Liquid detergent composition

Abstract

The need for a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising an enzyme exhibiting endo beta-1, 4-glucanase activity can be met by formulating a composition that provides improved grease cleaning while also providing improved enzyme stability, e.g., for a laundry detergent, using a high proportion of a sulfonate anionic surfactant and a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer. Meanwhile, a small amount of fatty acid or no fatty acid is used for preparation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A liquid laundry detergent composition or a unit dose article comprising a liquid laundry detergent composition. Background Art

[0002] Liquid laundry detergent compositions typically contain enzymes to improve cleaning (including soil removal) and provide other beneficial effects such as color care. A particularly desirable class of soil-removing enzymes are those that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

[0003] Such endoglucanases (EC 3.2.1.4) cleave β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in cellulose chains. In this context, it has been found that in addition to fabric softening and color care, they also provide improved soil removal, particularly by "biopolishing" cellulose-containing polymers. Biopolishing such fibers requires the enzymatic removal of fibrils on the fibers, resulting in easier stain removal, a smoother and softer fiber surface, and less light scattering, and thus less darkening of the fiber color.

[0004] However, enzymes that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be challenging to maintain stability in detergent compositions, particularly liquid detergent compositions.

[0005] Improved oil cleaning can be achieved by formulating liquid detergent compositions with sulfonate-rich anionic surfactants. However, it has also been found that liquid detergent compositions containing high levels of sulfonate anions can also have a detrimental effect on the stability of enzymes that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

[0006] Fatty acids can have both positive and negative effects on the efficacy of enzymes in detergent compositions. Fatty acids can be used as stabilizers, helping to protect enzymes from denaturation or inactivation, for example by forming a protective layer around the enzyme, shielding it from harsh conditions. However, fatty acids can also have an inhibitory effect on the performance of enzymes that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity (including cellulases). They can interfere with the active site of the enzyme or disrupt its structure, resulting in a decrease in activity or stability. The specific effects can depend on the type and concentration of the fatty acid present and the properties of the enzyme itself. In addition, high levels of fatty acids promote the formation of lamellar phases in detergent compositions, resulting in a decrease in phase stability. Fatty acids also generally result in an undesirable product odor.

[0007] Therefore, there is still a need to maximize the performance of enzymes that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity by providing improved stability of such enzymes in liquid detergent compositions without formulating with high levels of fatty acids.

[0008] US4285841A relates to a highly concentrated liquid detergent composition free of builders and containing homogeneous fatty acids. In addition to fatty acids, the surfactant system also contains a large amount of anionic sulfonate / sulfate detergents and nonionic ethoxylates. US5804543A discloses detergent compositions and methods suitable for washing colored fabrics in an aqueous washing solution with little or no dye transfer between fabrics. The compositions used contain certain zero-LAS detergency surfactants, detergent builders, and certain selected polymeric dye transfer inhibitors. The detergency surfactants used must contain alkyl ether sulfates and certain types of nonionic surfactants (polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and / or alcohol ethoxylates). US5919271A relates to a detergent composition containing a nonionic polysaccharide ether, a surfactant, a dye transfer inhibitor, a cellulase, and a chelating agent. US5919271A teaches various granular detergent compositions containing a high content of sulfonate surfactants and cellulase. WO1992018598A relates to a composition containing conventional washing ingredients, an alkaline cellulase, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and the combination of these two ingredients provides excellent fabric color care. WO1995003388A relates to a detergent composition containing a polymer selected from N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, characterized in that the polymer has an average molecular weight of 5,000 to 50,000. WO2015112339A relates to a detergent containing a fluorescent whitening agent with a high ClogP, a dye transfer inhibitor, and an enzyme and having a pH greater than 5 for a 1 wt% solution in deionized water, and a method for treating textiles, which includes washing in an aqueous liquid of such a detergent. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system comprises an anionic surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfonate anionic surfactant, wherein the sulfonate anionic surfactant is present in an amount of at least 40% by weight of the surfactant system, and wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 3.0% by weight of fatty acids based on the composition; at least one enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity; and a vinylpyrrolidone polymer selected from: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), and mixtures thereof. Detailed Description

[0010] The detergent compositions of the present invention have been found to provide good grease cleaning while also providing good stability of the enzymes contained therein that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

[0011] Unless otherwise indicated, all component or composition levels are in terms of the active portion of that component or composition and do not include impurities that may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions, such as residual solvents or by-products.

[0012] Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios are by weight. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios are based on the total composition.

[0013] Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements are made at 25 °C.

[0014] As used herein, when used in the claims, the articles including "a" and "an" shall be understood to mean one or more of the substances claimed or described.

[0015] Laundry detergent composition

[0016] The laundry detergent composition can be in any suitable form, such as liquid, paste, granule, solid, powder, or bound to a carrier such as a substrate. Preferred laundry detergent compositions are liquid or granular, with liquid being most preferred.

[0017] As used herein, "liquid detergent composition" refers to a liquid detergent composition that is fluid and preferably capable of wetting and cleaning fabrics, such as clothes in a household washing machine. As used herein, "laundry detergent composition" refers to a composition suitable for washing clothes. The composition may include solids or gases in appropriately subdivided forms, but the overall composition does not include product forms that are generally non-fluid, such as tablets or granules. The liquid laundry detergent composition preferably has a density in the range of 0.9 g / cm³ to 1.3 g / cm³, more specifically 1.00 g / cm³ to 1.10 g / cm³, excluding any solid additives but including any air bubbles (if present).

[0018] The composition can be an aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition. For such an aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition, the water content can be present in an amount of 5.0 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably 25 wt% to 90 wt%, more preferably 50 wt% to 85 wt% of the liquid detergent composition.

[0019] The pH range of the detergent composition is from 6.0 to 8.9, preferably from 7 to 8.8.

[0020] The detergent composition may also be encapsulated in a water-soluble film to form a unit-dose article. Such unit-dose articles contain the detergent composition of the present invention, wherein the detergent composition contains less than 20% by weight, preferably less than 15% by weight, more preferably less than 10% by weight of water, and the detergent composition is encapsulated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible film. Such unit-dose articles can be formed by any method known in the art. Suitable unit-dose articles may comprise a compartment, wherein the compartment contains a liquid laundry detergent composition. Alternatively, the unit-dose article can be a multi-compartment unit-dose article, wherein at least one compartment contains a liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0021] Surfactant system

[0022] The laundry detergent composition contains a surfactant system, and the content of the surfactant system is 2.5% to 60%, preferably 5.0% to 25%, more preferably 7.0% to 15% by weight of the composition.

[0023] As used herein, suitable surfactants are surfactants or mixtures of surfactants that provide cleaning, decontamination, or washing benefits to the soiled material. Suitable decontamination surfactants can be: anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.

[0024] The surfactant system contains a branched nonionic surfactant. The surfactant system may further include surfactants selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Thus, the surfactant system may contain a combination of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, more preferably a combination of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant.

[0025] Surfactants containing saturated alkyl chains are preferably used.

[0026] Anionic surfactant

[0027] The surfactant system contains an anionic surfactant. The content of the anionic surfactant can be 1.4% to 52%, preferably 4.4% to 20%, more preferably 5.9% to 11.5% of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0028] The sulfonate anionic surfactant is present in an amount of at least 40%, preferably 40% to 90%, more preferably 50% to 70% by weight of the surfactant system. The sulfonate anionic surfactant can be present in an amount of at least 55%, preferably 60% to 90%, more preferably 70% to 85% by weight of the anionic surfactant.

[0029] Anionic sulfonates or sulfonic acid surfactants suitable for use herein include alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, alkyl sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and acid and salt forms of mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic sulfonates or sulfonic acid surfactants include: C5-C20 alkylbenzene sulfonates, more preferably C10-C16 alkylbenzene sulfonates, more preferably C11-C13 alkylbenzene sulfonates, C5-C20 alkyl ester sulfonates, C6-C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, C5-C20 sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and any mixtures thereof, but preferably C11-C13 alkylbenzene sulfonates. The above surfactants can vary widely within their 2-phenyl isomer content.

[0030] A combination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkyl sulfate surfactants is particularly preferred, especially for improving detergency. Thus, the anionic surfactant preferably comprises a sulfonate anionic surfactant and an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant, preferably wherein the sulfonate anionic surfactant and the alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant are present in a weight ratio of 55:45 to 99:1, more preferably 60:40 to 95:5, and most preferably 70:30 to 85:15. The liquid laundry detergent composition preferably comprises a sulfonate anionic surfactant and an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant in an amount of at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 90% by weight of the anionic surfactant.

[0031] Anionic sulfates suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include primary and secondary alkyl sulfates having a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing 9 to 22 carbon atoms or more preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Also useful are β-branched alkyl sulfate surfactants or mixtures of commercially available materials having a weight average degree of branching of at least 50% (of the surfactant or mixture).

[0032] Mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates or sulfonates are also anionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. C5-C22, preferably C10-C20 mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfates are preferred. When using mixtures, the suitable average total number of carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety is preferably in the range of greater than 14.5 to 17.5. Preferred monomethyl branched primary alkyl sulfates are selected from the group consisting of: 3-methyl to 13-methyl pentadecanol sulfates, the corresponding hexadecanol sulfates, and mixtures thereof. Mildly branched dimethyl derivatives or other biodegradable alkyl sulfates can be used similarly.

[0033] When in use, the alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant can be a blend of one or more alkyl ethoxylated sulfates. Suitable alkyl alkoxylated sulfates include C10-C18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, more preferably C12-C15 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates. The anionic surfactant can include an alkyl sulfate surfactant, where the alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 8.0, preferably from 1.0 to 5.0, more preferably from 2.0 to 3.5.

[0034] Alternatively, the anionic surfactant can include an alkyl sulfate surfactant, where the alkyl sulfate surfactant has a low degree of ethoxylation, having an average degree of ethoxylation of less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.1, and more preferably having no degree of ethoxylation. Preferred low ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants do not include any further alkoxylation. Preferred low ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants include branched alkyl sulfate surfactants. The branched alkyl sulfate surfactant can comprise at least 20%, preferably 60% to 100%, more preferably 80% to 90% of 2-branched alkyl chains by weight of the alkyl chain of the branched alkyl sulfate surfactant. Such branched alkyl sulfates having 2-branched alkyl chains can also be described as 2-alkyl alkanol sulfates or 2-alkyl alkyl sulfates. The branched alkyl sulfate can be neutralized with sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium, calcium, ammonium, or any suitable amine (such as but not limited to monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoisopropanolamine) or with any mixture of neutralizing metals or amines. Suitable branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can comprise an alkyl chain containing from 10 to 18 carbon atoms (C10 to C18) or from 12 to 15 carbon atoms (C12 to C15), with 13 to 15 carbon atoms (C13 to C15) being most preferred. The branched alkyl sulfate surfactant can be produced using methods including hydroformylation reactions to provide the desired level of 2-branching. Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulfate surfactants contain 2-branching, where the 2-branching accounts for 20% to 80%, preferably 30% to 65%, more preferably 40% to 50% by weight of the 2-branching of methyl branching, ethyl branching, and mixtures thereof.

[0035] Suitable low ethoxylated branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can be derived from alkyl alcohols such as 145, 145, both of which are provided by Sasol, optionally blended with other alkyl alcohols to achieve the desired branching distribution.

[0036] The surfactant system comprises less than 3.0%, preferably less than 2.0%, more preferably 0.5% to 1.5% fatty acid by weight of the composition.

[0037] However, by its nature, every anionic surfactant known in the field of detergent compositions can be used, such as those disclosed in the 7th edition of "Surfactant Science Series" edited by W.M. Linfield (Marcel Dekker). Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include fatty methyl ester sulfonates and / or alkyl polyalkoxylated carboxylates, such as alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates (AEC).

[0038] Anionic surfactants are generally present in the form of their salts with alkanolamines or alkali metals such as sodium and potassium.

[0039] Amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactant

[0040] The surfactant system may comprise zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactants, and the content of the zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactants is 0.1% to 2.0% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 1.0% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0041] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxide surfactants. Amine oxide surfactants are amine oxides having the formula: R1R2R3NO, where R1 is a hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 30, preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and where R2 and R3 are independently saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms and more preferably methyl groups. R1 can be a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon chain.

[0042] The amine oxides suitable for use herein are preferably, for example, C 12 -C 14 dimethylamine oxide (lauryldimethylamine oxide) available commercially from Albright & Wilson, and C -C amine oxide available commercially from Clariant under the trade name 12 LA and from AKZO Nobel under the trade name 14 DMC.

[0043] Suitable zwitterionic or amphoteric detersive surfactants include those known for use in hair care or other personal care cleaning. Non-limiting examples of suitable zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,104,646 and 5,106,609. Suitable amphoteric detersive surfactants include those surfactants widely described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, wherein the aliphatic group can be straight-chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic group such as carboxyl, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Amphoteric detersive surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to: cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl diglycinate, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl diglycinate, and mixtures thereof.

[0044] Nonionic surfactant

[0045] The surfactant system can include a nonionic surfactant. The content of the nonionic surfactant in the liquid detergent composition can be present in an amount less than 5.0%, preferably 0.5% to 4.0%, more preferably 1.0% to 3.0% by weight of the composition.

[0046] The nonionic surfactant is preferably selected from alkoxylated alkyl alcohol nonionic surfactants, alkyl polyglucosides, and mixtures thereof, more preferably wherein the nonionic surfactant includes an alkyl polyglucoside nonionic surfactant.

[0047] Suitable alkoxylated alkyl alcohol nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates (“AE”) (including so-called narrow peak alkyl ethoxylates) and C6-C12 alkylphenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxylate / propoxylates), block alkylene oxide condensates of C6-C12 alkylphenols, alkylene oxide condensates of C8-C22 alkanols, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers (Pluronic - BASF Corp.), and semi-polar nonionics (e.g., amine oxides and phosphine oxides) can be used in the compositions of the present invention. A broad disclosure of these types of surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975.

[0048] To improve whiteness, the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant can have a number average alkyl chain length of 8 to 16, preferably 10 to 14, most preferably 12 to 14, and an average degree of polymerization of 0.1 to 3.0, preferably 1.0 to 2.0, most preferably 1.2 to 1.6.

[0049] C8-C18 alkyl polyglucosides are commercially available from several suppliers (e.g., surfactants from Seppic Corporation; and from BASF Corporation 600CSUP, 650EC, 600CSUP / MB, and 650EC / MB).

[0050] Alkyl polysaccharides, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,565,647 to Llenado, are also nonionic surfactants that can be used in the compositions of the present invention.

[0051] Vinyl pyrrolidone polymer

[0052] The detergent composition comprises at least one vinyl pyrrolidone polymer. The vinyl pyrrolidone polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl imidazole (PVP / PVI), and mixtures thereof.

[0053] Polyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”) is amphiphilic, where the highly polar amide groups confer hydrophilic and polar attractive properties, and also have non-polar methylene and methane groups in the main chain and / or rings that confer hydrophobic properties. In dye molecules, these rings can also provide planar alignment with aromatic rings. PVP is soluble in both aqueous and organic solvent systems. PVP is commercially available in powder or aqueous solution form in several viscosity grades. The compositions of the present invention preferably utilize a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole (also abbreviated herein as “PVPVI”). It has been found that the copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole also provides excellent dye transfer inhibition performance. The copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole can have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone of 1:1 to 0.2:1, more preferably 0.8:1 to 0.3:1, and most preferably 0.6:1 to 0.4:1. The copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole can be linear or branched. Particularly suitable polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), as well as the copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), can have a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 Da to 1,000,000 Da, preferably 5,000 Da to 50,000 Da, and more preferably 10,000 Da to 20,000 Da. The number average molecular weight range is determined by light scattering as described in Chemical Analysis, Volume 113, “Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization” by Barth J.H.G. and Mays J.W. Copolymers of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and poly(N-vinyl-imidazole) are commercially available from many sources, including BASF. The preferred DTI can be obtained commercially under the trade name HP 56K from BASF (BASF SE, Germany).

[0054] Copolymers of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and poly(N-vinyl-imidazole) are commercially available from many sources, including BASF. The preferred DTI can be obtained commercially under the trade name HP 56K from BASF (BASF SE, Germany).

[0055] Mixtures of more than one dye transfer inhibiting polymer can be used.

[0056] Vinylpyrrolidone can be present in the detergent composition in an amount of 0.05% to 5%, or 0.1% to 3%, and alternatively 0.2% to 1.0% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0057] Enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity

[0058] The liquid detergent composition comprises at least one enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. The liquid laundry detergent composition may comprise from 0.0001% to 0.1%, preferably from 0.0003% to 0.08%, more preferably from 0.0004% to 0.05%, and most preferably from 0.0005% to 0.02% by weight of the composition of endo-β-1,4-glucanase.

[0059] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity may be classified as enzyme identification number E.C. 3.2.1.4, although members of other E.C. classes exhibit this activity, including xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanase (E.C. 3.2.1.151). For the avoidance of doubt, a test method for determining whether an enzyme exhibits endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is described herein.

[0060] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity may be a wild-type or variant of an enzyme encoded by DNA from any kingdom of life. More preferably, the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase is a wild-type or variant of an enzyme encoded by DNA from a microbial organism such as a fungus or a bacterium. The enzyme may be encoded by DNA derived from an environmental metagenome, and thus, the parental organism may be unknown.

[0061] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity may belong to any glycoside hydrolase family, as defined by the Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes database (E. Drula et al., Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 50, Issue D1, 7 January 2022, Pages D571 - D577). Most enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase belong to one of families 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 26, 44, 45, 48, 51, 74, 124, and 148.

[0062] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity may be a chimeric protein formed by combining proteins encoded by more than one DNA source, or a variant thereof. For example, the enzyme may involve a catalytic domain formed by combining regions of catalytic domains from more than one parental enzyme and / or by combining a catalytic domain from one enzyme with a carbohydrate-binding module of another enzyme.

[0063] Enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity may optionally comprise one or more carbohydrate-binding modules. These modules generally affect the interaction of the enzyme with its endo-β-1,4-glucan substrate by targeting different regions on the polysaccharide or by bringing the enzyme into proximity with the polysaccharide. Some carbohydrate-binding modules are known to contribute to the disruption of the surface of the target polysaccharide. Carbohydrate-binding modules fall into three types, and within these types they are further classified into families. Type A carbohydrate-binding modules (such as those from families CBM1, 2, 3, 5, and 10) bind to planar crystalline structures (such as crystalline cellulose). Type B carbohydrate-binding modules (such as those from families CBM6, 13, 17, 20, 28, 36, and 60) bind to internal glycan chains, typically containing four or more monosaccharide units. Type C carbohydrate-binding modules bind to the termini of glycans and are thus generally not associated with endo-β-1,4-glucanases that act within β-1,4-glucan chains.

[0064] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 60% sequence identity with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:6. Preferably, the enzyme having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is a polypeptide having at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:6, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

[0065] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In one embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 1 to 773 of SEQ ID NO:1. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Bacillus, preferably, from Bacillus autumnensis.

[0066] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In one embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 22 to 294 of SEQ ID NO:2. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Sordaria, preferably, from Sordaria fimicola.

[0067] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In another embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 22 to 305 of SEQ ID NO:3. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Humicola, preferably, from Humicola insolens.

[0068] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In one embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 22 to 299 of SEQ ID NO:4. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Thielavia, preferably, from Thielavia terrestris.

[0069] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:5, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In one embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 1 to 295 of SEQ ID NO:5. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Staphylococcus, preferably, from Staphylococcus viticularius.

[0070] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:6, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In one embodiment, the mature polypeptide is amino acids 1 to 214 of SEQ ID NO:6. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from Melanocapus, preferably from Melanocapus albomyces.

[0071] An enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a family 44 glycoside hydrolase of a sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:7, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Paenibacillus, preferably from Paenibacillus polymyxa. In another embodiment, the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is a variant of SEQ ID NO:7 disclosed in WO2022043321, such as a variant of SEQ ID NO:7 having one or more of the following substitutions, where an asterisk indicates a deletion: P111Q, S123P, V159M, S256E, S256Q, I294E, I294Q, K8E, K8R, K18E, R20K, A41L, A41E, A41R, A42V, S76E, Q82E, A83E, K87E, S94R, G103V, T104G, T104R, Y105E, A118K, N121E, Q125F, Q125K, Q125L, Q125P, Q125S, E126P, S127H, S127L, S127W, S127D, N136D, Q137E, Q137K, F146D, Q147G, Q147K, L148P, L152*, L152D, L152E, L152P, N153E, N155D, N155E, F165H, N168R, K169E, K169R, A177G, L184M, A189G, V203T, K206E, K206R, D210H, D210R, R211K, S214Q, K217R, K217T, V219A, V219T, K220R, A226D, A226K, G237M, A238S, A238T, K240F, K240L, Q243E, T244E, T244R, W248V, V251E, K252E, R267C, R267H, R267K, Q271D, Q271E, R276K, A289T, R295K, N298D, V300L, N302H, K322E, Q329E, P339S, K347E, K347R, K353R, N383E, N383Q, D384G, K392E, K394R, D395P, S402Q, K414E, T427V, V431E, K445E, L447M, A459P, I473T, S474E, K476R, K482R, K488T, E489K, E489R, A491E, A491V, P492D, Y503L, Y503V, and V505L.

[0072] The enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity can be a family 7 glycoside hydrolase of a sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:8, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is from the genus Humicola, preferably, from Humicola insolens.

[0073] Other suitable enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity are those having at least 80% sequence identity, such as 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or even 100% sequence identity with any one of SEQ ID NO:397, SEQ ID NO:398, SEQ ID NO:399, SEQ ID NO:400 and SEQ ID NO:401 in WO2023061928.

[0074] The degree of identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443-453) (as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS software package, preferably version 3.0.0 or later (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, Trends in Genetics 16:276-277)). The optional parameters used are a gap open penalty of 10, a gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 (the EMBOSS version of BLOSUM62) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled "longest identity" (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows: (identical residues x 100) / (alignment length - total number of gaps in the alignment).

[0075] Other suitable enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity include enzymes of bacterial or fungal origin. Mutants that have been chemically modified or engineered by protein engineering may be included. Suitable enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity include those from the genus Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, such as the fungal endo-β-1,4-glucanases prepared from Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum as disclosed in US 4,435,307, US 5,648,263, US 5,691,178, US 5,776,757, and WO 89 / 09259.

[0076] Additional suitable endo-β-1,4-glucanases are alkaline or neutral endo-β-1,4-glucanases that have color care benefits. Examples of such endo-β-1,4-glucanases are described in EP 0495257, EP 0531372, WO 96 / 11262, WO 96 / 29397, WO 98 / 08940. Other examples are endo-β-1,4-glucanase variants such as those described in WO 94 / 07998, EP 0531315, US 5,457,046, US 5,686,593, US 5,763,254, WO 95 / 24471, WO 98 / 12307, and WO 99 / 001544.

[0077] Suitable enzymes exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity are commercially available, for example, under the trade names Classic, Premium, Elite, (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), For example 200 (International Flavors and Fragrances, Palo Alto, USA), For example FLX, Duo 505, FCL275 (AB Enzymes, Darmstadt, Germany) and for example those sold as ℃Bright 100L (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany).

[0078] Other enzymes

[0079] The composition may contain other enzymes. Suitable other enzymes can be added to provide further cleaning performance and / or fabric care benefits. Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, peroxidase, protease, xylanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, cutinase, pectinase, cutinase, reductase, oxidase, phenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, pentosanase, melanase, β-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and known amylases, or combinations thereof. Preferred enzyme combinations comprise a mixture of conventional detergency enzymes such as protease, lipase, cutinase, and / or cellulase in combination with amylase. Detergency enzymes are described in more detail in U.S. Patent 6,579,839.

[0080] Optional ingredients

[0081] The detergent composition may also contain one or more of the following optional ingredients: dye-fixing polymers, external structurants or thickeners, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, cleaning polymers, optical brighteners, colorant dyes, particulate matter, fragrances and other odor control agents, hydrotropes, foam suppressants, fabric care benefits agents, pH adjusters, dye transfer inhibitors, preservatives, non-fabric direct dyes, and mixtures thereof.

[0082] The laundry detergent composition does not contain a bleach.

[0083] External structurants or thickeners: Preferred external structurants and thickeners are those that do not rely on charge-charge interactions to provide structuring benefits. Similarly, particularly preferred external structurants are uncharged external structurants such as those selected from the group consisting of: non-polymeric crystalline hydroxy-functional structurants such as hydrogenated castor oil; microfibrillated cellulose; uncharged hydroxyethyl cellulose; uncharged hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose; hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane; hydrophobically modified nonionic polyols; and mixtures thereof.

[0084] Suitable polymeric structurants include polymeric structurants of natural origin and / or synthetic origin.

[0085] Examples of polymeric structurants of natural origin for use in the present invention include: microfibrillated cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysaccharide derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of microfibrillated cellulose are described in WO 2009 / 101545A1. Suitable polysaccharide derivatives include: pectin, alginate, arabinogalactan (gum arabic), carrageenan, gellan gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and mixtures thereof.

[0086] Examples of synthetic polymeric structurants or thickeners for use in the present invention include: polycarboxylates, hydrophobically modified ethoxylated polyurethanes (HEUr), hydrophobically modified nonionic polyols, and mixtures thereof.

[0087] Preferably, when measured at a shear rate of 100 s-1 and a temperature of 20 °C, the aqueous liquid detergent composition has a viscosity of 50 mPa·s to 5,000 mPa·s, preferably 75 mPa·s to 1,000 mPa·s, more preferably 100 mPa·s to 500 mPa·s. To improve phase stability and also the stability of suspended components, when measured at a shear rate of 0.05 s-1 and a temperature of 20 °C, the aqueous liquid detergent composition has a viscosity of 50 mPa·s to 250,000 mPa·s, preferably 5,000 mPa·s to 125,000 mPa·s, more preferably 10,000 mPa·s to 35,000 mPa·s.

[0088] Cleaning polymers: The detergent composition preferably contains a cleaning polymer. It is believed that such cleaning polymers at least partially remove stains from textile fibers and enable the enzyme system to more effectively decompose complexes containing mannan and other polysaccharides. Suitable cleaning polymers provide a wide range of surface and fabric soil cleaning and / or soil suspension. Non-limiting examples of suitable cleaning polymers include: amphiphilic alkoxylated oil cleaning polymers; clay soil cleaning polymers; detergency polymers; and soil-suspending polymers. Preferred cleaning polymers can be obtained by free radical copolymerization of: at least one compound of formula (I),

[0089]

[0090] where n is a number equal to or greater than 3,

[0091] with at least one compound of formula (II),

[0092]

[0093] where A -Represents an anion, specifically selected from halogen ions (such as fluoride ion, chloride ion, bromide ion, iodide ion), sulfate, bisulfate, alkyl sulfate such as methyl ester sulfate, and mixtures thereof. Such polymers are further described in EP3196283A1.

[0094] For similar reasons, polyester-based detergency polymers, such as SRA300 provided by Clariant, are also particularly preferred.

[0095] Other available cleaning polymers are described in US20090124528A1. The detergent composition may comprise an amphiphilic alkoxylated oil cleaning polymer which may have balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, which enables them to remove oil particles from fabrics and surfaces. Suitable amphiphilic alkoxylated oil cleaning polymers may comprise a core structure and a plurality of alkoxide groups attached to the core structure. These may include, for example, alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines. Such compounds may include but are not limited to ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, ethoxylated hexamethylenediamine, and their sulfated forms. Polypropoxylated derivatives may also be included. A variety of amines and polyalkyleneimines may be alkoxylated to various degrees. A useful example is a polyethyleneimine core of 600 g / mol, each NH of which is ethoxylated to 20 EO groups and is available from BASF. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine may have internal polyethylene oxide blocks and external polypropylene oxide blocks. The detergent composition may comprise from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 8.0%, more preferably from 0.1% to 2.0% by weight of the detergent composition of the cleaning polymer.

[0096] Polymer deposition aid: The laundry detergent composition may contain from 0.1% to 7.0%, more preferably from 0.2% to 3.0%, of a polymer deposition aid. As used herein, "polymer deposition aid" refers to any cationic polymer or combination of cationic polymers that significantly enhances the deposition of fabric care benefit agents on fabrics during laundry. Suitable polymer deposition aids include cationic polysaccharides and / or copolymers, with cationic polysaccharides being preferred. The cationic polymer may also be selected from the group consisting of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / crylic acid), poly(acrylamide-methylacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride), poly(acrylamide-methylacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride / acrylic acid), poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride / acrylic acid), poly(acrylamide-co-N,N,N-trimethylaminoethyl acrylate), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / vinyl alcohol), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / acrylamide), and mixtures thereof. The diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylic acid monomers may be present in a molar ratio of 50:50 to 90:10, preferably 55:45 to 85:15, more preferably 60:40 to 70:30. For poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / crylic acid), the preferred ratio of diallyldimethylammonium chloride to acrylic acid is between approximately 90:10 and 50:50. The preferred cationic polymer is a poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / crylic acid) copolymer with a molar ratio of 65 / 35 and a molecular weight of approximately 450,000. The poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / crylic acid) copolymer can be further described as Polyquaternium-22 or PQ22 as named in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride / acrylamide) can be further described as Polyquaternium-7 or PQ7 as named in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients.

[0097] As used herein, "fabric care benefit agent" refers to any material that can provide a fabric care benefit effect. Non-limiting examples of fabric care benefit agents include: silicone derivatives, oily sugar derivatives, dispersed polyolefins, polymer latexes, cationic surfactants, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the deposition aid is a cationic polymer or an amphoteric polymer. The cationic charge density of the polymer is preferably in the range of 0.05 meq / g to 6.0 meq / g. The charge density is calculated by dividing the number of net charges per repeating unit by the molecular weight of the repeating unit. In one embodiment, the charge density varies from 0.1 meq / g to 3.0 meq / g. The positive charge can be located on the main chain of the polymer or on the side chain of the polymer.

[0098] Organic builders and / or chelating agents: The laundry detergent composition may comprise from 0.6% to 10% by weight, preferably from 2.0% to 7.0% by weight, of one or more organic builders and / or chelating agents. Suitable organic builders and / or chelating agents are selected from the group consisting of: MEA citrate, citric acid, aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxybisphosphonates, and nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates, diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP), hexamethylenediamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxy-ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), hydroxyethane dimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate (HEDTA), nitrilotriacetate (NTA), methylglycine diacetate (MGDA), iminodisuccinate (IDS), hydroxyethyliminodisuccinate (HIDS), hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA), glycine diacetate (GLDA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), catecholsulfonates such as Tiron TM , and mixtures thereof.

[0099] Enzyme stabilizers: Any known stabilizer system can be used to stabilize the enzyme, such as calcium and / or magnesium compounds, boron compounds and substituted boric acids, aromatic borate esters, peptides and peptide derivatives, polyols, low molecular weight carboxylic acid esters, relatively hydrophobic organic compounds [e.g., certain esters, dialkyl ethylene glycol ethers, alcohols or alcohol alkoxylates], alkyl ether carboxylates other than calcium ion sources, benzamidine hypochlorite, lower aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)serine salts; (meth)acrylic acid-(meth)acrylate copolymers and PEG; lignin compounds, polyamide oligomers, glycolic acid or its salts; polyhexamethylene biguanide or N,N-bis-3-aminopropyl dodecylamine or salts; and mixtures thereof.

[0100] Color - adjusting dyes: The detergent composition may contain fabric color - adjusters (sometimes referred to as opacifiers, bluing agents, or brightening agents). Color - adjusters typically impart a blue or purple hue to the fabric. Color - adjusters can be used alone or in combination to produce a specific color - adjusted shade and / or to color different fabric types. This can be provided, for example, by mixing red and blue - green dyes to produce a blue or purple hue. The color - adjuster can be selected from dyes of any known chemical class, including but not limited to acridine, anthraquinone (including polycyclic quinones), azine, azo (e.g., mono - azo, bis - azo, tris - azo, tetra - azo, poly - azo), including pre - metallized azo, benzodifuran and benzodifuranone, carotenoid, coumarin, cyanine, diaza - semicyanine, diphenylmethane, formazan, semicyanine, indigo - type, methane, naphthalimide, naphthoquinone, nitro and nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanine, pyrazole, stilbene, styryl, triarylmethane, triphenylmethane, xanthene, and combinations thereof.

[0101] Optical brighteners: The detergent composition may contain from 0.005% to 2.0%, preferably from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of the total detergent composition, of a fluorescent agent (optical brightener). Fluorescent agents are well - known and many are commercially available. Generally, these fluorescent agents are provided and used in the form of their alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium salts). Preferred classes of fluorescent agents are: stilbenylbiphenyl compounds such as CBS - X; diaminedistilbenedisulfonic acid compounds such as DMS pure Xtra and HRH; and pyrazoline compounds such as SN. Preferred fluorescent agents are: sodium 2 - (4 - styryl - 3 - sulfophenyl) - 2H - naphtho[1,2 - d]triazole, disodium 4,4' - bis{[(4 - anilino - 6 - (N - methyl - N - 2 - hydroxyethyl)amino - 1,3,5 - triazin - 2 - yl)]amino}stilbene - 2,2' - disulfonate, disodium 4,4' - bis{[(4 - anilino - 6 - morpholino - 1,3,5 - triazin - 2 - yl)]amino}stilbene - 2,2' - disulfonate, and disodium 4,4' - bis(2 - sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

[0102] Hydrotropes: The detergent composition may contain from 0% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 5%, more preferably from 1.0% to 3.0% by weight of the total detergent composition of a hydrotrope, which can prevent liquid crystal formation. Thus, adding a hydrotrope helps with the clarity / transparency of the composition. Suitable hydrotropes include but are not limited to urea, benzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate, or isopropylbenzenesulfonate. Preferably, the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, xylenesulfonate, ethanol, and urea to provide optimal performance.

[0103] Particles: The composition may further comprise particles, especially when the composition further comprises a structuring agent or a thickening agent. The composition may comprise from 0.02% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 4.0%, more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5% of particles, based on the weight of the total composition. The particles include beads, pearlescents, capsules, and mixtures thereof.

[0104] Suitable capsules are generally formed by at least partially, preferably completely, surrounding the beneficial agent with a wall material. Preferably, the capsules are fragrance capsules, wherein the beneficial agent comprises one or more fragrance ingredients. The capsule wall material may include: melamine, polyacrylamide, siloxane, silica, polystyrene, polyurea, polyurethane, polyacrylate-based materials, polyacrylate-based materials, gelatin, styrene maleic anhydride, polyamide, aromatic alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol, resorcinol-based materials, polyisocyanate-based materials, acetals (such as 1,3,5-triol-benzene-pentanedial and 1,3,5-triol-benzene melamine), starch, cellulose acetate phthalate, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the capsule wall comprises melamine and / or polyacrylate-based materials. The fragrance capsules may be coated with a deposition aid, a cationic polymer, a nonionic polymer, an anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the fragrance capsules have a volume-weighted median particle size of from 0.1 micrometers to 100 micrometers, preferably from 0.5 micrometers to 60 micrometers. Especially when the composition comprises capsules having a shell formed at least in part from formaldehyde, the composition may further comprise one or more formaldehyde scavengers.

[0105] Method for preparing a laundry detergent composition :

[0106] The laundry detergent composition of the present invention can be prepared by any suitable method known to those skilled in the art. Generally, the ingredients are blended together in any suitable order. Preferably, the detersive surfactant is added as part of a concentrated premix, and other optional ingredients are added to the concentrated premix. Preferably, the solvent is added last, or if an external structuring agent is added, the solvent is added immediately before the external structuring agent, and then the external structuring agent is added as the last ingredient.

[0107] Method for washing fabrics :

[0108] The laundry detergent composition of the present invention is used for washing fabrics. In such methods and uses, the laundry detergent composition may be diluted to provide a washing liquid having a total surfactant concentration of greater than 300 ppm, preferably 400 ppm to 2,500 ppm, more preferably 600 ppm to 1000 ppm. The fabric is then washed and preferably rinsed in the washing liquid.

[0109] Method

[0110] A) pH measurement :

[0111] Measure the pH at 25 °C using a Santarius PT-10P pH meter with a gel-filled probe (such as a Toledo probe, part number 52 000 100) calibrated according to the instructions. Measure the pH at a 10% dilution in deionized water (i.e., 1 part laundry detergent composition and 9 parts deionized water).

[0112] B) Viscosity measurement :

[0113] Measure the viscosity using an AR 2000 rheometer from TA instruments, with a cone-plate geometry having a 40 mm diameter and a 1° angle. Measure the viscosity at different shear rates via a logarithmic shear rate sweep from 0.1 s -1 to 1200 s -1 at 20 °C. Measure the low-shear viscosity at a continuous shear rate of 0.05 s -1 .

[0114] C) Endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity :

[0115] If the pure enzyme has a specific activity greater than 20000 EBG / g according to the following assay at pH 7.5, the enzyme is considered to have endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. The chemicals used as buffer and substrate are at least reagent-grade commercial products.

[0116] Materials for endoglucanase activity determination :

[0117] 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.5

[0118] Cellazyme C tablets, supplied by Megazyme, Bray, Ireland.

[0119] Glass microfiber filter, GF / C, 9 cm diameter, supplied by Whatman, Little Chalfont, UK.

[0120] Method :

[0121] In a test tube, mix 1 ml of pH 7.5 buffer and 5 ml of deionized water. Add 100 μl of the enzyme sample (or a dilution of the enzyme sample with a known weight:weight dilution factor). Add 1 Cellazyme C tablet to each tube, cap the tube and mix on a vortex mixer for 10 s. Place the tube in a thermostatically controlled water bath at 40 °C.

[0122] After 15, 30, and 45 minutes, mix the contents of the tube by inverting the tube and replace it in the water bath. After 60 minutes, mix the contents of the tube by inverting and then filter through a GF / C filter. Collect the filtrate in a clean tube.

[0123] Measure the absorbance (Aenz) at 590 nm using a spectrophotometer. Determine the blank value Awater by adding 100 μl instead of 100 μl of enzyme dilution.

[0124] Calculate Adelta = Aenz - Awater. Adelta must be < 0.5. If a higher result is obtained, repeat with a different enzyme dilution factor.

[0125] Determine DF 0.1 where DF 0.1 is the dilution factor required to give Adelta = 0.1.

[0126] Unit definition: One unit of endo-β-glucanase activity (1 EBG) is the amount of enzyme that gives Adelta = 0.10 under the above assay conditions. Thus, for example, if a given enzyme sample gives Adelta = 0.10 after dilution with a dilution factor of 100, the enzyme sample has an activity of 100 EBG / g.

[0127] D) Measurement of cellulase activity :

[0128] Measure the cellulose concentration in the detergent composition using a Microplate reader - MD MDSpectraMax i3.

[0129] Prepare the citrate buffer by adding 800 ml to 900 ml of deionized water to 21.000 (+ / - 0.100) g of citric acid with stirring, adjusting the pH to 5.0 using 50% sodium hydroxide solution and further adding deionized water to a volume of 1.0 L.

[0130] Add 1.0000 g ± 0.0300 g of a liquid laundry detergent composition to a 100 ml Class A volumetric flask, and dilute to volume (100 ml) with citrate buffer and mix for 15 minutes. Add 400 μL of the diluted composition to a 2 mL microcentrifuge tube, and then add 1400 μL of the AZCL-cellulose substrate while stirring continuously. Place the vial in a heating shaker at 50 °C for 20 minutes, and then centrifuge the vial at 13300 RPM for 5 minutes. Measure the absorbance of the supernatant at 590 nm without disturbing the insoluble AZCL-cellulose substrate. Cross-reference the recorded sample absorbance values with the standard absorbance to determine the cellulase concentration.

[0131] Examples

[0132] Prepare the following liquid laundry detergent compositions. Cellulase is used as a model enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. The endo-β-1,4-glucanase (cellulase) activity is measured after storage at 30 °C. The compositions in Table 1 contain 60% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the surfactant system. The compositions in Table 2 contain 45.5% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the surfactant system. The compositions in Table 3 contain 30% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the surfactant system, and are thus comparable. All compositions contain 1.5% by weight of a fatty acid.

[0133] Table 1: The inventive compositions and comparative compositions comprising 60% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the weight of the surfactant system and 1.5% by weight of a fatty acid based on the weight of the composition 。

[0134]

[0135] 1 Supplied by BASF under the trade name HP56K

[0136] 2 Elite 100L, cellulase, supplied by Novozymes

[0137] Table 2: The inventive compositions and comparative compositions comprising 45.5% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the weight of the surfactant system and 1.5% by weight of a fatty acid based on the weight of the composition 。

[0138]

[0139]

[0140] Table 3: Comparative compositions comprising 30% by weight of a sulfonate anionic surfactant based on the weight of the surfactant system and 1.5% by weight of a fatty acid based on the weight of the composition 。

[0141]

[0142] By comparing the results of Examples A, B, and C, it can be seen that increasing the weight fraction of sulfonate anionic surfactant in the anionic surfactant results in an improvement in the stability of endo-β-1,4-glucanase (cellulase). However, the stability of endo-β-1,4-glucanase is still very poor. By comparing the enzyme stabilities of endo-β-1,4-glucanase (cellulase) in Examples 1, 2, and A and Examples 3, 4, and B, it can be seen that the addition of vinyl pyrrolidone polymer results in an increase in the enzyme stability.

[0143] The stability of endo-β-1,4-glucanase can be further improved using enzyme stabilizers known in the art.

[0144] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, each such dimension is intended to represent the recited value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to represent "about 40 mm".

Claims

1. A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: a) a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system comprises an anionic surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfonate anionic surfactant, wherein the sulfonate anionic surfactant is present at a level of at least 40% by weight of the surfactant system, and wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 3.0% fatty acid by weight of the composition; b) an enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity; and c) A vinyl pyrrolidone polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl imidazole (PVP / PVI), and mixtures thereof.

2. A liquid laundry detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer is present at a level of from 0.05% to 5.0%, preferably from 0.1% to 3.0%, and more preferably from 0.2% to 1.0% by weight of the detergent composition.

3. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim wherein the vinyl pyrrolidone polymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl imidazole (PVP / PVI).

4. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition comprises the surfactant system at a level of from 2.5% to 60%, preferably from 5.0% to 25%, more preferably from 7.0% to 15% by weight of the composition.

5. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the surfactant system comprises an anionic surfactant at a level of from 2.0% to 50%, preferably from 4.0% to 25%, more preferably from 6.0% to 20.0% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

6. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim wherein the sulphonate anionic surfactant is present at a level of from 40% to 90%, more preferably from 50% to 70% by weight of the surfactant system.

7. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim wherein the sulphonate anionic surfactant is present at a level of at least 55%, preferably from 60% to 90%, more preferably from 70% to 85% by weight of the anionic surfactant.

8. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant, and the sulfonate anionic surfactant and the alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant are present in a weight ratio of 55:45 to 99:1, preferably 60:40 to 95:5, and most preferably 70:30 to 85:

15.

9. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the sulfonate anionic surfactant is selected from: alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonates, more preferably C10-C16 alkylbenzene sulfonates.

10. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition comprises from 0.0001% to 0.1%, preferably from 0.0003% to 0.08%, more preferably from 0.0004% to 0.05%, and most preferably from 0.0005% to 0.02% endo-β-1,4-glucanase by weight of the composition.

11. A laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase is a wild-type or variant of an enzyme encoded by DNA of a microbial organism selected from fungi or bacteria.

12. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase belongs to one of families 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 26, 44, 45, 48, 51, 74, 124 and 148.

13. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is a polypeptide having at least 60% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO:

6.

14. The laundry detergent composition of claim 13, wherein the enzyme having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is a polypeptide having at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, or SEQ ID NO: 6, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

15. The laundry detergent composition according to claim 14, wherein the enzyme exhibiting endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is a polypeptide having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a fragment thereof having endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity.

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