Composition

Abstract

A detergent composition comprising a fragrance and an alcohol ether sulfate wherein the alcohol ether sulfate comprises C12 and C14 alkyl chains and has a molar average of 2.0 to 4.0 ethoxylate units wherein the alcohol ether sulfate comprises less than 10% by weight of an alcohol ether sulfate having zero ethoxylate groups, and wherein the fragrance comprises a fragrance component selected from the group consisting of limonene, musk tonalide, octahydrotetramethylacetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol, hexyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising improved surfactants. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the supply chain of liquid detergents from manufacturing site to bottling to use in the consumer's home, the product can be exposed to temperatures in excess of 40 °C. This occurrence is becoming more frequent due to global warming. Under such conditions, a significant amount of fragrance can be lost due to evaporation and escape from the package. The key pathway for fragrance loss is through the loss of fragrance in the headspace of the product above the liquid. This is especially true when there is a large headspace, for example when the bottle is nearly empty.

[0003] It is desirable that the fragrance is stable in the bottle such that there is a reduction in fragrance in the headspace above the bottle.

[0004] Despite the prior art, there remains a need for improved anionic surfactants for use in detergent compositions. SUMMARY

[0005] Thus, in a first aspect, there is provided a detergent composition comprising a fragrance and an alcohol ether sulphate, wherein the alcohol ether sulphate comprises C12 and C14 alkyl chains and has a molar average of 2.0 to 4.0 ethoxylate units, wherein the alcohol ether sulphate comprises less than 10 wt% of alcohol ether sulphate having zero ethoxylate groups, and wherein the fragrance comprises a fragrance component selected from limonene, tonal musk, octahydrotetramethylacetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol, hexyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

[0006] Alcohol ether sulphates having a molar average of 2 to 4 ethoxylate groups are prepared by sulphation of the corresponding alcohol ethoxylate. The most widely used materials are based on linear or branched C12-C15 alcohols. Typically, the ethoxylation reaction to form the alcohol ethoxylate is carried out using NaOH, KOH or NaOCH3 base catalysis. This reaction produces a distribution of ethoxyl chain lengths in the alcohol ethoxylate. Narrow range ethoxylation provides a narrower distribution of ethoxyl chain lengths than NaOH, KOH or NaOCH3. Most notably, narrow range ethoxylation produces a significantly lower fraction of material with exactly 0 or 1 ethoxylate groups.

[0007] We have surprisingly found that surfactants having a narrow range of ethoxylate distribution are able to improve the performance of fragrances incorporated into formulations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The alcohol ether sulphate has a molar average of 2.0 to 4.0 ethoxylate units and contains less than 10 wt% alcohol ether sulphate with zero ethoxylate groups.

[0009] Preferably, the alcohol ether sulphate contains less than 5 wt% alcohol ether sulphate with exactly zero ethoxylate groups.

[0010] Preferably, the alcohol ether sulphate contains less than 12 wt% alcohol ether sulphate with exactly one ethoxylate group.

[0011] Preferably, the alcohol ether sulphate has a molar average of 2.6 to 3.4, most preferably 2.8 to 3.2 ethoxylate units.

[0012] Preferably, the composition comprises at least 60 wt% water of the composition.

[0013] Preferably, the alkyl ether sulphate is present at 5-30 wt% of the composition.

[0014] Preferably, the polyester-based soil release polymer is present at 0.1-2 wt% of the composition.

[0015] Preferably, the composition is a liquid detergent composition.

[0016] Preferably, the composition is a laundry liquid unit dose composition.

[0017] Preferably, the composition comprises C12-14 alcohol ether sulphate wherein the ratio of C12:14 is 5:1 to 1:20. More preferably, the ratio of C12:14 is 4:1 to 1:10, most preferably the ratio of C12:14 is 3:1 to 5:4.

[0018] Preferably, the alcohol ether sulphate is present at 1-30 wt% of the composition.

[0019] Preferably, the composition comprises a salt. Preferably, the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and mixtures thereof.

[0020] Preferably, the salt is present at 0.1-5 wt% of the composition. More preferably, the salt is present at 0.8-4 wt% of the composition.

[0021] Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1-3 wt% of a betaine, preferably cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0022] Alcohol ether sulfate The alcohol ether sulphate has the following form: R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3H.

[0023] where R2 is an alkyl group, and p is a molar average and is from 2.0 to 4.0. Preferably more than 80wt%, more preferably more than 95wt% of R2 is selected from C12 and C14 chains, preferably the chains are straight chain.

[0024] The structure of the alcohol ether sulphate with exactly zero ethoxylate groups has the following structure: R2-0-S03H.

[0025] The alcohol ether sulphate is formed by sulphation of the corresponding alcohol ethoxylate. The alcohol ethoxylate is formed by ethoxylation of an alcohol using a narrow range ethoxylation catalyst.

[0026] Preferably the alcohol ether sulphate contains less than 10wt%, more preferably less than 4wt% of chains other than C12 and C14, most preferably less than 10wt% of C16, C18 and C20 chains.

[0027] Narrow range ethoxylation catalysts are described in EP3289790 (Procter & Gamble), EP1747183 (Hacros); Santacesatia et al Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1992, 31, 2419-2421; US4239917 (Conoco); Li et al ACS Omega. 2021 Nov 9; 6(44): 29774-29780; Hreczuch et al J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 1996, 73, 73-78 and WO2022 / 129374 (Unilever). Ca or Ba based catalysts are preferred, most preferably in combination with sulphuric acid.

[0028] Standard 3EO as described in the literature is not a disclosure of a completely pure 3EO, in fact 100% pure 3EO is not commercially available. Rather what is described as 3EO is a mixture with a different ethoxylate rate with an average of about 3. This 3EO is ethoxylated using KOH. In order to obtain a narrow range of ethoxylate distribution a specialised catalyst must be used.

[0029] Below is a comparison of standard 3EO and narrow range.

[0030] Preferably the sum (n-1, n, n+1) is greater than 50%, more preferably greater than 55% where n is from 2 to 4 (n = average number of moles of ethoxylate).

[0031] Preferably the total level of 2EO, 3EO and 4EO in the total alkyl ether sulphate is greater than 50%, more preferably greater than 55% of the total alcohol ether sulphate as measured by GC with flame ionisation detection (FID).

[0032] Preferably, the total proportion of 0EO and 1EO in the total alkyl ether sulphate is less than 25% of the total alcohol ether sulphate as measured by GC with flame ionisation detection (FID).

[0033] It will be appreciated that the measurements on the alcohol ethoxylate are made prior to sulphonation, but that sulphonation does not materially affect the ethoxylate ratio.

[0034] The alcohol ether sulphate is also known as alkyl ether sulphate.

[0035] Fragrance The composition comprises a fragrance, and preferably the fragrance is present at 0.01 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt% of the composition.

[0036] Preferably, the fragrance comprises a fragrance component selected from limonene, tonal musk, octahydro tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol, hexyl salicylate and mixtures thereof.

[0037] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component hexyl salicylate.

[0038] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 30 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component limonene.

[0039] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component beta-ionone.

[0040] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component octahydro tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE).

[0041] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component dihydromyrcenol.

[0042] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component cyclamen aldehyde.

[0043] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt% of the fragrance component tertiary aldehyde MNA.

[0044] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt.%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt.% of a fragrance component C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes.

[0045] Preferably, the fragrance comprises 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt.%, especially preferably 6 to 10 wt.% of a fragrance component tonalid.

[0046] Preferably, the composition comprises at least two of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0047] Preferably, the composition comprises at least three of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0048] Preferably, the composition comprises at least four of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0049] Preferably, the composition comprises at least five of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0050] Preferably, the composition comprises at least six of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0051] Preferably, the composition comprises at least seven of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0052] Preferably, the composition comprises at least eight of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonalid, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0053] Preferably, the composition comprises all nine of the fragrance components selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0054] Preferably, the fragrance comprises one of the following mixtures of fragrance components: - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0055] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0056] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0057] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0058] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone and hexyl salicylate.

[0059] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone and dihydromyrcenol.

[0060] - limonene, tonal musk, cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0061] - cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0062] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0063] - limonene, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0064] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro-tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes and hexyl salicylate.

[0065] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone and hexyl salicylate.

[0066] - limonene, tonal musk, octahydro tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone and dihydromyrcenol.

[0067] - limonene, tonal musk, cyclamen aldehyde, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol and hexyl salicylate.

[0068] More preferably, the composition comprises OTNE, dihydromyrcenol and C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes, and optionally any remaining fragrance component.

[0069] Most preferably, the composition comprises OTNE, dihydromyrcenol, C8to C12linear and branched aldehydes and limonene, and optionally any remaining fragrance component.

[0070] Preferably, the above listed fragrance components are present in the final detergent composition at 0.0001 - 1 wt% of the composition.

[0071] Surfactant The liquid detergent of the present application preferably comprises 2 to 60 wt%, most preferably 4 to 30 wt% of total surfactant. Preferred are anionic and nonionic surfactants.

[0072] Anionic surfactants are discussed in Anionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, edited by Helmut W. Stache, published by Surfactant Science Series, CRC press (1995). Preferred anionic surfactants are sulfonate and sulfate surfactants, preferably alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates.

[0073] The anionic surfactants are preferably added to the detergent composition in the form of a salt. Preferred cations are alkali metal ions, such as sodium and potassium. However, the salt form of the anionic surfactant can be formed in situ by neutralizing the acid form of the surfactant with a base, such as sodium hydroxide, or an amine, such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. The weight ratio is calculated for the protonated form of the surfactant. The ethoxylate units in the anionic and nonionic surfactants can be partially replaced by propoxylate units.

[0074] Further examples of suitable anionic surfactants are rhamnolipids, alpha-olefin sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkenyl sulfonates, alkane-2,3-diyl bis(sulfates), hydroxyalkane sulfonates and disulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates (FAS), paraffin sulfonates, ester sulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters, methyl ester sulfonates alkyl succinic acid or alkenyl succinic acid, dodecenyl / tetradecenyl succinic acid (DTSA), fatty acid derivatives of amino acids, DATEM's, CITREM's, and diesters and monoesters of sulfosuccinic acid.

[0075] Examples of preferred non-ionic surfactants are alcohol ethoxylates and methyl ester ethoxylates. Preferably, the level of non-ionic surfactant in the formulation is below 2 wt%. A preferred alcohol ethoxylate is a C12 / 14 alcohol with a molar average of 7 to 9 ethoxylates and a C16 / C18:1 alcohol ethoxylate with a molar average of 8 to 12 ethoxylates.

[0076] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are preferred anionic surfactants in addition to alcohol ether sulfates.

[0077] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) is a preferred anionic surfactant.

[0078] A key intermediate compound in LAS production is the relevant alkene. These alkenes (olefins) can be produced by any of the methods described above and can be formed from primary sugars, biomass, waste plastics, MSW, carbon capture, methane capture, ocean carbon etc.

[0079] While in the above methods, the olefin is alternatively processed by hydroformylation and oxidation to form linear alcohols, the olefin is reacted with benzene and then with sulfonate to form LAS.

[0080] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates with alkyl chain lengths of 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Commercial LAS is a mixture of closely related isomers and homologous alkyl chains, each containing an aromatic ring sulfonated in the "para" position and attached to a linear alkyl chain at any position other than the terminal carbon. The linear alkyl chain preferably has a chain length of 11 to 15 carbon atoms, with the major material having a chain length of about C12. Each alkyl chain homolog is composed of a mixture of all possible sulfo-phenyl isomers except the 1-phenyl isomer. LAS is typically formulated into compositions in the acid form (i.e. HLAS) and then at least partially neutralized in situ. Preferably, the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant is present at 1 to 20 wt%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt%, most preferably 8 to 12 wt% of the composition.

[0081] Branched surfactant The composition of the present application preferably comprises a branched C8-11 alcohol ether sulphate surfactant in the form of: RO-(EO) n SO3X where R is preferably a branched C8 to C11 alkyl chain (R), preferably C9 or C10; n is 1 to 6, preferably 2.5 to 5, most preferably 3.5 to 4.5; and X is a cation, preferably sodium or amine. The integer n is the molar average. EO represents an ethoxy group.

[0082] Preferably, the branched alcohol ether sulphate surfactant has the structure, where p and m are greater than 1, more preferably m is 4 and p is 2 or m = p+2.

[0083] Preferably, the branched alcohol ether sulphate is prepared from a Guerbet alcohol. Preferably, the alcohol used to prepare the branched alcohol ether sulphate surfactant has a single alkyl chain length and configuration greater than 80 mol%. Most preferred is a C10 branched alcohol ether sulphate on 2-propyl heptanol with 4 molar average ethoxylation.

[0084] Farbe et al discuss branched alcohols in the Alcohols chapter of the Aliphatic Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.

[0085] Branched alcohols are commercially available from Sasol, Exxon and BASF.

[0086] Preferably, the branched surfactant comprises 1 to 20 wt% of the total surfactant in the composition.

[0087] Given the typical surfactant loading of the composition as a whole, it is preferred that the branched surfactant is present at 0.05 to 3 wt% of the composition.

[0088] Preferably, the weight ratio of total anionic and / or nonionic surfactant to C8 to C11 branched alcohol ether sulphate is 100:1 to 30:1, more preferably 80:1 to 40:1.

[0089] Methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE) Preferred nonionic surfactants include methyl ester ethoxylates. Methyl ester ethoxylate surfactants are in the form of: R3(-C=O)-O-(CH2CH2-O) n -CH3 where R3COO is a fatty acid moiety, such as oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid. The fatty acid nomenclature is described by two numbers A:B, where A is the number of carbons in the fatty acid and B is the number of double bonds it contains. For example, oleic acid is 18:1, stearic acid is 18:0, and palmitic acid is 16:0. The position of the double bond in the chain can be given in parentheses, oleic acid is 18:1(9), linoleic acid is 18:2(9,12), where 9 is the number of the carbon from the COOH end.

[0090] The integer n is the molar average number of ethoxylates.

[0091] Methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE) are described in Chapter 8 Synthesis, Properties, and Applications, pages 287-301 of Biobased Surfactants (2nd Edition) by G. A. Smith; Cox M. E. and Weerasooriva U, J. Am. Oil. Chem. Soc. vol 74 (1997), pages 847-859; Hreczuch et al., Tenside Surf. Det. Vol 28 (2001), pages 72-80; C. Kolano. Household and Personal Care Today (2012), pages 52-55; A. Hama et al., J. Am. Oil. Chem. Soc. Vol 72 (1995), pages 781-784. MEE can be produced by the reaction of a methyl ester with ethylene oxide using a calcium or magnesium based catalyst. The catalyst can be removed or left in the MEE.

[0092] An alternative route of preparation is the transesterification of a methyl ester or esterification of a carboxylic acid with a polyethylene glycol capped at one end with a methyl group.

[0093] Methyl esters can be prepared by transesterification of methanol with triglycerides or esterification of methanol with fatty acids. The transesterification of triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters and glycerol is discussed in Fattah et al. (Front. Energy Res., June 2020, Vol. 8, Article 101) and references therein. Common catalysts for these reactions include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium methoxide. Esterases and lipases can also be used. Triglycerides are naturally occurring in plant fats or oils, preferred sources are rapeseed oil, castor oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, high stearic / high oleic sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil, inedible plant oils, tall oil and any mixture thereof and any derivative thereof. Oils from trees are known as tall oils. Used cooking oil can be used. Triglycerides can also be obtained from algae, fungi, yeast or bacteria. Plant sources are preferred.

[0094] Distillation and fractionation processes can be used to produce methyl esters or carboxylic acids to produce the desired carbon chain distribution. Preferred sources of triglycerides are those containing less than 35 wt% polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oil prior to distillation, fractionation or hydrogenation.

[0095] Fatty acids and methyl esters can be obtained from oleochemical suppliers such as Wilmar, KLK Oleo, Unilever oleochemical Indonesia. Biodiesel is a methyl ester and these sources can be used.

[0096] When the ESB is a MEE, it preferably has a molar average of 8 to 30 ethoxylate groups (EO), more preferably 10 to 20. Most preferred ethoxylates contain 12 to 18 EO.

[0097] Preferably, at least 10 wt%, more preferably at least 30 wt% of the total C18:1 MEE in the composition has 9 to 11 EO, even more preferably at least 10 wt% has exactly 10 EO. For example, when the MEE has a molar average of 10 EO, then at least 10 wt% of the MEE should consist of ethoxylates with 9, 10 and 11 ethoxylate groups.

[0098] The methyl ester ethoxylate preferably has a molar average of 8 to 13 ethoxylate groups (EO). Most preferred ethoxylates have a molar average of 9 to 11 EO, even more preferably 10 EO. When the MEE has a molar average of 10 EO, then at least 10 wt% of the MEE should consist of ethoxylates with 9, 10 and 11 ethoxylate groups.

[0099] In the case of a wider MEE contribution, it is preferred that at least 40 wt% of the total MEE in the composition is C18:1.

[0100] Further, it is preferred that the MEE component also comprises some C16 MEE.

[0101] Thus, it is preferred that the total MEE component comprises 5 to 50 wt% C16 MEE of the total MEE. Preferably, the C16 MEE is greater than 90 wt%, more preferably greater than 95 wt% C16:0.

[0102] Further, it is preferred that the total MEE component comprises less than 15 wt%, more preferably less than 10 wt%, most preferably less than 5 wt% of polyunsaturated C18, i.e. C18:2 and C18:3, of the total MEE. Preferably, C18:3 is present in less than 1 wt%, more preferably less than 0.5 wt%, most preferably substantially not present. The level of polyunsaturation can be controlled by distillation, fractionation or partial hydrogenation of the feedstock (triglyceride or methyl ester) or MEE.

[0103] Further, it is preferred that the C18:0 component is less than 10 wt% of the total MEE present.

[0104] Further, it is preferred that components with carbon chains of 15 or less make up less than 4 wt% of the total MEE present.

[0105] A particularly preferred MEE has 2 to 26 wt% C16:0 chains, 1 to 10 wt% C18:0 chains, 50 to 85 wt% C18:1 chains and 1 to 12 wt% C18:2 chains of the MEE.

[0106] Preferred sources of the alkyl groups of the MEE include methyl esters derived from distilled palm oil and distilled high oleic methyl esters derived from palm kernel oil, partially hydrogenated methyl esters of canola oil, methyl esters of high oleic sunflower oil, methyl esters of high oleic safflower oil and methyl esters of high oleic soybean oil.

[0107] High oleic oils are available from DuPont (Plenish high oleic soybean oil), Monsanto (Visitive Gold soybean oil), Dow (omega-9 canola oil, omega-9 sunflower oil), National Sunflower Association and Oilseeds International.

[0108] Preferably, greater than 80 wt% of the double bonds in the MEE are in the cis configuration.

[0109] Preferably, the 18:1 component is oleic acid. Preferably, the 18:2 component is linoleic acid.

[0110] The methyl group of the methyl ester can be replaced by an ethyl or propyl group. Methyl is most preferred.

[0111] Preferably, the methyl ester ethoxylate constitutes from 0.1 to 95% by weight of the methyl ester ethoxylate of the composition. More preferably the composition comprises from 2 to 40% by weight of MEE, and most preferably from 4 to 30% by weight of MEE.

[0112] Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50% by weight of water, but this is dependent on the total surfactant content and adjusted accordingly.

[0113] The anionic surfactant weight is calculated as the protonated form.

[0114] Branched surfactant The composition of the present application comprises branched C8-11 alcohol ether sulphate surfactant in the form of: RO-(EO) n SO3X where R is preferably a branched C8 to C11 alkyl chain (R), preferably C9 or C10; n is from 1 to 6, preferably 2.5 to 5, most preferably 3.5 to 4.5; and X is a cation, preferably sodium or amine. The integer n is the molar average. EO represents ethoxylate.

[0115] Preferably, the branched alcohol ether sulphate surfactant has the structure, where p and m are greater than 1, more preferably m is 4 and p is 2 or m = p+2.

[0116] Preferably, the branched alcohol ether sulphate is prepared from a Guerbet alcohol. Preferably, the alcohol used to prepare the branched alcohol ether sulphate surfactant has greater than 80 mol% of a single alkyl chain length and configuration. Most preferred is a C10 branched alcohol ether sulphate on 2-propyl heptanol with 4 molar average ethoxylation.

[0117] Farbe et al discuss branched alcohols in the Alcohols, Aliphatic chapter of Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.

[0118] Branched alcohols are commercially available from Sasol, Exxon and BASF.

[0119] Preferably, the branched surfactant constitutes from 1 to 20% by weight of the total surfactant in the composition.

[0120] Given the typical surfactant loading of the composition as a whole, it is preferred that the branched surfactant is present in an amount of from 0.05 to 3% by weight of the composition.

[0121] Preferably, the weight ratio of total anionic and / or nonionic surfactant to C8 to C11 branched alcohol ether sulphate is from 100:1 to 30:1, more preferably from 80:1 to 40:1.

[0122] Zwitterionic surfactant The composition can comprise from 0 to 3 wt% of a zwitterionic surfactant.

[0123] Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Betaines, including C10-C14 alkyl dimethyl betaines and coco dimethyl amido propyl betaines, C10 to C14 amine oxides and sulfo and hydroxy betaines, such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammonio-1-propane sulfonate, where the alkyl group can be C10 to C14.

[0124] Surfactant ratio Preferably, the weight ratio of total ether sulphate surfactant to total anionic surfactant is from 1 to 0.5, preferably from 1 to 0.8.

[0125] Source of alkyl chain The alkyl chains of the surfactants are preferably obtained from a renewable source, preferably from a triglyceride. A renewable source is a renewable source in which the material is produced through the natural ecological cycle of a living species, preferably by a plant, alga, fungus, yeast or bacteria, more preferably a plant, alga or yeast.

[0126] Preferred plant sources of oil are rapeseed, sunflower, corn, soybean, cottonseed, olive oil and trees. Oil from trees is known as tall oil. Most preferably palm kernel oil and coconut oil are the sources. The desired C12:C14 ratio can be obtained by fractionation / distillation and mixing of components.

[0127] Algal oil is discussed in Saad M.G. et al. Energies 2019, 12, 1920 Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges. The production of triglycerides from biomass using yeast is described in Masri M. A. et al. Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 2717 A sustainable, high-performance process for the economic production of waste-free microbial oils that can replace plant-based equivalents.

[0128] Inedible vegetable oils can be used, and are preferably selected from the group consisting of fruits and seeds of Jatropha curcas, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia feotida, Madhuca indica (mahua), Pongamia glabra (koroch seeds), flaxseed, Pongamia pinnata (karanja), Hevea brasiliensis (rubber seeds), Azadirachta indica (neem), Camelina sativa, Lesquerella fendleri, Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco), Deccan hemp, Ricinus communis L. (castor), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba), Eruca sativa. L., Cerbera odollam (Seamango), Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), Croton megalocarpus, Pilu, Crambe, Clove, Scheleichera triguga (kusum), Stillingia, Shorea robusta (sal), Terminalia belerica roxb, Cuphea, Camellia, Champaca, Simarouba glauca, Garcinia indica, rice bran, Hingan (balanites), Desert date, Cardoon, Asclepias syriaca (Milkweed), Guizotia abyssinica, Radish Ethiopian mustard, Syagrus, Tung, Idesia polycarpa var. vestita, algae, Argemone mexicana L.(Mexican prickly poppy), Putranjiva roxburghii (Happy tree), Soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi), Syringe (M. azedarach), Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana), Copaiba, Milk bush, Laurel, Cumaru, Andiroba, Piqui, B. napus, Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

[0129] C12C14linear alcohols suitable as an intermediate step in the manufacture of C12C14ether sulfates can be obtained from many different sustainable sources. These include: Primary sugar Primary sugars are obtained from cane or beet and the like and can be fermented to form bioethanol. The bioethanol is then dehydrated to form bioethylene which is then olefin metathesized to form alkenes. These alkenes are then processed by hydroformylation or oxidation to linear alcohols.

[0130] An alternative method can be used which also utilizes primary sugars to form linear alcohols and in which the primary sugars are microbially transformed by algae to form triglycerides. These triglycerides are subsequently hydrolyzed to linear fatty acids which are then reduced to form linear alcohols.

[0131] Biomass Biomass, such as forestry products, rice hulls and straw and the like, can be processed by gasification to form syngas. By Fischer-Tropsch reaction, these materials are processed to alkanes which are subsequently dehydrogenated to form alkenes. These alkenes can be processed in the same manner as the alkenes described above [Primary sugars].

[0132] An alternative method converts the same biomass by steam explosion to polysaccharides which can be enzymatically degraded to secondary sugars. These secondary sugars are then fermented to form bioethanol which is subsequently dehydrated to form bioethylene. This bioethylene is then processed to linear alcohols as described above [Primary sugars].

[0133] Waste plastic Waste plastics are pyrolyzed to form pyrolysis oil. This is then fractionated to form linear alkanes which are subsequently dehydrogenated to form alkenes. These alkenes are processed as described above [Primary sugars].

[0134] Alternatively, the pyrolysis oil is cracked to form ethylene, which is then processed through olefin metathesis to form the desired alkene. These are then processed into linear alcohols as described above [Primary Sugars].

[0135] Municipal solid waste MSW is converted to syngas by gasification. From the syngas, it can be processed as described above [Primary Sugars], or it is converted to ethanol through an enzymatic process prior to dehydrogenation to ethylene. The ethylene can then be converted to linear alcohols through the Ziegler process.

[0136] MSW can also be converted to pyrolysis oil by gasification, which is then fractionated to form alkanes. These alkanes are then dehydrogenated to form alkenes, and then linear alcohols.

[0137] Ocean carbon There are various sources of carbon from marine communities such as seaweed and kelp. From such marine communities, triglycerides can be isolated from the source, and then hydrolyzed to form fatty acids, which are reduced to linear alcohols in the usual manner.

[0138] Alternatively, the feedstock can be isolated into polysaccharides, which are enzymatically degraded to form secondary sugars. These can be fermented to form bioethanol, which is then processed as described above [Primary Sugars].

[0139] Waste oil Waste oil (such as used cooking oil) can be physically isolated into triglycerides, which are broken down into linear fatty acids, and then linear alcohols as described above.

[0140] Alternatively, used cooking oil can undergo the Neste process, whereby the oil is catalytically cracked to form bioethylene. This is then processed as described above.

[0141] Methane capture Methane capture methods capture methane from landfills or fossil fuel production. The methane can be formed into syngas by gasification. The syngas can be processed as described above, whereby the syngas is converted to methanol (Fischer-Tropsch reaction), and then to alkenes, which are then converted to linear alcohols through hydroformylation oxidation.

[0142] Alternatively, the syngas can be converted to alkanes, and then to alkenes through Fischer-Tropsch and subsequent dehydrogenation.

[0143] Carbon capture Carbon dioxide can be captured by any of a number of well-known methods. Carbon dioxide can be converted to carbon monoxide by the reverse water gas shift reaction, and this can then be converted to synthesis gas using hydrogen in an electrolysis reaction. The synthesis gas is then processed as described above, and converted to methanol and / or alkanes prior to reaction to form olefins.

[0144] Alternatively, the captured carbon dioxide is mixed with hydrogen prior to enzymatic processing to form ethanol. This is the process developed by Lanzatech. From this, the ethanol is converted to ethylene, which is then processed to olefins and then as described above to linear alcohols.

[0145] The above process can also be used to obtain the C12 / 14 chains for C12 / 14 ether sulphates.

[0146] Preferably, the composition is visually clear.

[0147] Preferably, the composition contains 10 to 80 wt% water.

[0148] Preferably, the liquid detergent comprises 1 to 5 wt% ethanol. Liquid laundry detergent In the context of the present application, the term "laundry detergent" means a formulated composition intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning household laundry items such as clothes, linens and other household textiles. It is an object of the present application to provide a composition which, when diluted, is capable of forming a liquid laundry detergent composition in the manner now described.

[0150] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid composition is isotropic.

[0151] The term "linen" is generally used to describe certain types of laundry items including bed sheets, pillow cases, towels, table cloths, napkins and uniforms. The textile can include woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics; and can include natural or synthetic fibres such as silk fibres, linen fibres, cotton fibres, polyester fibres, polyamide fibres (such as nylon), acrylic fibres, acetate fibres and blends thereof including cotton and polyester blends.

[0152] Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy duty liquid laundry detergents for use in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine, as well as liquid rinse and liquid colour care detergents such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (for example those made of silk or wool) by hand or in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine.

[0153] In the context of the present application, the term "liquid" means that the continuous phase or major portion of the composition is liquid and that the composition is flowable at 15°C and above. Thus, the term "liquid" can include emulsions, suspensions and compositions having a flowable but more stiff consistency, referred to as gels or pastes. The viscosity of the composition is preferably from 200 to about 10,000 mPa.s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec -1 The shear rate is the shear rate that is normally applied to a liquid when it is poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid detergent compositions preferably have a viscosity of from 200 to 1,500 mPa.s, preferably from 200 to 700 mPa.s.

[0154] The composition according to the present application can suitably have an aqueous continuous phase. By "aqueous continuous phase" is meant a continuous phase based on water. Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50 wt% water, more preferably at least 70 wt% water.

[0155] The alkyl ether sulphate can be provided in a single raw material component or by way of a mixture of components.

[0156] When the composition comprises a mixture of C16 / 18 source material for the alcohol ether sulphate as well as the more traditional C12 alkyl chain length material, it is preferred that the C16 / 18 alcohol ether sulphate should make up at least 10 wt% of the total alcohol ether sulphate in the composition, more preferably at least 50% of the alcohol ether sulphate, even more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%.

[0157] The alcohol ethoxylate can be provided in a single raw material component or by way of a mixture of components.

[0158] Preferably, the choice and amount of surfactant is such that the composition and the diluted mixture are isotropic in nature. Alkoxylated oligoamine cleaning booster Preferably, the composition comprises an alkoxylated oligoamine cleaning booster.

[0160] The alkoxylated oligoamine cleaning booster is a polymer containing at least 2, preferably at least 4 nitrogen atoms, and most preferably at least 4 polyalkoxy groups, wherein the polyalkoxy groups contain from 10 to 30 individual alkoxy units. Preferably, at least one polyalkoxy group is directly attached to a nitrogen atom. Preferably, the alkoxylate groups are selected from ethoxy and propoxy groups, most preferably ethoxy. -[CH2CH2O] n -H.

[0161] Preferably, the alkoxylated oligoamine contains from 2 to 40, more preferably from 2 to 10, most preferably from 3 to 8 nitrogen atoms.

[0162] Such polymers are described in WO2023 / 287834 (DOW), WO2023 / 287835 (DOW), WO2023 / 287836 (DOW), WO2021 / 165493 (BASF), WO2021 / 165468 (BASF), WO2022 / 136389 (BASF), WO2022 / 136409 (BASF), WO2004 / 24858 (Procter and Gamble) and WO2021239547 (Unilever).

[0163] The alkoxylated oligoamine preferably contains permanent positive charges, wherein the positive charges are provided by quaternization of the nitrogen atoms of the amine.

[0164] Preferably, the charges are present when the alkoxylated oligoamine contains 2 to 10, preferably 3 to 6 nitrogen atoms. When the alkoxylated oligoamine contains permanent positive charges, it also contains anionic groups resulting from sulfation or sulfonation of the alkoxylated groups.

[0165] Preferably, more than or equal to 50 mol% of the nitrogen amines are quaternized, preferably with methyl groups. Preferably, the polymer contains 3 to 10, more preferably 3 to 6, most preferably 3 to 5 quaternized nitrogen amines. Preferably, the alkoxylate groups are selected from ethoxy and propoxy groups, most preferably ethoxy.

[0166] Preferably, the alkoxylated oligoamine contains ester (COO) groups within the structure, preferably placed such that when all esters are hydrolyzed, at least one, preferably all of the hydrolyzed fragments have a molecular weight of less than 4000, preferably less than 2000, most preferably less than 1000.

[0167] Preferably, the alkoxylated oligoamine is selected from alkoxylated polyethyleneimines, zwitterionic alkoxylated oligoamines and tetraester alkoxylated oligoamines.

[0168] Alkoxylated polyethyleneimines are made from polyethyleneimines which are materials consisting of ethyleneimine units -CH2CH2NH- and, when branched, the hydrogens on the nitrogen are replaced by another ethyleneimine unit chain. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the present invention have a polyethyleneimine backbone of about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight (Mw). The polyethyleneimine backbone can be linear or branched. It can be branched to the extent of a dendrimer. In the case of alkoxylated nitrogen atoms, the preferred average degree of alkoxylation is 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 25 alkoxy groups per modification. Preferred materials are ethoxylated polyethyleneimines, wherein the average degree of ethoxylation of each ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone is 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 25 ethoxy groups. w ​

[0169] Zwitterionic alkoxylated oligoamines have the following form: wherein R1 is a C3 to C8 alkyl group, X is (C2H4O) n Y groups, wherein n is 15 to 30, preferably 18 to 25, wherein m is 1 to 10, preferably 2, 3, 4 or 5, and wherein Y is selected from OH and SO3 - , and the number of SO3 - groups is greater than the number of OH groups. Preferably, there is 0 or 1 OH group. X and R1 can contain an ester group therein. X can contain a carbonyl group, preferably an ester group. Preferably there is 1 C2H4O unit separating the ester group from N, such that the structural unit N-C2H4O-ester-(C2H4O) n-1 Y is preferred.

[0170] Such polymers are described in WO2004 / 24858 (Procter and Gamble) and WO2021239547 (Unilever). Preferred exemplary polymers are the sulfated ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine of Example 4 of WO2004 / 24858 and Examples P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 of WO2021239547. The ester group can be included using a lactone or sodium chloroacetate (modified Williamson synthesis) addition to an OH or NH group followed by ethoxylation.

[0171] An exemplary reaction scheme for the inclusion of an ester group is The addition of lactones is discussed in WO2021 / 165468. Once the ester group is included, the alkoxylated ester containing polyamine can be methylated and sulfated, for example according to Example P6 of WO2021239547. Preferably, the product is neutralised to pH = 7 at the end of the synthesis. If hydrolysis of the ester occurs to some extent, the hydrolysis products can be removed or re-esterified.

[0172] Tetra-ester alkoxylated oligoamines have the following form: wherein R1 is a polyalkoxy group, R is a polyalkoxy group, x is 0, 1 or 2, and b is 2, 3 or 4. They are described in WO2023 / 287834 (DOW), WO2023 / 287835 (DOW), WO2023 / 287836 (DOW).

[0173] Preferably, the alkoxylated oligoamine cleaning booster is present at 0.01 to 8 wt%, more preferably 0.5 to 3 wt% of the composition.

[0174] Aminocarboxylate Preferably, the composition comprises an aminocarboxylate chelating agent. Preferably, the aminocarboxylate is selected from GLDA and MGDA.

[0175] Preferably, the aminocarboxylate is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1 to 15 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 wt.-%, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt.-%, still more preferably 0.8 to 3 wt.-%, and most preferably 1 to 2.5 wt.-%, based on the weight of the composition.

[0176] Glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) GLDA can be present as a salt of GDLA or as a mixture of GDLA and a salt of GDLA. Preferred salt forms include mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-alkali metal salts and mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-ammonium salts of GLDA. The alkali metal salt of glutamic acid diacetate GDLA is preferably selected from lithium, potassium, more preferably sodium salts of GLDA.

[0177] Glutamic acid diacetate can be partially or preferably completely neutralized with a base. Preferably, an average of 3.5 to 4 COOH groups of GLDA are neutralized with an alkali metal, preferably with sodium. Most preferably, the composition comprises the tetrasodium salt of GLDA.

[0178] GLDA is at least partially neutralized with an alkali metal, more preferably with sodium or potassium, most preferably with sodium.

[0179] The GLDA salt can be an alkali metal salt of L-GLDA, an alkali metal salt of D-GLDA or an enantiomerically enriched mixture of isomers.

[0180] Preferably, the composition comprises a mixture of L- and D-enantiomers of glutamic acid diacetate (GLDA) or the corresponding mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-alkali metal salts or mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof, said mixture predominantly containing the corresponding L-isomer with an enantiomeric excess in the range of 10% to 95%.

[0181] Preferably, the GLDA salt is essentially L-glutamic acid diacetate at least partially neutralized with an alkali metal.

[0182] The sodium salt of GLDA is preferred.

[0183] A suitable commercial source of GLDA in the form of the tetrasodium salt is DISSOLVINE® GL available from Nouryon.

[0184] Preferably, GLDA is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1 to 15 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 wt.-%, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt.-%, still more preferably 0.8 to 3 wt.-%, and most preferably 1 to 2.5 wt.-%, based on the weight of the composition.

[0185] Methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) Preferred salt forms include mono-, di-, tri- or tetraalkali metal salts and mono-, di-, tri- or tetraammonium salts of MGDA. The alkali metal salt is preferably selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, more preferably sodium salts of MGDA.

[0186] The sodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid is preferred. Particularly preferred is the trisodium salt of MGDA.

[0187] MGDA can be partially or preferably completely neutralized with the corresponding alkali metal. Preferably, an average of 2.7 to 3 COOH groups per molecule of MGDA are neutralized with an alkali metal, preferably with sodium.

[0188] MGDA can be selected from the group consisting of racemic mixtures of alkali metal salts of MGDA and racemic mixtures of pure enantiomers, such as alkali metal salts of L-MGDA, alkali metal salts of D-MGDA and mixtures of enantiomerically enriched isomers.

[0189] A suitable commercial source of MGDA in the form of the trisodium salt is TRILON® M available from BASF and Dissolvine® M-40 available from Nouryon.

[0190] Preferably, MGDA is present in the composition in an amount of 0.1 to 15 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 wt.-%, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt.-%, still more preferably 0.8 to 3 wt.-%, and most preferably 1 to 2.5 wt.-%, based on the weight of the composition.

[0191] Small amounts of the aminocarboxylate can carry cations other than alkali metals. Thus, it is possible for small amounts, such as 0.01 to 5 mol.-%, to carry alkaline earth metal cations, such as Mg 2+ or Ca 2+ , or Fe(II) or Fe(III) cations. GLDA can contain small amounts of impurities derived from its synthesis, such as lactic acid, alanine, propionic acid, etc. In this case, "small amounts" means 0.1 to 1 wt.-% in total, referring to the chelating agent aminocarboxylate.

[0192] Organic acid The composition preferably comprises an organic acid. Preferably, the organic acid has the general structure R-CH(OH)-COOH, wherein R is a linear C1-C5, more preferably C2-C4, most preferably C4 alkyl group.

[0193] Preferably, at least two, more preferably all of the carbon atoms in the linear C1-4 are substituted with OH groups. Preferably, R comprises a terminal COOH group.

[0194] Preferred examples are lactic acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, mucic acid, glucoheptonic acid. Most preferably, the organic acid is gluconic acid.

[0195] The organic acid can be in its D or L form.

[0196] Gluconic acid can be selected from the group consisting of salts of gluconic acid (gluconates) and pure enantiomers (such as alkali metal salts of L-gluconic acid, alkali metal salts of D-gluconic acid) and mixtures of racemic mixtures and enantiomerically enriched isomers. The D-isomer form is preferred.

[0197] Preferably, the organic acid is present in the range of 0.1 to 15 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 10 wt%, even more preferably 0.2 to 4 wt%, still more preferably 0.5 to 3 wt%, and most preferably 0.8 to 2 wt% by weight of the composition. Measurement is made in respect of its protonated form.

[0198] In the most preferred embodiment, the composition comprises GLDA and / or MGDA and gluconic acid, more preferably GLDA and gluconic acid.

[0199] External structurant The composition of the present application can further modify its rheology by the use of one or more external structurants which form a structured network within the composition. Examples of such materials include crystallisable glycerides, such as hydrogenated castor oil; microfibrillar cellulose and citrus pulp fibre. The presence of an external structurant can provide a shear-thinning rheology and can also enable materials such as encapsulates and visual cues to be stably suspended in the liquid.

[0200] The composition preferably comprises a crystallisable glyceride.

[0201] The crystallisable glyceride can be used to form an external structured system as described in WO201 1 / 031940, the contents of which (particularly in relation to the manufacture of the ESS) are incorporated by reference. When an ESS is present, it is preferred that the ESS of the present application preferably comprises: (a) a crystallisable glyceride; (b) an alkanolamine; (c) an anionic surfactant; (d) a further component; and (e) an optional component. Each of these components is discussed in detail below.

[0202] As used herein, crystallizable glycerides preferably include "hydrogenated castor oil" or "HCO". HCO as used herein can most typically be any hydrogenated castor oil so long as it is capable of crystallizing in the ESS pre-mix. Castor oil can include glycerides, especially triglycerides, which contain C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl moieties incorporating a hydroxyl group. Hydrogenation conversion of castor oil to make HCO can convert double bonds present in the raw oil as castor oil acyl moieties to saturated hydroxyalkyl moieties, e.g., hydroxy stearyl groups. In some embodiments, HCO herein can be selected from the group consisting of: trihydroxystearin; dihydroxystearin; and mixtures thereof. HCO can be processed in any suitable starting form, including but not limited to those selected from the group consisting of solids, melts, and mixtures thereof. HCO is typically present in the ESS of the present application at levels of from about 2% to about 10%, from about 3% to about 8%, or from about 4% to about 6%, by weight of the structuring system. In some embodiments, the corresponding percentage of hydrogenated castor oil delivered to the final laundry detergent product is less than about 1.0%, typically from 0.1% to 0.8%.

[0203] Useful HCO can have the following properties: a melting point of from about 40 degrees Celsius to about 100 degrees Celsius, or from about 65 degrees Celsius to about 95 degrees Celsius; and / or an iodine value ranging from 0 to about 5, 0 to about 4, or 0 to about 2.6. The melting point of HCO can be measured using ASTM D3418 or ISO 11357; both tests utilize DSC: differential scanning calorimetry. HCO for use in the present application includes those that are commercially available. Non-limiting examples of commercially available HCO for use in the present application include: THIXCIN(R) from Rheox, Inc. Other examples of useful HCO can be found in U.S. Patent 5,340,390. The source of castor oil used for hydrogenation to form HCO can be of any suitable origin, such as from Brazil or India. In one suitable embodiment, the castor oil is hydrogenated using a noble metal (e.g., palladium catalyst) and the hydrogenation temperature and pressure are controlled to optimize hydrogenation of the double bonds of the natural castor oil while avoiding unacceptable levels of dehydroxylation.

[0204] The present invention is not intended to be limited to the use of hydrogenated castor oil. Any other suitable crystallizable glyceride can be used. In one example, the structuring agent is a substantially pure triglyceride of 12-hydroxystearic acid. This molecule represents the pure form of the fully hydrogenated triglyceride of 12-hydroxy-9-cis-octadecenoic acid. In nature, the composition of castor oil is fairly constant, but can vary slightly. Likewise, the hydrogenation process can vary. Any other suitable equivalent material can be used, such as a mixture of triglycerides, at least 80% by weight of which is derived from castor oil. Exemplary equivalent materials comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, primarily triglycerides; or a mixture of primarily diglycerides and triglycerides; or a mixture of primarily triglycerides with diglycerides and a limited amount (e.g., less than about 20% by weight of the glyceride mixture) of monoglycerides; or a mixture of primarily any of the foregoing glycerides with a limited amount (e.g., less than about 20% by weight) of the corresponding acid hydrolysis product of any of the glycerides. The foregoing is premised on the major portion (typically at least 80% by weight) of any of the glycerides being chemically identical to the glycerides of fully hydrogenated ricinoleic acid, i.e., the glycerides of 12-hydroxystearic acid. For example, it is known in the art to modify hydrogenated castor oil such that, in a given triglyceride, there are two 12-hydroxystearic acid moieties and one stearic acid moiety. Likewise, it is contemplated that hydrogenated castor oil can not be fully hydrogenated. In contrast, poly(oxyalkylated) castor oil is excluded from the present invention when it does not meet the melting criteria.

[0205] The melting point of the crystallizable glyceride used in the present invention can be from about 40 degrees Celsius to about 100 degrees Celsius.

[0206] Hydroxamic acid Preferably, the composition comprises a hydroxamic acid.

[0207] Whenever the term "hydroxamic acid" or "hydroxamate" is used, unless otherwise indicated, it encompasses both the hydroxamic acid and the corresponding hydroxamate (the salt of the hydroxamic acid).

[0208] A hydroxamic acid is a class of chemical compounds in which a hydroxylamine is inserted into a carboxylic acid. The general structure of a hydroxamic acid is as follows: (Formula 1) where R 1 is an organic residue, such as an alkyl or alkenyl group. The hydroxamic acid can exist as its corresponding alkali metal salt or hydroxamate. The preferred salt is the potassium salt.

[0209] A hydroxamate can be conveniently formed from the corresponding hydroxamic acid by replacing the acid hydrogen atom with a cation: (Formula 2) L+ is a monovalent cation, such as an alkali metal (eg, potassium, sodium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium.

[0210] In the present invention, hydroxamic acid or its corresponding hydroxamate has the following structure: (Formula 3) where R 1 yes Straight or branched C4-C 20 Alkyl, or Straight-chain or branched substituted C4-C 20 Alkyl, or Straight or branched C4-C 20 alkenyl, or Straight-chain or branched substituted C4-C 20 alkenyl, or Alkyl ether group CH3(CH2) n (EO) m , wherein n is 2 to 20 and m is 1 to 12, or Substituted alkyl ether groups CH3(CH2) n (EO) m , wherein n is 2 to 20 and m is 1 to 12, and the substitution type includes one or more of NH2, OH, S, -O- and COOH, And R 2 Selected from hydrogen and branched R 1 The group forms part of a cyclic structure.

[0211] Preferred hydroxamates are those wherein R 2 is hydrogen and R 1 C8 to C 14 Alkyl groups, preferably n-alkyl groups, are most preferably saturated ones.

[0212] The general structure of hydroxamic acid in the context of the present invention is indicated in Formula 3, and R 1 As defined above. 1 It is an alkyl ether group CH3(CH2) n (EO) m , wherein n is 2 to 20 and m is 1 to 12, the alkyl moiety terminates the side group. 1 Selected from C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C 10 、C 11 、C 12 and C 14 n-alkyl, most preferably R 1 Is at least C 8-14 n-alkyl. When using a C8 material, this is called octylhydroxamic acid. The potassium salt is particularly useful.

[0213] Potassium octylhydroxamate However, other hydroxamic acids, although less preferred, are suitable for use in the present application. Such suitable compounds include, but are not limited to, the following compounds: Such hydroxamic acids include lysine hydroxamic acid hydrochloride, methionine hydroxamic acid and norvaline hydroxamic acid and are commercially available.

[0214] The hydroxamate is believed to work by binding to metal ions present in the soil on the fabric. This binding, which is in effect the known chelating agent property of the hydroxamate, has no effect on the removal of soil from the fabric per se. It is the "tail" of the hydroxamate, i.e. the group R 1 Any branching back onto the amate nitrogen is subtracted from the group R 2 The tail is selected to have an affinity for the surfactant system. This means that the soil removal capability of an already optimised surfactant system is further enhanced by the use of the hydroxamate as it effectively tags the difficult to remove particulate matter (clay) as "soil" for removal by the surfactant system which acts on the hydroxamate molecules which are now fixed to the particulate via their binding to the metal ions embedded in the clay type particulate. The non-soap soil release surfactant adheres to the hydroxamate, resulting in overall more surfactant interacting with the fabric, resulting in better soil removal. Thus, the hydroxamic acid acts as a linker molecule, facilitating the removal and suspension of particulate soil from the fabric into the wash liquor and thus enhancing the primary detergency.

[0215] The hydroxamate has a higher affinity for transition metals, such as iron, than for alkaline earth metals, such as calcium and magnesium, and thus the hydroxamic acid acts primarily to improve the removal of soil, especially particulate soil, from the fabric and not additionally as a builder for calcium and magnesium.

[0216] A preferred hydroxamate is coco hydroxamic acid available as 80% solids from Axis House under the trade name RK853. The corresponding potassium salt is available from Axis House under the trade name RK852. Axis house also supply coco hydroxamic acid as a 50% solids material under the trade name RK858. The 50% potassium salt of coco hydroxamic acid is available as RK857. Another preferred material is RK842, an alkyl hydroxamic acid from Axis House made from palm kernel oil.

[0217] Preferably, the hydroxamate is present at 0.1 to 3% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.2 to 2% by weight of the composition.

[0218] Preferably, the weight ratio between the hydroxamic salt and the surfactant is from 0.05 to 0.3, more preferably from 0.75 to 0.2, most preferably from 0.8 to 1.2. The weight is calculated on the protonated form.

[0219] Soil release polymer Soil release polymers help improve the detachment of soil from fabrics by modifying the fabric surface during the wash process. The affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fiber promotes the adsorption of the SRP on the fabric surface.

[0220] SRPs for use in the present application can include various charged (e.g., anionic) as well as non-charged monomer units, and the structure can be linear, branched, or star-shaped. The SRP structure can also include end-capping groups for controlling molecular weight or altering polymer properties such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the SRP can suitably be in the range of about 1000 to about 20,000, and preferably in the range of about 1500 to about 10,000. w

[0221] SRPs for use in the present application can suitably be selected from copolyesters of a dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipic acid, phthalic acid, or terephthalic acid), a diol (e.g., ethylene glycol or propylene glycol), and a polyglycol (e.g., polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The copolyesters can also include monomer units that are substituted with anionic groups, such as, for example, sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligomeric esters produced by ester interchange / oligomerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate (“DMT”), propylene glycol (“PG”), and polyethylene glycol (“PEG”); partially and fully anionically end-capped oligomeric esters such as oligomers from ethylene glycol (“EG”), PG, DMT, and sodium 3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctanesulfonate; non- ionically end-capped block polyester oligomeric compounds such as those produced from combinations of DMT, Me end-capped PEG, and EG and / or PG, or DMT, EG and / or PG, Me end-capped PEG, and sodium 5-dimethylsulfonate, and copolymer blocks of terephthaloyl ethylene glycol ester or terephthaloyl propylene glycol ester with poly(ethylene oxide) terephthalate or poly(propylene oxide) terephthalate.

[0222] Other types of SRPs for use in the present application include cellulose derivatives such as hydroxy ether cellulose polymers, C1-C4 alkyl celluloses, and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers with poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl esters), e.g., C1-C6 vinyl esters grafted onto a polyalkylene oxide backbone such as poly(vinyl acetate); poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related copolymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol. ​

[0223] Preferred SRPs for use in the present application include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalate and a diol, preferably 1,2 propanediol, and further comprise a cap formed from repeating units of an alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. An example of such a material has a structure corresponding to general formula (I): where R 1 and R 2 are independently of each other X-(OC2H4) n -(OC3H6) m ; where X is C 1-4 alkyl and preferably methyl; n is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50; m is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and a is a number from 4 to 9.

[0224] Since they are average values, m, n and a are not necessarily integers for the overall polymer.

[0225] Mixtures of any of the above materials can also be used.

[0226] The total level of the polyester based SRP can range from 0.1 to 10%, depending on the level of polymer intended for use in the final dilute composition, and desirably from 0.3 to 7%, more preferably from 0.5 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the dilute composition).

[0227] Suitable soil release polymers are described in more detail in US Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857; WO 2007 / 079850 and WO 2016 / 005271. If used, soil release polymers are typically incorporated into the liquid laundry detergent compositions herein at a concentration ranging from 0.01% to 10%, more preferably from 0.1% to 5%, by weight of the composition.

[0228] Enzyme The composition preferably comprises an enzyme selected from cellulases, proteases and amylase / mannanase mixtures.

[0229] In addition, further enzymes can be present, such as those described below.

[0230] Preferably, the composition can comprise an effective amount of one or more enzymes, preferably selected from the group comprising lipase, hemicellulase, peroxidase, hemicellulase, xylanase, xanthanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, cutinase, pectinase, carrageenase, pectate lyase, keratinase, reductase, oxidase, phenoloxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, pentosanase, malanases, beta-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, tanninase, nuclease (such as deoxyribonuclease and / or ribonuclease), phosphodiesterase or mixtures thereof.

[0231] Preferably, the enzyme content is 0.1 to 100, more preferably 0.5 to 50, most preferably 5 to 30 mg active enzyme protein per 100 g of finished laundry liquid composition.

[0232] Examples of preferred enzymes are sold under the following tradenames: Purafect Prime®, Purafect®, Preferenz® (DuPont), Savinase®, Pectawash®, Mannaway®, Lipex®, Lipoclean®, Whitzyme® Stainzyme®, Stainzyme Plus®, Natalase®, Mannaway®, Amplify® Xpect®, Celluclean® (Novozymes), Biotouch (AB Enzymes), Lavergy® (BASF).

[0233] Detergent enzymes are discussed in WO2020 / 186028 (Procter and Gamble), WO2020 / 200600 (Henkel), WO2020 / 070249 (Novozymes), WO2021 / 001244 (BASF) and WO2020 / 259949 (Unilever).

[0234] Nucleases are enzymes capable of cleaving the phosphodiester bond between nucleotide subunits of nucleic acids, and are preferably deoxyribonucleases or ribonucleases. Preferably, the nuclease is a deoxyribonuclease, preferably selected from any one of class E.C. 3.1.21.x, wherein x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, E.C. 3.1.22.y, wherein y = 1, 2, 4 or 5, E.C. 3.1.30.z, wherein z = 1, 2, E.C. 3.1.31.1 and mixtures thereof.

[0235] Proteases hydrolyse bonds within peptides and proteins, which in the case of laundry, results in enhanced removal of protein or peptide-containing stains. Examples of suitable protease families include aspartic proteases; cysteine proteases; glutamic acid proteases; asparagine peptide lyases; serine proteases and threonine proteases. Such protease families are described in the MEROPS peptidase database (http: / / merops.sanger.ac.uk). Serine proteases are preferred. Subtilase-type serine proteases are more preferred. The term "subtilase" refers to a sub-group of serine proteases according to Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737 and Siezen et al., Protein Science 6 (1997) 501-523. Serine proteases are a sub-group of the proteases characterized by a serine in the active site which forms a covalent adduct with the substrate. Subtilases can be divided into six sub-divisions, namely the subtilisin family, the thermitase family, the proteinase K family, the lantibiotic peptidase family, the Kexin family and the Pyrolysin family.

[0236] Examples of subtilases are those derived from Bacillus such as Bacillus lentus, B. alkalophilus, B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus gibsonii, described in US7262042 and WO09 / 021867, as well as subtilisin lentus, subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, B. licheniformis, subtilisin BPN', subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168 described in WO89 / 06279, and protease PD138 described in (WO93 / 18140). Other useful proteases can be those described in WO92 / 175177, WO01 / 016285, WO02 / 026024 and WO02 / 016547. Examples of trypsin-like proteases are trypsin (e.g. of porcine or bovine origin) and the Fusarium proteases described in WO89 / 06270, WO94 / 25583 and WO05 / 040372, and the chymotrypsin derived from Cellumonas described in WO05 / 052161 and WO05 / 052146.

[0237] Most preferably, the protease is a subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62).

[0238] Examples of subtilases are those derived from Bacillus such as Bacillus lentus, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus gilii, described in US7262042 and WO09 / 021867, as well as subtilisin lentus, subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, Bacillus licheniformis, subtilisin BPN', subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147, and subtilisin 168 described in WO 89 / 06279, and protease PD138 described in (WO93 / 18140). Preferably, the subtilisin is derived from Bacillus, preferably Bacillus lentus, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus gilii, described in US 6,312,936 B1, US 5,679,630, US 4,760,025, US 7,262,042 and WO 09 / 021867. Most preferably, the subtilisin is derived from Bacillus gilii or Bacillus lentus.

[0239] Suitable commercially available proteases include those sold under the trade names Alcalase®, Blaze®; DuralaseTm, DurazymTm, Relase®, Relase® Ultra, Savinase®, Savinase® Ultra, Primase®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase® Ultra, Ovozyme®, Coronase®, Coronase® Ultra, Neutrase®, Everlase®, and Esperase®, all of which can be sold as Ultra® or Evity® (Novozymes A / S).

[0240] Suitable amylases (α and / or β) include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also included. Amylases include, for example, α-amylases obtained from Bacillus, such as a special strain of Bacillus licheniformis described in more detail in GB 1,296,839, or the Bacillus strains disclosed in WO 95 / 026397 or WO 00 / 060060. Commercially available amylases are Duramyl™, Termamyl™, Termamyl Ultra™, Natalase™, Stainzyme™, Fungamyl™, and BAN™ (Novozymes A / S), Rapidase™, and Purastar™ (from Genencor International Inc.).

[0241] Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Suitable cellulases include those from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium ( Fusarium ), Thielavia ( Thielavia ), Acremonium ( Acremonium ) cellulases, for example, fungal cellulases produced by Humicola insolens, Thielavia terrestris, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporu, disclosed in US 4,435,307, US 5,648,263, US 5,691,178, US 5,776,757, WO89 / 09259, WO96 / 029397, and WO98 / 012307. Commercially available cellulases include Celluzyme™, Carezyme™, Celluclean™, Endolase™, Renozyme™ (Novozymes A / S), Clazinase™, and Puradax HA™ (Genencor International Inc.), and KAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation). Preferred is Celluclean™.

[0242] Lipase Lipase is a lipid esterase, and the terms lipid esterase and lipase are used synonymously herein.

[0243] The composition preferably comprises 0.0005 to 0.5 wt%, preferably 0.005 to 0.2 wt% lipase.

[0244] Cleaning lipolytic enzymes are discussed in Enzymes in Detergency, edited by Jan H. van Ee, Onno Misset and Erik J. Baas (1997 Marcel Dekker, New York).

[0245] The lipolytic enzyme can be selected from a lipase of E.C. class 3.1 or 3.2 or a combination thereof.

[0246] Preferably, the cleaning lipolytic enzyme is selected from: (1) triacylglycerol lipases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) (2) carboxylic ester hydrolases (E.C. 3.1.1.1) (3) cutinases (E.C. 3.1.1.74) (4) sterol esterases (E.C. 3.1.1.13) (5) wax ester hydrolases (E.C. 3.1.1.50) Most preferred is a triacylglycerol lipase (E.C. 3.1.1.3).

[0247] Suitable triacylglycerol lipases can be selected from variants of Humicola lanuginosa (Thermomyces lanuginosus) lipase. Other suitable triacylglycerol lipases can be selected from variants of Pseudomonas lipases, such as from P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes (EP 218272), P. cepacia (EP 331 376), P. stutzeri (GB 1,372,034), P. fluorescens, Pseudomonas strain SD 705 (WO 95 / 06720 and WO 96 / 27002), P. wisconsinensis (WO 96 / 12012), Bacillus lipases, such as from B. subtilis (Dartois et al. (1993), Biochemica et Biophysica Acta, 1131, 253-360), B. stearothermophilus (JP 64 / 744992) or B. pumilus (WO 91 / 16422).

[0248] Suitable carboxylate hydrolases can be selected from wild-type or variant carboxylate hydrolases endogenous to Bacillus gladioli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus acidocaldarius, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Streptomyces chrysomallus, S. diastatochromogenes and Saccaromyces cerevisiae.

[0249] Suitable cutinases may be selected from wild-type or variant cutinases endogenous to a strain of Aspergillus (particularly Aspergillus oryzae), a strain of Alternaria (particularly Alternaria brassicae), a strain of Fusarium (particularly Fusarium solani pisi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium oxysporum cepa, Fusarium rubrum or Fusarium roseum sambucium), a strain of Helminthosporium (particularly Helminthosporum sativum), a strain of Humicola (particularly Humicola insolens), a strain of Pseudomonas (particularly Pseudomonas mendocina or Pseudomonas putida), a strain of Rhizoctonia (particularly Rhizoctonia solani), a strain of Streptomyces (particularly Streptomyces scabies), a strain of Coprinus (particularly Coprinus cinerea), a strain of Thermophilus (particularly Schistosporium thermophilum), a strain of Gastrodia (particularly Magnaporthe oryzae) or a strain of Ulocladium consortiale.

[0250] In a preferred embodiment, the cutinase is selected from variants of the Pseudomonas mendocina cutinase described in WO 2003 / 076580 (Genencor), such as a variant having three substitutions at I178M, F180V and S205G.

[0251] In another preferred embodiment, the cutinase is a wild type or variant of the six cutinases endogenous to Coprinus cinereus described in H. Kontkanen et al., App. Environ. Microbiology, 2009, p2148-2157.

[0252] In another preferred embodiment, the cutinase is a wild type or variant of the two cutinases endogenous to Trichoderma reesei described in WO2009007510 (VTT).

[0253] In the most preferred embodiment the cutinase is derived from a strain of Humicola insolens, in particular a strain of Humicola insolens DSM 1800. Humicola insolens cutinases are described in WO 96 / 13580, which is incorporated herein by reference. The cutinase can be a variant, such as one of the variants disclosed in WO 00 / 34450 and WO 01 / 92502. Preferred cutinase variants include the variants listed in Example 2 of WO 01 / 92502. Preferred commercial cutinases include Novozym 51032 (available from Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

[0254] Suitable sterol esterases can be derived from a strain of Ophiostoma, for example Ophiostoma piceae, a strain of Pseudomonas, for example Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or a strain of Melanocarpus, for example Melanocarpus albomyces.

[0255] In the most preferred embodiment the sterol esterase is the Melanocarpus albomyces sterol esterase described in H. Kontkanen et al., Enzyme Microb Technol., 39, (2006), 265-273.

[0256] Suitable wax-ester hydrolases can be derived from an oil palm tree.

[0257] The lipid esterase is preferably selected from the group consisting of E.C. class 3.1.1.1 or 3.1.1.3 or a combination thereof, most preferably a lipase of E.C. 3.1.1.3.

[0258] Examples of EC 3.1.1.3 lipases include those described in WIPO publications WO 00 / 60063, WO 99 / 42566, WO 02 / 062973, WO 97 / 04078, WO 97 / 04079, and US 5,869,438. Preferred lipases are produced by Absidia reflexa, Absidia corymbefera, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizopus deleman, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tubigensis, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium heterosporum, Aspergillus oryzae, Penicilium camembertii, Aspergillus foetidus, Aspergillus niger, Thermomyces lanuginosus (synonym: Humicola lanuginosa), and Landerina penisapora, particularly Thermomyces lanuginosus. Certain preferred lipases are provided by Novozymes under the tradenames Lipolase®, Lipolase Ultra®, Lipoprime®, Lipoclean®, and Lipex® (registered trademarks of Novozymes), and LIPASE P "AMANO®" from Areario Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, AMANO-CES® from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; and other Chromobacter viscosum lipases from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech., Piscataway, New Jersey, U.S.A and Diosynth Co., Netherlands, and other lipases such as Pseudomonas gladioli. Other useful lipases are described in WIPO publications WO 02062973, WO 2004 / 101759, WO 2004 / 101760, and WO 2004 / 101763.In one embodiment, suitable lipases include the "first cycle lipases" described in WO 00 / 60063 and US Patent 6,939,702 Bl, preferably variants of SEQ ID No. 2, more preferably variants of SEQ ID No. 2 having at least 90% homology with SEQ ID No. 2 comprising a substitution of a neutral or negatively charged amino acid with R or K at any of positions 3, 224, 229, 231 and 233, most preferred variants comprising T231 R and N233R mutations, such most preferred variant being sold under the tradename Lipex® (Novozymes).

[0259] The above lipases can be used in combination (any mixture of lipases can be used). Suitable lipases are commercially available from Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark; Areario Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan; Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Amersham Pharmacia Biotech., Piscataway, New Jersey, U.S.A; Diosynth Co., Oss, The Netherlands and / or prepared according to the examples contained herein.

[0260] As described in WO 2007 / 087243, particularly preferred are lipid esterases with reduced odor potential and good relative performance. These include lipoclean® (Novozyme).

[0261] Preferred commercially available lipases include Lipolase TM and Lipolase Ultra TM , Lipex TM and Lipoclean TM (Novozymes A / S).

[0262] Fluorescent agent Preferably, the composition comprises a fluorescent agent. More preferably, the fluorescent agent comprises a sulphonated stilbene biphenyl fluorescent agent, such as those discussed in Chapter 7 of Industrial Dyes (K. Hunger, Editor, Wiley VCH 2003).

[0263] Sulphonated stilbene-based biphenyl fluorescent agents are discussed in US 5145991 (Ciba Geigy). Preferred is 4,4'-stilbenyl biphenyl. Preferably, the fluorescent agent contains 2 SO3 - groups. Most preferably, the fluorescent agent has the following structure: wherein X is a suitable counter-ion, preferably selected from a metal ion, an ammonium ion or an amine salt ion, more preferably an alkali metal ion, an ammonium ion or an amine salt ion, most preferably Na or K.

[0264] Preferably, the fluorescer is present at a level of from 0.01 wt% to 1 wt% of the composition, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.4 wt%, most preferably from 0.11 to 0.3 wt%.

[0265] Surfactants based on C16 and / or C18 alkyl groups, whether alcohol ethoxylates or alcohol ether sulphates, are generally available as mixtures of starting materials having C16 and C18 alkyl chain lengths.

[0266] Antifoam agent The composition can also comprise an antifoam agent, but preferably does not. Antifoam materials are well known in the art and include silicones and fatty acids.

[0267] Preferably, the fatty acid soap is present at from 0 to 0.5 wt% of the composition (as measured with reference to the acid added to the composition), more preferably from 0 to 10 wt% and most preferably is not present.

[0268] Suitable fatty acids in the context of the present application include aliphatic carboxylic acids of the formula RCOOH, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing from 6 to 24, more preferably from 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond. Preferred examples of such materials include saturated C12-18 fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid; and fatty acid mixtures wherein from 50 to 100% (by weight based on the total weight of the mixture) consist of saturated C12-18 fatty acids. Such mixtures are typically derivable from natural fats and / or optionally hydrogenated natural oils (such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil or tallow).

[0269] The fatty acid can be present in the form of its sodium, potassium or ammonium salt and / or in the form of a soluble salt of an organic base such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine.

[0270] Mixtures of any of the above materials can also be used.

[0271] For the purposes of formulation calculations, the fatty acid and / or salts thereof (as defined above) are not included in the surfactant content or in the builder content of the formulation.

[0272] Preferably, the composition comprises from 0.2 to 10 wt% of the composition of a cleaning polymer. Preferably, the cleaning polymer is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated polyethyleneimines, polyester soil release polymers and PEG / vinyl acetate copolymers.

[0273] Preservative Food Chemistry (Belitz H.-D., Grosch W., Schieberle), 4th edition Springer discusses food preservatives.

[0274] The formulation preferably contains a preservative or a mixture of preservatives selected from benzoic acid and salts thereof, alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and salts thereof, sorbic acid, diethyl pyrocarbonate, dimethyl pyrocarbonate, preferably benzoic acid and salts thereof, most preferably sodium benzoate.

[0275] Optionally preferred preservatives are selected from sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, dehydroacetic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0276] The preservative is present in an amount of 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by weight. Where appropriate, the weight is calculated for the protonated form.

[0277] Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by weight of the composition of sodium benzoate.

[0278] Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by weight of the composition of phenoxyethanol.

[0279] Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by weight of the composition of dehydroacetic acid.

[0280] Preferably, the composition comprises less than 0.1% by weight, more preferably less than 0.05% by weight of isothiazolinone-based preservatives.

[0281] Hydrotrope The compositions of the present application can incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotopes, cosolvents, and phase stabilizers. Such materials are generally low molecular weight, water-soluble or water-miscible organic liquids such as Ci to C5 monohydric alcohols (e.g., ethanol and n- or isopropyl alcohol); C2 to C6 dihydric alcohols (e.g., monopropylene and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (e.g., glycerol); polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight (M w ) in the range of about 200 to 600; Ci to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di-, and triethanolamine; and alkyl aryl sulfonate salts having up to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group (e.g., sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene sulfonate).

[0282] Mixtures of any of the above materials can also be used.

[0283] When included, non-aqueous carriers can be present in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 3%, preferably 0.5 to 1% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The level of hydrotrope used is related to the level of surfactant and it is desirable to use a hydrotrope level to control viscosity in such compositions. Preferred hydrotropes are monopropylene glycol and glycerol.

[0284] Cocamidopropyl betaine In addition to the above non-soap anionic and / or nonionic detersive surfactants, the compositions of the present application can also contain one or more co-surfactants (such as amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants).

[0285] Specific cationic surfactants include C8to C18alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof in which one or both of the methyl groups are replaced by a hydroxyethyl group, and mixtures thereof. When included, cationic surfactants can be present in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0286] Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amido propyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkyl amphoglycinates, alkyl amido propyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurinates, and acyl glutamates, having alkyl groups containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably selected from C12, C14, C16, C18, and C18:1, the term "alkyl" being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl groups. When included, amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants can be present in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0287] Mixtures of any of the above materials can also be used.

[0288] Builder and chelant The detergent compositions can also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent builder or sequestrant materials. Examples include alkali metal, citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium, and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid. Other examples are the DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate-type sequestering agents marketed by Monsanto, and alkylhydroxy phosphonates.

[0289] Other suitable organic builders include high molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acids, polymaleic acids, and polyacrylic / maleic copolymers and salts thereof, such as those materials sold under the name SOKALAN™ by BASF. If used, the organic builder material can comprise from about 0.5% to 20%, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition. A preferred builder level is less than 10% by weight of the composition, and preferably less than 5% by weight of the composition.

[0290] More preferably, the liquid laundry detergent formulation is a non-phosphate built laundry detergent formulation, i.e. containing less than 1% by weight of phosphate. Most preferably, the laundry detergent formulation is non-built, i.e. containing less than 1% by weight of builder. In liquid typically the preferred chelant is HEDP (1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid), for example sold as Dequest 2010. Dequest(R) 2066 (diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid or DTPMP heptasodium) is also suitable, but is less preferred as it has a poorer cleaning effect. However, it is preferred that the composition comprises less than 0.5% by weight of phosphonate based chelant, more preferably less than 0.1 % by weight of phosphonate based chelant. Most preferably, the composition is free of phosphonate based chelant.

[0291] Polymeric thickener The compositions of the present application can comprise one or more polymeric thickening agents. Suitable polymeric thickening agents for use in the present application include hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable emulsion (HASE) copolymers. Exemplary HASE copolymers for use in the present application include linear or crosslinked copolymers prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising at least one acidic vinyl monomer (such as (meth)acrylic acid (i.e. methacrylic acid and / or acrylic acid)) and at least one associative monomer. The term "associative monomer" in the context of the present application means a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated segment (for addition polymerization with other monomers in the mixture) and a hydrophobic segment. A preferred type of associative monomer includes a polyalkylene oxide segment between the ethylenically unsaturated segment and the hydrophobic segment. Preferred HASE copolymers for use in the present application include linear or crosslinked copolymers prepared by addition polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid with (i) a monomer selected from linear or branched C8-C30 alkyl (preferably linear C8-C30 alkyl) and (ii) a polyalkylene oxide monomer. Preferred polyalkylene oxide monomers for use in the present application include polyethylene oxide monomers, such as polyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylates, polypropylene glycol mono(meth)acrylates, and polybutylene glycol mono(meth)acrylates. Preferred HASE copolymers for use in the present application include those sold under the trade name of Aculyn 22, 28, 33, 34, 44, and 28 by Dow Chemical Company. 40 alkyl (preferably linear C 12 -C 22at least one associative monomer of a polyethoxylated (methyl) acrylate; and (ii) addition polymerization of at least one further monomer selected from C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylates, polyacid vinyl monomers (such as maleic acid, maleic anhydride and / or salts thereof) and mixtures thereof. The polyethoxylated moiety of the associative monomer (i) typically comprises from about 5 to about 100, preferably from about 10 to about 80, more preferably from about 15 to about 60 oxyethylene repeat units.

[0292] Mixtures of any of the above materials can also be used.

[0293] When included, the composition of the present application preferably comprises from 0.01 to 5 wt%, but depending on the amount intended to be used in the final diluted product, and ideally from 0.1 to 3 wt%, of the composition, based on the total weight of the diluted composition.

[0294] Shading dye Shading dyes can be used to improve the performance of the composition. Preferred shading dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that the deposition of low levels of these shades of dye on fabric masks the yellowing of the fabric. A further advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellowish tint in the composition itself.

[0295] Shading dyes are well known in the art of laundry liquid formulations.

[0296] Suitable and preferred classes of dyes include direct dyes, acid dyes, hydrophobic dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes and dye conjugates. Preferred examples are Disperse Violet 28, Acid Violet 50, anthraquinone dyes covalently bound to ethoxylate or propoxylate polyethyleneimine as described in WO2011 / 047987 and WO2012 / 119859, alkoxylated mono-azo thiophene dyes, dyes with CAS-No 72749-80-5, Acid Blue 59 and phenoxazine dyes selected from: wherein: X3is selected from the group consisting of: -H; -F; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and -OC2H5; X4is selected from the group consisting of: -H; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and -OC2H5; Y2is selected from the group consisting of: -OH; -OCH2CH2OH; -CH(OH)CH2OH; -OC(O)CH3; and C(O)OCH3.

[0297] Alkoxylated thiophene dyes are discussed in WO2013 / 142495 and WO2008 / 087497.

[0298] The shading dye is preferably present in the composition in the range of 0.0001 to 0.1 wt.%. Depending on the nature of the shading dye, there are preferred ranges depending on the efficacy of the shading dye, which depends on the class and the specific efficacy within any particular class.

[0299] Microcapsule One type of microparticle suitable for use in the present application is a microcapsule. Microencapsulation can be defined as the process of surrounding or enveloping a substance within another substance on a very small scale, resulting in a capsule with a size ranging from less than one micron to several hundred microns. The material being encapsulated can be referred to as the core, active ingredient or agent, filler, payload, nucleus, or inner phase. The material encapsulating the core can be referred to as the coating, film, shell, or wall material.

[0300] Microcapsules typically have at least one continuous shell, usually spherical, surrounding a core. Depending on the materials used and the encapsulation technique, the shell can contain pores, vacancies, or interstitial openings. Multiple shells can be made of the same or different encapsulating materials and can be arranged in layers of different thicknesses around the core. Alternatively, microcapsules can be asymmetrically and variably shaped, with a quantity of smaller core material droplets embedded throughout the microcapsule.

[0301] The shell can have a barrier function to protect the core material from the environment outside the microcapsule, but can also be used as a means to modulate the release of the core material, such as a fragrance. Thus, the shell can be water-soluble or water-swellable and can initiate the release of the fragrance in response to exposure of the microcapsule to a humid environment. Similarly, if the shell is temperature sensitive, the microcapsule can release the fragrance in response to an elevated temperature. The microcapsule can also release the fragrance in response to a shear force applied to the surface of the microcapsule.

[0302] A preferred type of polymeric microparticle suitable for use in the present application is a polymeric core-shell microcapsule, wherein at least one continuous shell of polymeric material, usually spherical, surrounds a core containing a perfume formulation (f2). The shell is typically at most 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The perfume formulation (f2) is typically from about 10 to about 60 wt.%, and preferably from about 20 to about 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The amount of perfume (f2) can be measured by taking a slurry of the microcapsules, extracting into ethanol and measuring by liquid chromatography.

[0303] Further optional ingredients The compositions of the present application can contain further optional ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptance. Examples of such ingredients include foam boosters, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids, colourants, pearlescent and / or opacifying agents and hueing dyes. Each of these ingredients is present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally, these optional ingredients are included individually in amounts up to 5% by weight based on total weight of the diluted composition, adjusted according to the dilution ratio with which water is used.

[0304] Automatic dosing In a further aspect, the compositions of the present application can be used in an automatic dosing washing machine.

[0305] Thus, in a further aspect, there is provided a washing machine comprising a detergent reservoir, the reservoir containing from 80 ml to 3000 ml of a liquid detergent according to the first aspect.

[0306] In a further aspect, there is also provided a method for cleaning fabric, the method comprising filling a reservoir of a washing machine with from 80 ml to 3000 ml of a liquid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect, and conducting at least two wash cycles before further liquid detergent is added to the reservoir.

[0307] In a further aspect, there is also provided a method for cleaning fabric, the method comprising filling a reservoir of a washing machine with from 80 ml to 3000 ml of a liquid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect, and conducting a wash cycle which draws a portion of the liquid detergent from the reservoir and leaves at least 20 ml in the reservoir.

[0308] In a further aspect, there is also provided a method for cleaning a first fabric, the method comprising filling a reservoir of a washing machine with from 80 ml to 3000 ml of a liquid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect, and conducting a first wash cycle by drawing a portion of the liquid detergent from the reservoir and combining with water to form a first wash liquor in the washing machine and washing said first fabric; optionally rinsing; and removing said first fabric from the washing machine; and conducting a further wash cycle to clean a further fabric by drawing a portion of the liquid detergent from the reservoir and combining with water to form a further wash liquor and washing said further fabric; optionally rinsing; and removing said further fabric from the washing machine; optionally repeating the further wash cycle; and adding further liquid detergent to the reservoir.

[0309] The amount of 80 ml to 3000 ml of liquid detergent characterizes more than one dose of detergent amount. Preferably, the reservoir contains 250 ml to 2500 ml, more preferably 400 ml to 2000 ml of liquid detergent.

[0310] The washing machine preferably comprises a detergent reservoir capable of storing up to 3000 ml of detergent. Such washing machines are known on the market as automatic dosing washing machines and are capable of storing enough liquid detergent for more than one washing cycle and preferably for a plurality of washing cycles. A typical example of such washing machine is found in EP-A-3 071 742 (Electrolux). Preferably, the washing machine is a front loading automatic washing machine.

[0311] Preferably, the washing machine comprises a housing, a washing tub arranged inside the housing with its opening or mouth directly facing the laundry loading / unloading opening implemented on the front wall of the housing, a detergent dispensing assembly configured for supplying detergent into the washing tub, a main fresh water supply circuit configured for connection to a water supply main and for selectively directing a flow of fresh water from the water supply main to the detergent dispensing assembly and / or to the washing tub, and an appliance control panel configured for allowing the user to manually select a desired washing cycle.

[0312] The washing machine detergent dispensing assembly further comprises an automatic dosing detergent dispenser configured for automatically dosing the appropriate amount of detergent to be used during the selected washing cycle based on the selected washing cycle and comprises, for each washing detergent reservoir, a respective detergent feed pump configured for selectively pumping / sucking an amount of detergent from the respective detergent reservoir for performing the selected washing cycle and pumping / directing said specific amount of detergent into a detergent collection chamber in fluid communication with the washing tub.

[0313] In addition to the reservoir capable of containing the required amount of liquid detergent, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a motor for driving the agitation of the drum. Water is flushed through the washing machine and a predetermined dose of detergent is added to this water to form a washing liquor.

[0314] With an automatic dosing washing machine, the consumer can perform a plurality of washing cycles before it is necessary to add further liquid detergent to the reservoir. Typically, the reservoir is sufficient for five or more washes and possibly up to 20 or more washes depending on the size of the reservoir in the washing machine and the dose used per washing cycle.

[0315] Each wash cycle includes the extraction of a volume of liquid laundry detergent from the reservoir sufficient to form a suitable wash liquor to clean the fabric.

[0316] Preferably, the volume is 10 to 75 ml, but this can depend on the amount of fabric, the stains to be cleaned and the amount of surfactant and other cleaning agents in the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0317] After the first wash cycle is complete, the remaining liquid detergent remains in the washing machine until the next cycle begins, at which point a further dose is pumped from the reservoir and mixed with water to form the wash liquor.

[0318] It is also possible that the compositions described herein are loaded into the washing machine via a cartridge that is compatible with the constituent parts of the washing machine. The cartridge can contain the required volume of the required liquid detergent composition and it can be 200 ml to 3000 ml.

[0319] Examples Example 1 A calcium catalyst was prepared according to EP1747183 having the following composition: n-butanol from example 1 73.5 wt%, calcium hydroxide 15 wt%, 2-ethylhexanoic acid 3.5 wt%, concentrated sulphuric acid 7.8 wt% was used in this example to make a narrow range ethoxylate.

[0320] 915 g of C14 alcohol (C12 = 10 wt%, C14 = 89 wt%, C16 = 1 wt%) was added to a 2 gallon stainless steel autoclave equipped with an overhead stirrer, internal steam heating, water cooling and a thermocouple. The C14 alcohol was vacuum dried at 90°C, then 2.1 g of catalyst was added and vacuum stripped at 90°C until all solvent was removed (about 5 minutes). The reactor was heated to 140°C and ethylene oxide was added slowly. After an induction period, a small exothermic reaction was observed, at which point the addition of ethylene oxide was continued at a pressure of 2 bar until a total of 3 moles of ethylene oxide had been consumed. The temperature was controlled using water cooling and allowed to reach 180°C. When the 3:1 molar ratio of ethylene oxide to C14 alcohol had reacted to form the alcohol ethoxylate, the temperature was reduced to 90°C and the product was vacuum stripped for 3 hours.

[0321] The narrow range ethoxylation procedure used the (C 11 H 23 COO)2Ba, the methane sulfonic acid catalyst described in US10099964 and the barium oxide / sulfuric acid catalyst described in WO2012028435 (Kolb) were repeated.

[0322] The distribution of the ethoxylate of the methanesulfonic acid catalyst was measured and compared to a comparable broad range material prepared with KOH as catalyst.

[0323] The narrow range material has a lower fraction of AE-O and AE-1 materials, where AE-O is unethoxylated alcohol (zero ethoxylate groups) and AE-1 is alcohol ethoxylate with 1 ethoxylate group.

[0324] The resulting material was sulfated using SO3 in a falling film reactor to produce the ether sulfate sodium salt.

[0325] Example 2 A liquid laundry detergent containing C12 / 14 ether sulfate was produced. The C12 / 14 ether sulfate has a molar ratio of 3:1 C12:C14 alkyl chains. The C12 / 14 ether sulfate was ethoxylated using either a standard ethoxylated catalyst (SLES) or with a narrow range ethoxylated catalyst (NRES), and both samples were present as Na salts. To the formulation was added 0.65% of a fragrance, and the samples were mixed to ensure complete separation. To probe the fragrance level in the headspace upon storage at high temperature, the samples were equilibrated at 40 °C for 15 minutes. The fragrance level in the headspace was then measured using GCMS. The difference in fragrance intensity between the NRES and SLES samples was calculated as NRES / SLES. The experiment was repeated three times, and the average value of NRES / SLES is listed in the table below along with the 95% confidence limit.

[0326] Surprisingly, for a range of fragrance components, as listed in the present invention, the NRES sample had a lower fragrance level in the headspace. This is indicated by NRES / SLES values lower than 1. More surprisingly, beta-ionone, benzene, (1-cyclohexylethyl)-, aldehyde MNA, cyclamen aldehyde, hexyl salicylate, and tonal musk showed the lowest NRES / SLES values (highest stability). Most surprisingly, tonal musk with a NRES / SLES value of 0.537 showed the highest stability.

[0327] Tonal musk is structurally similar to iso E super (octahydro-4, 7-methanoindan-5- one (OTNE)), Aldehyde MNA is part of the group of C8-C12 linear and branched aldehyde fragrances.

[0328] Example 3 A typical formulation includes:

[0329] 1,2 Also prepared in C12-18 form C12-14 alkyl ethoxy (3) sulfates are narrow range AES as described herein.

[0330] The perfume comprises a fragrance component selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonal musk, octahydro tetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol, hexyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

Claims

1. A detergent composition comprising a fragrance and an alcohol ether sulfate, wherein the alcohol ether sulfate comprises C12 and C14 alkyl chains and has a molar average of 2.0 to 4.0 ethoxylate units, wherein the alcohol ether sulfate comprises less than 10 wt% of alcohol ether sulfate having zero ethoxylate groups, and wherein the fragrance comprises a fragrance component selected from the group consisting of limonene, tonal musk, octahydrotetramethylacetophenone (OTNE), cyclamen aldehyde, C8 to C12 linear and branched aldehydes, beta-ionone, dihydromyrcenol, hexyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

2. A composition according to claim 1 which is a liquid detergent composition.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 which comprises at least 60 wt% water of the composition.

4. A composition according to claim 1 which is a laundry liquid unit dose composition.

5. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of C12:14 is from 3:1 to 1:

20.

6. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of C12:14 is from 3:1 to 5:

4.

7. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the alcohol ether sulfate is present at from 1 to 30 wt% of the composition.

8. A composition according to any preceding claim which comprises a salt.

9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

10. A composition according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the salt is present at from 0.1 to 5 wt% of the composition.

11. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the alkoxylated polyamine is selected from the group consisting of propoxy and ethoxy, most preferably ethoxy.

12. A composition according to any preceding claim which has a pH of from 5 to 10, more preferably from 6 to 8, most preferably from 6.1 to 7.0.

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