Cleaning agent

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a cleaning agent having little burden on the environment and excellent foam quality and feeling of use. [Solution] A cleaning agent comprising (A) a hydrolysate of a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum and carob gum, (B) a higher fatty acid having 12-18 carbon atoms, (C) a neutralizing agent, and (D) water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning agent. More specifically, it relates to a cleaning agent that has a small environmental load, can exhibit excellent detergency while having excellent cleaning characteristics and usability. Background Art

[0002] From the viewpoints of detergency and foaming property, in cleaning agents used for face washing etc., higher fatty acid soaps are mostly formulated. In particular, for cleaning agents used in facial foam etc., extremely fine bubbles are desired, and in order to achieve this, higher fatty acids are preferably used.

[0003] On the other hand, in order to improve the foam quality during use and the usability during or after cleaning, those who combine various additives with higher fatty acid soaps have been studied. As one of such additives, polymers containing amino groups or ammonium groups, such as acrylamide-based polymers, can be cited. Acrylamide-based polymers are useful for improving the foam quality and usability of cleaning agents, and thus, various acrylamide-based polymers have been studied and are commercially available.

[0004] However, from the viewpoint of the environmental load that has recently attracted attention, synthetic polymer compounds such as acrylamide-based polymers are considered not preferable. Therefore, cleaning agents that do not contain acrylamide-based polymers have also been studied, but for such cleaning agents, there is still a large room for improvement from the viewpoints of foam quality and usability.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-347963 Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a cleaning agent that does not contain polymers containing amino groups or ammonium groups such as acrylamide-based polymers and can impart excellent foam quality and usability.

[0009] According to the present invention, the following inventions are provided. [1]

[0011] A cleaning agent comprising:

[0012] (A1) A hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum, and locust bean gum,

[0013] (B) A higher fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms,

[0014] (C) A neutralizing agent, and

[0015] (D) Water. [2]

[0017] A cleaning agent, comprising:

[0018] (A2) Hydrolysate of starch,

[0019] (B) Higher fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms,

[0020] (C) Neutralizing agent, and

[0021] (D) Water. [3]

[0023] The cleaning agent according to [1], wherein, based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of the (A1) component is 0.5 to 10% by mass. [4]

[0025] The cleaning agent according to [2], wherein, based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of the (A2) component is 1.5 to 15% by mass. [5]

[0027] The cleaning agent according to [2] or [5], wherein the (A2) component is a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate. [6]

[0029] The cleaning agent according to any one of [2], [4] and [5], wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the (A2) component is 300 to 5000. [7]

[0031] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein, based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the total content of the (B) component and the (C) component is 2 to 60% by mass. [8]

[0033] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the (C) component is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. [9]

[0035] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the ratio [B + C] / [A] of the total content of the (B) component and the (C) component to the content of the (A1) component or the (A2) component is 3 to 70.

[10]

[0037] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to [9], further comprising (E) polyol.

[11]

[0039] The cleaning agent according to

[10] , wherein, based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of the (E) component is 5 to 50% by mass.

[12]

[0041] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to

[11] substantially does not contain a polymer containing an amino group or an ammonium group.

[13]

[0043] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to

[12] is a skin cleaning agent.

[14]

[0045] The cleaning agent according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the dosage form is paste or gel.

[0046] According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning agent with a small environmental load, excellent foam quality and usability. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0047] [Cleaning Agent]

[0048] The first cleaning agent of the present invention contains

[0049] (A1) Hydrolysates of polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum, and locust bean gum,

[0050] (B) Higher fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms,

[0051] (C) Neutralizing agent, and

[0052] (D) Water

[0053] as essential components.

[0054] In addition, the second cleaning agent of the present invention contains

[0055] (A2) Hydrolysates of starch,

[0056] (B) Higher fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms,

[0057] (C) Neutralizing agent, and

[0058] (D) Water

[0059] as essential components.

[0060] Hereinafter, each of these components will be described.

[0061] [(A) Hydrolysates of Polysaccharides]

[0062] The cleaning agent of the present invention contains a hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide (hereinafter sometimes referred to as component (A)). Moreover, the first cleaning agent of the present invention contains a hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum, and locust bean gum ((A1)), and the second cleaning agent of the present invention contains a hydrolyzate of starch. Polysaccharides are known to be of plant origin, seaweed origin, microbial origin, etc. These polysaccharides and their hydrolyzates can sometimes be used to adjust the viscosity of cleaning agents, etc. to exert a thickening effect. In the present invention, a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum, and locust bean gum or a hydrolyzate of starch, which belongs to plant-derived polysaccharides, is used. By using these specific polysaccharide hydrolyzates, excellent foam quality and usability can be achieved. In particular, the hydrolyzate of guar gum can achieve excellent effects, so it is preferred.

[0063] In addition, when guar gum, tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, or starch is used directly, that is, without hydrolysis, the thickening effect tends to become excessively large. On the other hand, even if a relatively large amount of the hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide is incorporated into the cleaning agent, the viscosity will not become excessively high, and the usability, especially the moist feeling of the skin after use, can be greatly improved.

[0064] The hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide can generally be obtained by hydrolyzing the polysaccharide. The method of hydrolysis is not particularly limited, and the hydrolyzate can be obtained by any commonly known method. For example, hydrolysis can be carried out using an acid or a base, or using an enzyme. However, in the hydrolysis using an acid or a base, the decomposition sometimes proceeds excessively. Therefore, enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain an appropriate partial decomposite is preferred.

[0065] In addition, as the hydrolyzate of starch, a sugar alcohol obtained by adding hydrogen to hydrolyzed starch can also be used. Examples of such sugar alcohols include sorbitol, maltitol, maltotriitol, maltotetraitol, and maltopentitol.

[0066] The molecular weight of the hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide can be arbitrarily selected according to the purpose. Component (A1) preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 800,000 or less, more preferably 30,000 or less. Component (A2) preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000, and ★ more preferably 500 to 2,000.

[0067] In the cleaning agent of the present invention, the content rate of component (A) is not particularly limited. Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content rate of component (A1) is preferably 0.5 to 10% by mass, more preferably 1 to 8% by mass. Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content rate of component (A1) is preferably 1.5 to 15% by mass, and ★ more preferably 2 to 10% by mass.

[0068] [(B) Higher fatty acid]

[0069] The cleaning agent of the present invention contains a higher fatty acid (hereinafter sometimes referred to as component (B)). Component (B) that can be used in the present invention can be selected from higher fatty acids commonly used as cleaning agent materials. Moreover, in the present invention, the higher fatty acid is a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and can be any of straight-chain, branched-chain, saturated, and unsaturated. In addition, it can be a monobasic acid or a polybasic acid, but the salt of the polybasic acid has a tendency to have high water solubility, but sometimes the detergency becomes low. Therefore, it is preferable to use a monobasic acid.

[0070] Specific examples of component (B) to be used include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, isomyristic acid, isopalmitic acid, and isostearic acid, and a combination of two or more of them can also be used. For example, a combination of two or more of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, or stearic acid can be used, and it is also preferable to use all four of these higher fatty acids.

[0071] [(C) Neutralizing agent]

[0072] The cleaning agent of the present invention contains a neutralizing agent (hereinafter sometimes referred to as component (C)). Component (B) is neutralized by component (C) during the manufacturing process. Examples of the base used as component (C) include inorganic bases such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, organic bases such as triethanolamine, and basic amino acids such as lysine and arginine. Among these bases, potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide is preferable, and potassium hydroxide is more preferable.

[0073] The cleaning agent of the present invention contains a higher fatty acid and a neutralizing agent. As a result, the cleaning agent contains a salt of a higher fatty acid. As the salt of the higher fatty acid formed by neutralization, potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, and potassium stearate are preferably used, and it is also preferable to contain all four of these higher fatty acid salts.

[0074] In the cleaning agent of the present invention, the higher fatty acid does not need to be completely neutralized. Instead, it is preferably not completely neutralized, and the product also contains unreacted higher fatty acid. Specifically, the neutralization rate of the higher fatty acid is preferably 60 to 90 mol%. In this case, 60 to 90 mol% of the higher fatty acid becomes a higher fatty acid base salt, and the remaining 10 to 40 mol% exists in the form of a higher fatty acid. A neutralization rate of 75 to 80 mol% is particularly preferable.

[0075] It should be noted that the cleaning agent of the present invention contains a combination of a higher fatty acid and a neutralizing agent, but a combination of a salt of a higher fatty acid and a higher fatty acid can also be used. Furthermore, a saponified product of a higher fatty acid ester can be used as part or all of them in place of the higher fatty acid salt. In these cases, it is preferable that the ratio of the higher fatty acid group to the base contained in the cleaning agent falls within the above range.

[0076] In the cleaning agent of the present invention, a higher fatty acid soap is formed by the above-mentioned component (B) and component (C). In order to achieve excellent cleaning effects, based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the total content rate of component (B) and component (C) is preferably 2 to 60% by mass, more preferably 10 to 50% by mass.

[0077] In addition, in order to balance sufficient detergency, excellent foam quality and usability, it is preferable to adjust the ratio [B + C] / [A] of the total content rate of component (B) and component (C) to the content rate of component (A1) or component (A2). In the cleaning agent of the present invention, the ratio [B + C] / [A] is preferably 3 to 70.

[0078] [(D) Water]

[0079] The cleaning agent of the present invention contains water (hereinafter sometimes referred to as component (D)) in addition to the above components. As the water, water used in cleaning agents, quasi-drugs, etc. can be used. For example, purified water, ion-exchanged water, tap water, etc. can be used.

[0080] [(E) Polyhydric alcohol]

[0081] The cleaning agent of the present invention takes the above components (A) to (D) as essential components, but may further contain a polyhydric alcohol (hereinafter sometimes referred to as component (E)). Component (E) can generally impart a moisturizing effect, etc. to the cleaning agent. In the present invention, in addition to the moisturizing effect, it also exhibits the effect of improving the stability of the cleaning agent.

[0082] As the polyhydric alcohol, it can be arbitrarily selected and used from those that can be used in ordinary cleaning agents. Specifically, examples include:

[0083] Dihydric alcohols (such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, tetramethylene glycol, 2,3-butanediol, pentamethylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, hexanediol, octanediol, etc.);

[0084] Trihydric alcohols (such as glycerol, trimethylolpropane, etc.);

[0085] Tetrahydric alcohols (such as pentaerythritol such as 1,2,6-hexanetriol, etc.);

[0086] Pentahydric alcohols (such as xylitol, etc.);

[0087] Hexahydric alcohols (such as sorbitol, mannitol, etc.); and

[0088] Polyhydric alcohol polymers (such as diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyglycerol, etc.)

[0089] etc. In addition, polyol alkyl ethers, polyol ether esters, sugar alcohols, etc. can also be used. Among these, glycerin or dipropylene glycol is preferred. In addition, two or more of these polyols can be used in combination.

[0090] The content rate of the component (E) in the cleaning agent of the present invention is not particularly limited. Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, it is preferably 5 to 50% by mass, more preferably 10 to 40% by mass. By making the polyol within this range, the stability of the cleaning agent is improved, and a high moisturizing effect can also be achieved.

[0091] [Other components]

[0092] In addition to the above components, the cleaning agent of the present invention can contain any other components within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention according to the purpose. Examples of such optional components include components commonly formulated in cleaning agents such as pharmaceuticals, surfactants, brighteners, gelling agents, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, pigments, food flavorings, protein derivatives, etc. It should be noted that polymers containing amino groups or ammonium groups such as acrylamide-based polymers used in the improvement of the foam quality and the improvement of the usability of conventional cleaning agents have a relatively large environmental load. Therefore, in the cleaning agent of the present invention, in order to reduce the environmental load, it is preferably substantially free of acrylamide-based polymers, and particularly preferably the content is zero.

[0093] As pharmaceuticals, components commonly used in cleaning agents such as vitamin C-based, vitamin E-based, amino acid-based, crude drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, and bactericides can be formulated.

[0094] As surfactants, any surfactants commonly formulated in cleaning agents can be used. For example, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, etc. can be cited.

[0095] The usage form of the cleaning agent of the present invention is not particularly limited. It has excellent feel when applied to human skin and also has a high cleaning effect on the skin. Therefore, it is particularly suitable as a cleaning agent for human skin. In addition, the dosage form is not limited either. It can be in the form of a paste, gel, etc., and it is preferably used after foaming. Typically, a facial foam dosage form is preferred. However, the cleaning agent of the present invention is not limited to such a dosage form and usage form, and can also adopt any other dosage forms such as solution form, emulsion form, etc., and the usage form can also be used for, for example, shampoo, rinse in shampoo, body wash, etc.

[0096] Examples

[0097] The present invention will be specifically described based on the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise specified, the content is expressed as mass% relative to the total amount.

[0098] [Examples 1 to 14, Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and Reference Examples 1 to 2]

[0099] Cleaning agents of Examples 1 to 14, Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and Reference Examples 1 to 2 were prepared according to the formulations shown in Table 1.

[0100] [Evaluation]

[0101] For the cleaning agents of each example, evaluations were carried out based on the following criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0102] [Foam quality]

[0103] Regarding the foam quality of the facial cleansers of each example, an actual use test was carried out based on the following evaluation criteria according to the evaluations of 3 professional evaluation team members.

[0104] A: The foam quality is very good

[0105] B: The foam quality is good

[0106] C: The foam quality is poor

[0107] [Moist feeling]

[0108] Regarding the moist feeling after cleaning with the facial cleansers of each example, an actual use test was carried out based on the following evaluation criteria according to the evaluations of 3 professional evaluation team members.

[0109] A: It has a very moist feeling

[0110] B: It has a moist feeling

[0111] C: It has no moist feeling

[0112] [Table 1]

[0113] Table 1

[0114]

[0115] [Table 2]

[0116] Table 2

[0117]

[0118] *1: Acrylamide-based polymer obtained from acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride

[0119] N / A: A uniform cleaning agent could not be obtained for Comparative Example 3, and evaluation could not be carried out.

[0120] As can be seen from the above results, the cleaning agent containing the hydrolyzate of polysaccharides has a small environmental load, and excellent foam quality and usability. It should be noted that in Examples 13 and 14, excellent characteristics were shown for foam quality and usability, but there was a tendency for slightly poor stability as a cleaning agent.

Claims

1. A cleaning agent, comprising: (A1) a hydrolyzate of a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of guar gum, tamarind seed gum, and carob gum, (B) a higher fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, (C) a neutralizing agent, and (D) water.

2. A cleaning agent, comprising: (A2) a hydrolyzate of starch, (B) a higher fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, (C) a neutralizing agent, and (D) water.

3. The cleaning agent according to claim 1, wherein, Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of component (A1) is 0.5 to 10% by mass.

4. The cleaning agent according to claim 2, wherein, Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of component (A2) is 1.5 to 15% by mass.

5. The cleaning agent according to claim 2 or 4, wherein, Component (A2) is a hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate.

6. The cleaning agent according to claim 2 or 4, wherein The weight-average molecular weight of component (A2) is 300 to 5000.

7. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the total content of component (B) and component (C) is 2 to 60% by mass.

8. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Component (C) is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.

9. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The ratio [B + C] / [A] of the total content of component (B) and component (C) to the content of component (A1) or component (A2) is 3 to 70.

10. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising (E) a polyol.

11. The cleaning agent according to claim 10, wherein, Based on the total mass of the cleaning agent, the content of component (E) is 5 to 50% by mass.

12. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, substantially free of a polymer containing an amino group or an ammonium group.

13. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, which is a skin cleaning agent.

14. The cleaning agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The dosage form is paste-like or gel-like.

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