salts
with one or more corresponding bases, for example alkali metal and
alkaline earth metal hydroxides, more particularly sodium,
potassium and magnesium hydroxide, ammonia or mono-, di-, tri- or
tetra-alkylamine.
Soaps
[0064] The compositions according to the invention may also contain
one or more soaps, i.e. salts of saturated or unsaturated
C.sub.6-22 carboxylic acids, and/or the corresponding acids, for
their foam-suppressing properties. Preferred salts are the alkali
metal salts, more particularly the sodium and/or potassium salts
and most preferably the potassium salts. Preferred C.sub.6-22
carboxylic acids are saturated and/or unsaturated, particularly
monounsaturated, fatty acids containing 6 to 22, preferably 8 to
22, more preferably 10 to 20 and most preferably 12 to 18 carbon
atoms, for example oleic acid, stearic acid, tallow acid, lauric
acid and/or erucic acid (Z-13-docosenoic acid). However, soaps
regularly give rise to solubility problems and unwanted clouding
resulting therefrom, particularly if the water used is relatively
hard.
[0065] If one or more anionic surfactants, including the soaps, are
used, their content in the composition according to the invention,
based on the composition, is normally 0.01 to 30% by weight,
preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 20% by
weight, most preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 1 to 5% by weight, for example
2% by weight.
[0066] In one preferred embodiment, however, the composition
contains hardly any anionic surfactants including soaps in
accordance with the quantity data shown above and, in one
particularly preferred embodiment, is entirely free from soaps and
even from anionic surfactants.
Amphoteric Surfactants
[0067] Suitable amphoteric surfactants (zwitterionic surfactants)
are, for example, betaines, alkylamidoalkyl amines,
alkyl-substituted amino acids, acylated amino acids and
biosurfactants, of which the betaines are preferred for the
purposes of the invention.
[0068] If one or more amphoteric surfactants are used, their
content in the composition according to the invention, based on the
composition, is normally 0.01 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.1 to
20% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight and most
preferably 1 to 5% by weight
Betaines
[0069] Suitable betaines are the alkyl betaines, the
alkylamidobetaines, the imidazolinium betaines, the sulfobetaines
(INCI Sultaines) and the phosphobetaines and preferably correspond
to the formula (R.sup.A)(R.sup.B)(R.sup.C)N.sup.+CH.sub.2COO.sup.-,
where R.sup.A is a C.sub.8-25 and preferably C.sub.10-21 alkyl
group optionally interrupted by hetero atoms or hetero atom groups
and R.sup.B and R.sup.C may the same or different and represent
C.sub.1-3 alkyl groups, more particularly C.sub.10-18 alkyldimethyl
carboxymethyl betaines and C.sub.11-17 alkylamidopropyl dimethyl
carboxymethyl betaines, or to formula A:
R.sup.I--[CO--X--(CH.sub.2).sub.n].sub.x--N.sup.+(R.sup.II)(R.sup.III)--(C-
H.sub.2).sub.m--[CH(OH)--CH.sub.2].sub.y--Y.sup.- (A)
[0070] in which
[0071] R.sup.I is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl
group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and more preferably a
saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a saturated
C.sub.12-14 alkyl group,
[0072] X is NH, NR.sup.IV with the C.sub.1-4 alkyl group R.sup.IV,
O or S,
[0073] n is a number of 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5 and more
preferably 3,
[0074] x is 0 or 1, preferably 1,
[0075] R.sup.II and R.sup.III independently of one another
represent an optionally hydroxysubstituted C.sub.1-4 alkyl group
such as, for example, a hydroxyethyl group, but especially a methyl
group,
[0076] m is a number of 1 to 4, more particularly 1, 2 or 3,
[0077] y is 0 or 1 and
[0078] Y is COO, SO.sub.3, OPO(OR.sup.V)O or P(O)(OR.sup.V)O, where
R.sup.V is a hydrogen atom H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group.
[0079] The alkyl betaines and alkylamidobetaines, betaines
corresponding to formula A with a carboxylate group
(Y.sup.-.dbd.COO.sup.-), are also known as carbobetaines.
[0080] Preferred amphoteric surfactants are the alkyl betaines
corresponding to formula A1, the alkylamidobetaines corresponding
to formula A2, the sulfobetaines corresponding to formula A3 and
the amidosulfobetaines corresponding to formula A4:
R.sup.I--N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.2--CH.sub.2COO.sup.- (A1)
R.sup.I--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.3--N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.2--CH.sub.2COO.su-
p.- (A2)
R.sup.I--N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.2--CH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2SO.sub.3.sup.-
(A3)
R.sup.I--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.3--N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.2--CH.sub.2CH(OH)-
CH.sub.2SO.sub.3.sup.- (A4)
[0081] in which R.sup.I is as defined for formula A.
[0082] Particularly preferred amphoteric surfactants are the
carbobetaines and more particularly the carbobetaines corresponding
to formulae A1 and A2, the alkylamidobetaines corresponding to
formula A2 being most particularly preferred.
[0083] Examples of suitable betaines and sulfobetaines are the
following compounds identified by their INCI names:
Almondamidopropyl Betaine, Apricotamidopropyl Betaine,
Avocadamidopropyl Betaine, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine,
Behenamidopropyl Betaine, Behenyl Betaine, Betaine,
Canolamidopropyl Betaine, Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine,
Carnitine, Cetyl Betaine, Cocamidoethyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl
Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Betaine,
Coco-Hydroxysultaine, Coco/Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Sultaine,
Decyl Betaine, Dihydroxyethyl Oleyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Soy
Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Tallow
Glycinate, Dimethicone Propyl PG-Betaine, Erucamidopropyl
Hydroxysultaine, Hydrogenated Tallow Betaine, Isostearamidopropyl
Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Lauryl
Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Sultaine, Milkamidopropyl Betaine,
Minkamidopropyl Betaine, Myristamidopropyl Betaine, Myristyl
Betaine, Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Oleamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine,
Oleyl Betaine, Olivamidopropyl Betaine, Palmamidopropyl Betaine,
Palmitamidopropyl Betaine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Palm
Kernelamidopropyl Betaine, Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl
Betaine, Ricinoleamidopropyl Betaine, Sesamidopropyl Betaine,
Soyamidopropyl Betaine, Stearamidopropyl Betaine, Stearyl Betaine,
Tallowamidopropyl Betaine, Tallowamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine,
Tallow Betaine, Tallow Dihydroxyethyl Betaine, Undecylenamidopropyl
Betaine und Wheat Germamidopropyl Betaine. Ein preferred amphoteric
surfactant is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Cocoamidopropylbetaine). A
particularly preferred amphoteric surfactant is
Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine (CAB) which is commercially
obtainable, for example, as Tegotens.RTM. B 810 from Th.
Goldschmidt AG.
Alkylamido Alkylamines
[0084] The alkylamido alkylamines (INCI Alkylamido Alkylamines) are
amphoteric surfactants corresponding to formula B:
R.sup.VI--CO--NR.sup.VII--(CH.sub.2).sub.i--N(R.sup.VIII)--(CH.sub.2CH.sub-
.2O).sub.j--(CH.sub.2) .sub.k--[CH(OH)].sub.l--CH.sub.2--Z--OM
(B)
[0085] in which
[0086] R.sup.VI is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl
group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and more preferably a
saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a saturated
C.sub.12-14 alkyl group,
[0087] R.sup.VII is a hydrogen atom H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group,
preferably H,
[0088] i is a number of 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, more preferably
2 or 3,
[0089] R.sup.VIII is a hydrogen atom H or CH.sub.2COOM (for M, see
below),
[0090] j is a number of 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2, more preferably
1,
[0091] k is a number of 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1,
[0092] I is 0 or 1, k being 1 where I is 1,
[0093] Z is CO, SO.sub.2, OPO(OR.sup.12) or P(O)(OR.sup.12) where
R.sup.12 is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group or M (see below) and
[0094] M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth
metal or a protonated alkanolamine, for example protonated mono-,
di- or triethanolamine.
[0095] Preferred representatives correspond to formulae B1 to
B4:
R.sup.VI--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--N
(R.sup.VIII)--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O--CH.- sub.2--COOM (B1)
R.sup.VI--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--N(R.sup.VIII)--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O--CH.s-
ub.2CH.sub.2--COOM (B2)
R.sup.VI--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--N(R.sup.VIII)--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O--CH.s-
ub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2--SO.sub.3M (B3)
R.sup.VI--CO--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--N(R.sup.VIII)--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O--CH.s-
ub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2--OPO .sub.3HM (B4)
[0096] in which R.sup.VI, R.sup.VIII and M are as defined for
formula B.
[0097] Examples of alkylamido alkylamines are the following
compounds identified by their INCI names: Cocoamphodipropionic
Acid, Cocobetainamido Amphopropionate, DEA-Cocoamphodipropionate,
Disodium Caproamphodiacetate, Disodium Caproamphodipropionate,
Disodium Capryloamphodiacetate, Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate,
Disodium Cocoamphocarboxyethylhydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium
Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Disodium
Isostearoamphodiacetate, Disodium Isostearoamphodipropionate,
Disodium Laureth-5 Carboxyamphodiacetate, Disodium
Lauroamphodiacetate, Disodium Lauroamphodipropionate, Disodium
Oleoamphodipropionate, Disodium PPG-2-Isodeceth-7
Carboxyamphodiacetate, Disodium Stearoamphodiacetate, Disodium
Tallowamphodiacetate, Disodium Wheatgermamphodiacetate,
Lauroamphodipropionic Acid, Quaternium-85, Sodium
Caproamphoacetate, Sodium Caproamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium
Caproamphopropionate, Sodium Capryloamphoacetate, Sodium
Capryloamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Capryloamphopropionate,
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate,
Sodium Cocoamphopropionate, Sodium Cornamphopropionate, Sodium
Isostearoamphoacetate, Sodium Isostearoamphopropionate, Sodium
Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium
Lauroampho PG-Acetate Phosphate, Sodium Lauroamphopropionate,
Sodium Myristoamphoacetate, Sodium Oleoamphoacetate, Sodium
Oleoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Oleoamphopropionate, Sodium
Ricinoleoamphoacetate, Sodium Stearoamphoacetate, Sodium
Stearoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Stearoamphopropionate,
Sodium Tallamphopropionate, Sodium Tallowamphoacetate, Sodium
Undecylenoamphoacetate, Sodium Undecylenoamphopropionate, Sodium
Wheat Germamphoacetate und Trisodium Lauroampho PG-Acetate Chloride
Phosphate.
Alkyl-substituted Amino Acids
[0098] According to the invention, preferred alkyl-substituted
amino acids (INCI Alkyl-Substituted Amino Acids) are
monoalkyl-substituted amino acids corresponding to formula C:
R.sup.IX--NH--CH(R.sup.X)--(CH.sub.2).sub.u--COOM' (C)
[0099] in which
[0100] R.sup.IX is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl
group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and more preferably a
saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a saturated
C.sub.12-14 alkyl group,
[0101] R.sup.X is a hydrogen atom H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group,
preferably H,
[0102] u is a number of 1 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably
1, and M' is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth
metal or a protonated alkanolamine, for example protonated mono-,
di- or triethanolamine, alkyl-substituted imino acids corresponding
to formula D:
R.sup.XI--N--[(CH.sub.2).sub.v--COOM"].sub.2 (D)
[0103] in which
[0104] R.sup.XI is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl
group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and more preferably a
saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a saturated
C.sub.12-14 alkyl group,
[0105] v is a number of 1 to 5, preferably 2 or 3, more preferably
2, and
[0106] M" is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth
metal or a protonated alkanolamine, for example protonated mono-,
di- or triethanolamine; M" in the two carboxy groups may have the
same meaning or two different meanings,
[0107] for example may be hydrogen and sodium or just sodium, and
mono- or dialkyl-substituted natural amino acids corresponding to
formula E:
R.sup.XII--N(R.sup.XIII)--CH(R.sup.XIV)--COOM'" (E)
[0108] in which
[0109] R.sup.XII is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6-22 alkyl
group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and more preferably a
saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a saturated
C.sub.12-14 alkyl group,
[0110] R.sup.XIII is a hydrogen atom or an optionally hydroxy- or
amine-substituted C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, for example a methyl,
ethyl, hydroxyethyl or aminopropyl group,
[0111] R.sup.XIV is the residue of one of the 20 natural
.alpha.-amino acids H.sub.2NCH(R.sup.XIV)COOH and
[0112] M'" is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth
metal or a protonated alkanolamine, for example protonated mono-,
di- or triethanolamine.
[0113] Particularly preferred alkyl-substituted amino acids are the
aminopropionates corresponding to formula C1:
R.sup.IX--NH--CH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOM' (C1)
[0114] in which R.sup.IX and M' have the same meanings as in
formula C.
[0115] Examples of alkyl-substituted amino acids are the following
compounds identified by their INCI names: Aminopropyl
Laurylglutamine, Cocaminobutyric Acid, Cocaminopropionic Acid,
DEA-Lauraminopropionate, Disodium Cocaminopropyl Iminodiacetate,
Disodium Dicarboxyethyl Cocopropylenediamine, Disodium
Lauriminodipropionate, Disodium Steariminodipropionate, Disodium
Tallowiminodipropionate, Lauraminopropionic Acid, Lauryl
Aminopropylglycine, Lauryl Diethylenediaminoglycine,
Myristaminopropionic Acid, Sodium C.sub.12-15 Alkoxypropyl
Iminodipropionate, Sodium Cocaminopropionate, Sodium
Lauraminopropionate, Sodium Lauriminodipropionate, Sodium Lauroyl
Methylaminopropionate, TEA-Lauraminopropionate und
TEA-Myristaminopropionate.
Acylated Amino Acids
[0116] Acylated amino acids are amino acids, more particularly the
20 natural .alpha.-amino acids, which carry the acyl group
R.sup.XVCO of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid R.sup.XVCOOH at
the amino nitrogen atom (R.sup.XV being a saturated or unsaturated
C.sub.6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C.sub.8-18 alkyl group and
more preferably a saturated C.sub.10-16 alkyl group, for example a
saturated C.sub.12-14 alkyl group). The acylated amino acids may
also be used in the form of an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth
metal salt or alkanolammonium salt, for example mono-, di- or
triethanolamine. Examples of acylated amino acids are the acyl
derivatives known collectively by the INCI name of Amino Acids, for
example Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauroyl Glutamic Acid, Capryloyl
Glycine oder Myristoyl Methylalanine.
Complexing Agents
[0117] In addition, the composition according to the invention
preferably contains one or more complexing agents in a quantity,
based on the composition, of typically 0.01 to 20% by weight,
preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by
weight, most preferably 1 to 5% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 1.5 to 4% by weight.
[0118] Complexing agents (INCI Chelating Agents), also known as
sequestering agents, are ingredients which are capable of
complexing and inactivating metal ions to prevent them adverse
affecting the stability and appearance of the composition, for
example clouding, and in particular to guarantee a clear solution,
even where the composition is used with hard water. On the one
hand, it is important in this regard to complex the calcium and
magnesium ions of water hardness which are incompatible with many
ingredients. On the other hand, complexing of the ions of heavy
metals, such as iron or copper, delays the oxidative decomposition
of the final composition. In addition, complexing agents support
the cleaning effect.
[0119] Suitable complexing agents are, for example, alkali metal
citrates, gluconates, nitrilotriacetates, carbonates and
bicarbonates, more particularly sodium and potassium citrate,
gluconate and nitrilotriacetate. They also include the salts of
glutaric acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid and
benzenehexacarboxylic acid and aminotrimethylene phosphonic acid,
hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, 1-aminoethane-1,1-diphosphonic
acid, ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid),
diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid),
2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, phosphonates and
phosphates, for example the sodium salts of methanediphosphonic
acid, the pentasodium triphosphate known as sodium tripolyphosphate
or sodium hexametaphosphate such as, for example, a mixture of
condensed orthophosphates with an average degree of condensation of
about 12.
[0120] Suitable complexing agents are the following compounds
identified by their INCI names (some of which have already been
mentioned): Aminotrimethylene Phosphonic Acid, Beta-Alanine
Diacetic Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin,
Cyclohexanediamine Tetraacetic Acid, Diammonium Citrate, Diammonium
EDTA, Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonic Acid,
Dipotassium EDTA, Disodium Azacycloheptane Diphosphonate, Disodium
EDTA, Disodium Pyrophosphate, EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Galactaric
Acid, Gluconic Acid, Glucuronic Acid, HEDTA, Hydroxypropyl
Cyclodextrin, Methyl Cyclodextrin, Pentapotassium Triphosphate,
Pentasodium Aminotrimethylene Phosphonate, Pentasodium
Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Pentasodium Pentetate,
Pentasodium Triphosphate, Pentetic Acid, Phytic Acid, Potassium
Citrate, Potassium EDTMP, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium
Polyphosphate, Potassium Trisphosphonomethylamine Oxide, Ribonic
Acid, Sodium Chitosan Methylene Phosphonate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium
Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate, Sodium
Dihydroxyethylglycinate, Sodium EDTMP, Sodium Gluceptate, Sodium
Gluconate, Sodium Glycereth-1 Polyphosphate, Sodium
Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metasilicate,
Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polydimethylglycinophenolsulfonate, Sodium
Trimetaphosphate, TEA-EDTA, TEA-Polyphosphate, Tetrahydroxyethyl
Ethylenediamine, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Tetrapotassium
Etidronate, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA,
Tetrasodium Etidronate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Tripotassium
EDTA, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate, Trisodium EDTA,
Trisodium HEDTA, Trisodium NTA und Trisodium Phosphate.
[0121] Preferred complexing agents are the citrates, more
particularly alkali metal citrates, especially sodium citrate
and/or potassium citrate and most particularly potassium citrate.
In the context of the present invention, the citrates are the salts
of 3.times.-deprotonated citric acid unless otherwise specifically
stated. However, the mono- and dihydrogen citrates may also be used
in accordance with the invention.
[0122] The complexing salts mentioned may also be used in the form
of their corresponding acids or bases which are then partly or
completely neutralized, depending on the pH value to be
established, for example citric acid in the form of its monohydrate
citric acid. 1 H.sub.2O instead of citrate.
pH Value
[0123] The pH of the composition according to the invention may be
adjusted to a value within a wide range from strongly acidic via
neutral to strongly alkaline and is normally in the range from 1 to
14, preferably in the range from 2 to 13, more preferably in the
range from 3 to 12, most preferably in the range from 3.5 to 11
and, in one most particularly preferred embodiment, in the range
from 4 to 10.5.
[0124] In a preferred acidic embodiment, the pH value of the
composition according to the invention is in the range from 2 to 6,
preferably in the range from 2.5 to 5.5, more preferably in the
range from 3 to 5, most preferably in the range from 3.5 to 4.5
and, in one most particularly preferred embodiment, is pH 4.
[0125] In a neutral embodiment, the pH of the composition according
to the invention is in the range from 6 to 8 and preferably in the
range from 6.5 to 7.5 and more preferably is 7.
[0126] In a particularly preferred alkaline embodiment, the pH
value of the composition according to the invention is in the range
from 8 to 13, preferably in the range from 9 to 12, more preferably
in the range from 9.5 to 11.5, most preferably in the range from 10
to 11 and, in one most particularly preferred embodiment, is pH
10.5.
[0127] To adjust, control and/or stabilize the pH value, the
composition according to the invention preferably contains one or
more pH regulators (INCI pH Adjusters), more particularly from the
group of acids, bases and buffering agents and mixtures thereof, in
a quantity--based on the composition--of normally 0.01 to 15% by
weight, preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 5%
by weight, most preferably 1 to 4% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 1.5 to 3% by weight.
[0128] Suitable pH regulators are, for example, the following
compounds identified by their INCI names: Acetic Acid, Acetyl
Mandelic Acid, Adipic Acid, Aluminum Triformate, 2-Aminobutanol,
Aminoethyl Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Aminomethyl
Propanol, Ammonia, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Ammonium Carbamate,
Ammonium Carbonate, Ammonium Glycolate, Ammonium Hydroxide,
Ammonium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Benzoic Acid,
Bis-Hydroxyethyl Tromethamine, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Dihydrogen
Phosphate, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Oxide, Citric Acid,
Diethanolamine, Diethanolamine Bisulfate, Diisopropanolamine,
Diisopropylamine, Dimethyl MEA, Dioleoyl Edetolmonium Methosulfate,
Dipotassium Phosphate, Dipropylenetriamine, Disodium Phosphate,
Disodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium Tartrate, Ethanolamine,
Ethanolamine HCl, Formic Acid, Fumaric Acid, Galacturonic Acid,
Glucoheptonic Acid, Glucosamine HCl, Glucuronic Acid, Glycolic
Acid, Glyoxylic Acid, Guanidine Carbonate, Hydrochloric Acid,
Imidazole, Isopropanolamine, Isopropylamine, Ketoglutaric Acid,
Lactic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Lithium Hydroxide, Magnesium
Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide,
Magnesium Oxide, Maleic Acid, Malic Acid, Malonic Acid,
Metaphosphoric Acid, Methylethanolamine, Methylglucamine, Mixed
Isopropanolamines, Monosodium Citrate, Morpholine, Oxalic Acid,
Pentapotassium Triphosphate, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Phosphoric
Acid, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Biphthalate, Potassium
Borate, Potassium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium
Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Propionic Acid, Quinic Acid,
Ribonic Acid, Sebacic Acid, Sodium Aluminate, Sodium Bicarbonate,
Sodium Bisulfate, Sodium Borate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Citrate,
Sodium Fumarate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Oxide, Sodium
Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Silicate, Sodium Succinate, Sodium
Trimetaphosphate, Strontium Hydroxide, Succinic Acid, Sulfuric
Acid, Tartaric Acid, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrasodium
Pyrophosphate, Triethanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Trisodium
Phosphate, Tromethamine, Vinegar.
[0129] Preferred pH regulators are citric acid (as acid),
hydroxides (as bases) and the citrates, carbonates and hydrogen
carbonates (as buffering agents), the hydroxides and/or buffering
agents preferably being alkali metal salts, more particularly
sodium and/or potassium salts and most particularly potassium
salts.
[0130] A number of compounds act both as complexing agents and as
pH regulators and, by virtue of this dual functionality, are
preferably used as such because they provide for particularly
efficient formulation of the composition according to the
invention.
[0131] Accordingly, in one particularly preferred embodiment, the
composition according to the invention contains citric acid and
alkali metal hydroxide--or corresponding citrate--together with
alkali metal carbonate and/or hydrogen carbonate, more particularly
citric acid and potassium hydroxide together with potassium
carbonate.
[0132] In another particular embodiment of the composition
according to the invention, the content of carbonate ions
CO.sub.3.sup.2-, based on the composition, is 0.01 to less than 1%
by weight, preferably 0.1 to 0.9% by weight, more preferably 0.3 to
0.8% by weight and most preferably 0.5 to 0.7% by weight, for
example 0.6% by weight.
Solvents
[0133] The water-based composition according to the invention
contains water as primary solvent in a quantity, based on the
composition, of normally 40 to 99.99% by weight, preferably 50 to
99% by weight, more preferably 60 to 95% by weight, most preferably
70 to 92% by weight and, in one most particularly preferred
embodiment, 80 to 90% by weight, for example 85 or 89% by weight.
The very low water contents down to only 40% by weight--or even
lower--may be reached in concentrated or highly concentrated
embodiments and normally necessitate corresponding dilution before
use.
Organic Solvents
[0134] In addition, the composition according to the invention
preferably contains one or more organic solvents in a
quantity--based on the composition--of 0.01 to 30% by weight,
preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 1 to 15% by
weight, most preferably 2 to 10% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 3 to 7% by weight, for example
5% by weight.
[0135] Suitable organic solvents are, for example, saturated or
unsaturated, preferably saturated, branched or unbranched
C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbons, preferably C.sub.2-15 hydrocarbons,
containing one or more hydroxy groups, preferably one hydroxy
group, and optionally one or more ether functions C--O--C, i.e.
oxygen atoms interrupting the carbon atom chain.
[0136] Preferred solvents are the C.sub.1-6 alcohols, more
particularly ethanol, n-propanol and/or isopropanol, preferably
ethanol, polyols, such as glycerol, and the C.sub.2-6 alkylene
glycols and poly-C.sub.2-3-alkylene glycol ethers--optionally
etherified on one side with a C.sub.1-6 alkanol--containing on
average 1 to 9 identical or different, preferably identical,
alkylene glycol groups per molecule, more particularly the
poly-C.sub.2-3-alkylene glycol ethers etherified on one side with a
C.sub.1-6 alkanol and containing on average 1 to 9 and preferably 2
to 3 ethylene or propylene glycol groups, for example PPG-2 Methyl
Ether (dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether). Particularly preferred
organic solvents are the C.sub.1-6 alcohols ethanol, n-propanol or
isopropanol, more particularly ethanol.
[0137] Other suitable organic solvents are the following compounds
identified by their INCI names (some of which have already been
mentioned): Alcohol (Ethanol), Buteth-3, Butoxydiglycol,
Butoxyethanol, Butoxyisopropanol, Butoxypropanol, n-Butyl Alcohol,
t-Butyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctanol, Diethylene Glycol,
Dimethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol,
Ethoxydiglycol, Ethoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Glycol,
Hexanediol, 1,2,6-Hexanetriol, Hexyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol,
Isobutoxypropanol, Isopentyidiol, Isopropyl Alcohol (iso-Propanol),
3-Methoxybutanol, Methoxydiglycol, Methoxyethanol,
Methoxyisopropanol, Methoxymethylbutanol, Methoxy PEG-10, Methylal,
Methyl Alcohol, Methyl Hexyl Ether, Methylpropanediol, Neopentyl
Glycol, PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-6 Methyl Ether,
Pentylene Glycol, PPG-7, PPG-2-Buteth-3, PPG-2 Butyl Ether, PPG-3
Butyl Ether, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, PPG-3 Methyl Ether, PPG-2 Propyl
Ether, Propanediol, Propyl Alcohol (n-Propanol), Propylene Glycol,
Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether, Propylene Glycol Propyl Ether,
Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol, Trimethylhexanol.
[0138] Monomeric or homo- or heteropolymeric, more particularly
monomeric and homo-, di- and trimeric C.sub.2-4 alkylene glycols
etherified or esterified with aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, for
example methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, tert.-butanol or
phenol, or carboxylic acids, for example acetic or carbonic acid,
are marketed, for example, under the name of Dowanol.RTM. by Dow
Chemical and under the names of Arcosolv.RTM. and Arconate.RTM. by
Arco Chemical, such as the products listed below under their INCI
names (International Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients published
by The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA)), for
example butoxy diglycol (Dowanol.RTM. DB), methoxydiglycol
(Dowanol.RTM. DM), PPG-2 Methyl Ether (Dowanol.RTM. DPM), PPG-2
Methyl Ether Acetate (Dowanol.RTM. DPMA), PPG-2 Butyl Ether
(Dowanol.RTM. DPnB), PPG-2 Propyl Ether (Dowanol.RTM. DPnP),
Butoxyethanol (Dowanol.RTM. EB), Phenoxyethanol (Dowanol.RTM. EPh),
Methoxyisopropanol (Dowanol.RTM. PM), PPG-1 Methyl Ether Acetate
(Dowanol.RTM. PMA), Butoxyisopropanol (Dowanol.RTM. PnB), Propylene
Glycol Propyl Ether (Dowanol.RTM. PnP), Phenoxyisopropanol
(Dowanol.RTM. PPh), PPG-3 Methyl Ether (Dowanol.RTM. TPM) and PPG-3
Butyl Ether (Dowanol.RTM. TPnB) and Ethoxyisopropanol
(Arcosolv.RTM. PE), tert.-Butoxyisopropanol (Arcosolv.RTM. PTB),
PPG-2 tert.-butyl ether (Arcosolv.RTM. DPTB) and Propylenecarbonate
(Arconate.RTM. PC), of which butoxy isopropanol (dipropylene
glycol-n-butyl ether, Dowanol.RTM. PnB) and particularly PPG-2
Methyl Ether (dipropylene glycol methyl ether, Dowanol.RTM. DPM)
are preferred.
Antimicrobial Agents
[0139] To control microorganisms, the cleaning composition
according to the invention may contain one or more antimicrobial
agents. Depending on the antimicrobial spectrum and the action
mechanism, antimicrobial agents are classified as bacteriostatic
agents and bactericides, fungistatic agents and fungicides, etc.
Important representatives of these groups are, for example,
benzalkonium chlorides, alkylaryl sulfonates, halophenols and
phenol mercuriacetate. In the present context, the expressions
"antimicrobial activity" and "antimicrobial agent" have the usual
meanings as defined, for example, by K. H. Wallhu.beta.er in
"Praxis der Sterilisation, Desinfektion--Konservierung:
Keimidentifizierung--Betriebshygiene" (5th Edition, Stuttgart/New
York: Thieme, 1995), any of the substances with antimicrobial
activity described therein being usable. Suitable antimicrobial
agents are preferably selected from the groups of alcohols, amines,
aldehydes, antimicrobial acids and salts thereof, carboxylic acid
esters, acid amides, phenols, phenol derivatives, diphenyls,
diphenylalkanes, urea derivatives, oxygen and nitrogen acetals and
formals, benzamidines, isothiazolines, phthalimide derivatives,
pyridine derivatives, antimicrobial surface-active compounds,
guanidines, antimicrobial amphoteric compounds, quinolines,
1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, iodo-2-propyl butyl carbamate,
iodine, iodophores, peroxo compounds, halogen compounds and
mixtures of the above.
[0140] The antimicrobial agent may be selected from ethanol,
n-propanol, i-propanol, butane-1,3-diol, phenoxyethanol,
1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, undecylenic acid, benzoic acid,
salicylic acid, dihydracetic acid, o-phenylphenol, N-methyl
morpholine acetonitrile (MMA), 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol,
2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-bromo-4-chlorophenol),
4,4'-dichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Dichlosan),
2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Trichlosan),
chlorohexidine, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-3,4-dichlorophenyl)-urea,
N,N'-(1,10-decanediyldi-1--
pyridinyl-4-ylidene)-bis-(1-octanamine)-dihydrochloride,
N,N'-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecane
diimidoamide, glucoprotamines, antimicrobial surface-active
quaternary compounds, guanidines, including the bi- and
polyguanidines such as, for example,
1,6-bis-(2-ethylhexylbiguanidohexane)-dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-phenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane
tetrahydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-phenyl-N.sub.1,N.sub.1-methy-
ldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane
dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-2,6-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N.s-
ub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-[N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-.beta.-(p--
methoxyphenyl)-diguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5']-hexane dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-(.alpha.-methyl-.beta.-phenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N-
.sub.5')-hexane dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-p-nitrophenyldig-
uanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane dihydrochloride,
.omega.:.omega.-di-(N.sub-
.1,N.sub.1'-phenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-di-n-propyl ether
dihydrochloride,
.omega.:.omega.'-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-p-chlorophenyldigu-
anido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-di-n-propyl ether tetrahydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-2,4-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-he-
xane tetrahydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-p-methylphenyldiguanido--
N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexanedihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-2,4,5-tr-
ichlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane tetrahydrochloride,
1,6-di-[N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-.alpha.-(p-chlorophenyl)-ethyldiguanido-N.sub.5,-
N.sub.5']-hexane dihydrochloride,
.omega.:.omega.-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-p-c-
hlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-m-xylene dihydrochloride,
1,12-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-dodec-
ane dihydrdochloride,
1,10-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-phenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.-
sub.5')-decane tetrahydrochloride,
1,12-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-phenyldiguani-
do-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-dodecane tetrahydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-
-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane dihydrochloride,
1,6-di-(N.sub.1,N.sub.1'-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N.sub.5,N.sub.5')-hexane
tetrahydrochloride, ethylene-bis-(1-tolylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(p-tolylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(3,5-dimethylphenylbiguanid- e),
ethylene-bis-(p-tert.amylphenylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(nonylphenylbi- guanide),
ethylene-bis-(phenylbiguanide), ethylene-bis-(N-butylphenylbigua-
nide), ethylene-bis-(2,5-diethoxyphenylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(2,4-dimet- hylphenylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(o-diphenylbiguanide),
ethylene-bis-(mixed-amylnaphthyl-biguanide),
N-butylethylene-bis-(phenylb- iguanide),
trimethylene-bis-(o-tolylbiguanide), N-butyltrimethylene-bis-(p-
henylbiguanide) and the corresponding salts, such as acetates,
gluconates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, citrates, bisulfites,
fluorides, polymaleates, N-cocoalkyl sarcosinates, phosphites,
hypophosphites, perfluorooctanoates, silicates, sorbates,
salicylates, maleates, tartrates, fumarates, ethylenediamine
tetraacetates, iminodiacetates, cinnamates, thiocyanates,
arginates, pyromellitates, tetracarboxybutyrates, benzoates,
glutarates, monofluorophosphates, perfluoropropionates and mixtures
thereof. Halogenated xylene and cresol derivatives, such as
p-chloro-m-cresol or p-chloro-m-xylene, and natural antimicrobial
agents of vegetable origin (for example from spices or herbs),
animal and microbial origin are also suitable. Preferred
antimicrobial agents are antimicrobial surface-active quaternary
compounds, a natural antimicrobial agent of vegetable origin and/or
a natural antimicrobial agent of animal origin and, most
preferably, at least one natural antimicrobial agent of vegetable
origin from the group comprising caffeine, theobromine and
theophylline and essential oils, such as eugenol, thymol and
geraniol, and/or at least one natural antimicrobial agent of animal
origin from the group comprising enzymes, such as protein from
milk, lysozyme and lactoperoxidase and/or at least one
antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compound containing an
ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium or arsonium group,
peroxo compounds and chlorine compounds. Substances of microbial
origin, so-called bacteriozines, may also be used.
[0141] The quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS) suitable as
antimicrobial agents have the general formula
(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)N.sup- .+X.sup.-, in which
R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 may be the same or different and represent
C.sub.1-22 alkyl groups, C.sub.7-28 aralkyl groups or heterocyclic
groups, two or--in the case of an aromatic compound, such as
pyridine--even three groups together with the nitrogen atom forming
the heterocycle, for example a pyridinium or imidazolinium
compound, and X.sup.-represents halide ions, sulfate ions,
hydroxide ions or similar anions. In the interests of optimal
antimicrobial activity, at least one of the substituents preferably
has a chain length of 8 to 18 and, more preferably, 12 to 16 carbon
atoms.
[0142] QUATS can be obtained by reaction of tertiary amines with
alkylating agents such as, for example, methyl chloride, benzyl
chloride, dimethyl sulfate, dodecyl bromide and also ethylene
oxide. The alkylation of tertiary amines with one long alkyl chain
and two methyl groups is particularly simple. The quaternization of
tertiary amines containing two long chains and one methyl group can
also be carried out under mild conditions using methyl chloride.
Amines containing three long alkyl chains or hydroxy-substituted
alkyl chains lack reactivity and are preferably quaternized with
dimethyl sulfate.
[0143] Suitable QUATS are, for example, benzalkonium chloride
(N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, CAS No. 8001-54-5),
benzalkon B (m,p-dichlorobenzyl dimethyl-C.sub.12-alkyl ammonium
chloride, CAS No. 58390-78-6), benzoxonium chloride
(benzyldodecyl-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ammonium chloride), cetrimonium
bromide (N-hexadecyl-N,N-trimethyl ammonium bromide, CAS No.
57-09-0), benzetonium chloride
(N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)--
phenoxy]-ethoxy]-ethyl]-benzyl ammonium chloride, CAS No.
121-54-0), dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, such as
di-n-decyldimethyl ammonium chloride (CAS No. 7173-51-5-5),
didecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (CAS No. 2390-68-3), dioctyl
dimethyl ammonium chloride, 1-cetylpyridinium chloride (CAS No.
123-03-5) and thiazoline iodide (CAS No. 15764-48-1) and mixtures
thereof. Particularly preferred QUATS are the benzalkonium
chlorides containing C.sub.8-18 alkyl groups, more particularly
C.sub.12-14 alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
[0144] Benzalkonium halides and/or substituted benzalkonium halides
are commercially obtainable, for example, as Barquat.RTM. from
Lonza, Marquat.RTM. from Mason, Variquat.RTM. from Witco/Sherex and
Hyamine.RTM. from Lonza and as Bardac.RTM. from Lonza. Other
commercially obtainable antimicrobial agents are
N-(3-chloroallyl)-hexaminium chloride, such as Dowicide.RTM. and
Dowicil.RTM. from Dow, benzethonium chloride, such as Hyamine.RTM.
1622 from Rohm & Haas, methyl benzethonium chloride, such as
Hyamine.RTM. 10.times. from Rohm & Haas, cetyl pyridinium
chloride, such as cepacolchloride from Merrell Labs.
[0145] In one particularly preferred embodiment, the composition
according to the invention contains benzoic acid and/or derivatives
thereof, more particularly salicylic acid or salts thereof, as the
one or more antimicrobial agents.
[0146] The antimicrobial agents are used in quantities of normally
0.0001% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0.001% by weight to
2% by weight, more preferably 0.005% by weight to 1% by weight,
most preferably 0.01% by weight to 0.5% by weight and, in one most
particularly preferred embodiment, 0.05% by weight to 0.2% by
weight. The particular quantity used will be selected by the expert
with the particular antimicrobial agent or mixture and the
antimicrobial effect to be obtained in mind so that, in particular
embodiments of the invention, a content of antimicrobial agents
outside the range mentioned may also be appropriate.
Perfumes
[0147] The composition also contains one or more perfumes,
typically in the form of one or more perfume oils, in a quantity of
normally 0.001 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.005 to 0.5% by weight,
more preferably 0.01 to 0.1% by weight and most preferably 0.02 to
0.05% by weight.
[0148] Another advantage of the invention is that a certain perfume
intensity is achieved in the composition according to the invention
even with unusually small amounts of perfume oil. This is
presumably attributable to the short-chain alkyl polyglycoside
essential to the invention.
Other Ingredients
[0149] Depending on the formulation of the composition according to
the invention, one or more auxiliaries and additives typical of the
particular application envisaged--more particularly from the group
of solubilizers, hydrotropes, emulsifiers, enzymes, preservatives,
corrosion inhibitors, colorants and viscosity regulators, more
particularly thickeners--may be present as further ingredients.
Use
[0150] In a fourth embodiment, the present invention relates to a
process for cleaning fruit, vegetables and/or meat in which the
fruit, vegetables and/or meat to be cleaned are first treated with
a composition according to any of the preceding composition claims
in undiluted or diluted form, after which the composition is
removed again.
[0151] To carry out the treatment, the composition may either be
applied undiluted, preferably by spraying, or the produce to be
cleaned may be introduced into a cleaning bath prepared by diluting
the composition with water. Typical cleaning baths contain 0.1 to
10 ml, preferably 0.5 to 5 ml and more preferably 1 to 3.5 ml of
the composition per 100 ml of bath.
[0152] The composition is preferably removed again by rinsing with
running water. Alternate means of removal include immersion,
spraying, or wiping with water or an aqueous fluid.
EXAMPLES
[0153] Compositions E1 to E3 according to the invention and
comparison composition C1 were prepared. Their ingredients and pH
values are shown in Table 1 below.
1TABLE 1 Composition [% by weight] E1 E2 E3 C1 C.sub.8
alkyl-1,5-glucoside 1.8.sup.[a] 1.8.sup.[a] 1.8.sup.[a] -- C.sub.10
alkyl-1,5-glucoside 1.2.sup.[b] 1.2.sup.[b] 1.2.sup.[b] -- Erucic
acid -- -- 2 -- Oleic acid -- -- -- 2.4 Citric acid .multidot. 1
H.sub.2O 1.6 2.5 1.6 0.6 KOH 1.1 1.1 1.4 0.5 K.sub.2CO.sub.3 1.5 --
1.5 -- NaHCO.sub.3 -- -- -- 0.7 Ethanol 4.8 4.8 4.8 2 Glycerol --
-- -- 2 Salicylic acid -- 1.0 -- -- Perfume oil 0.05 0.05 0.05 +
Water to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 pH value 10.5 4.0 10.5 11.6
Residue [%] 32 25 54 22 .sup.[a]contains at most 0.06% by weight
C.sub.4/6 alkyl-1,5-glycoside .sup.[b]contains at most 0.2% by
weight C.sub.12 alkyl-1,5-glycoside
[0154] Another comparison composition C2 containing 3% by weight of
a C,.sub.2-16 alkyl-1,4-glucoside was prepared similarly to E1.
Whereas the above-mentioned compositions were obtained as clear
solutions, C2 was cloudy even in undiluted form.
Cleaning Performance
[0155] The compositions were tested for cleaning performance.
[0156] To this end, waxed apples ("Jona Gold") were cleaned with
water and with the four compositions. The apples were then rinsed
with pentane and quantities of 10 g of the extracts obtained were
concentrated in a stream of nitrogen. The concentrated extracts
were then silylated and quantified by HT gas chromatography. The
sum of the peak areas on the gas chromatograms obtained are shown
in Table 1 as the percentage residue, based on the 100% value for
the apple pretreated with water.
[0157] All the compositions performed considerably better than the
tap water normally used for this purpose in the home.
Sensitivity to Water Hardness
[0158] The sensitivity of the compositions to water hardness was
also tested.
[0159] To this end, quantities of 1 and 3.5 ml of the particular
composition were diluted to 100 ml with water differing in hardness
(0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48 and 64.degree.d=German hardness)
and the resulting cleaning liquid was visually evaluated.
[0160] With the comparison composition C1, a clear liquid was only
obtained with water of 0.degree.d; even water of 2.degree.d led to
clouding which increased with increasing water hardness. Finally,
the dilutions with water of 40.degree.d or higher produced a
flocculent sediment which, in the case of the 1 ml dilution with
water of 32.degree.d, was even noticeable in the liquid.
[0161] Compositions E1 and E2 produced clear liquids even when
diluted with the water of 64.degree.d. Composition E3 also produced
a clear liquid in the case of the 1 ml dilution with water of
16.degree.d and, with water of 48.degree.d, led to a translucently
hazy liquid which resembled the liquid obtained in the case of the
same dilution of C1 with water of only 2.degree.d. The 3.5 ml
dilution of E3 with water of 16.degree.d resulted in a slightly
opaque liquid and, only with water of 64.degree.d, led to a milky
liquid which resembled the liquid obtained in the case of the same
dilution of C1 with water of only 8.degree.d.
[0162] Accordingly, the compositions according to the invention are
far less sensitive to water hardness.
* * * * *