Fluorescent whitening agent

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluorescent whitening agent (OBA) comprising a nonionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorophore (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region. Also disclosed is a fabric treatment composition comprising: the OBA and a surfactant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to optical brightening agents (OBAs), and more particularly to polysaccharide-based optical brightening agents and fabric treatment compositions containing such OBAs. Background Art

[0002] Laundry detergent formulations include optical brightening agents (OBAs) to improve the whiteness of laundered fabrics. OBAs with improved biodegradability are highly desirable. However, while OBAs with a certain level of biodegradability are known, these OBAs exhibit instability and poor affinity for substrates.

[0003] Despite the existing technology, there is still a need to provide improved optical brightening agents (OBAs).

[0004] The inventors have surprisingly found that linking a fluorophore to certain non-ionic polysaccharides provides OBAs with improved affinity for fabric substrates. The inventors have found that these compounds in combination with certain surfactants provide improved performance with respect to fabrics. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a fabric treatment composition comprising:

[0006] a. an optical brightening agent (OBA) comprising a non-ionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorophore (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region; and

[0007] b. a surfactant.

[0008] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an optical brightening agent (OBA) comprising a non-ionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorophore (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region.

[0009] The non-ionic polysaccharides of the present invention provide improved optical brightening agents (OBAs) by allowing improved compatibility with ionic cleaning formulations (i.e., containing ionic (e.g., anionic or cationic) detergents and cationic rinse conditioners).

[0010] Furthermore, in the absence of any additional deposition aids, the non-ionic polysaccharides exhibit improved deposition on fabrics.

[0011] As used herein, "non-ionic" means that the polysaccharide is ionically neutral and, once assembled in the OBA, does not include charged groups bonded to the native functional groups of the polysaccharide other than the linkage to the (FG).

[0012] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a fabric, the method comprising the step of treating the fabric with the composition of the first aspect, for example by adding the fabric treatment composition to water to form a wash liquor and treating the fabric with said wash liquor.

[0013] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a fabric treatment composition, the method comprising the step of including the OBA and surfactant of the present invention in the fabric treatment composition.

[0014] Fluorescent group (FG)

[0015] The FG has an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region, i.e. preferably in the range of 420 - 470 nm and more preferably in the range of 435 - 450 nm.

[0016] The fluorescent group preferably comprises a mono - or poly - cyclic ring system, at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, and conjugated double bonds.

[0017] Preferably, the heteroatom is present in the ring structure or as a ring substituent.

[0018] Preferably, the heteroatom is selected from N and O.

[0019] Advantageously, the fluorescent group (FG) contains at least one nitrogen or oxygen atom, and in addition, the fluorescent group (FG) may further contain one or more other heteroatoms selected from O and S or N and S respectively.

[0020] In particular, the OBA of the present invention can be prepared by esterifying a polysaccharide with a reactive compound to form a compound of the following formula:

[0021] PS - O - FG,

[0022] where FG is a fluorescent group and PS is a polysaccharide backbone, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown.

[0023] The FG preferably comprises a mono - or poly - cyclic ring system, at least one nitrogen atom or oxygen atom, and conjugated double bonds.

[0024] The ring system may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from aryl (e.g. phenyl), heteroaryl (e.g. pyridyl), and aryl rings substituted by halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C1 - 3 - alkyl, C1 - 3 - haloalkyl, C1 - 3 - alkoxy and SO2.

[0025] Linkage

[0026] Preferably, the (FG) is linked to the non - ionic polysaccharide by a linkage. The linkage may comprise any chemical group resulting from the formation of a bond with a functional group of the FG, which functional group of the FG is capable of forming a bond with the natural functional group of the polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0027] FG is preferably bonded to any natural hydroxyl group of the polysaccharide repeating unit through a linking group. The hydroxyl group can include any natural hydroxyl group of the sugar ring of the polysaccharide backbone or any hydroxyl group pendant from the backbone.

[0028] Preferably, the bonding includes an ester bond or an amide bond.

[0029] The bonding can be selected from -C(O)(CH2) m -, -C(S)(CH2) m -, -O(CH2) m -, OCH2CH(OH)(CH2) m -, C(O)O(CH2) m -, C(S)O(CH2) m -, C(O)NH(CH2) m -, C(S)NH(CH2) m -, C(O)Ph-, C(S)Ph-, -Ph-, -C(O)OPh-, -C(S)OPh-, -C(O)NHPh- and -C(S)NHPh-, where m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably 0 - 3, more preferably 0 - 1, and most preferably 0.

[0030] Highly preferred bondings include ester or amide groups, and most preferably include -C(O)-O-, i.e., a direct ester bond between FG and the polysaccharide, and / or -C(O)-NH-, i.e., a direct amide bond (i.e., where m = 0).

[0031] FG can be prepared by any suitable technique, for example, a fluorescent group can be grafted onto PS.

[0032] Preferably, FG contains no more than four, more preferably no more than three, even more preferably no more than two, and most preferably no more than one cyclic moiety.

[0033] Advantageously, the OBA of the present invention includes only a single cyclic moiety.

[0034] The single cyclic moiety may not include a thiazole structure.

[0035] The single cyclic moiety may not include a pyridine structure.

[0036] The single cyclic moiety may not include one or more of the following structures:

[0037]

[0038] Preferably, FG used for preparing OBA contains a carboxyl group and / or an amide group. Such functional groups can react with, for example, the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide to produce corresponding ester or amide bonds in the resulting OBA.

[0039] Preferably, the FG for preparing the OBA comprises a carboxyl- or amide-functionalized cyclic moiety.

[0040] Preferably, the FG for preparing the OBA comprises an aminobenzoate moiety. More preferably, the FG comprises 2-aminobenzoate.

[0041] Even more preferably, the FG comprises an anthranilate moiety.

[0042] The anthranilate moiety may be linked to a carbon atom preferably in the ring of the polysaccharide sugar residue. Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the FG comprises an ester of 2-aminobenzoic acid (anthranilic acid) and its N-alkyl derivatives, such as 2-(methylamino)benzoic acid (N-methylanthranilic acid or MANT), which has the following structure:

[0043]

[0044] Thus, the OBA of the present invention may be a compound of the following formula:

[0045]

[0046] Wherein:

[0047] PS is the polysaccharide backbone, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown.

[0048] The OBA containing MANT is preferably prepared using an N-methylisatoic anhydride (MANT) precursor having the following formula:

[0049]

[0050] The general reaction scheme is as follows (where PS is the polysaccharide and OH is the natural functional group of PS):

[0051]

[0052] Alternatively, the starting material for the FG includes any aminobenzoate, such as methyl 2-aminobenzoate (methyl anthranilate) having the following structure:

[0053]

[0054] Alternatively, the FG may comprise a moiety having the following structure:

[0055]

[0056] Wherein:

[0057] PS is the polysaccharide backbone, with only one substituent of each substituent type shown.

[0058] Coumarin substitutions that enable binding to the polysaccharide can include carboxyl functional groups such as carboxylic acids or acyl chlorides to allow for the formation of esters, for example, with the natural hydroxyl groups on non-ionic polysaccharides. Substitutions at the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 positions are possible, with 3- and 7-derivatives being preferred. The coumarin ring can also preferably be substituted with electron-donating substituents (e.g., at the 7-position) to increase fluorescence intensity - such as hydroxyl, methyl, methoxy, NH2, NR2, where R is an alkyl group such as methyl or ethyl.

[0059] Such structures can be referred to as coumarins or are considered to belong to the lactone class called benzopyranones.

[0060] Thus, the OBAs of the present invention can be compounds of the following formula:

[0061]

[0062] In a further example, the natural functional group, FG, and the linkage form a group O-FG of the following formula:

[0063]

[0064] where

[0065] m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably 0 - 3, more preferably 0 - 1, and most preferably 0; and Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf are each independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano, C1-3 alkyl, C1-3 haloalkyl, C1-3 alkoxy, and SO2, preferably each selected from H or methyl, and more preferably each is H.

[0066] Thus, the OBAs of the present invention can be compounds of the following formula:

[0067]

[0068] where

[0069] m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably 0 - 3, more preferably 0 - 1, and most preferably 0; and Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf are each independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano, C1-3 alkyl, C1-3 haloalkyl, C1-3 alkoxy, and SO2, preferably each selected from H or methyl, and more preferably each is H.

[0070] Thus, the OBA can be a compound of the following formula:

[0071]

[0072] where

[0073] PS is a polysaccharide, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown;

[0074] m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 3, more preferably from 0 to 1, and most preferably 0; and Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re and Rf are each independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C 1-3 -alkyl, C 1-3 -haloalkyl, C 1-3 -alkoxy and SO2, preferably each being H.

[0075] The OBA may comprise a compound of the formula:

[0076]

[0077] wherein

[0078] PS is a polysaccharide showing only one substituent of each substituent type; m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 3, more preferably from 0 to 1, and most preferably 0.

[0079] In another advantageous example, the natural functional group (F), FG and the linkage form a group O-FG of the formula:

[0080]

[0081] wherein:

[0082] m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 3, more preferably from 0 to 1, and most preferably 0; and

[0083] R 10 is H or C 1-3 alkyl; and

[0084] Ar is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably pyridyl, which is optionally substituted one or more times by a group selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-haloalkyl, C1-3-alkoxy and SO2.

[0085] Accordingly, the OBA may be a compound of the formula:

[0086]

[0087] wherein

[0088] PS is a polysaccharide, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown; m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 3, more preferably from 0 to 1, and most preferably 0; and

[0089] R 10 is H or C 1-3 alkyl; and

[0090] Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group, preferably a pyridyl group, which is optionally substituted one or more times with a group selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-haloalkyl, C1-3-alkoxy and SO2.

[0091] Preferably, the OBA may be a compound of the following formula:

[0092]

[0093] where

[0094] PS is a polysaccharide, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown;

[0095] Advantageously, the OBA is a compound of the following formula:

[0096]

[0097] where

[0098] PS is a polysaccharide, and only one substituent of each substituent type is shown;

[0099] m is an integer from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 3, more preferably from 0 to 1, most preferably 0; and

[0100] R 10 is H or C 1-3 alkyl; and

[0101] Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group, preferably a pyridyl group, which is optionally substituted one or more times with a group selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-haloalkyl, C1-3-alkoxy and SO2.

[0102] Nonionic polysaccharide

[0103] The nonionic polysaccharide can be linear or branched.

[0104] The nonionic polysaccharide can be a modified nonionic polysaccharide (i.e., a polysaccharide that remains nonionic after modification, i.e., it does not contain charged groups bonded to the natural functional groups of the polysaccharide).

[0105] Specifically, the OBA of the present invention comprises a nonionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorescent agent and the structure does not include, for example, additional anionic or cationic groups such as a tertiary amine moiety.

[0106] The nonionic polysaccharide may include branched or unbranched materials having a β-1,4-main chain and branched or unbranched materials having a β-1,3-linked main chain.

[0107] Preferably, the nonionic polysaccharide polymer comprises branched and unbranched materials having a β-1,4-main chain.

[0108] The polysaccharides useful in the present invention may suitably be selected from polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose. Such polysaccharides may be naturally occurring or synthetic and may have an inherent affinity for cellulose or may be derivatized or otherwise modified to have an affinity for cellulose. Suitable polysaccharides have a 1-4 linked β-glycan (broad sense sugar) backbone structure having at least 4, preferably at least 10, backbone residues which are β1-4 linked, such as a glucan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked glucose residues), a mannan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked mannose residues) or a xylan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked xylose residues). Preferred β1-4 linked polysaccharides include xyloglucan, glucomannan, mannan, galactomannan, β(1-3),(1-4) glucan and the xylan family including glucurono-, arabino- and glucuronoarabinoxylan.

[0109] More preferably, the deposition aid comprises xyloglucan or galactomannan.

[0110] Preferred polysaccharides are selected from xyloglucans of plant origin, such as pea xyloglucan and tamarind xyloglucan (TXG) (which has a β1-4 linked glucan backbone and side chains of α-D-xylopyranose and β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-D-xylopyranose, both 1-6 linked to the backbone); and galactomannans of plant origin, such as locust bean gum (LBG) (which has a mannan backbone of β1-4 linked mannose residues and a single unit galactose side chain 1-6 linked to the backbone), guar gum and tara gum.

[0111] Highly preferred is xyloglucan.

[0112] Modified polysaccharides may also be used to prepare the OBAs of the present invention; including derivatives of the above polysaccharides.

[0113] Also suitable are polysaccharides which upon hydrolysis yield an affinity for cellulose, such as cellulose monoacetate; or modified polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG), hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose (HEC), methyl cellulose (MC).

[0114] Optionally or additionally, the polysaccharide may include dextran. Dextran is an α-D-1,6-glucose linked glucan, with side chains 1-3 linked to the main chain units of the dextran biopolymer. Preferably, the degree of branching is about 5%. The side chains are mainly 1-2 glucose units in length. Surprisingly, α1-6 polysaccharides should show any affinity for cellulose and polyester. Preferably, the molecular weight of the dextran is higher than 5 kD, more preferably higher than 10 kD, and most preferably higher than 20 kD.

[0115] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be suitable.

[0116] The polysaccharides used in the present invention generally have a weight average molecular weight (M w ) in the range of about 5 kDa to about 2,000 kDa, preferably about 10 kDa to about 1,800,500 kDa, more preferably about 20 kDa to about 1,600 kDa.

[0117] In the case of non-ionic polysaccharides, the natural functional groups are preferably hydroxyl groups, and the degree of substitution is preferably in the range of 1 to 4.

[0118] Preferably, the non-ionic polysaccharide is substituted with a fluorescent group (FG) with a degree of substitution (DS1) of at least 0.001 to 1.5, preferably at least 0.002, more preferably 0.005 to 0.25.

[0119] As used herein and hereinafter, "degree of substitution (DS)" refers to the extent to which the natural functional groups of the polysaccharide repeating unit are replaced by a designated substituent (i.e., the fluorescent group (FG)). This average value represents the number of functionalized natural functional groups with respect to the indicated substituent. The degree of substitution is determined by elemental analysis and can be further confirmed by other typical methods used in polysaccharide analysis (such as NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and various other methods).

[0120] Natural functional groups

[0121] The natural functional groups can include any functional groups of the polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0122] Preferably, the natural functional groups are hydroxyl groups.

[0123] "Natural" means the -OH groups present in the polysaccharide before combination with the FG.

[0124] The natural functional groups can be on the polysaccharide backbone or on any side chain or branched side group (if present).

[0125] Preferably, the linkage is achieved by reacting the (FG) with the functional groups (such as hydroxyl groups) of the non-ionic polysaccharide repeating unit, for example, by esterification or etherification reactions.

[0126] The OBA of the present invention can be obtained in a manner known per se, in particular by functionalizing a polysaccharide with a reactive compound, thereby forming a compound of formula (I).

[0127] PS-N-FG(I)

[0128] wherein

[0129] each N is a residue of any natural functional group of a repeating unit (e.g., main chain or side chain) of the polysaccharide; and

[0130] PS is a polysaccharide, and for simplicity, only one substituent of each substituent type is shown;

[0131] Definitions

[0132] As used herein, the following terms are defined as follows:

[0133] "A" and "an" are to be understood to mean one or more of the claimed or described things.

[0134] "Alkyl" refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain monovalent hydrocarbon group having the specified number of carbon atoms. The alkyl group can be unsubstituted or substituted with substituents that do not interfere with the specified function of the composition, and can be substituted one or two times with the same or different groups. Substituents can include, for example, alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, alkyl-substituted amino, nitro, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbonyloxy, cyano, methylsulfonylamino, or halogen. Examples of "alkyl" include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, 3-methylpentyl, etc.

[0135] In the context of the present invention, "detergent composition" refers to a cleaning composition that typically contains a detersive surfactant and optionally other treatment ingredients, and is intended for and capable of treating a fabric substrate as defined herein. The phrases "detergent composition" and "cleaning composition" can be used interchangeably, and include compositions and formulations designed to clean soiled materials. Such compositions include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry pre-wash compositions, laundry pretreatment agents, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning compositions or agents, laundry rinse additives, wash additives, post-rinse fabric treatment agents, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions can be used as pre-wash treatments, post-wash treatments, or can be added during the rinse or wash cycle of a washing operation.

[0136] In the context of the present invention, a "detergent surfactant" refers to a surfactant that provides a detergency (i.e., cleaning) effect to a substrate (such as a fabric) being treated as part of a household process (such as a washing process).

[0137] "Liquid" means that the continuous phase or the major part of the composition is liquid and the composition is flowable at 15 °C and above. Thus, the term "liquid" can encompass emulsions, suspensions, and compositions with a flowable but stiffer consistency, known as gels or pastes, foams, and mousses. Non-limiting examples of liquids include light-duty and heavy-duty liquid detergent compositions, fabric softeners, detergent gels commonly used in laundry, bleaches, and laundry additives. Gases (such as suspended bubbles) or solids (such as particles) can be included within the liquid.

[0138] The "optical brightening agent (OBA)" used herein and hereinafter refers to a compound also known as an optical brightener, which improves the visual appearance or optical properties, such as whiteness and / or brightness, of the material to which it is applied. The fluorophore of the OBA absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the incident light and emits it as blue visible light. As a result, the material treated with the OBA is perceived as whiter. The optical brightening agent improves the whiteness and / or optical brightness of the material to which it is applied compared to the same material without the said optical brightening agent.

[0139] "Polymer" refers to a macromolecule containing repeating units, wherein the macromolecule has a molecular weight of at least 1000 daltons. The polymer can be a homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, etc.

[0140] "Substantially free" or "essentially free" means that a component is completely absent as an impurity or an unintended by-product of another component or is present only in minimal amounts. A composition that is "substantially free" of a component means that the composition contains less than 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% or even 0% by weight of the composition of that component.

[0141] When used in connection with the present invention, a "substrate" is a fabric. Fabric substrates include clothing, linens, and other household textiles, etc. In the context of fabrics, the term "linens" is used to describe certain types of laundry items, including sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths, napkins, and uniforms, and the term "textiles" can include woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics, and fabrics can include natural or synthetic fibers, such as silk fibers, linen fibers, cotton fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers such as nylon, rayon, acrylic fibers, acetate fibers, and their blends, including cotton and polyester blends, and fabrics that are elastic and / or contain elastic fibers.

[0142] "Fabric treatment composition" refers to any type of treatment composition and may include, but is not limited to, liquid cleaning and disinfecting laundry cleaning compositions, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry pretreatment or pre-washing compositions, laundry pretreatment compositions, laundry additives (e.g., rinse additives, wash additives, etc.), post-rinse fabric treatment compositions, dryer compositions, dry cleaning compositions, ironing aids, etc. All such applicable products can be in standard, concentrated or even highly concentrated forms, even to the extent that such products can be non-aqueous in some aspects.

[0143] In the context of treating substrates, especially fabrics, "treatment" can include cleaning, washing, conditioning, lubricating, caring, softening, easy ironing, anti-wrinkle, scenting, pilling removal, restoration (including color restoration), soaking, substrate pretreatment, bleaching, color treatment, soil removal, stain removal and any combination thereof. The optical brighteners of the present invention can be used as part of any such treatment.

[0144] "Unit dose" means an amount of the composition suitable for treating one laundry load, e.g., for example, from about 0.05 g to about 100 g, or from 10 g to about 60 g, or from about 20 g to about 40 g. Unit dose products can be in the form of tablets, sachets, sheets, fibrous articles or polymer film packages or capsules containing the composition. Such sachets typically include a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol water-soluble film, which at least partially encapsulates the composition. Suitable films are available from MonoSol, LLC (Indiana, USA).

[0145] Multi-compartment sachets can have at least two, at least three or at least four compartments.

[0146] Multi-compartment sachets can include compartments that are side-by-side and / or stacked. The compositions contained in the sachet or its compartments can be liquid, solid (such as powder) or a combination thereof.

[0147] "Water-soluble" means that the article (film or package) dissolves in water at 20 °C.

[0148] Unless otherwise stated, all component or composition contents are based on the active part of the component or composition and do not include impurities that may be present in commercial sources of such components or compositions, such as residual solvents or by-products.

[0149] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise stated, each such dimension is intended to represent the recited value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a value disclosed as "50 microns" is intended to represent "about 50 microns".

[0150] Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios are by weight. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios are based on the total composition. It should be understood that each maximum numerical limit given throughout the specification includes each lower numerical limit, as if such lower numerical limits were expressly written herein. Each minimum numerical limit given throughout this specification will include each higher numerical limit, as if such higher numerical limits were expressly recited herein. Each numerical range given throughout this specification will include each narrower numerical range falling within such broader numerical ranges, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly recited herein.

[0151] The relevant portions of all cited patents and other documents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully restated herein. The citation of any patent or other document is not an admission that the cited patent or other document is prior art with respect to the present invention.

[0152] OBA level

[0153] Preferably, the substrate treatment composition comprises 0.01 to 10% by weight of the OBA of the present invention.

[0154] Product form

[0155] The composition can take any suitable form, including liquid or solid, and can include unit dose formulations, such as compositions encapsulated within a water-soluble polymer film, delayed delivery formulations, dilutable formulations, compositions on or within a porous matrix or nonwoven sheet, liquids for bulk storage in an automatic dosing washing machine, and other suitable forms. Dilutable means that the consumer can purchase a concentrated product and bring the concentrate home, where it can be diluted for use.

[0156] Liquid composition

[0157] A "liquid" composition has a continuous phase or major portion of the composition in liquid form and is flowable at 15 °C and above. Thus, the term "liquid" can include emulsions, suspensions, and compositions having a flowable but stiffer consistency, referred to as gels or pastes.

[0158] The liquid composition may contain 10 - 80% by weight of water, but this depends on the surfactant content.

[0159] Automatic dosing

[0160] The liquid can be provided in a bulk storage container, typically for an automatic dosing washing machine. The bulk storage container holds multiple doses (i.e., for multiple wash cycles), preferably 80 ml - 3000 ml of the liquid. A typical example of such a machine can be found in EP - A - 3 071 742 (Electrolux). The bulk storage container can be provided as a pre - filled cartridge, or the consumer can buy the liquid, for example, in a sachet and then empty the contents into the bulk storage container of the washing machine.

[0161] Solid composition

[0162] The solid composition can take a variety of physical solid forms, including forms such as powders, granules, strips, fines, pastes, tablets, flakes, lozenges, and bars, and preferably, the composition is in the form of a powder, granule, or tablet. The solid composition can preferably be in a form selected from powders, unit doses or sachet forms, tablets, bars, or flakes.

[0163] The solid composition preferably has a density greater than 350 g / l, more preferably greater than 450 g / l or even greater than 570 g / l. The solid laundry detergent composition according to the invention is preferably free - flowing. Preferably, the composition is used for washing fabrics using a manual washing method. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is a solid laundry detergent composition. Preferably, the composition is in the form of a spray - dried powder or a free - flowing granular form.

[0164] Surfactant

[0165] The composition according to the invention can comprise a surfactant or a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant can be selected from non - ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, semi - polar non - ionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

[0166] Surfactant level

[0167] Based on the weight of the composition, the composition of the present invention preferably comprises 0.1 wt% to 70 wt%, more preferably 2 wt% to 60 wt%, 1 wt% to 50 wt% or 5 wt% to about 40 wt% or 4 wt% to 30 wt% of (total) surfactant.

[0168] Anionic surfactant

[0169] Preferably, the composition comprises anionic surfactants, such as sulfonate and sulfate surfactants, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and alkyl ether sulfates. The alkyl chain is preferably C10 - C18. Alkyl ether sulfates are also known as alcohol ether sulfates.

[0170] Typically used in laundry liquid compositions are C12-C14 alkyl ether sulfates, which have a straight or branched alkyl group containing 12 to 14 carbon atoms (C12-14) and contain on average 1 to 3 EO units per molecule. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), in which predominantly the C12 lauryl alkyl group is ethoxylated with an average of 3 EO units per molecule.

[0171] The anionic surfactant is preferably added to the detergent composition in the form of a salt. Preferred cations are alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium. However, the salt form of the anionic surfactant can be formed in situ by neutralizing the acid form of the surfactant with a base such as sodium hydroxide or an amine such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine. The weight ratio is calculated for the protonated form of the surfactant.

[0172] In the anionic and non-ionic surfactants, the ethoxy units can be partially replaced by propoxy units.

[0173] Other examples of suitable anionic surfactants are rhamnolipids, α-olefin sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkene sulfonates, alkane-2,3-diyl bis(sulfates), hydroxyalkane sulfonates and disulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates (FAS), paraffin sulfonates, ester sulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid glycerides, methyl ester sulfonates alkyl- or alkenyl-succinic, dodecenyl / tetradecenyl succinic acid (DTSA), fatty acid derivatives of amino acids, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM's), citric acid esters of monostearic acid glycerides (CITREM's) and diesters and monoesters of sulfosuccinic acid.

[0174] C16 and / or C18 alcohol ether sulfate

[0175] Preferably, the composition comprises an alkyl ether sulfate anionic surfactant. Preferably, the alkyl ether sulfate contains 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0176] C12-based alkyl ether sulfates are well documented and can be present in any amount from 1 to 30 wt% of the composition. However, further preferred ether sulfates have the following formula:

[0177] R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3H

[0178] Wherein R2 is selected from saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated straight-chain C16 and C18 alkyl chains, and wherein p is from 3 to 20, preferably from 4 to 12, more preferably from 5 to 10. The mono-unsaturation is preferably at the 9-position of the chain, where the carbon is counted from the chain end to which the ethoxylate is attached. The double bond may be in the cis or trans configuration (oleyl or elaidyl), but is preferably cis. The cis or trans ether sulfate CH3(CH2)7-CH=CH-(CH2)8O-(OCH2CH2) n SO3H is described as a C18:1(Δ9) ether sulfate. This follows the nomenclature CX:Y(ΔZ), where X is the number of carbons in the chain, Y is the number of double bonds, and ΔZ is the position of the double bond on the chain, where the carbon is counted from the chain end to which the OH is attached.

[0179] Preferably, R2 is selected from saturated C16, saturated C18 and mono-unsaturated C18. More preferably, the saturated C16 is a straight-chain alkyl having at least 90% by weight of C16 content. With respect to the C18 content, it is preferred that the major C18 moiety is C18:1, more preferably C18:1(Δ9). Preferably, the proportion of mono-unsaturated C18 accounts for at least 50% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants.

[0180] More preferably, the proportion of mono-unsaturated C18 accounts for at least 60% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants, most preferably at least 75% by weight.

[0181] Preferably, the C16 alcohol ethoxylate surfactant accounts for at least 2% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants, and more preferably 4% by weight.

[0182] Preferably, the saturated C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant accounts for at most 20% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants, more preferably at most 11% by weight. Preferably, the saturated C18 content is at least 2% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate content.

[0183] In the case where the composition comprises a mixture of C16 / 18 source materials for the alkyl ether sulfate and more conventional C12 alkyl chain length materials, it is preferred that the total C16 / 18 alkyl ether sulfate content should account for at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 50% by weight, even more preferably at least 70% by weight, particularly preferably at least 90% by weight, and most preferably at least 95% by weight of the total alkyl ether sulfate in the composition.

[0184] Ether sulfates are discussed in Anionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, edited by Helmut W. Stache and published by CRC Press in the Surfactant Science Series (Marcel Dekker, 1995).

[0185] Straight-chain saturated or monounsaturated C20 and C22 ether sulfates may also be present.

[0186] Preferably, the sum of "C18 ether sulfates" / the weight fraction of "C20 and C22 ether sulfates" is greater than 10.

[0187] Preferably, C16 and C18 ether sulfates contain less than 15% by weight, more preferably less than 8% by weight, most preferably less than 4% by weight, and most preferably less than 2% by weight of polyunsaturated ether sulfates. Polyunsaturated ether sulfates contain a hydrocarbon chain with two or more double bonds.

[0188] Ether sulfates can be synthesized by sulfonation of the corresponding alcohol ethoxylates. Alcohol ethoxylates can be prepared by ethoxylation of alkyl alcohols. The alkyl alcohols used to produce alcohol ethoxylates can be produced by transesterification of triglycerides to methyl esters followed by distillation and hydrogenation to alcohols. This process is discussed in the Journal of American Oil Chemists' Society by Kreutzer, U.R., 61(2):343 - 348. Preferred alkyl alcohols for the reaction are oleyl alcohols with an iodine value of 60 to 80, preferably 70 to 75, and such alcohols are available from BASF, Cognis, and Ecogreen.

[0189] The polyunsaturation in the surfactant can be controlled by hydrogenation of triglycerides, as described in A Practical Guide to Vegetable Oil Processing (Gupta M.K., Academic Press, 2017). Distillation and other purification techniques can be used.

[0190] The ethoxylation reaction is described in Non-Ionic Surfactant Organic Chemistry (edited by N.M. van), Surfactant Science Series Volume 72, CRC Press.

[0191] Preferably, the ethoxylation reaction is base catalyzed using NaOH, KOH or NaOCH3. Even more preferred are catalysts that provide a narrower ethoxyl distribution than NaOH, KOH or NaOCH3. Preferably, these narrower distribution catalysts involve Group II bases such as barium dodecanoate; Group II metal alkoxides; Group II hydrotalcites as described in WO2007 / 147866. Lanthanides may also be used. Such narrower distribution alcohol ethoxylates are available from Azo Nobel and Sasol.

[0192] Preferably, the narrow ethoxyl distribution has more than 70 wt. %, more preferably more than 80 wt. % in R2-O-(CH2CH2O) z SO3H to R2-O-(CH2CH2O) w Ether sulfates in the range of SO3H R2-O-(CH2CH2O) q SO3H, wherein q is the molar average degree of ethoxylation, and x and y are absolute numbers, wherein z=pp / 2, and w=p+p / 2. For example, when p=6, then more than 70% by weight of the ether sulfates should consist of ether sulfates having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ethoxy groups.

[0193] Ether sulfate weight is calculated based on the protonated form: R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3H. In the formulation, it will be in the ionic form R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3- is present together with the corresponding counter ion, preferably the counter ion is a Group I and II metal, an amine, and most preferably sodium.

[0194] Methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE)

[0195] Preferred methyl ester ethoxylate surfactants are in the form of:

[0196] R3(-C=O)-O-(CH2CH2-O) n -CH3

[0197] Where R3COO is the fatty acid moiety, such as oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid. Fatty acid nomenclature describes the fatty acid by using two numbers, A:B, where A is the number of carbons in the fatty acid and B is the number of double bonds it contains. For example, oleic acid is 18:1, stearic acid is 18:0, and palmitic acid is 16:0. The position of the double bond on the chain can be given in parentheses, oleic acid is 18:1 (9), linoleic acid is 18:2 (9, 12), where 9 is the carbon number starting from the COOH end.

[0198] The integer n is the molar average ethoxylate number.

[0199] Methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE) are described in Chapter 8 of Biobased Surfactants (Second Edition) Synthesis, Properties, and Applications, pp. 287 - 301 (AOCS press 2019) by G.A. Smith; J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. vol 74 (1997), pp. 847 - 859 by Cox M.E. and Weerasooriva U; Tenside Surf. Det. Vol. 28 (2001), pp. 72 - 80 by Hreczuch et al.; Household and Personal Care Today (2012), pp. 52 - 55 by C. Kolano; J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. Vol. 72 (1995), pp. 781 - 784 by A. Hama et al. MEE can be prepared by the reaction of methyl esters with ethylene oxide using calcium or magnesium based catalysts. The catalyst can be removed or left in the MEE.

[0200] Alternative preparation routes are the transesterification of methyl esters or the esterification of carboxylic acids with polyethylene glycols capped with a methyl group at one end of the chain.

[0201] Methyl esters can be prepared by the transesterification of methanol with triglycerides or the esterification of methanol with fatty acids. The transesterification of triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters and glycerol is discussed in Fattah et al. (Front. Energy Res., June 2020, Vol. 8, Chapter 101) and references therein. Common catalysts used for these reactions include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodium methoxide. Esterases and lipases can also be used. Triglycerides occur naturally in vegetable fats or oils, and preferred sources are rapeseed oil, castor oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, high stearic / high oleic sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil, inedible vegetable oils, tall oil, and any mixtures and any derivatives thereof. Oils from trees are called tall oil. Used food cooking oils can be used. Triglycerides can also be obtained from algae, fungi, yeast, or bacteria. Vegetable sources are preferred.

[0202] Distillation and fractionation methods can be used to produce methyl esters or carboxylic acids to yield the desired carbon chain distribution. Preferred sources of triglycerides are those containing less than 35 wt% polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oil prior to distillation, fractionation, or hydrogenation.

[0203] Fatty acids and methyl esters can be obtained from oleochemical suppliers such as Wilmar, KLK Oleo, Unilever oleochemical Indonesia. Biodiesel is a methyl ester, and these sources can be used.

[0204] When the ESB is MEE, it preferably has from 8 to 30, more preferably from 10 to 20 ethoxylate groups (EO) on a molar average. Most preferably, the ethoxylate contains from 12 to 18 EO.

[0205] Preferably, at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 30% by weight of the total C18:1 MEE in the composition has from 9 to 11 EO, and even more preferably at least 10% by weight has exactly 10 EO. For example, when the MEE has a molar average of 10 EO, then at least 10% by weight of the MEE should consist of ethoxylates having 9, 10, and 11 ethoxylate groups.

[0206] The methyl ester ethoxylate preferably has from 8 to 13 ethoxylate groups (EO) on a molar average. Most preferably, the ethoxylate has a molar average of from 9 to 11 EO, and even more preferably 10 EO. When the MEE has a molar average of 10 EO, then at least 10% by weight of the MEE should consist of ethoxylates having 9, 10, and 11 ethoxylate groups.

[0207] In the case of a broader MEE distribution, it is preferred that at least 40% by weight of the total MEE in the composition is C18:1.

[0208] In addition, it is preferred that the MEE component also contains some C16 MEE.

[0209] Therefore, it is preferred that the total MEE component contains from 5 to 50% by weight of C16 MEE of the total MEE. Preferably, the C16 MEE is greater than 90% by weight, more preferably greater than 95% by weight of C16:0.

[0210] In addition, it is preferred that the total MEE component contains less than 15% by weight, more preferably less than 10% by weight, and most preferably less than 5% by weight of polyunsaturated C18, i.e., C18:2 and C18:3, of the total MEE present. Preferably, C18:3 is present at less than 1% by weight, more preferably less than 0.5% by weight, and most preferably is substantially absent. The level of polyunsaturation can be controlled by distillation, fractionation, or partial hydrogenation of the raw material (triglyceride or methyl ester) or the MEE.

[0211] In addition, it is preferred that the C18:0 component is less than 10% by weight of the total MEE present.

[0212] In addition, it is preferred that the component having a carbon chain of 15 or shorter accounts for less than 4% by weight of the total MEE weight present.

[0213] Particularly preferred MEEs have from 2 to 26% by weight of C16:0 chains, from 1 to 10% by weight of C18:0 chains, from 50 to 85% by weight of C18:1 chains and from 1 to 12% by weight of C18:2 chains of the MEE.

[0214] Preferred sources of the alkyl groups for the MEEs include methyl esters derived from distilled palm oil and distilled high oleic methyl esters derived from palm kernel oil, partially hydrogenated methyl esters of low erucic rapeseed oil, methyl esters of high oleic sunflower oil, methyl esters of high oleic safflower oil and methyl esters of high oleic soybean oil.

[0215] High oleic oils are available from DuPont (Plenish high oleic soybean oil), Monsanto (Visitive Gold soybean oil), Dow (ω-9 rapeseed oil, ω-9 sunflower oil), the National Sunflower Association and Oilseeds International.

[0216] Preferably, more than 80% by weight of the double bonds in the MEE are in the cis configuration.

[0217] Preferably, the 18:1 component is oleic acid. Preferably, the 18:2 component is linoleic acid.

[0218] The methyl group of the methyl ester may be replaced by an ethyl or propyl group. The methyl group is most preferred.

[0219] Preferably, the methyl ester ethoxylate comprises from 0.1 to 95% by weight of the methyl ester ethoxylate of the composition. More preferably the composition comprises from 2 to 40% by weight of MEE, and most preferably from 4 to 30% by weight of MEE.

[0220] Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50% by weight of water, but this depends on the total surfactant content and is adjusted accordingly.

[0221] The weight of the anionic surfactant is calculated in protonated form.

[0222] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate

[0223] Preferably, the composition comprises the anionic surfactant LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate).

[0224] Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) can be obtained by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LAB); suitable LABs include low 2-phenyl LABs such as those supplied by Sasol under the trade name Isochem(R) or those supplied by Petresa under the trade name Petrelab(R), other suitable LABs include high 2-phenyl LABs such as those supplied by Sasol under the trade name Those supplied. Suitable anionic detersive surfactants are alkylbenzene sulfonates obtained by a DETAL-catalyzed process, although other synthetic routes (such as HF) are also suitable. In one aspect, the magnesium salt of LAS is used. Suitable linear alkylbenzene sulfonates include those having an alkyl chain length of 10 to 18, preferably 11 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably having an average C12 chain length. Each alkyl chain homolog consists of a mixture of all possible sulfophenyl isomers except the 1-phenyl isomer. LAS is typically formulated into the composition in acid form (i.e., HLAS) and then at least partially neutralized in situ.

[0225] Preferably, the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant is present in the composition at 1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 2 to 15% by weight, and most preferably 8 to 12% by weight.

[0226] Nonionic surfactants

[0227] Preferably, the composition comprises a nonionic surfactant, including any one of alcohol ethoxylates, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, alkyl polyglucosides (APG), alkoxylated amines, ethoxylated glycerol esters, fatty acid monoethanolamides, fatty acid diethanolamides, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamides, propoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamides, polyhydroxyalkyl fatty acid amides or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine, polysorbates (Tweens) or mixtures thereof.

[0228] The composition may contain soaps.

[0229] The compositions of the present invention may contain separate amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants, or may contain amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants in addition to the above non-soap anionic and / or nonionic surfactants.

[0230] Specific cationic surfactants include C8 to C18 alkyldimethylammonium halides and their derivatives, where one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two methyl groups, and mixtures thereof.

[0231] Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0232] Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include amine oxides and / or betaines, such as alkylamine oxides, alkylbetaines, alkylamidopropylbetaines, alkylsulfobetaines (sulfobetaines), alkylglycinates, alkylcarboxyglycinates, alkylamphoacetates, alkylamphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkylamidopropylhydroxysulfobetaines, acyltaurates and acylglutamates, which have an alkyl group containing about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably selected from C12, C14, C16, C18 and C18:1, and the term "alkyl" is used to include the alkyl moiety of the higher acyl group.

[0233] Preferred amine oxides are alkyldimethylamine oxides and alkylamidopropyldimethylamine oxides, more preferably alkyldimethylamine oxides. Particularly preferred are lauryldimethylamine oxide, coco dimethylamine oxide and cocoamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide.

[0234] Suitable betaines include alkyl betaines, alkylamidobetaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, alkylsulfobetaines and alkylphosphobetaines, where the alkyl group preferably has 8 to 19 carbon atoms.

[0235] Examples include coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, cetyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, caprylic / capric betaine, decanoyl / decanamidopropyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaine, coco butyramido hydroxysulfobetaine, and preferably lauryl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocoamphopropionate. Preferably, the betaine is cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB).

[0236] Some compositions may be free of anionic surfactants, such as cationic actives, such as quaternary compounds.

[0237] Some compositions, such as fabric softening compositions, may contain low levels (less than 4% by weight) of anionic or cationic surfactants or may be free of anionic or cationic surfactants.

[0238] The composition may contain fabric softening actives. These can be any materials known for softening fabrics. These can be polymeric materials or compounds known for softening materials. Examples of suitable fabric softening actives include: quaternary compounds, silicone polymers, polysaccharides, clays, amines, fatty esters, fatty N-oxides, dispersible polyolefins, polymer latexes and mixtures thereof.

[0239] The fabric softening active may preferably be a cationic or nonionic material. Preferably, the fabric softening active of the present invention is a cationic material. The preferred softening active for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the present invention is a quaternary compound (QAC). Most preferably, the quaternary compound is a triethanolamine quaternary (TEA) compound. The quaternary compound may contain a fatty acid chain from any suitable source, preferably palm oil or tallow. It may be preferred that the fatty acid chain is of plant origin.

[0240] Optional ingredients

[0241] The compositions of the present invention may contain additional optional home care ingredients, including additional surfactants, builders, chelating agents, organic acids, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersants, clay soil removal / antiredeposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors, alkoxylated cationic or zwitterionic diamine or polyamine polymers, antiredeposition polymers (such as alkoxylated polyamines), soil release polymers, dispersants, enzymes and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, thickening polymers, foam boosters, defoamers, insect repellents, dyes (e.g., toning or shade dyes), preservatives (e.g., bactericides), pH buffers, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems (including fragrance microcapsules, preferably with cationic deposition aids), hydrotropes, carriers, structure elasticizers, polyelectrolytes, processing aids, solvents and / or pigments and mixtures thereof, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-shrinkage agents, antioxidants, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents, ironing aids, anti-foaming agents, colorants, pearlescents and / or opacifiers, process aids (e.g., electrolytes), sanitizing agents (such as antibacterial and antifungal agents, e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds, organic acids, hydrogen peroxide or chloroxylenol), skin benefit agents, antiredeposition agents, sunscreens or any combination thereof. Detailed Description

[0242] Examples

[0243] Example 1: Synthesis of N-methyl-o-aminobenzoate-substituted polysaccharide

[0244] The polysaccharide (1 g) was dissolved in a 50:50 mixture (90 ml) of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.1 M aqueous sodium borate. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes to obtain a clear viscous solution. A solution of N-methylisatoic anhydride (0.1 g) in DMSO (3 ml) was added and the solution was stirred at room temperature for an additional 18 hours. The solution was then dropped into vigorously stirred isopropanol (400 ml) to obtain a white precipitate. The precipitate was filtered out, washed with more isopropanol and dried in vacuo at 40 °C. The polymer was dissolved in water (20 ml) and dialyzed against deionized water (3,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane) for 72 hours to remove any residual N-methylisatoic anhydride and its N-methylanthranilic acid reaction products. Finally, the purified polymer solution was lyophilized. The resulting powder was optically white. The molecular weight of the modified polymer was measured using gel permeation chromatography. For the degree of substitution (DS) of the MANT graft, it was measured by hydrolyzing the polymer (dissolved in water and adjusted to pH 13 for 12 hours), then measuring the fluorescence spectrum and comparing it with N-methylanthranilic acid solutions containing 0.1 mg / mL polymer at different concentrations.

[0245] The xyloglucan with a molecular weight of 940 kDa was reacted with N-methylisatoic anhydride by the above method. The measured molecular weight of the resulting product was 686 kDa, and the degree of substitution of 2-(methylamino)benzoate was 0.008.

[0246] Example 2: Fluorescent Whitening of Non-Fluorescent Textiles

[0247] A non-fluorescent cotton fabric was treated with the OBA of the present invention as follows. A laundry liquid detergent with the following formulation was used.

[0248] Component Containing % (w / w) Glycerol 2.0 Alcohol ethoxylate (25-7) 4.3 LAS acid 5.8 TEA 8.8 Lauric acid 0.9 SLES1EO 4.3 Water Up to 100%

[0249] A washing solution containing 3 g / L of the liquid detergent formulation was prepared in 24°FH (calcium) hard water. The fluorescent whitening agents were metered into the washing solution at the following dosages: 0.05 g / L of 2-(methylamino)benzoic acid-xyloglucan; 0.005 g / L of 2-(methylamino)benzoic acid and 0.005 mg of DAS-1 (4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid). A negative control was provided by the washing solution without added fluorescent whitening agent.

[0250] Individual textile cotton fabric discs (0.5 mm diameter) were placed at the bottom of each well of a 96-well microtiter plate. 200 μl of the washing solution was pipetted into each well using a CyBio SELMA automated liquid handler. Eight replicate wells were used for each washing solution. The microtiter plate was sealed with a plate sealing film and agitated (500 rpm, 30 °C) in a Varioscan plate reader. After 30 minutes, the microtiter plate was removed from the plate reader, and the washing solution was aspirated from each well using the automated liquid handler. Then 200 μl of water was pipetted into each well, and the plate was returned to the plate reader and agitated for 5 minutes under the same conditions. Then the rinse water was aspirated. The microtiter plate containing the textile discs was placed in an oven set at 37 °C and dried for 24 hours. This constituted a single model washing cycle. Then the textile discs were removed from the washing plate using forceps and transferred to a black flat-bottomed fluorescent 96-well plate. Using a Varioscan plate reader, the fluorescence intensity of the textile discs was measured at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm and an emission wavelength of 424 nm. Then the textile discs were inverted so that the opposite side of the disc was on top, and the fluorescence measurement was repeated. The average of the two results from each side of the textile disc was recorded.

[0251] Two separate sets of textile discs were treated in the same manner, but the "washing", rinsing, and drying processes were repeated a total of 5 or 10 cycles before the fluorescence measurement.

[0252] The results are listed in the following table.

[0253]

[0254]

[0255] The results show that 2-(methylamino)benzoic acid (MANT acid) has low textile affinity and shows little fluorescence accumulation upon repeated washing. In contrast, 2-(methylamino)benzoic acid xyloglucan ester shows higher affinity after only one treatment cycle and accumulates upon repeated treatment to give fluorescence approaching that of diamino stilbene DAS-1.

[0256] Example

[0257] Typical formulations include:

[0258]

[0259]

[0260] 1,2 Also prepared in C12-18 form

Claims

1. A fabric treatment composition comprising: a. An optical brightening agent (OBA) comprising a nonionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorescent group (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region; and b. A surfactant.

2. The fabric treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant.

3. The fabric treatment composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfonate and / or sulfate surfactant.

4. The fabric treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant.

5. The fabric treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises an amphoteric surfactant.

6. A method of treating fabric, the method comprising the step of treating the fabric with the fabric treatment composition according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the steps of adding the fabric treatment composition to water to form a wash liquor and treating a substrate with the wash liquor.

8. A method of preparing the fabric treatment composition according to claim 7, the method comprising the step of including in the fabric treatment composition an optical brightening agent (OBA) and a surfactant, the optical brightening agent (OBA) comprising a nonionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorescent group (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region.

9. An optical brightening agent (OBA) comprising a nonionic polysaccharide linked to a fluorescent group (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region.

10. The OBA according to claim 1, wherein the nonionic polysaccharide comprises a branched or unbranched material having a β-1,4-main chain and a branched or unbranched material having a β-1,3-linked main chain.

11. The OBA according to claim 2, wherein the nonionic polysaccharide comprises xyloglucan or galactomannan.

12. The OBA according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nonionic polysaccharide comprises any one of cellulose monoacetate, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG), hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose (HEC), methyl cellulose (MC).

13. The OBA according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the FG comprises no more than four, more preferably no more than three, even more preferably no more than two, and most preferably no more than one ring moiety.

14. The OBA according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the (FG) comprises methyl 2-aminobenzoate (MANT).

15. A method of preparing an OBA, the method comprising the step of linking a fluorescent group (FG) having an absorption band in the UV light region and an emission band in the visible light region to a nonionic polysaccharide.

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