Green Glycine Betaine Derivative Compounds And Compositions Containing Same

Abstract

Multifunctional green (eco-friendly) and antimicrobial compositions are described containing cationic glycine betaine esters and / or cationic glycine betaine amides. Particular glycine betaine esters and amides are alkyl(ene) betainate methane sulfonates and betainyl amino alkyl(ene) methane sulfonates. The glycine betaine components are cationic, have a hydrophobic group attached to a carboxylate group through an ester or amide linkage, and are derived from a natural source, such as sugar beets. The glycine betaine esters and amides serve as cationic surfactants which have effective antimicrobial activity. The surfactant compositions are effective as crude mixtures or semi-purified mixtures or purified surfactant compounds of glycine betaine components. The addition of sodium chloride or potassium chloride or magnesium chloride or natural gum or polysaccharide to compositions containing the cationic glycine betaine ester and / or glycine betaine amide derivatives serves to thicken or gel the composition.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]Green (eco-friendly) and multifunctional cationic glycine betaine derivative compounds having surfactant and antimicrobial properties, in particular ester and amide derivatives, including alkyl(ene) betainate methane sulfonates and betainyl amino alkyl(ene) methane sulfonates, in semi-pure and crude mixtures and pure form, are described. Such compounds are includable in various household compositions to optimize solubilization, wetting, cleaning, emulsification of various oils and soils, and to provide effective antimicrobial properties. Further modification of compositions containing such derivatives is also provided through combination of the glycine betaine derivative(s) and sodium chloride to obtain thickening or gelling of the composition.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Glycine betaine (GB) (Formula 1 below) is a natural and inexpensive product derived from sugar beet molasses and constitutes a prime raw material for the preparation of biodegradable and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The invention relates to sustainable, multifunctional, green (biodegradable), antimicrobial and disinfectant compositions for liquids, gels, aerosols and wipes comprising a minimum number of ingredients derived from natural sources. The compositions deliver excellent performance for multiple functions. The natural and green compositions comprise actives which provide both antimicrobial and surfactant properties, wherein such actives are obtained from renewable sources rather than being synthesized.

[0013]These actives are particularly useful in compositions for cleaning which comprise multifunctional and naturally derived novel surfactant structures that allow the compositions to deliver excellent cleaning performance and strong antimicrobial efficacy against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and fungi. These are effective over a wide pH range. Low pH compositions can perform with or without a buffer solution. These multi-functional surfactants also can act as adjuvants for active ingredients in pesticide and herbicide applications and as solubilizers and emulsifiers for fragrance and essential oils in air care applications. In the latter, the surfactants help to control the delivery of fragrances, perfume actives and oils in the form of microemulsions of these organic materials.

[0014]More particularly, the invention is directed to glycine betaine components, in particular, glycine betaine esters and glycine betaine amides in which a hydrophobic group is attached to a carboxylate group through an ester or amide linkage respectively. Examples of the surfactants are illustrated in Formula 4 below. The glycine betaine derivatives of the invention are cationic and positively charged rather than being zwitterionic or amphoteric as with prior art betaine surfactants described above. The introduction of an ester or amide linkage between the hydrophilic moiety (polar head group) and the hydrophobic backbone (alkyl or alkylene chain) improves biodegradability and confers unique solution and interfacial properties to the surfactants. In addition, glycine betaine ester or amide surfactants, such as alkyl betainate methane sulfonates or betainyl amino alkyl methane sulfonates, exhibit antimicrobial activities similar to quaternary ammonium salts (QUATs) against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.

[0016]The cationic GB ester and amide derivatives not only provide excellent antimicrobial efficacy, they play multiple functions in compositions, reducing the need for additional cleaning or wetting agents, contrary to conventional QUATs. Additionally, due to their ability to solubilize or emulsify a variety of oils, these surfactants allow solubilization and controlled release of actives, such as fragrances, herbicides and insecticides. Surface and interfacial properties of these GB ester and GB amide derivatives are comparable or better than conventional synthetic cationic surfactants, such as QUATs. In fact, they can be very effective adjuvants in agricultural formulations due to their very low surface and interfacial tensions that enable the formation of very fine particles in spray and aerosol compositions and adequate wetting of the substrates.

[0017]The ability of the GB-based surfactants to emulsify vegetable oils is demonstrated using a vegetable oil (sunflower oil) at neutral pH, stored and analyzed at 25° C. and at 37° C. Oil droplets with mean diameter of 220 to 260 nm and with narrow size distribution result. The emulsion ageing was also followed by photodensitometry, using a flat scanner. GB solutions exhibited good emulsifying ability at acid, neutral and basic pH against different types of oil phases, ranging from essential oils, mineral, vegetables to animal oils and soils as well as insoluble fragrances and pesticide oils.

[0030]The preparation and purification of betainyl amino alkyl methane sulfonates (GB amide derivatives) is now described. GB amides were prepared following a “one-pot two step” procedure. First, one equivalent of GB is reacted with 2.6 equivalent of n-butanol in the presence of 1.1 equivalent of MSA as catalyst at 130° C. for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled out during heating (Dean-Stark apparatus). After cooling, the short butyl chain is replaced by a longer chain in a base-catalyzed aminolysis reaction of the butyl ester using fatty amines (C12 lauric amine, C14 myristic amine, C16 hexadecyl amine, C18:0) stearic amine, and C18:1 oleic amine). The reaction is then carried out under reduced pressure (50 mbar) at 130° C. in order to eliminate the butanol formed during the process.

Problems solved by technology

This patent does not disclose preparation of GB or derivatives of GB from natural sources.

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