Detergent composition comprising protease coated with delayed release coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising at least one protease having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein the or each protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising a protease enzyme coated with a delayed release coating composition. Background Art

[0002] Bleaching agents and enzymes have been used as essential active ingredients in dishwashing detergent compositions for many years. However, during the dishwashing cycle, these two classes of compounds interfere with each other in their respective modes of action, often affecting their activity and performance in such compositions.

[0003] In recent years, various strategies have been tested to try to address this problem. Most strategies focus on achieving separation of bleach and enzymes during the dishwashing cycle. These techniques include programming the dishwasher to dose the two actives separately at predetermined and different points in the dishwashing cycle ("sequential dosing") and modifying the detergent to delay the release of one active relative to the other ("delayed dosing").

[0004] "Delayed dosing" approaches are promising because they rely only on the detergent composition and not on the type of dishwasher used. However, there is a need for improved detergents which allow minimizing interference between the two active substances and providing optimal dishwashing performance.

[0005] Delayed dosing of enzymes such as proteases, amylases and lipases can be particularly difficult because of the need to ensure that the enzyme is distributed at the correct time in the wash cycle while ensuring that the enzyme is not denatured or inactivated by other ingredients in the composition, the coating itself, or the wash conditions. In some cases, a delayed release composition that works with a particular enzyme (e.g., a particular protease) will not have the same efficacy if the enzyme is altered (even for minor variants of the same enzyme) due to differences in the physical structure and properties of the variant compared to its parent.

[0006] The purpose of embodiments of the present invention is to solve one or more problems in the prior art by providing a detergent composition that provides one or more of the following advantages:

[0007] Minimal or even no interference between enzymes and other active substances (especially bleach) during the entire dishwashing cycle

[0008] No interference.

[0009] Excellent performance, especially for automatic dishwashing applications.

[0010] ·Excellent consumer-related performance advantages.

[0011] Good operability.

[0012] Low production cost.

[0013] ·Easy to manufacture.

[0014] It is also an object of embodiments of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether explicitly disclosed herein or not. Summary of the invention

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising at least one protease having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the or each protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

[0016] SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponds to the amino acid sequence of subtilisin 309 from Bacillus lentus.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the protease is at least 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, or at least 97% identical to SEQ ID NO:1.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the protease comprises a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, comprising a substitution at one or more positions selected from one or more positions of positions 9, 15, 59, 66, 188, 199, 239 and 255. In certain embodiments, the protease variant comprises at least two, three, four, five, six, seven or all eight substitutions at positions 9, 15, 59, 66, 188, 199, 239 and 255.

[0019] When the substitution occurs at position 9, S9R is preferred.

[0020] When the substitution occurs at position 15, A15T is preferred.

[0021] When the substitution occurs at position 59, G59E is preferred.

[0022] When the substitution occurs at position 66, V66A is preferred.

[0023] When the substitution occurs at position 188, A188P is preferred.

[0024] When the substitution occurs at position 199, V199I is preferred.

[0025] When the substitution occurs at position 239, Q239R is preferred.

[0026] When the substitution occurs at position 255, N255D is preferred.

[0027] Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the detergent composition comprises a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising substitutions at positions 9, 15, 59, 66, 188, 199, 239 and 255, more preferably comprising substitutions S9R, A15T, G59E, V66A, A188P, V199I, Q239R and N255D.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detergent composition comprising a protease having at least 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, preferably 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the or each protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, the protease consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In certain embodiments, the protease is a variant of Bacillus lentus subtilisin 309 subtilase comprising substitutions S9R, A15T, G59E, V66A, A188P, V199I, Q239R and N255D.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one fatty acid and / or an ester thereof.

[0031] The total combined amount of fatty acids and / or esters thereof present can be at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or at least 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or at least 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the total combined amount of fatty acids and / or esters thereof present can be greater than 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or the total combined amount is at least 32%, or at least 33%, 34%, or at least 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0032] The total combined amount of fatty acids and / or esters thereof present may not exceed 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or not exceed 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or not more than 35% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0033] The total amount of fatty acids and / or esters present can be 1% to 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or 5% to 90% by weight, 10% to 80% by weight, or 20% to 70% by weight, or 25% to 60% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. The total amount of fatty acids and / or esters present can be 5% to 55% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or 10% to 50% by weight, 15% to 45% by weight, 20% to 40% by weight, or 25% to 35% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the total amount of fatty acids and / or esters present can be 31% to 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or 35% to 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0034] At least 40% by weight of the total amount of fatty acids and esters thereof can exist in the form of fatty acid esters, or at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or at least 95% by weight of the total amount of fatty acids and esters thereof can exist in the form of fatty acid esters. Substantially 100% by weight of the total amount of fatty acids and esters thereof can exist in the form of fatty acid esters.

[0035] At least one fatty acid or its ester can preferably comprise straight chain fatty acid chain.At least one fatty acid or its ester can have the fatty acid chain length of at least 4 carbon atoms, or at least 6,8 carbon atoms, preferably at least 10,12 carbon atoms, preferably at least 14,16 carbon atoms or at least 18 carbon atoms.At least one fatty acid or its ester can have the fatty acid chain length that is no more than 40 carbon atoms or is no more than 38,36,34,32,30,28,26,24,22,20 carbon atoms or is no more than 18 carbon atoms.At least one fatty acid or its ester can have the fatty acid chain length between 4-40 carbon atom or between 4-30,6-28,6-26,6-24,8-24,8-22 or between 10-20 or between 12-20, preferably between 14-20 or 14-18 or 14-16 or 16-18 carbon atom.

[0036] The at least one fatty acid or ester thereof may comprise even-chain and / or odd-chain fatty acids, with even-chain fatty acids being preferred.

[0037] At least one fatty acid or its ester may have a saturated and / or unsaturated fatty acid chain, preferably a saturated fatty acid chain. At least 50% of the total number of fatty acids and their esters in the delayed-release coating composition may have a saturated fatty acid chain, or at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or at least 95% of the total number of fatty acids and their esters in the delayed-release coating composition may have a saturated fatty acid chain. In certain embodiments, substantially 100% of the total number of fatty acids and their esters in the delayed-release coating composition have a saturated fatty acid chain.

[0038] In certain embodiments, at least one fatty acid or its ester includes at least one saturated fatty acid or its ester, wherein the fatty acid is independently selected from the group comprising: caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, and combinations thereof. At least one fatty acid or its ester may preferably include at least one saturated fatty acid or its ester, wherein the fatty acid is independently selected from the group comprising: myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic substance includes stearic acid and / or its ester.

[0039] At least one fatty acid or its ester may have an unsaturated fatty acid chain. At least one fatty acid or its ester may have an unsaturated fatty acid chain comprising at least one cis and / or at least one trans double bond. In certain embodiments, at least one fatty acid or its ester includes at least one unsaturated fatty acid or its ester, wherein the fatty acid is independently selected from the group comprising: myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, hexadecenoic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, octadecenoic acid, linoleic acid, translinoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, erucic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and combinations thereof. At least one fatty acid or its ester may preferably include at least one unsaturated fatty acid or its ester, wherein the fatty acid is independently selected from the group comprising: oleic acid, linoleic acid, and combinations thereof.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the hydrophobic substance comprises at least one saturated fatty acid or ester thereof and at least one unsaturated fatty acid or ester thereof. The saturated fatty acid or ester thereof and the unsaturated fatty acid or ester thereof can be present in a weight ratio of saturated fatty acid or ester to unsaturated fatty acid or ester of 1:5 to 5:1, or 1:4 to 4:1, or 1:3 to 3:1, or 1:2 to 2:1, or about 1:1.

[0041] In certain embodiments, at least one fatty acid or its ester may include a fatty acid independently selected from the group comprising: myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, at least one fatty acid or its ester may include a fatty acid independently selected from the group comprising: myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and combinations thereof.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one fatty acid ester. In certain embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one glycerol and / or sorbitan fatty acid ester.

[0043] At least one glycerol fatty acid ester can be independently selected from the group comprising: monoglyceride, diglyceride, triglyceride and combination thereof. The fatty acid of at least one glycerol fatty acid ester can preferably be as described in the above invention statement. In certain embodiments, at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one monoglyceride. At least one polymer can be a saturated monoglyceride. The fatty acid chain length of at least one monoglyceride can be 14-20 carbon atoms, or 14-18 carbon atoms, or 16-18 carbon atoms. At least one monoglyceride can preferably be glyceryl monostearate.

[0044] At least one sorbitan fatty acid ester may be independently selected from the group comprising sorbitan monoesters, sorbitan diesters, sorbitan triesters and combinations thereof. The fatty acid of the at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester may preferably be as described in the above invention statement. In certain embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one fatty acid sorbitan anhydride monoester. The at least one fatty acid sorbitan anhydride monoester may be a saturated monoester. The fatty acid chain length of the at least one fatty acid sorbitan anhydride monoester may be 14-20 carbon atoms, or 14-18 carbon atoms, or 16-18 carbon atoms. The at least one sorbitan anhydride monoester may preferably be sorbitan monostearate.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least one fatty acid or its ester is from fat or oil.In some embodiments, the delayed release coating composition comprises at least one fat and / or oil.The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one hydrogenated fat and / or oil.The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one vegetable oil.The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one fat or oil independently selected from the group comprising: coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm kernel oil, palm oil, cottonseed oil, wheat germ oil, soybean oil, olive oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, hemp oil, rapeseed oil and combinations thereof.The delayed release coating composition may preferably comprise palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil.

[0046] The delayed-release coating composition may include palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount of at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or at least 0.5% by weight, 0.75% by weight, 1% by weight, 2% by weight, 3% by weight, 4% by weight, or at least 5% by weight, 6% by weight, 7% by weight, 8% by weight, 9% by weight, 10% by weight, 15% by weight, 20% by weight, 25% by weight, or at least 30% by weight, or at least 31% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the delayed-release coating composition may include palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount greater than 31% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or in a total amount of at least 32% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or at least 33% by weight, 34% by weight, or at least 35% by weight, 40% by weight, 45% by weight, 50% by weight, 55% by weight, 60% by weight, 65% by weight, 70% by weight, 75% by weight, 80% by weight, 85% by weight, 90% by weight, or at least 95% by weight.

[0047] The delayed-release coating composition may comprise palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount not exceeding 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or not exceeding 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or not exceeding 35% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0048] The delayed-release coating composition may include palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount of 1% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 5% to 90% by weight, 10% to 80% by weight, or 20% to 70% by weight, or 25% to 60% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The delayed-release coating composition may include palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount of 5% to 55% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 10% to 50% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 15% to 45% by weight, 20% to 40% by weight, or 25% to 35% by weight. In certain embodiments, the delayed-release coating composition may include palm oil, preferably hydrogenated palm oil, in a total amount of 31% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 35% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one hydrocarbon.

[0050] The total amount of hydrocarbons present can be at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or at least 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or at least 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, or at least 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the total amount of hydrocarbons present can be greater than 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or the total amount is at least 32%, or at least 33%, 34%, or at least 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0051] The hydrocarbons may be present in a total amount not exceeding 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or not exceeding 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or not exceeding 35% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0052] The total amount of hydrocarbons present can be 1 wt %-95 wt % of the delayed release coating composition, or 5 wt %-90 wt %, 10 wt %-80 wt %, or 20 wt %-70 wt %, or 25 wt %-60 wt % of the delayed release coating composition. The total amount of hydrocarbons present can be 5 wt %-55 wt % of the delayed release coating composition, or 10 wt %-50 wt %, or 15 wt %-45 wt %, 20 wt %-40 wt %, or 25 wt %-35 wt %. In certain embodiments, the total amount of hydrocarbons present can be 31 wt %-95 wt % of the delayed release coating composition, or 35 wt %-95 wt % of the delayed release coating composition.

[0053] At least one hydrocarbon may be an aliphatic and / or aromatic hydrocarbon, preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon. At least one hydrocarbon may be saturated and / or unsaturated. At least one hydrocarbon may be independently selected from the group comprising: a straight chain hydrocarbon, a branched chain hydrocarbon and a cyclic hydrocarbon.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, at least one hydrocarbon is a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. At least one hydrocarbon may preferably be an alkane.

[0055] At least one hydrocarbon, preferably at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, may have at least 4 carbon atoms, or at least 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or at least 16, 18, or at least 20 carbon atoms. At least one hydrocarbon, preferably at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, may have no more than 60 carbon atoms, or no more than 58, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, or no more than 40 carbon atoms. At least one hydrocarbon, preferably at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, may have 5-60 carbon atoms, or 10-50 carbon atoms, or 15-45 carbon atoms, or 20-40 carbon atoms. In such embodiments, the hydrocarbon may be a straight chain hydrocarbon and may contain a single carbon chain.

[0056] At least one hydrocarbon may be a paraffin derivative. In certain embodiments, the delayed release coating composition comprises paraffin. The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin independently selected from the group comprising: low melting point paraffin, medium melting point paraffin, high melting point paraffin, and combinations thereof. The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin having a melting point of at least 25°C, or at least 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, 45°C, or preferably at least 50°C, or at least 55°C or at least 60°C. The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin having a melting point not higher than 100°C, or not higher than 95°C, 90°C, 85°C, 80°C, 75°C, 70°C, 65°C, or not higher than 60°C. The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin having a melting point of 25°C-85°C, or 30°C-80°C, 35°C-75°C, 40°C-70°C, 45°C-65°C, or preferably 50°C-60°C. The delayed-release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin having a melting point of 25°C-95°C, or 30°C-90°C, 35°C-85°C, 40°C-80°C, 45°C-75°C, 50°C-70°C, or preferably 55°C-65°C. The delayed-release coating composition may comprise at least one paraffin having a melting point of 40°C-100°C, or 45°C-95°C, 50°C-90°C, 55°C-85°C, 60°C-80°C, or preferably 65°C-75°C.

[0057] The total amount of paraffin contained in the delayed-release coating composition may be at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or at least 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or at least 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 31% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the total amount of paraffin contained in the delayed-release coating composition may be greater than 31% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or the total amount is at least 32%, or at least 33%, 34%, or at least 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0058] The delayed-release coating composition may contain no more than 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or no more than 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or no more than 35% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0059] The total amount of paraffin wax included in the delayed-release coating composition can be 1% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 5% to 90% by weight, 10% to 80% by weight, or 20% to 70% by weight, or 25% to 60% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The total amount of paraffin wax included in the delayed-release coating composition can be 5% to 55% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 10% to 50% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 15% to 45% by weight, 20% to 40% by weight, or 25% to 35% by weight. In certain embodiments, the total amount of paraffin wax included in the delayed-release coating composition can be 31% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 35% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0060] At least 5% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 50 and 60°C, or at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or at least 99% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 50 and 60°C. In certain embodiments, no more than 95% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 50 and 60°C, or no more than 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, or 60% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 50 and 60°C.

[0061] At least 5% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 55 and 65°C, or at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or at least 99% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 55 and 65°C. In certain embodiments, no more than 95% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 55 and 65°C, or no more than 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, or 60% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 55 and 65°C.

[0062] At least 5% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 65 and 75°C, or at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or at least 99% by weight of the paraffin wax of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 65 and 75°C. In certain embodiments, no more than 95% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 65 and 75°C, or no more than 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, or 60% by weight of the total amount of paraffin wax in the delayed-release coating composition may have a melting point between 65 and 75°C.

[0063] In certain embodiments, at least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: palm oil derivatives, sorbitan esters, glycerides, paraffin derivatives and combinations thereof. In such embodiments, the palm oil derivative preferably comprises at least one fatty acid or its ester, preferably as described in the above invention description. The palm oil derivative may comprise at least one straight-chain fatty acid or its ester, preferably having a chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms. In such embodiments, the sorbitan ester may comprise a sorbitan fatty acid ester, preferably as described in the above invention description. The sorbitan ester may comprise at least one sorbitan fatty acid monoester, preferably a monoester of a saturated fatty acid, preferably having a fatty acid chain length of 14 to 20 carbon atoms. In such embodiments, the glyceride may comprise at least one fatty acid glyceride, which may be a monoglyceride, and which may have a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms. In such embodiments, the paraffin derivative preferably comprises at least one hydrocarbon, preferably as described in the above invention description. The paraffin derivative may comprise at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, which may have 20-40 carbon atoms.

[0064] In certain preferred embodiments, the at least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group consisting of palm oil derivatives, sorbitan esters, and combinations thereof.

[0065] At least one hydrophobic substance can be independently selected from the group comprising: fatty acids or esters thereof, sorbitan esters, and combinations thereof derived from palm oil.At least one hydrophobic substance can be independently selected from the group comprising: straight-chain fatty acids or esters thereof, sorbitan esters, and combinations thereof, with a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms derived from palm oil.

[0066] At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: palm oil derivatives, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and combinations thereof. At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: palm oil derivatives, sorbitan fatty acid monoesters, and combinations thereof. At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: palm oil derivatives, sorbitan saturated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. At least one hydrophobic substance may preferably be independently selected from the group comprising: palm oil derivatives, sorbitan monostearate, and combinations thereof.

[0067] At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: fatty acids or esters thereof derived from palm oil, sorbitan fatty acid monoesters, and combinations thereof. At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: straight-chain fatty acids or esters thereof having a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms derived from palm oil, sorbitan saturated fatty acid monoesters having a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. At least one hydrophobic substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: straight-chain fatty acids or esters thereof having a fatty acid chain length of 14-20 carbon atoms derived from palm oil, sorbitan monostearate, and combinations thereof.

[0068] In certain embodiments, at least one hydrophobic substance can be or be derived from at least one hydrophobic substance independently selected from the group comprising wax, fat, oil, resin, and combinations thereof. The delayed release encapsulated composition can comprise a hydrophobic substance independently selected from the group comprising tripalmitin, palm oil, jojoba oil, carnauba wax, polyester, polyester block copolymer (such as polyethylene terephthalate / polyoxyethylene terephthalate (PET / POET) block copolymer, polycaprolactone, and combinations thereof.

[0069] The total amount of hydrophobic material present can be at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or at least 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or at least 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or at least 30%, or at least 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. In certain embodiments, the total amount of hydrophobic material present can be greater than 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or the total amount is at least 32%, or at least 33%, 34%, or at least 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least 95% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0070] The total amount of hydrophobic material present may not exceed 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or not exceed 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or not more than 35% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0071] The total amount of hydrophobic substances present can be 1% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 5% to 90% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 10% to 80% by weight, 20% to 70% by weight, or 25% to 60% by weight. The total amount of hydrophobic substances present can be 5% to 55% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 10% to 50% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 15% to 45% by weight, 20% to 40% by weight, or 25% to 35% by weight. In certain embodiments, the total amount of hydrophobic substances present can be 31% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 35% to 95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0072] At least one hydrophobic substance may have a melting point of at least 20° C., or at least 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., or at least 40° C. At least one hydrophobic substance may have a melting point of no higher than 150° C., or no higher than 140° C., 130° C., 120° C., 110° C., or no higher than 100° C. At least one hydrophobic substance may have a melting point of no higher than 30° C.-100° C., or 40° C.-60° C.

[0073] The delayed release coating composition may also include at least one water-insoluble substance. The at least one water-insoluble substance may preferably include a clay mineral. The at least one water-insoluble substance may be independently selected from the group comprising: kaolin, talc, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one water-insoluble substance is kaolin.

[0074] The total amount of water-insoluble material present may be at least 2% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or at least 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, or at least 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or at least 65% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The total amount of water-insoluble material present may not exceed 90% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or not exceed 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or not more than 5% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The total amount of water-insoluble material present can be 5% to 90% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 10% to 85% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 20% to 80% by weight, 30% to 75% by weight, or 40% to 70% by weight. The total amount of water-insoluble material present can be 5% to 80% by weight, 5% to 70% by weight, 5% to 60% by weight, 5% to 50% by weight, 5% to 40% by weight, 5% to 30% by weight, 5% to 20% by weight, or 5% to 10% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0075] The total amount of water-insoluble material present may be 40-95% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 45-90%, 50-85%, 55-80%, or 60-75% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0076] In certain embodiments, the delayed release coating composition comprises at least one salt. At least one salt can be an inorganic salt. At least one salt can be independently selected from the group comprising: sulfate, sulfite, phosphate, phosphonate, nitrate, chloride, carbonate and combinations thereof. At least one salt can be an organic acid salt, such as citrate, malonate and / or acetate. At least one salt can comprise a cation independently selected from the group comprising: alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, ammonium cations and combinations thereof. At least one cation can be independently selected from the group comprising: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminum and combinations thereof. At least one salt may comprise an anion independently selected from the group comprising: chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfate, phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, hypophosphite, dihydrogen pyrophosphate, tetraborate, borate, carbonate, bicarbonate, metasilicate, citrate, malate, maleate, malonate, succinate, lactate, formate, acetate, butyrate, propionate, benzoate, tartrate, ascorbate, gluconate and combinations thereof. At least one salt may comprise an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a counter ion independently selected from the group comprising: sulfate, sulfite, phosphate, phosphonate, nitrate, chloride, carbonate, citrate, malonate, acetate and combinations thereof. At least one salt may be a hydrated salt comprising water of crystallization.

[0077] The at least one salt may preferably comprise a sulfate. The at least one salt may comprise an alkali metal sulfate, preferably sodium sulfate.

[0078] The total amount of salt present in the delayed-release coating composition can be at least 5% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or at least 45% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The total amount of salt present in the delayed-release coating composition can be no more than 90% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or no more than 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, or no more than 65% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition. The total amount of salt present in the delayed-release coating composition can be 20%-90% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition, or 25%-85%, 30%-80%, 35%-75%, 40%-70%, or 45%-65% by weight of the delayed-release coating composition.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the delayed release coating composition comprises at least one polysaccharide. The at least one polysaccharide can be an unmodified natural polysaccharide or a modified natural polysaccharide. The at least one polysaccharide can be independently selected from the group comprising: cellulose, pectin, dextrin, starch and combinations thereof. The starch can be water soluble or water insoluble. The at least one polysaccharide is preferably dextrin.

[0080] The total amount of polysaccharide present in the delayed release coating composition can be at least 0.25% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or at least 0.5% by weight, 0.75% by weight, 1% by weight, 1.1% by weight, 1.2% by weight, or at least 1.3% by weight, 1.4% by weight, 1.5% by weight, 1.6% by weight, 1.7% by weight, 1.8% by weight, 1.9% by weight, or at least 2% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. The total amount of polysaccharide present in the delayed release coating composition can be no more than 15% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or no more than 14% by weight, 13% by weight, 12% by weight, 11% by weight, 10% by weight, 9% by weight, 8% by weight, 7% by weight, 6% by weight, or no more than 5% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. The total amount of polysaccharide present in the delayed release coating composition can be 0.25% by weight to 10% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or 0.5% by weight to 8% by weight of the delayed release coating composition, or 1% by weight to 6% by weight.

[0081] In certain embodiments, the delayed release coating composition comprises at least one surfactant. At least one surfactant can be a nonionic surfactant. At least one surfactant can be a polyether. At least one surfactant can be a polyalkylene glycol, which can be independently selected from the group comprising polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and combinations thereof. At least one surfactant can be polyethylene glycol.

[0082] The delayed-release coating composition may comprise at least one polyalkylene glycol, preferably at least one polyethylene glycol, having an average molecular weight of at least 500 Da, or at least 1000 Da, 1500 Da, 2000 Da, 2500 Da, 3000 Da, or at least 3500 Da. The delayed-release coating composition may comprise at least one polyalkylene glycol, preferably at least one polyethylene glycol, having an average molecular weight of no more than 10,000 Da, or no more than 9000 Da, 8000 Da, 7000 Da, 6000 Da, or no more than 5000 Da.

[0083] The delayed release coating composition may comprise at least one polyalkylene glycol, preferably at least one polyethylene glycol, having an average molecular weight of 500 Da to 8000 Da, or 1000 Da to 7000 Da, 2000 Da to 6000 Da, 3000 Da to 5000 Da, or 3500 Da to 4500 Da.

[0084] In certain embodiments, the total amount of the delayed-release coating composition present is at least 0.05% by weight of the detergent composition, or at least 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, or at least 0.25% by weight of the detergent composition, or at least 0.3%, 0.35%, 0.4%, 0.45%, 0.5%, 0.55%, 0.6%, 0.65%, 0.7%, or at least 0.05% by weight of the detergent composition. The total amount of the delayed-release coating composition present may not exceed 10% by weight of the detergent composition, or not exceed 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, or not more than 3% by weight of the detergent composition, or not more than 2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.9%, or not more than 0.8% by weight. The delayed release coating composition may be present in a total amount of 0.05 wt % to 7 wt % of the detergent composition, or 0.1 wt % to 5 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 4 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 3 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 2 wt %, 0.1 wt % to 1.5 wt %, 0.25 wt % to 1.25 wt %, or 0.5 wt % to 1 wt % of the composition.

[0085] In certain embodiments, the total amount of protease present is at least 0.0025 weight % of the detergent composition, or at least 0.005 weight %, 0.0075 weight %, 0.01 weight %, 0.025 weight %, 0.05 weight %, 0.075 weight %, or at least 0.1 weight %, 0.2 weight %, 0.3 weight %, 0.4 weight %, or at least 0.5 weight %. The total amount of protease present is no more than 10 weight % of the detergent composition, or no more than 5 weight %, 4 weight %, 3 weight %, 2 weight %, or no more than 1 weight % of the detergent composition. The total amount of protease present can be 0.2 weight %-10 weight % of the detergent composition, or 0.3 weight %-5 weight %, or 0.4 weight %-4 weight % of the detergent composition.

[0086] The at least one protease may be present in granular or microparticulate form.

[0087] In certain embodiments where the at least one protease is present in the form of a granule, the active enzyme protein within such granule ranges from 0.02% to 2.5% by weight.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition comprises at least one particle comprising a core comprising a protease enzyme, wherein the core is coated with a delayed release coating composition.

[0089] The total amount of particles present in the detergent composition can be at least 0.25 weight %, or at least 0.5 weight %, 0.75 weight %, 1 weight %, 1.25 weight %, 1.5 weight %, 1.75 weight %, 2 weight %, 2.25 weight %, or at least 2.5 weight % of the detergent composition. The total amount of particles present in the detergent composition is no more than 15 weight %, or no more than 14 weight %, 13 weight %, 12 weight %, 11 weight %, 10 weight %, 9 weight %, 8 weight %, 7 weight %, 6 weight %, 5 weight %, 4 weight %, or no more than 3 weight % of the detergent composition. The total amount of particles present in the detergent composition can be 0.25 weight %-7 weight % of the detergent composition, or 0.5 weight %-6 weight %, 1 weight %-5 weight %, or 2 weight %-5 weight % of the detergent composition.

[0090] In certain embodiments, at least one particle comprises a delayed release coating composition in a total amount of at least 1% by weight of the particle, or at least 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or at least 25% by weight of the particle. At least one particle may comprise a delayed release coating composition in a total amount of no more than 95% by weight of the particle, or no more than 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or no more than 30% by weight of the particle. At least one particle may comprise a delayed release coating composition in a total amount of 5% to 45% by weight of the particle, or 10% to 40%, 15% to 35%, or 20% to 30% by weight of the particle.

[0091] The delayed release coating composition is preferably present as a layer around the core. In certain embodiments, the delayed release coating composition layer has a thickness of 0.5 μm-1500 μm. The delayed release coating composition layer may have a thickness of at least 30 μm, or at least 50 μm, or at least 75 μm. The delayed release coating composition layer may have a thickness of no more than 1000 μm, or no more than 500 μm, 250 μm, or no more than 150 μm.

[0092] The delayed-release coating composition can exist as a single coating surrounding the core. Alternatively, the delayed-release coating composition can exist as multiple layers around the core. In some embodiments, the delayed-release coating composition comprises 2 layers or at least 2 layers, or 3 layers or at least 3 layers around the core.

[0093] In certain embodiments, the core may also be coated with a basecoat and / or a topcoat.

[0094] The delayed release coating composition may directly contact the protease, or may indirectly contact the protease through a primer. The delayed release coating composition may comprise an outer layer of the particle. Alternatively, the delayed release coating composition may comprise an inner layer of the particle.

[0095] At least one particle may comprise an undercoat and / or a topcoat, preferably an undercoat. At least one particle may comprise a single undercoat. At least one particle may comprise an undercoat or a topcoat, preferably an undercoat, which is a salt layer. The salt layer may comprise at least one salt, preferably as described in the above statement of the invention. The salt layer may preferably comprise a sulfate, preferably an alkali metal sulfate, which may be sodium sulfate or comprise sodium sulfate.

[0096] The total amount of salt present can be at least 30 weight % of the salt layer, or at least 40 weight %, 50 weight %, 60 weight %, 70 weight %, 80 weight %, 90 weight %, 95 weight %, 96 weight %, 97 weight %, 98 weight %, or at least 99 weight % of the salt layer. The salt layer can be composed entirely of salt. The total amount of salt present can be no more than 95 weight % of the salt layer, or no more than 90 weight %, 85 weight %, or no more than 80 weight % of the salt layer. The total amount of salt present can be 40 weight %-95 weight % of the salt layer, or 50 weight %-90 weight %, 60 weight %-85 weight %, or 70 weight %-80 weight % of the salt layer.

[0097] The salt layer may further include at least one component independently selected from the group consisting of a water-insoluble substance, a polysaccharide, and a combination thereof.

[0098] The salt layer may also contain at least one water-insoluble substance, preferably as described in the above invention statement. The at least one water-insoluble substance may be kaolin. The salt layer may include water-insoluble substances in a total amount of at least 1% by weight of the salt layer, or at least 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, or at least 8% by weight of the salt layer. The salt layer may include water-insoluble substances in a total amount of no more than 20% by weight of the salt layer, or no more than 15% by weight of the salt layer, or no more than 10% by weight. The salt layer may include water-insoluble substances in a total amount of 1% to 15% by weight of the salt layer, or 2% to 10% by weight of the salt layer.

[0099] The salt layer can also include at least one polysaccharide, which can be independently selected from the group comprising: cellulose, pectin, dextrin, starch and combinations thereof. The salt layer can preferably include cellulose and dextrin. The salt layer can include polysaccharides, and its total amount is at least 1% by weight of the salt layer, or at least 2% by weight, 3% by weight, 4% by weight, 5% by weight, 6% by weight, 7% by weight, 8% by weight, 9% by weight, or at least 10% by weight of the salt layer. The salt layer can include polysaccharides, and its total amount is no more than 50% by weight of the salt layer, or no more than 45% by weight, 40% by weight, 35% by weight, 30% by weight, 25% by weight, 20% by weight, or no more than 15% by weight of the salt layer. The salt layer can include polysaccharides, and its total amount can be 1% by weight-30% by weight of the salt layer, or 5% by weight-25% by weight of the salt layer, or 10% by weight-20% by weight.

[0100] In some embodiments, the thickness of the salt layer is 1 μm-1000 μm, or 2 μm-100 μm, or 3 μm-20 μm. The thickness of the salt layer may be less than 500 μm, or less than 250 μm, 80 μm, 50 μm, or less than 30 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the salt layer is 2 μm-5 μm.

[0101] In certain embodiments, at least one of the basecoat and / or topcoat may comprise a compound independently selected from the group comprising polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and combinations thereof.

[0102] The core of at least one particle may have a diameter of 20 μm to 2000 μm, or 50 μm to 1500 μm, 100 μm to 1500 μm, or 250 μm to 1200 μm.

[0103] The core of at least one particle preferably comprises protease. In certain embodiments, at least one particle comprises protease in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the particle, or at least 10% by weight of the particle, or at least 15% by weight. At least one particle may comprise protease in an amount of no more than 60% by weight of the particle, or no more than 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30% by weight of the particle, or no more than 25% by weight of the particle. At least one particle may comprise protease in an amount of 5% to 45% by weight of the particle, or 10% to 40% by weight of the particle, or 15% to 35% by weight of the particle, or 20% to 30% by weight of the particle. The core of at least one particle may comprise an inert particle into which the enzyme is absorbed, or the enzyme is coated on its surface.

[0104] At least one particle can have a protease release profile such that the time required to release 50% of the enzyme is at least 100 seconds, at least 200 seconds, or at least 300 seconds. The time required to release 50% of the enzyme may be at least 1.5 times, at least 2 times, or at least 3 times longer than the time required for a similar enzyme-containing particle not coated with a delayed release coating composition.

[0105] The core of at least one particle may also include at least one binder that may be independently selected from the group consisting of polymers, waxes, fats, carbohydrates, and combinations thereof. The core of at least one particle may also include at least one material independently selected from the group consisting of fillers, fibrous materials (which may include cellulose or synthetic fibers), stabilizers, solubilizers, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, light balls, plasticizers, salts, lubricants, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

[0106] The core of at least one particle may comprise a polymer, which may be a synthetic polymer. At least one polymer may be independently selected from the group comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyacrylamide, polysulfonate, polycarboxylate, and copolymers and / or combinations thereof. At least one polymer may comprise a water-soluble polymer or copolymer. At least one polymer may be a vinyl polymer.

[0107] In certain embodiments, the molecular weight of at least one polymer is 1000-1,500,000 Da. The molecular weight of at least one polymer may be no greater than 1,000,000 Da, or no greater than 800,000 Da, or no greater than 200,000 Da, or no greater than 100,000 Da. The molecular weight of at least one polymer may be at least 5000 Da, or at least 10,000 Da, or at least 20,000 Da, or at least 25,000 Da.

[0108] The core of at least one particle may comprise polymer in a total amount of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% of the particle, or 0.2 wt% to 5 wt%, 0.5 wt% to 3 wt%, or 1 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the particle.

[0109] The core of at least one particle may contain one or more antioxidants and / or reducing agents. The core of at least one particle may contain at least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent in a total amount of at least 0.1% by weight of the particle, or at least 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or at least 3.5% by weight of the particle. The core of at least one particle may contain at least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent in a total amount of no more than 20% by weight of the particle, or no more than 15%, or no more than 10% by weight of the particle.

[0110] At least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent can include alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal salt.At least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent can include at least one salt independently selected from the group comprising: sulfite, thiosulfite, thiosulfate, isoascorbate, citrate, ascorbate, silicate, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, nitrite and combination thereof.At least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent can include independently selected from the group comprising: methionine, glycine, propyl gallate, tert-butylhydroquinone, tocopherol, thiodipropionic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), tannic acid and combination thereof.At least one antioxidant and / or reducing agent can include at least one salt independently selected from the group comprising: thiosulfate, citrate, sulfate and combination thereof.

[0111] The core of at least one particle may comprise at least one polysaccharide. The core of at least one particle may comprise a polysaccharide in a total amount of at least 0.5% by weight of the particle, or at least 1%, 2%, 3%, or at least 5% by weight of the particle. The core of at least one particle may comprise a polysaccharide in a total amount of no more than 20% by weight of the particle, or no more than 15%, or no more than 10% by weight of the particle.

[0112] At least one polysaccharide may be an unmodified natural polysaccharide or a modified natural polysaccharide.At least one polysaccharide may be independently selected from the group comprising cellulose, pectin, dextrin, starch and combinations thereof.At least one starch may be water soluble or water insoluble.

[0113] In certain embodiments, the core of at least one particle may include: at least one polymer in an amount of 0.1 wt%-10 wt% of the particle; one or more antioxidants and / or reducing agents in an amount of 0.2 wt%-10 wt% of the particle in total combination; and at least one polysaccharide in an amount of at least 2 wt% of the particle.

[0114] The core of at least one particle may contain water in a total amount of at least 0.025% by weight of the particle, or at least 0.05%, 0.075%, or at least 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, or at least 0.8% by weight of the particle. The core of at least one particle may contain water in a total amount of no more than 5% by weight of the particle, or no more than 4%, 3%, 2%, or no more than 1.5% by weight of the particle.

[0115] The core of at least one particle may comprise at least one water-insoluble substance, preferably as described above in the invention statement. The core of at least one particle may comprise a water-insoluble substance in an amount of 1% to 15% by weight of the particle, or 1% to 10% by weight of the particle, or 1% to 8% by weight, or 4% to 8% by weight.

[0116] The detergent composition may comprise one or more additional components independently selected from the group comprising builders, co-builders, bleaching agents, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleach activators, defoamers, material care agents, surfactants and combinations thereof.

[0117] The detergent composition may comprise a builder and / or an auxiliary builder. The detergent composition may comprise one or more builders or auxiliary builders independently selected from the group comprising: phosphate (such as sodium triphosphate), polycarboxylates, citrates (such as sodium citrate, which may be anhydrous), aminocarboxylates (such as methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) or N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid (GLDA)), dicarboxylic acid amines (such as iminodisuccinic acid (IDS)), alkaline silicates (such as sodium silicate), carbonates (such as sodium carbonate), bicarbonates (such as sodium bicarbonate), phosphonates, and salts thereof and / or combinations thereof. The builder may preferably comprise citrate, preferably trisodium citrate.

[0118] Builders reduce the effects of water hardness by removing calcium and magnesium ions and increase the effectiveness of detergents.

[0119] The builder can be present in a concentration of at least 5% by weight of the detergent composition, or at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, or at least 80% by weight of the detergent composition. The builder can be present in a concentration of no more than 98% by weight of the detergent composition, or no more than 96%, 94%, 92%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, or no more than 85% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0120] In addition to protease, the detergent composition may include one or more other enzymes. In some embodiments, other enzymes also include protease. At least one other enzyme may be independently selected from: lipase, amylase, cellulase and peroxidase. At least one other enzyme may preferably include amylase. More than one enzyme may be used. The total amount of other enzymes may be about 0.25% to about 5% by weight of the detergent composition, about 0.5% to about 4% by weight, or about 1% to about 3% by weight of the detergent composition. The detergent composition may include at least one amylase, and its total amount is as described above.

[0121] The detergent composition may contain one or more material care agents, which can be effectively used as corrosion inhibitors and / or anti-rust aids. The material care agent can be selected from the group comprising: metasilicates, silicates, bismuth salts, manganese salts, paraffins, pyrazoles, mercaptans, thiols, aluminum fatty acid salts, preferably triazoles (such as benzotriazole), or combinations thereof. The material care agent may include silver and / or copper corrosion inhibitors. Preferred silver / copper corrosion inhibitors are benzotriazole (BTA) or bisbenzotriazole and substituted derivatives thereof. Other suitable inhibitors are organic and / or inorganic redox active substances and paraffin oils. Benzotriazole derivatives are compounds in which the available substitution sites on the aromatic ring are partially or completely substituted. Suitable substituents are straight or branched C1-20 alkyl and hydroxyl, thio, phenyl or halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The preferred substituted benzotriazole is toluenetriazole.

[0122] The detergent composition may include a material care agent in an amount of 0.01% to 5%, 0.05% to 3%, 0.1% to 2.5%, 0.2% to 2%, 0.2% to 1.5%, 0.2% to 1%, 0.3% to 0.8%, or 0.4% to 0.6% by weight of the composition. The detergent composition may include a material care agent in an amount of no more than 5%, or no more than 3%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.4%, or no more than 0.2% by weight. The detergent composition may be substantially free of a material care agent.

[0123] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition may include more than one material care agent. The composition may include different material care agents for different purposes, such as for preventing glass corrosion, preventing silver discoloration, preventing aluminum corrosion, etc.

[0124] The detergent composition may comprise at least one polymer, preferably at least one polycarboxylate. The term "polycarboxylate" refers to any polymer containing carboxylic acid or carboxylate groups which can be used for chelation. The polycarboxylate polymer may be a homopolymer and / or a copolymer and / or a terpolymer.

[0125] The one or more polymers may be present in an amount from about 3 wt % to about 25 wt %, from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, from about 6 wt % to about 18 wt %, from about 7 wt % to about 16 wt %, from about 8 wt % to about 15 wt %, or from about 9 wt % to about 13 wt %.

[0126] The polymer may be a polycarboxylate polymer comprising an itaconic acid copolymer.

[0127] The polymer may be a polycarboxylate polymer comprising acrylic acid monomers.

[0128] The polymer can be a polycarboxylate polymer comprising an acrylic acid homopolymer. The molecular weight of the homopolymer can be between about 2,000 and about 10,000, between about 3,000 and about 9,000, or between about 4,000 and about 8,000. The homopolymer can be present in an amount of about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight, about 0.2% by weight to about 4.5% by weight, about 0.3% by weight to about 4% by weight, about 0.3% by weight to about 3.5% by weight, about 0.4% by weight to about 3% by weight, about 0.5% by weight to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.6% by weight to about 2% by weight, or about 0.7% by weight to about 1.5% by weight.

[0129] At least one polycarboxylate may include sulfonic acid monomers. The sulfonic acid monomers may be present in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 14 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 13 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 12 wt %, or about 7 wt % to about 11 wt %.

[0130] Preferred monomers containing sulfonic acid groups are monomers of the formula:

[0131] R 1 (R 2 )C=C(R 3 )-X-SO3H

[0132] Where R 1 To R 3 independently of one another -CH3, a linear or branched saturated alkyl residue having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a linear or branched, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated alkenyl residue having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkyl or alkenyl residue substituted by -NH2, -OH or -COOH, or -COOH or -COOR 4 , R 4is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon residue having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and X represents an optionally present spacer group selected from -(CH2) n -(wherein n=0 to 4), -COO-(CH2) k -(wherein k=1 to 6), -C(O)-NH-C(CH3)2- and CH(CH2CH3)-.

[0133] Preferred monomers of the above formula include, for example, monomers of the formula:

[0134] H2C=CH-X-SO3H

[0135] H2C=C(CH3)-X-SO3H

[0136] HO3S-X-(R 5 )C=C(R 6 )-X-SO3H

[0137] Where R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from -H, -CH3, -CH2CH3, -CH2CH2CH3, -CH(CH3)2, and X represents an optionally present spacer group selected from the group comprising: -(CH2) n -(wherein n=0 to 4), -COO-(CH2) k (wherein k = 1 to 6), -C(O)-NH-C(CH3)2- and -C(O)-NH-CH(CH2CH3)-.

[0138] Preferred monomers containing sulfonic acid groups are 1-acrylamide-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-propanesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-methacrylamide-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, 3-methacrylamide-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, methallylsulfonic acid, allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, methallyloxybenzenesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(2-propenyloxy)propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, sulfomethylacrylamide, sulfomethylmethacrylamide and mixtures of the acids or their water-soluble salts. Particularly preferred is 2-acrylamide-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid.

[0139] The sulfonic acid groups may be present in the polymer in all or part in neutralized form, i.e. the acidic hydrogen atoms of the sulfonic acid groups may be replaced by metal ions (preferably alkali metal ions, in particular sodium ions) in some or all of the sulfonic acid groups. According to the invention, preference is given to using copolymers containing partially or completely neutralized sulfonic acid groups.

[0140] The molar mass of the sulfonic acid polymer can be varied to adjust the properties of the polymer according to the desired intended application. The molar mass of the copolymer can be from about 2000 g / mol to about 200,000 g / mol, from about 4000 g / mol to about 25,000 g / mol, or from about 5000 g / mol to about 15,000 g / mol. The pH of the polymer is preferably from 3 to 5, such as from 3.5 to 4.5.

[0141] The polycarboxylates may be copolymers comprising sulfonic acid monomers and acrylic acid monomers.

[0142] At least one polycarboxylate comprises maleic acid monomers. Such polymers are preferably present in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, about 0.3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 0.3 wt % to about 3.5 wt %, about 0.4 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt %, about 0.6 wt % to about 2 wt %, or about 0.7 wt % to about 1.5 wt %.

[0143] The viscosity of the polymer may be from about 500 mPa.s to about 3000 mPa.s, from about 750 mPa.s to about 2500 mPa.s, from about 1000 mPa.s to about 2000 mPa.s. The molecular weight (Mw) of such copolymers may be from about 10,000 g / mol to about 100,000 g / mol, from about 20,000 g / mol to about 80,000 g / mol, from about 30,000 g / mol to about 70,000 g / mol, or from about 45,000 g / mol to about 55,000 g / mol.

[0144] The polycarboxylate may be a copolymer comprising maleic acid monomers and acrylic acid monomers.

[0145] The acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer may be formed from 2-acrylic acid and 2,5-furandione. The pH value of the acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer evaluated by DIN 19268 may be 7 to 9, such as 7.5 to 8.5.

[0146] The polymer may be an acrylic acid homopolymer, an acrylic acid-sulfonic acid and / or an acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer.

[0147] The polymer may include one or more polycarboxylate homopolymers and one or more polycarboxylate copolymers. The ratio of homopolymer to copolymer may be 1:20 to 1:2, preferably 1:15 to 1:5.

[0148] The polymer may include polyepoxysuccinic acid (PESA) or a derivative thereof. Polyepoxysuccinic acid is also known as epoxysuccinic acid homopolymer, polyethylene oxide-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, 2,3-epoxyethylene dicarboxylic acid homopolymer, or poly (1-oxacyclopropane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid); its general structure is as follows:

[0149]

[0150] And its derivatives have the following general structure:

[0151]

[0152] Where R can be hydrogen or any organic chain (but preferably an ester such as C 1-4 alkyl), M can be any cation (preferably Na + , H + , K + and / or NH4 + ).

[0153] Unless otherwise stated, all references to PESA hereinafter should be understood to refer to polyepoxysuccinic acid or its derivatives.

[0154] The molecular weight (Mw) of PESA can be from about 100 g / mol to about 10,000 g / mol, from about 400 g / mol to about 2000 g / mol, from about 1000 g / mol to about 1800 g / mol. PESA can have from about 2 to about 100 repeating monomer units, such as from about 2 to about 50, from about 2 to about 45, from about 2 to about 20, or from about 2 to about 10 repeating monomer units.

[0155] The polymer may include PESA in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 0.15 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 0.2 wt % to about 1.9 wt %, about 0.25 wt % to about 1.5 wt %, or about 0.6 wt % to about 1.1 wt %. PESA is preferably present in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 8 wt % to about 19 wt %, about 9 wt % to about 15 wt %, relative to the total amount of polymer present.

[0156] The polymer may include any biodegradable polymer.

[0157] Biodegradable polymers may include, for example, Alcoguard (RTM) H 5941.

[0158] The biodegradable polymer may comprise a bio-based carbohydrate backbone, such as starch, cellulose or inulin. The polymer may contain one or more synthetic, fossil-based grafting groups.

[0159] The polymer may be cationic, anionic or amphoteric.

[0160] The detergent composition preferably comprises a bleaching system comprising at least one bleaching agent, preferably in combination with one or more of the group comprising: bleach boosters, bleach catalysts, bleach activators and combinations thereof.

[0161] The detergent composition may include at least one bleaching agent.

[0162] The at least one bleaching agent may be independently selected from the group consisting of oxygen-releasing bleaches, chlorine-releasing bleaches, and combinations thereof.

[0163] The bleaching agent may comprise the active bleaching agent itself or a precursor of the active bleaching agent. The bleaching agent may be independently selected from the group comprising inorganic peroxides, organic peracids and mixtures thereof. The terms "inorganic peroxide" and "organic peracid" include salts and derivatives thereof. Inorganic peroxides include percarbonates, perborates, persulfates, hydrogen peroxide and derivatives and salts thereof. Sodium and potassium salts of these inorganic peroxides are suitable, particularly the sodium salts. The bleaching agent may preferably comprise at least one percarbonate, which may comprise sodium percarbonate.

[0164] At least one bleaching agent is a source of an organic peroxyacid. The organic peroxyacid source may include a preformed peracid or a diacyl peroxide, or may include a source of hydrogen peroxide and a bleach activator. The detergent composition may contain from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %, even from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of the bleaching agent.

[0165] The organic peroxyacid source (peracid and / or bleach activator) may be present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 60%, from about 0.5% to about 40%, or even from about 0.6% to about 10% by weight, based on the composition. One or more hydrophobic peracids or precursors thereof may be used in combination with one or more hydrophilic peracids or precursors thereof.

[0166] In certain embodiments, the bleaching agent is or includes a preformed peracid. At least one preformed peracid may be a preformed peroxyacid or salt thereof, which may include a peroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof and / or a peroxysulfonic acid or salt thereof. At least one peroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof may have a chemical structure corresponding to the following chemical formula:

[0167]

[0168] Where: R 14 is selected from alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic; R 14The group may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted; Y is any suitable counterion that can achieve charge neutrality, preferably Y is selected from hydrogen, sodium or potassium. Preferably, R 14 is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C9 alkyl group. Preferably, the peroxy acid or its salt is selected from peroxy hexanoic acid, peroxy heptanoic acid, peroxy octanoic acid, peroxy nonanoic acid, peroxy decanoic acid, any salt thereof or any combination thereof. Preferably, the melting point of the peroxy acid or its salt is in the range of 30°C to 60°C.

[0169] The at least one peroxysulfonic acid or salt thereof may have a chemical structure corresponding to the following formula:

[0170]

[0171] Where: R 15 is selected from alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic; R 15 The group may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted; Z is any suitable counterion that can achieve charge neutrality, preferably Z is selected from hydrogen, sodium or potassium. Preferably, R 15 It is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C9 alkyl group.

[0172] In certain embodiments, the bleaching agent is or includes a hydrogen peroxide source. The hydrogen peroxide source may include an inorganic perhydrate salt, which may include an alkali metal perhydrate salt. The hydrogen peroxide source may include at least one inorganic perhydrate salt, which is independently selected from the group comprising: perborate, percarbonate, persulfate, perphosphate, persilicate, and a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide source may include at least one alkali metal perhydrate salt, which is independently selected from the group comprising: alkali metal perborate, alkali metal percarbonate, and a combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, the bleaching agent is or includes an alkali metal percarbonate, preferably sodium percarbonate. The total amount of the inorganic perhydrate salt may be 0.05% by weight -40% by weight of the detergent composition, or 1% by weight -30% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0173] In certain embodiments, the bleaching agent comprises a diacyl peroxide bleaching species. The diacyl peroxide (DAP) bleaching species is preferably selected from diacyl peroxides of the following general formula: R 1 -C(O)-OO-(O)C- R2 ; where R 1 represents a C6-C18 alkyl group, preferably a C6-C12 alkyl group, which has a straight chain of at least 5 carbon atoms and optionally contains one or more substituents (e.g. -N +(CH3)3, -COOH or -CN) and / or one or more interrupting moieties inserted between adjacent carbon atoms of the alkyl group (e.g., -CONH- or -CH=CH-), and R 2 represents an aliphatic group partially compatible with peroxides, such that R 1 and R 2 Together they contain 8 to 30 carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment, R 1 and R 2 is a straight chain unsubstituted C6-C12 alkyl chain. 1 and R 2 Particularly preferred are diacyl peroxides in which R 1 and R 2 Preferably at least one (most preferably only one) R group (R 1 or R 2 ) does not contain a branch or a pendant ring at the α position, or preferably does not contain a branch or a pendant ring at both the α position and the β position, or most preferably does not contain a branch or a pendant ring at the α position, the β position or the γ position. In a further preferred embodiment, the DAP may be asymmetric, so that preferably R 1 The hydrolysis of the acyl group rapidly produces peracid, but R 2 The hydrolysis of the acyl group is slow.

[0174] The tetraacyl peroxide bleaching species are preferably selected from tetraacyl peroxides of the general formula: R 3 -C(O)-OO-C(O)-(CH2) n -C(O)-OO-C(O)-R 3 ; where R 3 represents a C1-C9 alkyl group, preferably a C3-C7 group, and n represents an integer of 2 to 12, preferably 4 to 10 (inclusive).

[0175] Preferably, the diacyl and / or tetraacyl peroxide bleaching species is present in an amount sufficient to provide at least 0.5 ppm by weight, more preferably at least 10 ppm, even more preferably at least 50 ppm, based on the weight of the wash liquor. In a preferred embodiment, the bleaching species is present in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.5 ppm to about 300 ppm by weight, more preferably from about 30 ppm to about 150 ppm, based on the weight of the wash liquor.

[0176] The detergent composition can include at least one bleaching agent, and its total amount is at least 0.5 weight % of the detergent composition, or at least 1 weight %, 2 weight %, 3 weight %, 4 weight %, 5 weight %, 6 weight %, or at least 7 weight % of the detergent composition. The detergent composition can include at least one bleaching agent, and its total amount is no more than 50 weight % of the detergent composition, or no more than 45 weight %, 40 weight %, 35 weight %, 30 weight %, 25 weight %, 20 weight %, 15 weight %, or no more than 10 weight % of the detergent composition. The detergent composition can include at least one bleaching agent, and its total amount can be 0.5 weight %-25 weight % of the detergent composition, or 1 weight %-20 weight % of the detergent composition, or 1 weight %-10 weight %.

[0177] The detergent composition may contain at least one bleach activator and / or bleach catalyst.

[0178] The bleach catalyst may be provided by one or more of the group consisting of: non-metallic bleach catalysts, catalytic metal complexes, ligands forming catalytic metal complexes, and combinations thereof. The bleach catalyst may be used in an amount providing 0.001-0.02 g of active material per liter of washing liquor.

[0179] The bleach catalyst may be a manganese complex comprising 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN), or any derivative of the TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN, manganese oxalate, manganese acetate or a binuclear manganese complex, such as a binuclear manganese complex comprising TACN or any derivative of the TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN.

[0180] Any suitable bleach activator may be included. The detergent composition may contain one or more bleach activators independently selected from the group comprising tetraacetyl glycoluril (TAGU), sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (SNOBS), sodium isononanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (ISONOBS), n-nonanoyl succinimide (NOSI), acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC), N-acyl caprolactam, short chain triglycerides (such as triacetin), preferably tetraacetyl ethylenediamine (TAED), and combinations thereof.

[0181] At least one bleach activator may have the formula R-(C=O)-L, wherein R is an alkyl group, optionally branched, having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or from 8 to 12 carbon atoms when the bleach activator is hydrophobic, and having less than 6 carbon atoms or even less than 4 carbon atoms when the bleach activator is hydrophilic; and L is a leaving group. Examples of suitable leaving groups are benzoic acid and its derivatives, especially benzene sulfonates. Suitable bleach activators may be independently selected from: dodecyloxybenzenesulfonate, decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, decanoyloxybenzoic acid or its salts, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). Suitable bleach activators are also disclosed in WO 98 / 17767. In certain embodiments, the detergent composition comprises: NOBS, TAED or a combination thereof.

[0182] Bleach boosters and / or bleach catalysts may be present in a total amount of at least 0.1 wt % of the detergent composition, or at least 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt %, 0.4 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.6 wt %, 0.7 wt %, 0.8 wt %, 0.9 wt %, 1 wt %, 1.5 wt %, 2 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 3 wt %, 3.5 wt % or at least 4 wt % of the detergent composition.

[0183] The bleach boosters and / or bleach catalysts may be present in a total amount of no more than 50% by weight of the detergent composition, or no more than 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25% by weight of the detergent composition, or no more than 20%, or no more than 15%, or no more than 10% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0184] The detergent composition may include at least one bleaching agent and at least one substance independently selected from the group consisting of a bleach activator, a bleach catalyst, and a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the detergent composition includes at least one substance independently selected from the group consisting of a bleaching agent, a bleach catalyst, and a bleach activator in the form of particles or granules. In such embodiments, the granules containing the substance may have a release profile such that the time required to release 50% of the active substance is less than 100 seconds, or less than 50 seconds, or less than 20 seconds.

[0185] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition comprises at least one surfactant. The at least one surfactant may be independently selected from the group comprising: a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a semi-polar surfactant, and a combination thereof. The at least one surfactant may preferably be a nonionic surfactant.

[0186] The detergent composition may comprise at least one anionic surfactant which may be independently selected from the group comprising linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, α-olefin sulfonate, alkyl sulfate (fatty alcohol sulfate), alcohol ethoxysulfate, secondary alkyl sulfonate, α-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester, alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid, soap, and combinations thereof.

[0187] Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include sulfates and sulfonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), branched alkylbenzene sulfonates (BABS), phenyl alkyl sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates (AOS), olefin sulfonates, alkene sulfonates, alkyl-2,3-diylbis(sulfates), hydroxyalkyl sulfonates and disulfonates, alkyl sulfates (AS), such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), fatty alcohol sulfates (FAS), primary alcohol sulfates (PAS), alcohol ether sulfates (AES or AEOS or FES, also known as alcohol ethoxysulfates or fatty alcohol ether sulfates), secondary alkyl sulfonates (SAS), paraffin sulfonates (PS), ester sulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid glycerides, α-sulfo fatty acid methyl esters (α-SFMe or SES) (including methyl ester sulfonates (MES)), alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid, dodecenyl / tetradecenyl succinic acid (DTSA), fatty acid derivatives of amino acids, diesters and monoesters of sulfonated succinic acid or soap, and combinations thereof.

[0188] The detergent composition may comprise at least one cationic surfactant which may be independently selected from the group comprising alkyldimethylethanolamine quaternary ammonium salt (ADMEAQ), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dimethyldistearylammonium chloride (DSDMAC) and alkylbenzyldimethylammonium, and combinations thereof.

[0189] The detergent composition may comprise at least one nonionic surfactant which may be independently selected from the group comprising alcohol ethoxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamides, fatty acid monoethanolamides, polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amides, N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine ("glucose amides"), fatty alcohol alkoxylates, modified fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers (linear or branched), and combinations thereof.

[0190] The detergent composition may comprise at least one nonionic surfactant independently selected from the group comprising alcohol ethoxylates (AE or AEO), alcohol propoxylates, propoxylated fatty alcohols (PFA), alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters (such as ethoxylated and / or propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters), alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), alkyl polyglycosides (APG), alkoxylated amines, fatty acid monoethanolamide (FAM), fatty acid diethanolamide (FADA), ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide (EFAM), propoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide (PFAM), polyhydroxyalkyl fatty acid amides, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine (glucamide, GA or fatty acid glucamide, FAGA), and products available under the trade names SPAN and TWEEN, and combinations thereof.

[0191] The detergent composition may contain from about 0.2% to about 40% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, for example from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight, in particular from about 1% to about 20% by weight, from about 1% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 1% to about 5% by weight.

[0192] The detergent composition may comprise at least one semi-polar surfactant which may be independently selected from the group comprising amine oxides (AO), such as alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, N-(coconut alkyl)-N,N-dimethyl amine oxides and N-(tallow alkyl)-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) amine oxides, fatty acid alkanolamides and ethoxylated fatty acid alkanolamides, and combinations thereof.

[0193] The detergent composition may comprise at least one zwitterionic surfactant which may be independently selected from the group comprising betaine, alkyl dimethyl betaine, sulfonated betaine and combinations thereof.

[0194] The detergent composition may include a surfactant in an amount of at least 0.25% by weight of the detergent composition, or at least 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, or at least 1.5% by weight of the detergent composition. The detergent composition may include a surfactant in an amount of no more than 15% by weight of the detergent composition, or no more than 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, or no more than 5% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0195] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition is in the form of a powder, liquid, gel, tablet, pouch or block. The detergent composition is preferably a solid. The detergent composition is preferably a powder or granular solid.

[0196] The detergent composition may be an automatic dishwashing detergent composition.

[0197] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detergent composition comprising at least one protease coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester.

[0198] Preferably, the protease is as described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention.

[0199] The at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester may preferably be as described above in the statements of the invention in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention.

[0200] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detergent composition comprising at least one protease, wherein the protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition, wherein the delayed release coating composition comprises palm oil in a total amount greater than 31 wt % of the delayed release coating composition.

[0201] Preferably, the protease is as described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention.

[0202] The following statements apply to the third and fourth aspects of the invention.

[0203] The detergent composition of the third and / or fourth aspects of the invention may be the detergent composition of the first and / or second aspects of the invention. The above statements relating to the detergent composition of the first and second aspects of the invention or any components thereof may also apply to the third and fourth aspects of the invention.

[0204] Any statements made above in relation to the first or second aspect of the invention may apply to the third and fourth aspects of the invention with appropriate modifications.

[0205] In some embodiments, at least one protease is of animal, plant or microbial origin. At least one protease can be a serine protease and / or a metalloprotease. At least one protease can be an alkaline microbial protease and / or a trypsin-like protease. In some embodiments, at least one protease is a subtilisin, which can be derived from bacillus. At least one protease can be a subtilisin independently selected from the group comprising: subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147, subtilisin 168 and combinations thereof.

[0206] In certain embodiments, the at least one protease comprises at least one enzyme having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 96.5%, or at least 97% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. In certain embodiments, the at least one protease has at least 99% identity or has 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0207] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package or device comprising a detergent composition according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0208] The above invention statements regarding any of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention may also apply to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

[0209] In certain embodiments, the package or device comprises a water soluble container.

[0210] When reference is made hereinafter to any component of the detergent composition previously mentioned in the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the invention, the statements made in relation to the components of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention apply equally.

[0211] The package or device may include a water soluble container.

[0212] As used herein, the term "water-soluble container" refers to a container that at least partially dissolves in water or disperses in water within 10 minutes at 20°C to allow the contents of the package to flow out into the surrounding water.

[0213] In certain embodiments, the package or device comprises a unit dosage form.

[0214] "Unit dose" means that the product comprises the amount of one or more compositions required for a single wash cycle in a machine dishwasher.

[0215] The water-soluble container may include or may be a water-soluble film. The water-soluble film may be rigid or flexible at room temperature.

[0216] The water-soluble container may include or be made of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) film. The PVOH film may be partially or completely alcoholized or hydrolyzed, for example, it may be a polyvinyl acetate film that is 40% to 100%, preferably 70% to 92%, and most preferably about 85% to about 92% alcoholized or hydrolyzed. It is known that the degree of hydrolysis will affect the temperature at which the PVOH begins to dissolve in water. 88% hydrolysis corresponds to a film that is soluble in cold (i.e. room temperature) water, while 92% hydrolysis corresponds to a film that is soluble in warm water. The film may be cast, blown or extruded. It may also be unoriented, uniaxially oriented or biaxially oriented.

[0217] The PVOH film may be a thermoformed PVOH film.

[0218] The packaging or device can be a multi-compartment container, preferably a water-soluble container. The detergent composition can be located in at least one compartment of the multi-compartment container. The multi-compartment water-soluble container can include more than two, more than three, more than four, more than five, or more than six independent compartments. Each compartment can be arranged side by side, concentrically arranged, arranged in a circular fan shape, or arranged in any suitable random or orderly pattern. The container may include a first PVOH film and a second PVOH film, the first PVOH film including a bag and a surrounding flange, and the second PVOH film is used as a cover for the bag and seals the flange. The container may include a first PVOH film and a second PVOH film, the first PVOH film including more than one bag, such as more than two, more than three, more than four, more than five, or more than six bags, and surrounding flanges, and the second PVOH film is used as a cover for each bag and seals the flange. In some embodiments, there are three or four bags.

[0219] Advantageously, a multi-compartment container allows compositions in different forms (i.e. solid form, liquid form or gel form) to be placed in different compartments. This makes the container more aesthetically appealing to consumers.

[0220] The multi-compartment container may contain solid, liquid and gel components. The solid, liquid and gel components may be located in different compartments of the container. The solid component may be or include a detergent composition.

[0221] The multi-compartment container can comprise a detergent composition of the present invention and one or more additional components selected from the group comprising: a builder, an auxiliary builder, a bleaching agent, a defoamer, a material care agent, a surfactant, and a combination thereof. The one or more additional components can be as described in the first aspect of the present invention. The detergent composition and the one or more additional components can be located in different compartments of the multi-compartment container. Alternatively, the detergent composition and the one or more additional components can be located in the same compartment.

[0222] The multi-compartment container may comprise at least a first compartment and a second compartment. The multi-compartment container may comprise at least a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment. In addition to the detergent composition of the present invention, the multi-compartment container may also comprise at least one other composition in the form of a solid, liquid, gel or paste. The other composition in the form of at least one solid, liquid, gel or paste may comprise one or more cleaning active substances, the cleaning active substances being selected from the list comprising a builder, a surfactant, an alkaline source, an acidic source, an enzyme, a polymer, a corrosion inhibitor, a bleaching agent or a care agent, or a mixture thereof.

[0223] The multi-compartment container may include at least a first compartment and a second compartment, and the detergent composition of the present invention may be located in the first compartment. In addition to the detergent composition of the present invention, the multi-compartment container may also include one or more of a solid, a gel, a gel containing a suspension of a powder or particles, and a liquid. For example, each other composition may be located in its own separate compartment, or two or more other compositions may be located in at least one other compartment together.

[0224] The container may include at least one liquid cleaning active material located in the second compartment. The at least one liquid cleaning active material may be a bleaching system. The bleaching system may include a bleaching agent, such as a percarbonate, such as sodium percarbonate, a bleaching enhancer, such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), and / or a bleaching catalyst, such as a manganese complex including triazacyclononane (TACN), or any derivative of a TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN, or manganese oxalate, manganese acetate or a binuclear manganese complex, such as a binuclear manganese complex including TACN or any derivative of a TACN ligand, such as 1,4,7-trimethyl-TACN. The bleaching agent may include any bleaching agent described in the first aspect of the present invention. The invention statement related to the bleaching agent of the first aspect of the present invention may be applied here.

[0225] The container may include at least one solid cleaning active material in the second compartment. The at least one solid cleaning active material may be a bleaching system. The solid bleaching system may be in the form of a powdered solid. The solid or powdered solid bleaching system may be in the form of coated particles or composite particles with one or more cleaning active ingredients. The bleaching system may include a bleaching agent as described above. The bleaching agent may include any bleaching agent of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0226] The detergent composition may comprise one or more cleaning active substances selected from the following list: builders, surfactants, alkaline sources, acidic sources, enzymes, polymers, corrosion inhibitors, bleaching agents, material care agents, and mixtures thereof. The invention statements relevant to one or more of the above-mentioned cleaning active substances in the first aspect of the present invention may be applied here. The one or more cleaning active substances may be in granular form. The one or more cleaning active substances may be at least one enzyme selected from the group comprising protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase and peroxidase or a mixture thereof.

[0227] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition is present in an amount of at least 5 weight % of a package or device, or at least 10 weight %, 15 weight %, 20 weight %, 25 weight % or at least 30 weight % of a package or device. In certain embodiments, the detergent composition is present in an amount of no more than 100 weight % of a package or device, or no more than 95 weight %, 90 weight %, 85 weight %, 80 weight %, 75 weight %, or no more than 70 weight %. The detergent composition can be present in an amount of 5 weight %-80 weight %, 5 weight %-70 weight %, 10 weight %-60 weight %, 15 weight %-50 weight %, 20 weight %-45 weight %, or 30 weight %-40 weight %, or 20 weight %-40 weight %.

[0228] Typically, the maximum dimension of the filled portion of the package or device (excluding any flange) may be 10 cm or 8 cm. For example, a round cuboid container may have a length of 1 cm to 5 cm, particularly 3.5 cm to 4.8 cm, such as 4.8 cm or 4.1 cm, a width of 1.5 cm to 4 cm, particularly 3 cm to 4 cm, such as 3.7 cm or 3.9 cm, and a height of 1 cm to 2.5 cm, particularly 1 cm to 2 cm, such as 1.25 cm to 1.75 cm.

[0229] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the detergent composition of the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0230] (a) providing at least one protease having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1; and

[0231] (b) coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

[0232] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the detergent composition of the second aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0233] (a) providing at least one protease having at least 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, preferably 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2; and

[0234] (b) coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

[0235] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the detergent composition of the third aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0236] (a) providing at least one protease; and

[0237] (b) coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester.

[0238] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the detergent composition of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0239] (a) providing at least one protease; and

[0240] (b) coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising palm oil in a total amount greater than 31 % by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0241] The following statements apply to the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth aspects of the invention.

[0242] The invention statements made above in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention may apply mutatis mutandis to the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth aspects of the invention.

[0243] Step (a) of the method may comprise providing a core comprising a protease, and step (b) may comprise coating the core with a delayed release coating composition to form particles.

[0244] The core may be prepared by granulation. The core may be prepared by a granulation method independently selected from the group comprising crystallization, precipitation, pan coating, fluidized bed coating, fluidized bed agglomeration, rotary atomization, extrusion, granulation, spheronization, size reduction methods, drum granulation, high shear granulation and combinations thereof.

[0245] The delayed-release coating composition can exist as a single coating surrounding the core. Alternatively, the delayed-release coating composition can exist as multiple layers around the core. In some embodiments, the delayed-release coating composition comprises 2 layers or at least 2 layers, or 3 layers or at least 3 layers around the core.

[0246] In certain embodiments, the method may further include coating the core with at least one primer before coating the core with the delayed release coating composition. At least one primer may include a salt layer as described above in the first aspect of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the method may include coating the core with at least one topcoat after coating the core with the delayed release coating composition. At least one topcoat may include a salt layer as described above in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0247] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detergent composition according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention for use in cleaning soiled kitchenware.

[0248] The invention statements made above in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention may be applied mutatis mutandis to the tenth aspect of the invention.

[0249] Kitchenware may include tableware such as crockery, cutlery, etc.

[0250] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning kitchenware in an automatic dishwasher, wherein the detergent composition of the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention or the package or device of the fifth aspect of the present invention is added to the automatic dishwasher at the beginning of the main wash cycle or at the beginning of the pre-wash cycle.

[0251] The invention statements made above in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention may be applied mutatis mutandis to the eleventh aspect of the invention.

[0252] The detergent composition or package or device may be added to the automatic dishwasher at any suitable stage of the wash cycle, such as at the beginning of the main wash cycle or at the beginning of the pre-wash cycle. The detergent composition or package or device may be added to a feed basket or feed chamber within the automatic dishwasher. The detergent composition or package or device may be placed on the floor of the automatic dishwasher.

[0253] Sequence Listing

[0254] SEQ ID NO: 1—Bacillus lentus subtilisin 309

[0255] AQSVPWGISRVQAPAAHNRGLTGSGVKVAVLDTGISTHPDLNIRGGASFVPGEPSTQDGNGHGTHVAGTIAALNNSIGVLGVAPSAELYAVKVLGASGSGSSVSSIAQGLEWAGNNGMHVANLSLGSPSPSATLE QAVNSATSRGVLVVAASGNSGAGSISYPARYANAMAVGATDQNNNRASFSQYGAGLDIVAPGVNVQSTYPGSTYASLNGTSMATPHVAGAAALVKQKNPSWSNVQIRNHLKNTATSLGSTNLYGSGLVNAEAATR

[0256] SEQ ID NO:2

[0257] AQSVPWGIRRVQAPTAHNRGLTGSGVKVAVLDTGISTHPDLNIRGGASFVPGEPSTQDENGHGTHAAGTIAALNNSIGVLGVAPSAELYAVKVLGASGSGSSVSSIAQGLEWAGNNGMHVANLSLGSPSPSATLE QAVNSATSRGVLVVAASGNSGAGSISYPARYANAMAVGATDQNNNRASFSQYGPGLDIVAPGVNIQSTYPGSTYASLNGTSMATPHVAGAAALVKQKNPSWSNVRIRNHLKNTATSLGSTDLYGSGLVNAEAATR DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0258] In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only.

[0259] Preparation of the detergent composition of the present invention

[0260] A solid detergent composition is prepared and added to a multi-compartment container along with a gel and a liquid composition. The solid detergent composition, gel and liquid composition are placed in separate compartments of a multi-compartment container.

[0261] The following compositions were prepared.

[0262] Comparative detergent compositions (not of the present invention)

[0263] The comparative detergent composition had the composition shown in Table 1 below.

[0264] Table 1

[0265]

[0266] Detergent composition of the present invention

[0267] The detergent composition of the present invention is prepared as a solid composition comprising a particle comprising a core comprising the protease of SEQ ID NO: 2, and further comprising a delayed release coating composition comprising a hydrophobic material surrounding the core.

[0268] Two detergent compositions of the present invention (Composition 1 of the present invention and Composition 2 of the present invention) were prepared. The detergent compositions of the present invention had the general composition shown in Table 2 below, but the delayed release coating of the two compositions was different. All detergent compositions used the same gel and liquid compositions, and these were added to the multi-compartment container together with the solid detergent composition of the present invention, as described above.

[0269] Table 2

[0270]

[0271] Composition 1 of the present invention delayed release coating

[0272] The delayed release coating composition for coating the protease in composition 1 of the present invention contains dehydrogenated palm oil in an amount of 31% to 40% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. The delayed release coating composition also contains kaolin and titanium dioxide water-insoluble substances in an amount of 60% to 69% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0273] Composition 2 of the present invention delayed release coating

[0274] The delayed release coating composition for coating the protease in Composition 2 of the present invention contains sorbitan monostearate in an amount of 31% to 40% by weight of the delayed release coating composition. The delayed release coating composition also contains kaolin and titanium dioxide water-insoluble substances in an amount of 60% to 69% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

[0275] In-wash test of prepared detergent compositions

[0276] The first round of testing was conducted under the following EU conditions:

[0277] Dishwasher Bosch

[0278] Program Eco50+Vario Speed

[0279] Total water consumption: approximately 11 litres

[0280] Water hardness 21°GH

[0281] Machine loading tray, no dirt, no salt, no rinse aid

[0282] Procedure: A multi-compartment container containing the solid detergent composition prepared above as well as the gel and liquid compositions was placed in the dishwashing machine feed chamber. After the feed chamber was opened, the first sample was taken from the wash liquor (t=0). Subsequent wash liquor samples (approximately 10 mL) were withdrawn through the bypass every one minute and mixed with 100 mg Na2SO3 to quench the remaining active oxygen species and then analyzed for protease activity.

[0283] Results: The results show that while the comparative composition reached the maximum plateau concentration of protease in the wash liquor only 4 minutes after dosing, the compositions of the present invention exhibited a delayed release of protease, reaching the maximum plateau concentration at about 16 minutes after dosing (composition 1 of the present invention) and 10 minutes after dosing (composition 2 of the present invention).

[0284] A second round of testing was conducted using the comparative composition and the inventive composition 1 under the following US conditions:

[0285] Dishwasher Whirlpool WDF540

[0286] Procedure 1 hour

[0287] Total water consumption: approximately 22 litres

[0288] Water temperature 49℃

[0289] Water hardness 200ppm

[0290] Machine loading tray, no dirt, no salt, no rinse aid

[0291] Procedure: The procedure described is the same as for testing under EU conditions described above.

[0292] Results: The results again show a rapid release of protease in the comparative composition, with the protease concentration in the wash liquor reaching a maximum plateau only 3 minutes after dosing. Inventive composition 1 again shows a delayed release of protease, reaching a maximum plateau concentration about 8-9 minutes after dosing.

[0293] Another round of testing was performed under EU conditions to compare the protease release of the prepared detergent compositions with the active oxygen release of bleach during dishwashing operations.

[0294] Results: The comparative detergent compositions exhibited rapid protease release and reached a maximum protease concentration plateau in the wash liquor at only 3 minutes after dosing, which was faster than the time required for the active oxygen concentration in the bleach to reach a maximum plateau (about 5 minutes). The compositions of the present invention again showed a delayed release of protease, reaching a maximum plateau concentration at about 16 minutes after dosing (composition 1 of the present invention) and 10 minutes after dosing (composition 2 of the present invention).

[0295] In all the above tests, the compositions of the present invention exhibited good delayed release properties and excellent dishwashing performance. The compositions of the present invention showed significantly improved removal performance on bleachable tea stains compared to the comparative compositions, indicating that bleach and other harsh chemicals in the formulation do not negatively affect the enzymatic performance of the compositions of the present invention.

[0296] The above embodiments have been described by way of example only. Many changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A detergent composition comprising at least one protease having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein The or each protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

2. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein At least one protease has at least 97% identity to SEQ ID NO:

1.

3. The detergent composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein At least one protease comprises a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the variant comprising a substitution at one or more positions selected from positions 9, 15, 59, 66, 188, 199, 239 and 255.

4. The detergent composition according to claim 3, wherein The protease variants comprise substitutions at positions 9, 15, 59, 66, 188, 199, 239 and 255.

5. The detergent composition according to claim 4, wherein The protease variant comprises the following substitutions: S9R, A15T, G59E, V66A, A188P, V199I, Q239R and N255D.

6. A detergent composition comprising at least one protease having at least 99% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, preferably 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein The or each protease is coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

7. The detergent composition according to claim 6, wherein At least one protease consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

2.

8. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one fatty acid or an ester thereof.

9. The detergent composition according to claim 8, wherein The at least one fatty acid or ester thereof is present in a total amount of 20 wt % to 70 wt % of the delayed release coating composition.

10. The detergent composition according to claim 8 or 9, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one fatty acid having a fatty acid chain length of 4 to 40 carbon atoms or an ester thereof.

11. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one glycerol fatty acid ester and / or sorbitan fatty acid ester.

12. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance comprises a substance independently selected from the group consisting of palm oil derivatives, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and combinations thereof.

13. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance comprises at least one hydrocarbon, preferably having 5 to 60 carbon atoms.

14. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one hydrophobic substance is present in a total amount of 20 wt % to 70 wt % of the delayed release coating composition.

15. A detergent composition comprising at least one protease enzyme coated with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester.

16. A detergent composition comprising at least one protease enzyme coated with a delayed release coating composition, the delayed release coating composition comprising palm oil in a total amount greater than 31% by weight of the delayed release coating composition.

17. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one protease enzyme is present in a total amount of 0.2% to 10% by weight of the detergent composition.

18. A detergent composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The detergent composition also comprises at least one bleaching agent.

19. A package or device comprising a detergent composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one protease having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1; as well as b. coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

21. A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one protease having at least 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, preferably 100% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2; and b. coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one hydrophobic substance.

22. A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one protease; as well as b. coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising at least one sorbitan fatty acid ester.

23. A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one protease; as well as b. coating the or each protease with a delayed release coating composition comprising palm oil in a total amount greater than 31 wt% of the delayed release coating composition.

24. Use of a detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for cleaning soiled kitchenware.

25. A method for cleaning kitchenware in an automatic dishwasher, wherein: The detergent composition of any one of claims 1 to 18 or the package or device of claim 19 is added to the automatic dishwasher at the start of the main wash cycle or at the start of a pre-wash cycle.

Images