Cleaning compositions for starch and fat and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Compositions and methods for removing stubborn soil from a surface are disclosed. Compositions and methods for enzymatic cleansing compositions particularly suitable for starch and oil removal, including rice starch and chili oil, are disclosed. The method comprises pre-soaking the cleaning composition with a liquid comprising an amylase, at least one surfactant, a buffer, water, and optionally additional functional ingredients.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 387,564, filed on December 15, 2022, under 35 U.S.C.§119, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for removing stubborn dirt from surfaces. The present invention discloses compositions and methods for enzyme - based cleaning compositions particularly suitable for the removal of starch and oil (i.e., fat), including rice starch and spicy oil. More specifically, the method provides a liquid pre - soak cleaning composition that comprises a stable amylase for degrading starch, at least one surfactant for removing oil and other dirt, a buffer, water, and optionally additional functional ingredients. Background art

[0004] One key objective of institutional warewashing products is to address stubborn and difficult - to - remove food dirt on wares such as, for example, tableware. For example, removing starch - containing dirt (such as rice starch) and oil (such as spicy oil) presents significant challenges to effective dirt removal. Failure to remove such dirt can lead to the formation of a layer on the ware and pose an even greater challenge to removing both new and baked - on dirt.

[0005] Various prior - art warewashing products have the goal of removing starch by using highly corrosive or alkaline detergents. These various detergent products must be able to wet, emulsify, suspend, penetrate, and disperse dirt. They must also prevent the buildup of starch layers. Other techniques for improving detergency include using highly alkaline solutions and / or acidic solutions applied directly to the ware. In other techniques, warewashing products have employed enzymes to enhance detergency.

[0006] Enzymes have been used in cleaning compositions since the early 20th century. However, it was not until the mid - 1960s that enzymes with both pH stability and dirt reactivity for detergent applications became commercially available. Enzymes are known as effective chemicals for use with detergents and other cleaners to break down dirt. Enzymes break down dirt, make it more soluble, and enable surfactants to remove the dirt from the surface, thereby enhancing the cleaning of the substrate.

[0007] Specifically, enzymes can provide the desired activity for removing, for example, protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains from substrates. Thus, enzymes have been used in various cleaning applications to digest or degrade dirt such as fats, oils, proteins, carbohydrates, and the like. Although enzyme-containing products have evolved from simple powders containing alkaline proteases to more complex granular compositions containing multiple enzymes and further to liquid compositions, there is still a need for alternative cleaning applications that employ stable enzymes in combination with other components to provide effective detergency.

[0008] Many enzyme cleaning compositions still use enzymes in powder form. This can pose safety challenges due to the inhalation risk when the powder is dispensed into the cleaning reservoir for use. Thus, there is still a need to replace the powdered enzyme-containing cleaning compositions.

[0009] Accordingly, there is still a need in the art for more effective dirt removal, including a unique combination of starch and oil, namely rice starch and chili oil.

[0010] Accordingly, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid composition that comprises an enzyme, a surfactant, and additional functional ingredients to provide effective detergency against dirt removal (including starch and oil).

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a concentrated liquid composition to provide a desired use pH for a liquid composition that comprises an enzyme, a surfactant, and additional functional ingredients, thereby providing effective detergency against dirt removal (including starch and oil).

[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaning method, including a pre-soaking method that uses a liquid cleaning composition to provide effective detergency against dirt removal (including starch and oil).

[0013] One goal is to develop methods for using stable enzymes in liquid cleaning compositions and in use solutions, thus improving detergency against dirt removal (including starch and oil).

[0014] Given the following disclosure, drawings, and appended claims, other objects, embodiments, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and / or embodiments are not exhaustive and do not limit the entire disclosure. No single embodiment is required to provide every and each object, feature, or advantage. Any one of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and / or embodiments disclosed herein can be integrated with one another in whole or in part. The primary objects, features, and / or advantages of the present disclosure are to improve or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

[0016] Another object, feature, and / or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid cleaning composition comprising an enzyme and a surfactant to provide effective detergency.

[0017] Another object, feature, and / or advantage of the present disclosure is a method of using a liquid cleaning composition to provide effective detergency in a plurality of use applications. The liquid cleaning composition is advantageously formulated to provide a combined use of an amylase and a surfactant, thereby providing beneficial detergency for the removal of both stubborn starch and fat soils (i.e., rice starch and chili oil).

[0018] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the liquid cleaning composition comprises: an amylase; at least one surfactant; a buffer; and water, wherein the liquid composition is a concentrate having a pH of from about 4 to about 11.

[0019] According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, a method of using a liquid cleaning composition comprises contacting an article soiled with starch and fat soil with the liquid cleaning composition and removing the soil from the article.

[0020] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. The drawings and the detailed description are thus to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a graph analyzing the stability of amylase in a citrate buffer at 6.5 pH and 50 °C over a period of time.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a melamine plate with chili oil used in a chili oil cleaning performance test.

[0023] Figure 3 is a graph analyzing the surfactant compatibility of a commercially available detergent when combined with amylase over a period of time.

[0024] Figure 4 is a graph analyzing the surfactant compatibility of a commercially available detergent and an exemplary buffer and amylase formulation over a period of time.

[0025] Figure 5 is a graph analyzing the cleaning performance of an exemplary liquid cleaning composition (Formulation 3) having different amounts of amylase compared to a commercially available detergent over a period of time.

[0026] Figure 6It is a graph analyzing the cleaning performance of an exemplary liquid cleaning composition (Formulation 7) having different amounts of amylase over a period of time compared to a commercially available detergent.

[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout several views. The reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings presented herein do not limit the various embodiments according to the present disclosure, but are presented for illustrative purposes to exemplify the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art does not need to observe almost an infinite number of different arrangements of the features described in the following detailed description in one or more separate drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0028] The present disclosure is not limited to what is described herein, and what is described herein can vary and is understood by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise stated, the features shown or described are not essential for allowing the basic operation of the present disclosure. It has surprisingly been found that liquid cleaning compositions comprising a stable amylase, at least one surfactant, a buffer, water, and optionally additional functional ingredients are particularly suitable for starch and oil removal (including rice starch and spicy oil).

[0029] It should also be understood that all terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting in any way or scope. For example, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a / an" and "the" as used in this specification and the appended claims may include plural referents. Additionally, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be expressed in their SI accepted form.

[0030] The numerical ranges recited in the specification include the numbers defining the ranges and include each integer within the defined ranges. In the present disclosure, various aspects of the present disclosure can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the description of a range should be considered to have explicitly disclosed all possible sub-ranges, fractions, and individual numerical values within the range. For example, a description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have explicitly disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., and the individual numbers within the range, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, as well as decimals and fractions, e.g., 1.2, 3.8, 1 1 / 2 and 4 3 / 4 . This applies regardless of the width of the range.

[0031] As used herein, the term "and / or", e.g., "X and / or Y" shall be understood to mean "X and Y" or "X or Y", and shall be understood to provide explicit support for both meanings or either meaning, e.g., A and / or B includes options i) A, ii) B, or iii) A and B.

[0032] It should be understood that, for clarity, certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination.

[0033] The methods and compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of: the components and ingredients of the present disclosure and other ingredients described herein. As used herein, "consist essentially of" means that a method, system, device, and composition may contain additional steps, components, or ingredients, provided that the additional steps, components, or ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel features of the claimed method, system, device, and composition.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the present disclosure pertain.

[0035] The term "invention" or "the present invention" is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of a particular invention, but rather encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the specification and claims.

[0036] As used herein, the term "about" refers to a variation in the numerical amount of a quantifiable variable (including but not limited to concentration, mass, volume, time, surface tension, molecular weight, temperature, pH, humidity, molar ratio, etc.) that can occur, for example, by typical measurement techniques and equipment. Additionally, in the case of solid and liquid disposal procedures used in the real world, there are certain inadvertent errors and variations that may be caused by differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the composition or implement the method, etc. The term "about" also encompasses these variations. Whether or not modified by the term "about", the claims include equivalents of this quantity.

[0037] The terms "active ingredient", "percentage of active ingredient", "percentage by weight of active ingredient", or "active ingredient concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of those ingredients involved in cleaning, expressed as a percentage after subtracting inert ingredients (such as water or salt). The percentage is sometimes also indicated by a percentage in parentheses, e.g., "chemical (10%)".

[0038] As used herein, the term "alkyl" or "alkyl group" refers to a saturated hydrocarbon having one or more carbon atoms, including straight-chain alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.), cyclic alkyl groups (or "cycloalkyl" or "alicyclic" or "carbocyclic" groups) (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc.), branched-chain alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl-substituted alkyl groups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

[0039] Unless otherwise specified, the term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyl" and "substituted alkyl". As used herein, the term "substituted alkyl" refers to an alkyl group in which a substituent has replaced one or more hydrogens on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents can include, for example, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, hydroxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxy, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, cyano, amino (including alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, and alkylarylamino), amido (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, and ureido), imino, mercapto, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, sulfate, alkanesulfinyl, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, azide, heterocyclic group, alkylaryl, or aromatic (including heteroaromatic) group.

[0040] In some embodiments, the substituted alkyl can include a heterocyclic group. As used herein, the term "heterocyclic group" includes a closed-ring structure similar to a carbocyclic group in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring are elements other than carbon (e.g., nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen). The heterocyclic group can be saturated or unsaturated. Exemplary heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, aziridine, ethylene oxide (epoxide, oxirane), thiirane (episulfide), diepoxyethane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, dioxetane, dithietane, dithiirene, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolane, dihydrofuran, and furan.

[0041] As used herein, the term "cleaning" refers to a process that promotes or aids in the removal of soil, bleaching, reduction of microbial populations, and any combination thereof. As used herein, the term "microbe" refers to any acellular or unicellular (including colonial) organism. Microbes include all prokaryotes. Microbes include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, lichens, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, viruses, bacteriophages, and some algae. As used herein, the term "microbe" is synonymous with "microorganism".

[0042] As used herein, the term "exemplary" indicates an example, instance, or illustration and does not indicate a most preferred embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0043] As used herein, the phrase "food processing surface" refers to the surface of tools, machines, equipment, structures, buildings, etc. that are used as part of food processing, preparation, or storage activities. Examples of food processing surfaces include the surfaces of food processing or preparation equipment (e.g., slicing, canning, or transporting equipment, including drain troughs), food processing utensils (e.g., implements, tableware, washware, and bar glasses), and the surfaces of fixtures on the floor, walls, or structures where food processing occurs. Food processing surfaces are found in and used in food preservation air circulation systems, aseptic packaging disinfection, food refrigeration and cooler cleaners and disinfectants, utensil washing disinfection, blancher cleaning and disinfection, food packaging materials, cutting board additives, third sink disinfection, beverage coolers and warmers, meat cooling or scalding water, automatic tableware disinfectants, disinfectant gels, cooling towers, food processing antimicrobial clothing sprays, and non-aqueous to low-aqueous food preparation lubricants, oils, and rinse additives.

[0044] The term "substantially" encompasses both "about" and "essentially".

[0045] The term "hard surface" refers to a solid, substantially non-flexible surface such as countertops, tiles, floors, walls, panels, windows, sanitary ware, kitchen and bathroom furniture, appliances, engines, circuit boards, tableware, mirrors, windows, monitors, touchscreens, and thermostats. Hard surfaces are not limited by material; for example, a hard surface can be glass, metal, tile, vinyl record, linoleum, composite, wood, plastic, etc. Hard surfaces can include, for example, healthcare surfaces and food processing surfaces.

[0046] As used herein, the term "microbe" refers to any acellular or unicellular (including colonial) organism. Microbes include all prokaryotes. Microbes include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, lichens, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, viruses, bacteriophages, and some algae. As used herein, the term "microbe" is synonymous with microorganism.

[0047] As used herein, the term "polymer" refers to a molecular complex composed of more than ten monomer units, and generally includes but is not limited to homopolymers, copolymers, such as, for example, block, graft, random, and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, and higher "x"-mers, further including their analogs, derivatives, combinations, and blends. In addition, unless otherwise specifically restricted, the term "polymer" shall include all possible isomeric configurations of the molecule, including but not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic, and random symmetries, and combinations thereof. In addition, unless otherwise specifically restricted, the term "polymer" will include all possible geometric configurations of the molecule.

[0048] As used herein, the term "soil" or "stain" refers to any soil, including but not limited to, polar oily and / or hydrophobic substances that may or may not contain particulate matter, such as industrial soil, mineral clays, sand, natural minerals, carbon black, graphite, kaolin, environmental dust, and / or food-based soil (such as starch-based soil, fat-based soil, cellulose-based soil, etc.).

[0049] The "scope" of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and the full scope of the equivalent rights enjoyed by such claims. The scope of the present disclosure is further limited to include any possible modifications to any aspect and / or embodiment disclosed herein that would result in other embodiments, combinations, sub-combinations, or analogs that would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0050] The term "substantially" means to a great or significant extent. Thus, "substantially" may refer to a plurality, majority, and / or absolute majority of the quantifiable variables, considering the appropriate context.

[0051] As used herein, the term "substantially free of" means that the composition is completely lacking in the component or has such a small amount of the component that the component does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or as a soilant and should be less than 0.5 wt%. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1 wt%, and in yet another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.01 wt%.

[0052] The term "surfactant" or "surface active agent" refers to an organic chemical substance that, when added to a liquid, changes the properties of the liquid at the surface.

[0053] As used herein, the term "vessel" refers to articles such as eating and cooking utensils, tableware, and other hard surfaces such as showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transportation vehicles, and floors. As used herein, the term "vessel washing" refers to washing, cleaning, or rinsing vessels. Vessels also refer to articles made of plastic. Types of plastics that can be cleaned with the compositions include, but are not limited to, those plastics that comprise polypropylene polymers (PP), polycarbonate polymers (PC), melamine formaldehyde resins or melamine resins (melamine), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS), and polysulfone polymers (PS). Other exemplary plastics that can be cleaned with the compounds and compositions of the present disclosure include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, and polyamide.

[0054] As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "wt%," "percent by weight," " % by weight," and variations thereof refer to the concentration of a substance in the form of: the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It should be understood that as used herein, "percent," " %," etc. are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent," "wt%."

[0055] Cleaning composition

[0056] According to an embodiment, the liquid cleaning composition comprises amylase, at least one surfactant, a buffer, and water. The liquid cleaning composition can comprise additional functional ingredients and is provided in the form of a concentrate or a use composition. Exemplary liquid cleaning compositions are shown in Table 1 in weight percent. Although the components may have an active ingredient percentage of 100%, it should be noted that Table 1 does not list the active ingredient percentages of the components, but rather the total weight percentages of the raw materials (i.e., active concentration plus inert ingredients).

[0057] Table 1

[0058]

[0059] Amylase

[0060] The liquid cleaning composition comprises amylase that provides effective starch removal. In some embodiments, the enzyme is supplied in liquid or solid form and is mixed with the other components of the composition by spraying or mixing.

[0061] Enzymes that can be used in accordance with the present disclosure include enzymes that provide the desired activity for removing carbohydrate (i.e., starch-based) stains and soils from substrates. In embodiments, the included amylases are used for cleaning, decolorizing, and / or sanitizing pre-soaks, such as pre-soaks for flatware, cookware, and tableware; or in some alternative embodiments for machine warewashing; and so on.

[0062] Without limiting the present disclosure, enzymes suitable for liquid cleaning compositions can act by degrading or altering one or more types of soil residues present on an object or surface, thereby removing the soil or making the soil more easily removed by surfactants or other components of the cleaning composition. Both the degradation and alteration of soil residues can improve detergency by reducing the physicochemical forces that bind the soil to the object or surface being cleaned. For example, the soil becomes more water-soluble.

[0063] Amylases are included in liquid cleaning, where the amylases are of any suitable origin, such as plant, animal, bacterial, fungal, or yeast origin. Preferred selections are influenced by factors such as pH activity and / or optimal stability, thermal stability, and stability to active detergents, builders, etc. In this regard, bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases. In some embodiments, the amylase is further combined with a mixture of amylases or with additional enzymes.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the amylase can be derived from plants, animals, or microorganisms. The amylase can be derived from microorganisms such as yeast, mold, or bacteria. Exemplary amylases include amylases derived from Bacillus, such as those derived from B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, or B. stearothermophilus, etc. The amylase can be purified or a component of a microbial extract and can be wild-type or variant (chemical or recombinant). Exemplary amylases include those sold by Gist- (Netherlands) under the trade name Rapidase; those sold by Novo under the trade name or ; those sold by Genencor under the trade name Purastar STL or Purastar OXAM; those sold by Novozymes under the trade name Shine or ; those sold by Deerland Corporation under the trade name L340 or those sold as PAG 510 / 220; and so on.

[0065] Amylases generally provide optimal activity in the pH range of about 4 to 9. In one embodiment, the amylase included in the liquid cleaning composition is selected to enhance soil removal at a pH of about 4 to 9, about 5 to 9, and preferably about 6.

[0066] In some embodiments, the enzyme is included in the composition in an amount of at least about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, or about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Additionally, without limitation according to the present disclosure, all of the recited ranges include the values defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0067] Advantageously, due to the excellent stability of the enzyme in the liquid cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the composition can effectively reduce the concentration of the enzyme and / or eliminate the use of other conventional enzyme stabilizers or ingredients commonly found in existing liquid and / or solid cleaning compositions employing enzymes. There are various reasons for advantageously reducing or eliminating the use of enzyme stabilizers, including formulation challenges or health / safety / labeling issues in concentrated compositions (e.g., undesired GHS labeling icon warnings). At the very least, stabilizers increase the complexity of the formulation and occupy "formulation space" for other functional ingredients. Therefore, it is advantageous to use the disclosed liquid cleaning composition with stable enzymes without using or using a reduced amount of other stabilizers.

[0068] Surfactant

[0069] The liquid cleaning composition includes at least one surfactant for achieving effective soil removal (including removal of stubborn fat oils and other soils). Preferred surfactants include zwitterionic surfactants and / or nonionic surfactants.

[0070] In some embodiments, the surfactant includes surfactants optionally selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides, EO / PO block copolymers, alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol esters, amine oxides, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alcohol sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium dodecyl ether sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides, EO / PO block copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0071] In addition, the level and extent of foaming under use conditions can be a factor in the selection of a particular surfactant or mixture of surfactants. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to minimize foaming, and a surfactant or mixture of surfactants that provides reduced foaming can be used. Additionally, it may be desirable to select a surfactant or mixture of surfactants that exhibits relatively rapid breakdown of the foam so that the composition can be recovered and reused with an acceptable amount of down time. Additionally, the surfactant or mixture of surfactants can be selected according to the particular soil to be removed.

[0072] The surfactants described herein can be used alone or in combination in liquid cleaning compositions. In particular, nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants can be used in combination. Additionally, in some embodiments, semi-polar nonionic, cationic, anionic, and zwitterionic surfactants can be employed in combination with nonionic surfactants and / or amphoteric surfactants. The above examples are merely specific embodiments of the many surfactants that can find application within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the selection of a particular surfactant or combination of surfactants can be based on many factors, including compatibility with the surface to be cleaned at a given use concentration and given environmental conditions including temperature and pH.

[0073] Available nonionic surfactants are generally characterized by the presence of an organic hydrophobic group and an organic hydrophilic group and are typically produced by the condensation of an organic aliphatic, alkylaromatic, or polyoxyalkylene hydrophobic compound with a hydrophilic basic oxide moiety, which is typically ethylene oxide or its polyhydration product, polyethylene glycol. In fact, any hydrophobic compound having a hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, or amide group with a reactive hydrogen atom can be condensed with ethylene oxide or its polyhydration adduct or a mixture thereof with an alkylene oxide such as propylene oxide to form a nonionic surfactant. The length of the hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene moiety condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound can be readily adjusted to produce a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having a desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.

[0074] Nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, surfactants having an alkylene oxide polymer as part of the surfactant molecule. Exemplary nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, chloro, benzyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and other similar alkyl-capped polyethylene glycols and / or polypropylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols; nonionic surfactants without alkylene oxides, such as alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylenediamines; carboxylic acid esters such as glycerol esters of fatty acids, polyoxyethylene esters, ethoxylated and ethylene glycol esters; carboxamides such as diethanolamine condensates, monoalkanolamine condensates, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides; and ethoxylated amines and ether amines commercially available from Tomah Corporation and other similar nonionic compounds. Silicone surfactants such as ABIL B8852 (Goldschmidt) can also be used.

[0075] Additional exemplary nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, those nonionic surfactants having an alkylene oxide polymer moiety, including nonionic surfactants of the following: C6-C24 alcohol ethoxylates having from 1 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups, preferably from about 9 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups, preferably C6-C14 alcohol ethoxylates; C6-C24 alkylphenol ethoxylates having from 1 to about 100 ethylene oxide groups, preferably from about 12 to about 20 ethylene oxide groups, preferably C8-C10 alkylphenol ethoxylates; C6-C24 alkyl polyglycosides having from 1 to about 20 glycoside groups, preferably from about 9 to about 20 glycoside groups, preferably C6-C20 alkyl polyglycosides; C6-C24 fatty acid ester ethoxylates, propoxylates, or glycerol esters; C12-C14 secondary alcohols and C4-C24 monoalkanolamides or dialkanolamides.

[0076] Exemplary alcohol alkoxylates include, but are not limited to, alcohol ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, alcohol propoxylate ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol ethoxylate butoxylates; nonylphenol ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol ethers; and alkylene oxide block copolymers, including ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block copolymers, such as those commercially available under the trademark PLURONIC (BASF-Wyandotte).

[0077] Examples of suitable low-foaming nonionic surfactants also include, but are not limited to, secondary ethoxylates, such as those sold under the trade name TERGITOL TM such as TERGITOL TM15-S-7 (Union Carbide), Tergitol 15-S-3, Tergitol 15-S-9, etc. Other suitable types of low-foaming nonionic surfactants include alkyl- or benzyl-terminated polyalkylene oxide derivatives and polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene copolymers.

[0078] Additional available nonionic surfactants are nonylphenols having an average of 12 moles of ethylene oxide condensed thereon and terminated by a hydrophobic moiety including an average of 30 moles of propylene oxide. Silicone defoamers are also well known and may be employed.

[0079] Block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds based on propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and ethylenediamine as initiator reactive hydrogen compounds. Examples of polymeric compounds made by sequential propoxylation and ethoxylation of the initiator are commercially available from BASF Corp. One class of compounds is bifunctional (two reactive hydrogens) compounds formed by condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic matrix formed by addition of propylene oxide to the two hydroxyl groups of propylene glycol. The molecular weight of this hydrophobic portion is from about 1,000 to about 4,000. Then ethylene oxide is added to sandwich this hydrophobe between hydrophilic groups, controlled in length to comprise from about 10 wt% to about 80 wt% of the final molecule. Another class of compounds is tetrafunctional block copolymers derived from sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight range of the propylene oxide subtype is from about 500 to about 7,000; and, a hydrophile (ethylene oxide) is added to comprise from about 10 wt% to about 80 wt% of the molecule.

[0080] Condensation products of one mole of alkylphenol in which the alkyl chain in straight-chain or branched-chain configuration, or the alkyl chains of monoalkyl or dialkyl components, contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and from about 3 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl groups may be represented, for example, by diisobutyl, dipentyl, polypropylene, isooctyl, nonyl, and dinonyl. These surfactants may be polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, and polyoxybutylene condensates of alkylphenols. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemistry are available on the market under the trade name made by Rhone-Poulenc and by Union Carbide obtained.

[0081] The condensation product of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched-chain alcohol having from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 3 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alcohol portion may consist of a mixture of alcohols within the carbon range depicted above, or it may consist of an alcohol having a specific number of carbon atoms within this range. Examples of similar commercial surfactants can be obtained under the trade names Lutensol TM , Dehydol TM , Neodol manufactured by Shell Chemical Co. TM , and Alfonic manufactured by Vista Chemical Co. TM .

[0082] The condensation product of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched-chain carboxylic acid having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 6 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The acid portion may consist of a mixture of acids within the carbon atom range defined above, or it may consist of an acid having a specific number of carbon atoms within said range. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemistry are available on the market under the trade names Disponil or Agnique manufactured by BASF and Lipopeg manufactured by LipoChemicals, Inc TM .

[0083] In addition to the ethoxylated carboxylic acids commonly referred to as polyethylene glycol esters, other alkanoic acid esters formed by reaction with glycerol esters, glycerol, and polyhydroxy (saccharide or sorbitan / sorbitol) alcohols also have applications in the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly for indirect food additive applications. All of these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen sites on their molecules, and these reactive hydrogen sites can undergo further acylation or ethylene oxide (alcoholate) addition to control the hydrophilicity of these substances. When adding these fatty esters or acylated carbohydrates to the compositions of the present disclosure containing amylase and / or lipase, special care must be taken due to potential incompatibilities

[0084] Nonionic compounds can be modified, substantially inverted, by the following steps: adding ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophile of a specified molecular weight; and then adding propylene oxide to obtain a hydrophobic block at the outer (ends) of the molecule. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is from about 1,000 to about 3,100, with the intermediate hydrophile accounting for 10 wt% to about 80 wt% of the final molecule. These inverted Pluronics TM are available from BASF Corporation under the trade name Pluronic TMManufacture of R surfactant. Similarly, Tetronic TM The R surfactant is produced by BASF Corporation by successively adding ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic part of the molecule is about 2,100 to about 6,700, and the intermediate hydrophile accounts for 10% to 80% by weight of the final molecule.

[0085] The compound can also be modified by "capping" or "end-capping" one or more terminal hydroxyl groups (of the polyfunctional moiety) to reduce foaming by reacting with: small hydrophobic molecules such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and short-chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof. Reactants for converting the terminal hydroxyl groups to chloro groups, such as thionyl chloride, are also included. Such modification of the terminal hydroxyl groups can result in all-block, block-mixed, mixed-block or all-mixed nonionic surfactants.

[0086] Additional examples of effective low-foaming nonionic surfactants include:

[0087] The alkylphenoxy polyethoxy alkanol of U.S. Patent No. 2,903,486, issued to Brown et al. on September 8, 1959, and which is represented by the formula:

[0088]

[0089] wherein R is an alkyl group of 8 to 9 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene chain of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 7 to 16, and m is an integer from 1 to 10.

[0090] The polyalkylene glycol condensate of U.S. Patent No. 3,048,548, issued to Martin et al. on August 7, 1962, which has alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and hydrophobic oxypropylene chains, wherein the weight of the hydrophobic terminal chain, the weight of the hydrophobic intermediate units and the weight of the hydrophilic linking units each correspond to about one-third of the condensate.

[0091] The antifoaming nonionic surfactant disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,382,178, issued to Lissant et al. on May 7, 1968, which has the general formula Z[(OR) n OH] z , wherein Z is an alkoxylatable substance, R is a radical derived from an alkylene oxide, which can be ethylene and propylene, and n is an integer, for example, from 10 to 2,000 or greater, and z is an integer determined by the number of reactive alkoxylatable groups.

[0092] The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Patent No. 2,677,700, issued to Jackson et al. on May 4, 1954, correspond to the formula Y(C 3 H 6 O) n (C 2 H 4 O) m H, where Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, as determined by the number of hydroxyl groups, the average value of n is at least about 6.4, and the value of m is such that the oxyethylene portion constitutes from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt% of the molecule.

[0093] The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Patent No. 2,674,619, issued to Lundsted et al. on April 6, 1954, have the formula Y[(C 3 H 6 O n (C 2 H 4 O) m H] x , where Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, where the value of x is at least about 2, the value of n is such that the molecular weight of the hydrophobic polyoxypropylene matrix is at least about 900 and the value of m is such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt%. Compounds falling within the definition of Y include, for example, propylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, ethylenediamine, etc. The propylene oxide chains optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the ethylene oxide chains also optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of propylene oxide.

[0094] Additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surfactants advantageously used in the compositions of the present disclosure correspond to the formula: P[(C 3 H 6 O) n (C 2 H 4 O) m H] x , where P is the residue of an organic compound having from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, where the value of x is 1 or 2, the value of n is such that the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene portion is at least about 44 and the value of m is such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt%. In either case, the propylene oxide chains may optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the ethylene oxide chains may also optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of propylene oxide.

[0095] The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for the compositions of the present invention include those having the structural formula R 2CON R1 Those of Z, wherein: R1 is H, C 1 -C 4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy, propoxy groups, or mixtures thereof; R 2 is C 5 -C 31 hydrocarbyl, which may be straight-chain; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a straight-chain hydrocarbyl chain or an alkoxylated derivative thereof (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated), the straight-chain hydrocarbyl chain having at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly attached to the chain. Z may be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; such as a glycidyl moiety.

[0096] Alkyl ethoxylation condensation products of fatty alcohols with from about 0 moles to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. The alkyl chains of the fatty alcohols may be straight-chain or branched-chain, primary or secondary, and generally contain from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0097] Suitable surfactants may also include food-grade surfactants, linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid and its salts, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide derivatives sold under the trade name Pluronic TM Suitable surfactants include those that are compatible with indirect or direct food additives or substances.

[0098] Suitable nonionic alkyl polysaccharide surfactants particularly suitable for use in the compositions of the present disclosure include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,565,647, issued January 21, 1986, to Llenado. These surfactants include a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; and a polysaccharide, such as a polyglycoside hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10 sugar units. Any reducing sugar containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms may be used, such as the glucosyl moiety may be replaced with glucose, galactose, and galactosyl moieties. (Optionally, the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-position, 3-position, 4-position, etc., thus resulting in glucose or galactose rather than glucoside or galactoside.) The intersaccharide bond may be, for example, between the 2-position, 3-position, 4-position, and / or 6-position on the foregoing sugar unit and a position on an additional sugar unit.

[0099] Alkyl polyglycosides and their derivatives are nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions. Alkyl polyglucosides are a type of alkyl polysaccharide glycoside derived from glucosyl polymers. As used herein in the present disclosure, alkyl polyglucosides have a backbone of from one to ten glucose units and at least one alkyl group attached to one of the OH groups of the OH groups and have the general structure The molecule, where R is an alkyl group and can be attached to any and all OH groups in the molecule. As used herein in the present disclosure, a cationic alkyl polyglucoside is an alkyl polyglucoside having at least one cationic group in its alkyl group. Preferably, the carbon chain length of the alkyl group is from about 1 to about 20 carbons, more preferably from about 2 to about 18 carbons, and most preferably from about 4 to about 16 carbons.

[0100] Fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present disclosure include fatty acid amide surfactants having the following formula: R 6 CON(R 7 ) 2 , where R 6 is an alkyl group containing 7 to 21 carbon atoms, and each R 7 is independently hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl or --(C 2 H 4 O) x H, where x ranges from 1 to 3.

[0101] Useful classes of nonionic surfactants include those defined as alkoxylated amines or most particularly alcohol alkoxylated / aminated / alkoxylated surfactants. These nonionic surfactants can be at least partially represented by the following general formulas: R 20 --(PO) S N--(EO) t H, R 20 --(PO) S N--(EO) t H(EO) t H and R 20 --N(EO) t H; where R 20 is an alkyl, alkenyl or other aliphatic group or alkyl-aryl group having 8 to 20, preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms, EO is oxyethylene, PO is oxypropylene, s is from 1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 5, t is 1-10, preferably 2-5, and u is 1-10, preferably 2-5. Other variations of the scope of these compounds can be represented by the alternative formula: R 20 --(PO)v--N[(EO) w H][(EO) z H], where R 20As defined above, v is from 1 to 20 (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or 4 (preferably 2)), and w and z are independently from 1 to 10, preferably from 2 to 5. These compounds are commercially represented by a series of products sold by Huntsman Chemicals as nonionic surfactants. Preferred chemicals of this class include Surfonic TM PEA 25 amine alkoxylate. Preferred nonionic surfactants for the compositions of the present disclosure include alcohol alkoxylates, EO / PO block copolymers, alkylphenol alkoxylates, and the like.

[0102] Available semi-polar nonionic surfactants also include water-soluble phosphine oxides having the following structure: where the arrow is the conventional representation of a semi-polar bond; and R 1 is an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety having a chain length in the range of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms; and R 2 and R 3 are each independently an alkyl moiety selected from alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples of available phosphine oxides include dimethyldecylphosphine oxide, dimethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, methylethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, dimethylhexadecylphosphine oxide, diethyl-2-hydroxyoctylphosphine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylphosphine oxide, and bis(hydroxymethyl)tetradecylphosphine oxide.

[0103] Semi-polar nonionic surfactants useful herein also include water-soluble sulfoxide compounds having the following structure:

[0104] where the arrow is the conventional representation of a semi-polar bond; and R 1 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety having from about 8 to about 28 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 5 ether bonds, and from 0 to about 2 hydroxy substituents; and R 2 is an alkyl moiety consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Available examples of these sulfoxides include dodecylmethylsulfoxide; 3-hydroxytridecylmethylsulfoxide; 3-methoxytridecylmethylsulfoxide; and 3-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxybutylmethylsulfoxide.

[0105] Semi-polar nonionic surfactants for the compositions of the present disclosure include dimethylamine oxides such as lauryldimethylamine oxide, myristyldimethylamine oxide, cetyl dimethylamine oxide, combinations thereof, and the like. Usable water-soluble amine oxide surfactants are selected from octyl, decyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, coconut or tallow alkyl di-(lower alkyl) amine oxides, specific examples of which are octyldimethylamine oxide, nonyldimethylamine oxide, decyldimethylamine oxide, undecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide, isododecyldimethylamine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-dodecyloxy-1-hydroxypropylamine oxide, dimethyl-(2-hydroxydodecyl)amine oxide, 3,6,9-tris(octadecyl)dimethylamine oxide, and 3-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide.

[0106] Suitable nonionic surfactants suitable for use with the compositions of the present disclosure include alkoxylated surfactants. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants include EO / PO copolymers, capped EO / PO copolymers, alcohol alkoxylates, capped alcohol alkoxylates, mixtures thereof, and the like. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants for use as solvents include EO / PO block copolymers such as Pluronic and reverse Pluronic surfactants; alcohol alkoxylates such as Dehypon LS-54 (R-(EO) 5 (PO) 4 ) and Dehypon LS-36 (R-(EO) 3 (PO) 6 ); and capped alcohol alkoxylates such as Plurafac LF221 and Tegoten EC11; mixtures thereof, and the like.

[0107] Amphoteric surfactants contain both basic and acidic hydrophilic groups as well as an organic hydrophobic group. These ionic entities can be any of the anionic groups or cationic groups described herein for other types of surfactants. Basic nitrogen and acidic carboxylate groups are typical functional groups used as basic and acidic hydrophilic groups. In several surfactants, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate or phosphate groups provide a negative charge.

[0108] Amphoteric surfactants are further divided into two main categories. The first category includes acyl / dialkylethylenediamine derivatives (e.g., 2-alkylhydroxyethylimidazoline derivatives) and their salts. The second category includes N-alkyl amino acids and their salts. Some amphoteric surfactants may be considered to fit into both categories. Preferred amphoteric surfactants for use in solid enzyme compositions can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary, tertiary or quaternary amines, where the aliphatic group can be straight-chain or branched-chain, and where one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic hydrotropic group such as carboxyl, sulfonic acid group, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonyl. Preferred amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides.

[0109] Amine oxides are tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the following general formula:

[0110] where the arrow is the conventional representation of a semipolar bond; and R 1 、R 2 and R 3 can be aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alicyclic, or a combination thereof. Generally, for detergent-concerned amine oxides, R 1 is an alkyl group having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms; R 2 and R 3 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1-3 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof; R 2 and R 3 can be attached to each other, for example, by an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure; R 4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms; and n ranges from 0 to about 20.

[0111] Amine oxide surfactants can include coconut or tallow alkyl di-(lower alkyl) amine oxides, specific examples of which are dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-dodecyloxy-1-hydroxypropylamine oxide, dimethyl-(2-hydroxydodecyl)amine oxide, 3,6,9-tris(octadecyl)dimethylamine oxide, and 3-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl di-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide.

[0112] More preferably, it is an amphoteric surfactant, wherein one substituent of the central amine is an aliphatic group containing 6 to 11 carbons or most preferably 8 to 10 carbons, the aliphatic group is directly attached to the amine, or more preferably attached to an amidopropyl or alkoxypropyl group, which in turn is attached to the amine. Additionally, in the more preferred amphoteric surfactant, one or more substituents of the central amine contain an anionic carboxyl group.

[0113] The long-chain imidazole derivatives having applications in the present invention generally have the general formula:

[0114]

[0115] Neutral pH zwitterion

[0116] Amphoteric sulfonate

[0117] Wherein R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation for neutralizing the charge of the anion, generally sodium. Commercially well-known imidazoline-derived amphoteric surfactants that can be used in the present composition include, for example: cocoyl amphopropionate, cocoyl amphocarboxypropionate, cocoyl amphoglycinate, cocoyl amphocarboxyglycinate, cocoyl amphopropyl sulfonate, and cocoyl amphocarboxypropionic acid. Amphoteric carboxylic acids can be produced from fatty imidazolines, wherein the dicarboxylic acid functional group of the amphoteric dicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and / or dipropionic acid. The carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) as described above herein are often referred to as betaines.

[0118] Easily prepared by the reaction of RNH 2 Fatty amines with haloacids to produce long-chain N-alkyl amino acids, wherein R = C 8 -C 18 Straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl. Alkylation of the primary amino group of the amino acid produces secondary and tertiary amines. The alkyl substituents can have additional amino groups that provide more than one reactive nitrogen center. Most commercial N-alkyl amino acids are alkyl derivatives of β-alanine or β-N(2-carboxyethyl)alanine. Examples of commercial N-alkyl amino acid zwitterions having applications in the present invention include alkyl β-aminodipropionate, RN(C 2 H 4 COOM) 2 And RNHC 2 H 4 COOM. In one embodiment, R can be an acyclic hydrophobic group containing about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation for neutralizing the charge of the anion.

[0119] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include amphoteric surfactants derived from coconut products such as coconut oil or coconut fatty acids. Additional suitable coconut-derived surfactants include an ethylenediamine moiety, an alkanolamide moiety, an amino acid moiety (such as glycine), or a combination thereof as part of their structure; and an aliphatic substituent of from about 8 to 18 (such as 12) carbon atoms. Such surfactants may also be regarded as alkyl amphodiacarboxylic acids. These amphoteric surfactants may comprise a chemical structure represented as: C 12 -alkyl-C(O)-NH-CH 2 -CH 2 -N + (CH 2 -CH 2 -CO 2 Na) 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -OH or C 12 -alkyl-C(O)-N(H)-CH 2 -CH 2 -N + (CH 2 -CO 2 Na) 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -OH.

[0120] In some embodiments, the surfactant is included in the composition in an amount of at least about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 50 wt%, or about 5 wt% to about 50 wt%. Additionally, without limitation in accordance with the present disclosure, all ranges recited herein include the recited numerical values defining the range, and include each integer within the recited range.

[0121] Buffer

[0122] The liquid cleaning composition comprises at least one buffer. In one embodiment, the at least one buffer comprises a weak acid. For the purposes of the present disclosure, an acid is a component that can be added to an aqueous system and causes the pH to be less than about 7. A "weak" organic or inorganic acid is one or more acid components in which, when the acid is dissolved in water at a concentration within the range useful for forming the compositions of the present invention at ambient temperature, the first dissociation step of the proton from the acid moiety does not proceed substantially to completion.

[0123] Exemplary weak acids in the buffer for use in liquid cleaning compositions include α-hydroxycarboxylic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, etc.; carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, etc.; other commonly used organic acids such as ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, levulinic acid, etc. In one aspect, the composition comprises a weak acid and / or its salt, such as but not limited to citrate, acetate, etc. In a preferred aspect, the composition comprises a weak acid and its salt, such as but not limited to citric acid and sodium citrate.

[0124] In a preferred aspect, the composition comprises a weak acid having a pKa greater than about 2.5 to advantageously provide a pH of the concentrated liquid cleaning composition of about 4.5 to about 10, about 5 to about 10, about 5.5 to about 10, or about 5.5 to about 9, and furthermore provide a pH of the use solution of the liquid cleaning composition of about 5 to about 8, or about 5.5 to about 7 upon dilution.

[0125] In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, or from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt% of a buffer. Additionally, without being limited by the present invention, all ranges stated include the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range. In some embodiments, the composition comprises from about 0.5 wt% to 20 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to 15 wt%, or from about 0.5 wt% to 10 wt% of a weak acid buffer.

[0126] Water

[0127] The liquid composition comprises water. In some embodiments, water is included in the composition in an amount of at least about 30 wt% to about 80 wt%, about 40 wt% to about 75 wt%, or about 45 wt% to about 70 wt%. Additionally, without being limited by the present disclosure, all ranges stated include the values defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0128] In an embodiment, water provides the liquid composition. Preferably the liquid cleaning composition is a pumpable liquid. Advantageously, the pumpable liquid can be dispensed through various conventional dispensers, including for example aspirator-type dispensers. The liquid cleaning composition has a viscosity suitable for dispensing via a pumpable dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid composition can have a viscosity range of about 1 mPas to about 3000 mPas, or about 1 mPas to about 1500 mPas at 20 °C, measured on a Brookfield RVT viscometer with a #2 spindle at 20 revolutions per minute.

[0129] Additional functional ingredient

[0130] The components of the liquid cleaning composition can be further combined with various functional components suitable for the uses disclosed herein, including detergency. In some embodiments, a liquid cleaning composition comprising amylase, at least one surfactant, a buffer, and water constitutes a substantial or even nearly all of the total weight of the composition. For example, in some embodiments, little or no additional functional ingredients are disposed therein.

[0131] In other embodiments, additional functional ingredients can be included in the liquid cleaning composition. The functional ingredients provide desired properties and functions to the composition. For the purposes of this application, the term "functional ingredient" includes materials that provide advantageous properties in a particular use when dispersed or dissolved in a use solution and / or a concentrate solution, such as an aqueous solution. Some specific examples of functional materials are discussed in more detail below, but the specific materials discussed are given by way of example only, and a wide variety of other functional ingredients can be used. For example, many of the functional materials described below are related to materials used in cleaning. However, other embodiments can include functional ingredients for other applications.

[0132] In some embodiments, the liquid cleaning composition can include a source of alkalinity, an antifoaming agent (including an antifoaming surfactant), a bleaching agent, a dispersant, a metal protectant, an anti-soil redeposition agent, a stabilizer, a corrosion inhibitor, a penetrant, a builder / copolymer chelating agent / chelating agent, additional enzymes, aesthetic enhancers (including fragrances and / or dyes), a rheology and / or solubility modifier or thickener, a hydrotropic agent or coupling agent, additional buffer, additional solvent, additional detergent, etc.

[0133] In various embodiments, the liquid cleaning composition is substantially free of phosphates, or preferably free of phosphates.

[0134] These additional ingredients can be pre-formulated with the liquid cleaning composition or added to the concentrate or use solution before, after, or substantially simultaneously with the addition of the composition. Additionally, the composition can be used with one or more conventional warewashing steps or compositions.

[0135] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, various additional functional ingredients can be provided in the composition in an amount of from about 0 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 0 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 0 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%. Additionally, without being limited by the present disclosure, all of the recited ranges include the numerical values defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0136] Alkalinity source

[0137] The liquid cleaning compositions and methods according to the present disclosure include an effective amount of an alkali source. The alkali source in turn comprises one or more alkaline compounds. The alkali source may comprise alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal silicates, or mixtures thereof. Suitable metal carbonates that may be used include, for example, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, or mixtures thereof. Suitable alkali metal hydroxides that may also be used include, for example, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide. Examples of useful alkali metal silicates include sodium silicate or potassium silicate (with a ratio of M 2 O:SiO 2 in the ratio of 2.4 to 5:1, where M represents an alkali metal) or metasilicate. The alkali source may also comprise metal borates, such as sodium borate or potassium borate, etc.

[0138] The alkali source may also comprise ethanolamines, urea sulfate, amines, amine salts, and quaternary ammonium. The simplest cationic amine, amine salt, and quaternary ammonium compounds may be schematically depicted as follows:

[0139]

[0140] wherein R represents a long alkyl chain, R′, R″, and R″′ may be long alkyl chains or smaller alkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen, and X represents an anion.

[0141] The liquid cleaning composition comprises a source of alkalinity. In some embodiments, the source of alkalinity comprised in the composition may be a water-soluble ammonia derivative, including ethanolamine compounds. In specific embodiments, these may include diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA).

[0142] In certain aspects, the composition comprises from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, or from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt% of a buffer. Additionally, without limiting the present invention, all ranges stated include the defining range numbers and all integers included within the defined range.

[0143] Method of use

[0144] The liquid cleaning composition is particularly suitable for cleaning utensils and other hard surfaces and objects soiled with starch and fat (i.e., oil) dirt. The liquid cleaning composition can effectively clean and remove dirt from such surfaces and objects, including, for example, oil and starch dirt, including rice starch and spicy oil.

[0145] The cleaning step includes contacting the soiled utensil with a liquid cleaning composition. In some aspects, the soil includes starch and fat, such as rice starch and / or chili oil. In some aspects, the soiled utensil includes soiled tableware, however other soiled surfaces and objects can be contacted with the liquid cleaning composition for cleaning. Utensils and other food processing surfaces are particularly suitable for cleaning according to the methods described herein.

[0146] The composition and method can be used in any cleaning or decontamination step that requires cleaning a heavy starch soil load, regardless of the presence of additional soil. Exemplary applications where the methods and compositions of the present disclosure can be used include, but are not limited to: food and beverage industries or applications, restaurants (including quick service restaurants), foodservice, home cooking applications, and other consumer markets, etc.

[0147] In some aspects, the method can include a first step of generating a use solution of the liquid cleaning composition prior to contacting the soiled utensil with the use solution of the liquid cleaning composition.

[0148] In some aspects, the liquid cleaning composition is particularly suitable for pre-soak cleaning applications. The pre-soak cleaning step can be carried out in any reservoir or container, including for example a wash tank or reservoir, a soak reservoir, a bucket, a storage tank, a sink (including a scrub sink), or other non-continuous batch washers and systems, etc. The reservoir or container is not intended to be a limiting aspect of the methods described herein, as will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present disclosure.

[0149] As mentioned herein, pre-soak refers to a cleaning step that is followed by other cleaning steps. The pre-soak can or cannot be the first step in the cleaning process. In one aspect, the pre-soak can be used in a cleaning process that includes at least two steps: an initial water wash and / or rinse step and cleaning with a liquid cleaning composition. In another aspect, the pre-soak can be used in a cleaning process that includes at least three steps: an initial water wash and / or rinse step, cleaning with a liquid cleaning composition, and a further cleaning step (e.g., an alkaline and / or acidic detergent step). In another aspect, the pre-soak can be used in a cleaning process that includes at least three steps: an initial water wash and / or rinse step, cleaning with a liquid cleaning composition, and a water wash and / or rinse step. In yet another aspect, the pre-soak can be used in a cleaning process that includes at least four steps: an initial water wash and / or rinse step, cleaning with a liquid cleaning composition, a further cleaning step (e.g., an alkaline and / or acidic detergent step), and a final water wash and / or rinse step.

[0150] Additional optional steps can include separate pickling or caustic washing steps and separate sterilization steps. The strength of the caustic and acid solutions, the duration of the cleaning step, and the temperature of the cleaning solution generally depend on the amount and toughness of the dirt. Before the utensils are returned for further use, a water rinse removes any residual chemical solutions and dirt.

[0151] The liquid cleaning composition is in contact with the surface or object (i.e., utensils) for a sufficient amount of time to clean the surface or object. In one aspect, the surface or object is in contact with the liquid cleaning composition for at least about 1 minute, at least about 10 minutes, at least about 20 minutes, at least about 30 minutes, at least about 40 minutes, at least about 1 minute to about 60 minutes.

[0152] The temperature of the contacting step can vary between about 40°C to about 70°C, about 40°C to about 60°C, or about 40°C to about 50°C. In various embodiments, it is preferred to reduce the temperature to 60°C or lower.

[0153] The liquid cleaning composition can be applied to the surface or object in need of cleaning at the use solution or the concentrate solution. In one aspect, the use concentration of the liquid cleaning composition includes about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, about 500 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, or about 1,000 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, including all ranges therebetween.

[0154] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid cleaning composition can be applied at a use solution or concentrate solution pH of about 5 to about 11, or about 5.5 to about 11, or preferably about 6 to about 11. Additionally, the use or concentrate pH can be about 5 to about 10, or about 5.5 to about 10, or preferably about 6 to about 10.

[0155] Advantageously, the method of cleaning a surface or object in need of cleaning (e.g., utensils) effectively removes both starch and oil dirt under desired pH conditions suitable for enzyme performance with a liquid cleaning composition comprising a combination of an amylase for starch removal and a surfactant for oil and other dirt removal.

[0156] In some aspects, the method provides beneficial cleaning efficacy while also reducing at least one of the following: cleaning time, temperature, water consumption, and / or cost compared to a liquid cleaning composition that does not contain an amylase and a surfactant. In some aspects, the method of cleaning a surface or object in need of cleaning (e.g., utensils) reduces at least two of the following: cleaning time, temperature, water consumption, and / or cost compared to a liquid cleaning composition that does not contain an amylase and a surfactant. Thus, the compositions and methods of the present disclosure particularly provide improved cleaning performance.

[0157] In an additional aspect, the liquid cleaning composition can also be used in dishwashing applications, i.e., where the contacting step is carried out in a dishwashing machine. In such aspects, the dishwashing machine is a consumer machine or an institutional machine. The machine can include a dishwasher, including professional dishwasher systems such as professional door-type dishwashers / hood-type dishwashers or conveyor dishwashers / flying dishwashers, and / or having a short wash time in the dishwasher, such as ≤20 minutes, particularly ≤15 minutes.

[0158] In embodiments where the liquid cleaning composition is formulated for a dishwashing machine, formulation modifications can be made, including using defoaming surfactants and / or defoamers.

[0159] Examples

[0160] The embodiments of the present disclosure are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. It should be understood that although these embodiments illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure, they are given for illustrative purposes only. Based on the above discussion and these examples, those skilled in the art can determine the basic features of the present disclosure, and without departing from its spirit and scope, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure to suit various uses and conditions. Therefore, in addition to those shown and described herein, various modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0161] The following ingredients are used in each example:

[0162] Enzyme A - Shine 100L - an amylase.

[0163] Enzyme B - Amplify Prime - an amylase.

[0164] 12 - a coconut amine oxide nonionic surfactant.

[0165] 15 - S - 9 - a secondary alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant, commercially available from Dow Chemical.

[0166] L24 - 7 - a 7EO linear primary C12 - C14 nonionic surfactant.

[0167] 25 - 3 - a 3EO linear primary C12 - C15 nonionic surfactant, commercially available from Evonik.

[0168] 25-9 - A 9EO linear primary C12 - C15 nonionic surfactant, commercially available from Evonik.

[0169] 91-6 - A 6EO linear primary C9 - C11 nonionic surfactant, commercially available from Evonik.

[0170] SLF 180 - A nonionic low-foaming surfactant, commercially available from BASF.

[0171] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) - An anionic surfactant

[0172] OT-75-DOSS - A sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant, commercially available from Solvay.

[0173] SA-9 - A nonionic surfactant, commercially available from Dow Chemical.

[0174] 225 - An alkyl polyglycoside nonionic surfactant, commercially available from BASF.

[0175] 425 - An alkyl polyglycoside nonionic surfactant, commercially available from BASF.

[0176] 600 - An alkyl polyglycoside nonionic surfactant, commercially available from BASF.

[0177] RA300 - A nonionic surfactant, commercially available from BASF.

[0178] APG 225 - A C8 - C10 fatty alcohol glycoside nonionic surfactant.

[0179] 25R2 - An EO / PO reverse block copolymer, commercially available from BASF.

[0180] 90 - A nonionic surfactant, commercially available from ECSA Chemicals.

[0181] Other widely available ingredients such as: glycerin, calcium chloride, trisodium citrate, citric acid, and water.

[0182] Example 1

[0183] The cleaning performance of various amylases on starch soil was evaluated at different temperatures (30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C) and pH values (4 pH to 11 pH). The evaluation found that the optimal cleaning range for amylases was from about 50 °C to 60 °C, and the pH was from about 4 to 8, from about 5 to 7, and preferably about 6.

[0184] Further analysis was performed to evaluate the stability of amylases in combination with a citrate buffer system to provide a use pH of 6.5. These amylase and buffer compositions were initially evaluated at 50 °C and then evaluated after 4 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours, as can be seen Figure 1 in. Figure 1 It was shown that the amylase and citrate buffer compositions exhibited effective cleaning ability (measured by ΔL (quantification of the chromaticity or reduction of soil on the surface)), which changed only slightly from initial use to use after 24 hours in the use solution, thus demonstrating the stability of the amylase in the buffer composition.

[0185] The soil and substrate used in the cleaning tests in the examples included DM-78 rice starch, baked on melamine tiles from test fabrics. First, the L values of all rice starch specimens (cut from the tiles) were measured. Then, a 1000 mL 0.2% solution of the corresponding formulation was prepared. Once the solution reached 50 °C in a water bath, the corresponding enzyme at its use concentration was added together with 4 rice starch specimens. One specimen was removed at 2.5 minutes, 5 minutes, 7.5 minutes, and 10 minutes. Finally, the L values of all rice starch specimens were measured again and the data was analyzed.

[0186] An increase in the brightness value L* of the cleaned surface compared to the soil-contaminated surface demonstrated the cleaning effect of the liquid cleaning composition. The L value is a measure of brightness, which varies from 100 for pure white to 0 for black. The ΔL value was calculated by subtracting the final L* value of the cleaned surface from the starting L* value of the soil-contaminated surface. If desired, the level of the increased brightness value L* can be quantified. For example, when measured using a spectrophotometer such as the MINISCAN XE Plus Color Spectrophotometer (purchased from Hunter Associates Laboratory), when the composition provides a positive ΔL-value, the composition can be characterized as providing an increased brightness value L*.

[0187] Example 2

[0188] As described in Example 1, the surfactant compatibility of commercially available detergents and the effective cleaning of starch and oil stains were analyzed, and additional method descriptions are provided herein. Two commercially available detergents, Detergent A and Detergent B, were selected to study the effect of their pH on surfactant compatibility. Commercially available Detergent A (a detergent with a pH of about 9) contains bicarbonate, phosphate, and alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants, and commercially available Detergent B (a detergent with a pH of about 7) contains TEA, citric acid, polyacrylic acid, propylene glycol, and glycerin.

[0189] Commercially available Detergents A and B were combined with 500 ppm of various surfactants, and the cleaning performance of spicy oil was tested. The amount of time required for the detergents to clean the spicy oil was evaluated. The test method for cleaning the spicy oil included placing 5 drops of spicy oil on a 2-inch by 2-inch melamine plate, as Figure 2 shown. A 500 mL water bath was prepared to 40 °C to 60 °C. Then the evaluated detergent was added to the water bath and mixed with a stir bar. Once the water bath reached the desired temperature, stirring was turned off and the melamine plate was placed in the water bath and the removal of the spicy oil was monitored. The cleaning times for the various surfactants and commercially available detergents are shown in Table 2.

[0190] Table 2

[0191]

[0192] As can be seen in Table 2, many surfactants took about 30 minutes to remove the spicy oil. The amine oxide surfactant Barlox 12 provided a significantly improved cleaning rate with both commercially available detergents and at both alkaline and neutral pH values (pH 9 and pH 7).

[0193] Commercially available Detergents A and B were combined with two exemplary amylases A and B. Figure 3 The compatibility and cleaning performance of commercially available Detergents A and B in combination with amylase A and of commercially available Detergent B in combination with amylase A and an additional surfactant are shown. As Figure 3 shown, commercially available Detergent B demonstrated enhanced cleaning performance when combined with amylase compared to commercially available Detergent A. Without being limited to a particular theory, it is believed that the lower pH of 7 improved the enzymatic and surfactant cleaning performance for the spicy oil.

[0194] Example 3

[0195] The effect of exemplary buffers on surfactant compatibility was analyzed. Table 3 describes the exemplary buffers, providing a use solution pH of about 6.5.

[0196] Table 3

[0197]

[0198]

[0199] Exemplary buffers were combined with 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 200 ppm of the surfactants Tergitol 15 - S - 9 (an alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactant) and Barlox 12 (an amine oxide), and their cleaning performance on chili oil was tested. As described in Example 2, the amount of time required for the liquid cleaning composition to clean the chili oil was evaluated. The cleaning times and removals are shown in Table 4, which was evaluated as described in Example 1, showing that the amine oxide demonstrated effective cleaning at 100 ppm but had an improved cleaning time at 200 ppm at a pH of 6.5. This also shows that the amine oxide can be effective at a more acidic pH (pH 6.5) and is even more effective at less than half the amount (200 ppm vs. 500 ppm) than at neutral or basic pH values (as shown in Example 2).

[0200] Table 4

[0201]

[0202] Thereafter, the surfactant compatibility of Detergent A of Example 2 with the exemplary buffer was compared. A commercially available Detergent A was combined with amylases A and B, and the exemplary buffer was further combined with amylase B and various surfactants, as Figure 4 shown. Figure 4 It was shown that the exemplary buffer and amylase formulation were superior to the commercially available Detergent A. Also, it is believed that the detergent formulation and surfactants show improved cleaning performance when combined with enzymes at lower pH values.

[0203] Example 4

[0204] The commercially available Detergents A and B as described in Example 2 were compared with the exemplary liquid cleaning composition in terms of the cleaning performance on chili oil, and the procedure was as described in Example 2. The liquid cleaning composition was a combination of the exemplary buffer, amylase, and the listed surfactants of Example 3. Various surfactants at 250 ppm, 200 ppm, 100 ppm, and 50 ppm were combined with Detergents A - C with a pH range from 9 to 6.5, and the cleaning times were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0205] Table 5

[0206] Buffer Surfactant Spicy oil cleaning Detergent A (0.5%) pH 9 250 ppm of Tergitol 15-S-9 25 minutes Detergent A (0.1%) pH 9 50 ppm of Tergitol 15-S-9 Time: 1 hour (not removed) Detergent A (0.5%) pH 9 250 ppm of APG 225 13 minutes Detergent A (0.5%) pH 9 250 ppm of Barlox 12 4.5 minutes Detergent B pH 7.3 250 ppm of APG 225 30 minutes Detergent B pH 7.3 250 ppm of Barlox 12 3.5 minutes Liquid cleaning composition pH 6.5 50 ppm of Barlox 12 1 hour (some removed) Liquid cleaning composition pH 6.5 100 ppm of Barlox 12 1 hour Liquid cleaning composition pH 6.5 200 ppm of Barlox 12 15 minutes

[0207] As shown in Table 5, when the pH is decreased and the enzymatic cleaning rate is optimized, the lower pH affects the surfactant cleaning rate. It was surprisingly found that amine oxide (Barlox 12) works very effectively for chili oil removal over a wide pH range.

[0208] Example 5

[0209] According to the method described in Example 1, the rice starch cleaning performance of commercially available detergent A was compared with that of exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulations 3 and 7 at different amylase concentrations. Exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulations 3 and 7 are described in Table 6. The rice starch cleaning performance was evaluated with 0.2 wt% of the detergent, and the evaluated amount of amylase was metered into the use solution.

[0210] As Figure 5 shown, commercially available detergent A was combined with 10 ppm of amylase and compared with the combinations of exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulation 3 with 2 ppm, 4 ppm, 6 ppm, 8 ppm, and 10 ppm of amylase. Figure 5 It was shown that, regardless of the amount of amylase, exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulation 3 was superior to commercially available detergent A.

[0211] Similarly, in Figure 6 it, commercially available detergent A was combined with 10 ppm of amylase and compared with the combinations of exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulation 7 with 2 ppm, 4 ppm, 6 ppm, 8 ppm, and 10 ppm of amylase. Figure 6 It was shown that, different from exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulation 3, when the amylase was at least 4 ppm, exemplary liquid cleaning composition Formulation 7 was only due to commercially available detergent A.

[0212] Table 6

[0213] Formulation 3 Formulation 7 Description Weight % Weight % Soft water 45-55 60-70 Trisodium citrate 3-5 3-5 Citric acid, 50% 2-4 2-4 Barlox 12 20-40 0 APG225 0 10-20 Pluronic 25R2 1-5 0 Glycerol 10-15 10-15 Achieve Shine 1-5 1-5 <![CDATA[CaCl 2 > ＜1 ＜1 Total 100 100 pH 5.50 5.50

[0214] Example 6

[0215] The exemplary liquid cleaning compositions were tested using the base composition of Formulation R13 shown in Table 7. The formulation was tested with 3 different preservatives to evaluate enzyme stability and cleaning composition effectiveness. Table 7 shows the control data set, or R13 without testing for preservatives.

[0216] Table 7

[0217] Raw material # Percentage concentration Water 78 TEA 8 Citric acid, 50% 0.5 Softanol 90 4.5 Glycerol 7 Achieve Shine 100L 2 Total 100.00％ Sterility control check: Sterile

[0218] The formulation R13 was tested with three additional preservatives: sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Based on the tests summarized in Tables 8 and 9, these preservatives and the formulation were tested against five types of bacteria, as well as two types of yeast and mold. This indicates that the formulation in combination with each preservative is effective against bacteria, yeast, and mold.

[0219] Table 8

[0220]

[0221] -- means that no log reduction criterion applies at that time point.

[0222] NI* means that there is no increase in the recovery count compared to the results obtained on Day 2.

[0223] Example 7

[0224] Using the same formulation as described in Example 6, the stability of R13 was also tested. Table 10 depicts that R13 has a high total yield when the measured pH is 8.06. Additionally, Table 11 depicts the stability data corresponding to each formulation. Columns 4, 5, and 6 correspond to formulations R13, R13 (pH 8), and R13 (pH 7). Table 11 depicts the effectiveness of each formulation after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or 6 weeks at different temperatures (room temperature, 40 °C, or 50 °C). As shown in both Tables 9 and 10, R13 remains effective at a higher pH.

[0225] Table 9

[0226]

[0227]

[0228] Table 10

[0229] Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 11 Initial 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 2 weeks, room temperature 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 99％ 58％ 98％ 2 weeks, 40 °C 100％ 70％ 100％ 100％ 93％ 20％ 0％ 39％ 2 weeks, 50 °C 76％ 3％ 100％ 100％ 34％ 0％ 0％ 0％ 4 weeks, room temperature 100％ 98％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 91％ 90％ 94％ 4 weeks, 40 °C 99％ 45％ 100％ 100％ 86％ 2％ 26％ 16％ 4 weeks, 50 °C 53％ 0％ 98％ 100％ 0％ 10％ 0％ 0％ 6 weeks, room temperature 100％ 98％ 100％ 100％ 100％ 94％ 87％ 94％ 6 weeks, 40 °C 10％ 29％ 100％ 100％ 82％ 0％ 12％ 8％ 6 weeks, 50 °C 40％ 0％ 100％ 99％ 4％ 0％ 0％ 0％

[0230] It should be understood that although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. Any reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, is shown for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. All publications discussed and / or referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0231] Depending on the circumstances, the features disclosed in the foregoing description or the appended claims or the drawings (presented in their specific form or in terms of means for performing the disclosed function or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed result) may be used alone or in any combination of such features to implement the invention in its different forms.

Claims

1. A liquid cleaning composition, the liquid cleaning composition comprising: Amylase; At least one surfactant; Buffer; and Water; Wherein the liquid composition is a concentrate having a pH of about 4 to about 11.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the amylase is selected to enhance starch and oil removal at a use pH of about 5 to 10, or about 5 to 10.

3. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the surfactant comprises an amphoteric surfactant and / or a nonionic surfactant.

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one of the following: amine oxide, alkylpolyglycoside, EO / PO block copolymer, C12-C14 secondary alcohol, alkylene oxide, or a combination thereof.

5. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the surfactant comprises at least two of the following: amine oxide, alkylpolyglycoside, EO / PO block copolymer, C12-C14 secondary alcohol, alkylene oxide, or a combination thereof.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the buffer comprises a weak acid, a salt of a weak acid, or a combination thereof.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pH of the concentrate composition is about 4.5 to about 11, about 5 to about 11, about 5.5 to about 11, or about 5.5 to about 11.

8. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition comprises about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt% of amylase, about 2 wt% to about 40 wt% of surfactant, about 0.5 wt% to about 20 wt% of buffer, and about 30 wt% to about 80 wt% of water, or about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of amylase, about 10 wt% to about 40 wt% of surfactant, about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt% of buffer, and about 40 wt% to about 75 wt% of water.

9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the composition further comprising at least one additional functional ingredient, the at least one additional functional ingredient including a source of alkalinity, an antifoaming agent, a bleaching agent, a dispersant, a metal protectant, an anti-soil redeposition agent, a stabilizer, a corrosion inhibitor, a builder / copolymer / chelating agent, an additional enzyme, an aesthetic enhancer including a fragrance and / or a dye, a rheology and / or solubility modifier or thickener, a hydrotrope or coupling agent, an additional buffer, an additional solvent, and / or an additional detergent.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the composition further comprising a solvent.

11. A method of use, the method Comprising: Contacting a utensil soiled with starch and fatty soil with the liquid cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10; And Removing the soil from the utensil.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the soil containing starch and fat comprises at least one of rice starch and / or spicy oil.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, the method further comprising a first step of generating the use solution of the liquid cleaning composition before bringing the soiled utensil into contact with the use solution of the liquid cleaning composition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the use solution provides from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of the liquid cleaning composition.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the contacting step is carried out at a pH between about 5 and about 8 or between about 5.5 and about 10.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the contacting step is at least about 10 minutes, at least about 20 minutes, at least about 30 minutes, at least about 40 minutes or from at least about 1 minute to about 60 minutes.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the temperature of the contacting step is from about 40 °C to about 70 °C or from about 40 °C to about 60 °C.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the method reduces at least one of cleaning time, temperature, water consumption and / or cost as compared to a liquid cleaning composition that does not contain the amylase and surfactant.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the contacting step is a pre-soaking application.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the contacting step is carried out in a utensil washing machine.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the utensil washing machine is a consumer machine or an institutional machine.

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