Surfactant composition containing a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols

Abstract

The invention relates to a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, characterized in that 50 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms. The invention further relates to a process for producing the surfactant composition using litsea seed oil as a starting material.

Description

field of technology

[0001] The present invention relates to surfactant compositions comprising a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, and to methods for their preparation. State of the art

[0002] Most surfactants used in modern cleaning applications are organic compounds comprising hydrophilic head groups and hydrophobic tail groups. The hydrophobic tail groups of most surfactants are formed by hydrocarbon chains. The source of these hydrocarbon chains is of great economic and environmental importance.

[0003] Hydrocarbon chains for the production of surfactants can be obtained from fossil sources. Fossil sources are readily available, but less desirable from an ecological perspective. As an alternative, hydrocarbon chains can also be obtained from renewable sources such as palm oil or coconut oil. These oils, which are typically extracted from the seeds of the respective plants, contain triglycerides of fatty acids that can be industrially converted into fatty alcohols and further processed into the desired surfactants. However, the widespread use of palm oil or palm kernel oil as a renewable source is controversial due to environmental problems such as deforestation and the loss of biodiversity caused by widespread monoculture farming.

[0004] Sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly ingredients are becoming increasingly important for both manufacturers and consumers. Therefore, there is great interest in finding alternative, environmentally friendly sources for the production of surfactants.

[0005] The source of the hydrocarbon chains also determines their length. Fatty acids from palm kernel oil or coconut oil, for example, contain hydrocarbon chains with 10 to 18 carbon atoms, with a relatively high proportion of these chains having 14 or more carbon atoms. The chain length distribution of the hydrocarbon chains, in turn, determines the cleaning performance of the surfactant produced from them. Therefore, there is a need for surfactants with a hydrocarbon chain length distribution that exhibits the same or better cleaning performance than surfactants from conventional sources. Technical task

[0006] The present invention aims to provide surfactants containing hydrocarbon chains of varying lengths that can be obtained from renewable, environmentally friendly sources. These surfactants should exhibit similar or better cleaning performance than surfactants derived from conventional renewable sources such as palm oil or coconut oil. Summary of the invention

[0007] It has been found that litsea seed oil can be used as a source of fatty acids for the production of surfactants. The oil extracted from litsea seeds has a high proportion of fatty acids with 10 or 12 carbon atoms and can be readily processed into a surfactant composition with hydrocarbon chains of varying lengths.

[0008] In particular, it was found that this oil can be used to produce alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains of varying lengths, including a high relative proportion of hydrocarbon chains with 12 carbon atoms.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention therefore relates to a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, characterized in that 50 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, 5 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 10 carbon atoms.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, less than 10 wt% of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio is of the total weight of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, to the total weight of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms 5 or more.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, 4 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from unsaturated fatty acids with 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, 1 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain with 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain hydrocarbon chains derived from litsea seed oil.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant composition is obtainable by the method according to the following aspect of the invention.

[0017] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) Reacting a litsea seed oil comprising a mixture of triglycerides with an alcohol under acidic or basic conditions to obtain a mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters; (b) Reacting the mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters with a reducing agent to obtain a mixture of fatty alcohols; (c) Reacting the mixture of fatty alcohols with alkylene oxide to obtain the mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0018] In another aspect, the invention relates to a detergent composition, a cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces or a hair care composition comprising the surfactant composition described above. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0019] The present invention provides surfactants belonging to the class of alkoxylated fatty alcohols and containing a mixture of hydrocarbon chains consisting predominantly of hydrocarbon chains derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

[0020] The surfactant composition thus contains a higher relative proportion of these hydrocarbon chains than previously known surfactants derived either from fossil sources or from conventional renewable sources such as palm oil or coconut oil. Due to this higher relative proportion, the surfactant composition according to the invention is expected to exhibit improved cleaning performance, particularly with regard to soiling encountered in typical household applications such as laundry, dishwashing, and hair washing. Furthermore, the surfactant composition exhibits good foaming properties.

[0021] Furthermore, the surfactant composition of the invention can be easily obtained from Litsea seed oil. Litsea species are evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs from the laurel family (Lauraceae) and originate from parts of Asia and North America. The fruits of Litsea species, especially Litsea cubeba, are used as a source of essential oil with a lemony scent due to their high content of citral, limonene, and other constituents. Until now, the residues from the production of the essential oil have been disposed of or incinerated. The present invention offers a way to utilize these residues, particularly the seeds, to obtain a surfactant composition.

[0022] Furthermore, it is assumed that the large-scale cultivation of litsea plants is less environmentally damaging than palm cultivation. Therefore, the present invention provides an environmentally friendly, renewable source for the production of surfactants. Description of embodiments

[0023] The following section describes in detail embodiments for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0024] The invention relates to a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The alkoxylated fatty alcohols are obtained by reacting fatty alcohols with alkylene oxides. The hydrocarbon chains of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols originate from the respective fatty alcohols and can be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated. The hydrocarbon chains are preferably unsubstituted.

[0025] The alkoxylated fatty alcohols are preferably ethoxylated and / or propoxylated. The fatty alcohol ethers can also be mixed alkoxylates containing a mixture of ethoxylate and propoxylate groups. Preferably, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols comprise 1 to 20 alkoxylate units, more preferably 1 to 10, and most preferably 2 to 8.

[0026] Preferably, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols have the following general structure: R1-O-(R2-O) n -H where R1 represents the hydrocarbon chain, R2 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is a number between 1 and 20. Preferably, R2 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and n is a number between 1 and 10, most preferably 2 to 8.

[0027] The mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols consists of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with different hydrocarbon chain lengths. Preferably, the mixture comprises alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains containing between 10 and 18 carbon atoms. These hydrocarbon chains are derived from the respective fatty acids with 10 to 18 carbon atoms. The mixture may also contain alkoxylated fatty alcohols with hydrocarbon chains containing fewer than 10 or more than 18 carbon atoms, derived from shorter or longer fatty acids, respectively.

[0028] A key feature of the invention is that 50% by weight or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols comprise a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms. The relative proportion refers to the total weight of all alkoxylated fatty alcohols in the mixture. Thus, at least 50% by weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols comprise a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain with 12 carbon atoms.

[0029] This high proportion of 12-carbon hydrocarbon chains distinguishes the invention's mixture from mixtures of alkoxylated fatty alcohols obtained from conventional sources. Palm kernel oil, for example, typically contains less than 50% by weight of fatty acids, so a surfactant mixture produced from palm kernel oil contains less than 50% by weight of surfactants derived from 12-carbon fatty acids.

[0030] Due to the high relative proportion of hydrocarbon chains derived from fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, the surfactant composition exhibits unique cleaning properties and is particularly effective against soiling that occurs in typical household applications such as washing clothes, washing dishes and washing hair.

[0031] Preferably, the composition comprises 55 wt.% or more, more preferably 60 wt.% or more, most preferably 65 wt.% or more alkoxylated fatty alcohols having a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0032] The surfactant composition also includes alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing hydrocarbon chains derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with fewer than or more than 12 carbon atoms. The proportion of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms is therefore less than 100% by weight and is preferably limited to 99% by weight or less, more preferably to 95% by weight or less, and most preferably to 90% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the fatty alcohol sulfates.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing hydrocarbon chains derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 10 carbon atoms. The combination of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing hydrocarbon chains with 10 carbon atoms and those containing hydrocarbon chains with 12 carbon atoms is thought to further enhance the cleaning performance of the surfactant composition.

[0034] Preferably, the surfactant composition comprises 1 wt.% or more, more preferably 5 wt.% or more, even more preferably 7 wt.% or more, most preferably 9 wt.% or more alkoxylated fatty alcohols with a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 10 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant composition contains only a limited amount of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms. Preferably, the surfactant composition contains 10 wt.% or less, preferably 8 wt.% or less, more preferably 5 wt.% or less, and most preferably 2 wt.% or less of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises a larger proportion of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, compared to the proportion of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms. Preferably, the ratio of the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms to the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms is 5 or more, preferably 8 or more, and most preferably 10 or more.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant composition comprises alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing unsaturated hydrocarbon chains, preferably unsaturated hydrocarbon chains derived from unsaturated fatty acids with 10 to 16 carbon atoms. The inclusion of unsaturated hydrocarbon chains can influence the surfactant composition's ability to form micelles and thus improve its cleaning performance against certain types of soiling.

[0038] The surfactant composition preferably contains unsaturated hydrocarbon chains derived from medium-length unsaturated fatty acids, i.e., a chain length of 10 to 16 carbon atoms. This distinguishes the surfactant composition from conventional surfactants, such as those derived from palm oil, which contain only small amounts of medium-length unsaturated fatty acids but a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with 18 or more carbon atoms.

[0039] Preferably, 4 wt.% or more, preferably 6 wt.% or more, most preferably 8 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from unsaturated fatty acids with 10 to 16 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0040] In a further preferred embodiment, 1 wt.% or more, preferably 2 wt.% or more, most preferably 4 wt.% or more of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain with 10 to 16 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols contain hydrocarbon chains derived from litsea seed oil. Litsea seed oil is the preferred raw material for the production of the surfactant composition according to the invention. It contains a mixture of fatty acids that can be converted into the surfactants according to the invention.

[0042] Litsea seed oil provides a mixture of hydrocarbon chains, rich in 12- or 10-carbon chains and with a low relative proportion of 14-carbon chains. Furthermore, litsea seed oil has a high relative proportion of unsaturated hydrocarbon chains with 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0043] The hydrocarbon chains can originate from a variety of Litsea species, such as Litsea cubeba, Litsea confertiflora, Litsea coriacea, Litsea auriculata, Litsea angustifolia, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea laeta, Litsea lanuginosa, or Litsea subcoriacea, as well as mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydrocarbon chains originate from Litsea cubeba.

[0044] The surfactant composition preferably contains the mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols as the main component. The surfactant composition may optionally contain further components in addition to the mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols. For example, the surfactant composition may contain a solvent, in particular an organic solvent such as an ether or alcohol. Preferably, the total amount of additional components not belonging to the mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols is limited to 10% by weight or less, preferably 5% by weight or less, and most ideally 1% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the surfactant composition. The surfactant composition may be solid or liquid and is preferably solid.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a method for producing the above-mentioned surfactant composition.

[0046] The process comprises a first step (a) in which litsea seed oil, containing a mixture of triglycerides, is reacted with an alcohol under acidic or basic conditions to obtain a mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters. This step constitutes a transesterification reaction in which the fatty acid triglycerides present in the litsea seed oil are converted into monoesters of the fatty acids derived from the litsea seed oil and the added alcohol. The litsea seed oil thus serves as a raw material or starting material for the production of the aforementioned surfactant composition.

[0047] The litsea seed oil used in this step is preferably obtained from the seeds of Litsea cubeba, Litsea confertiflora, Litsea coriacea, Litsea auriculata, Litsea angustifolia, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea laeta, Litsea lanuginose, Litsea subcoriacea, or mixtures thereof. The best seed oil is obtained from the seeds of Litsea cubeba.

[0048] The seed oil can be obtained from litsea seeds, for example, by pressing, especially cold pressing, solvent extraction, especially extraction with petroleum ether, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and CO2 extraction. Combinations of these methods can also be used. Preferably, the extracted seed oil is decolorized with active clay before further processing steps.

[0049] To establish the required acidic or basic conditions, the transesterification is carried out in the presence of an acid or a base, preferably a strong acid or a strong base. The acid or base acts as a catalyst for the transesterification. The reaction can be carried out, for example, by adding sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, or sulfuric acid. The use of an acid can be advantageous because it prevents salt formation and facilitates phase separation after the reaction is complete. Therefore, the transesterification is preferably carried out in the presence of an acid, ideally sulfuric acid.

[0050] The alcohol is preferably a monoalkanol, such as butanol, propanol, ethanol, or methanol. Methanol is best. The alcohol is preferably added to the seed oil in excess and can simultaneously serve as a solvent for the reaction.

[0051] After completion of the transesterification, the fatty acid monoesters are preferably separated from the remaining solvent. Optionally, the fatty acid monoesters can also be treated with activated carbon to remove byproducts.

[0052] The process comprises a second step (b) in which the mixture of fatty acid monoesters obtained in the first step is reacted with a reducing agent to obtain a mixture of fatty alcohols. The reducing agent is preferably added in a molar ratio of 1 or more to the amount of fatty acid monoesters. The reducing agent can be selected from any known reducing agent. Preferably, the reducing agent is lithium aluminum hydride.

[0053] After the reduction is complete, the mixture of fatty alcohols is preferably treated with activated carbon or charcoal to remove colored by-products.

[0054] The process comprises a third step (c) in which the mixture of fatty alcohols is reacted with alkylene oxide to obtain a mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The alkylene oxide is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fatty alcohols are reacted with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or a mixture thereof to obtain a mixture of ethoxylated and / or propoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0055] The product obtained in step (c) can preferably be purified by recrystallization and optionally by washing with an organic solvent, such as ether or acetone.

[0056] The present invention also relates to a detergent composition, a cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces, or a hair care composition containing the surfactant composition described above. Due to its good cleaning performance against soils that occur in typical household applications such as laundry, dishwashing, and hair washing, the surfactant composition described above is particularly useful as a surfactant in these compositions.

[0057] The detergent composition, the cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces, or the hair care composition may contain additional components.

[0058] Preferably, the detergent composition, the cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces, or the hair care composition comprises at least one additional surfactant that differs from the alkoxylated fatty alcohols of the invention. Preferably, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols of the invention are combined with at least one additional surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, or cationic surfactants.

[0059] Additional anionic surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty acid salts (soaps), fatty acid alcohol sulfates, fatty acid alcohol ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, carboxylated alkyl polyglycosides, isethionates, amino acid-based surfactants such as taurates, sarcosinates, and glutamates, and sulfosuccinate esters. The anionic surfactants may be in the form of their alkali, alkaline earth, or ammonium salts. Preferably, the anionic surfactants are in the form of their sodium salts.

[0060] Additional non-ionic surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated fatty amines, alkoxylated alkanolamines, fatty acid amides, alkoxylated fatty acid amides, amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides and alkoxylated alkylphenols.

[0061] Amphoteric surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of betaines, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, sulfobetaines, such as cocamidopropyl hydroxysultan, and imidazoline derivatives, such as cocoamphoacetate.

[0062] Cationic surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of salts of fatty amines and quaternary ammonium derivatives, in particular long-chain quaternary ammonium surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and behentrimonium chloride.

[0063] Preferably, the surfactant composition of the invention is combined with a surfactant selected from the group of biosurfactants. Biosurfactants are surfactants of microbial origin and are produced by cultivating biosurfactant-producing microorganisms on substrates such as vegetable oils or carbohydrates. They consist of a hydrophilic unit, typically composed of amino acids, peptides, mono-, di-, or polysaccharides, or sugar alcohols, and a hydrophobic unit composed of fatty acids. Preferred biosurfactants are glycolipids, lipopeptides / lipoproteins, and polymeric surfactants. Among the glycolipids, rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, and mannosyerythritol lipids are particularly preferred.

[0064] Preferably, the detergent composition, the cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces, or the hair care composition additionally contains a complexing agent. The addition of a complexing agent is particularly preferred in the case of a detergent composition or a cleaning agent composition for hard surfaces. A complexing agent according to the invention is a compound that can form a complex with a metal ion, in particular with an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion.

[0065] The complexing agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of phosphates, carboxylic acids, and ion exchangers. Preferred phosphates are selected from diphosphate and triphosphate salts, phosphonic acids such as 1-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphosphonic acid, aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid), and diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP). Preferred carboxylic acids are selected from di- or polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid, L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetate (GLDA), and methylglycinediacetate (MGDA). Preferred ion exchangers are selected from polyacrylic acid, poly-(α-hydroxy-acrylic acid), poly-[(3-hydroxymethyl)-hexamethylene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid], poly-[(4-methoxy)-tetramethylene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid], poly-(tetramethylene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid) and silicates.

[0066] Preferably, the detergent composition, the hard surface cleaning composition or the hair care composition contains the surfactant composition in an amount of 1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably 3 wt.% to 40 wt.%, most preferably 5 wt.% to 30 wt.%, based on the total weight of the mixture of alkoxylated fatty alcohols and the total weight of the detergent composition, the hard surface cleaning composition or the hair care composition.

[0067] A detergent composition according to the invention is a composition for cleaning textiles. The detergent composition can be solid or liquid. Preferably, the detergent composition is liquid. Preferably, in addition to the surfactant composition according to the invention, the detergent composition contains at least one surfactant. Even more preferably, the detergent composition comprises at least one additional anionic surfactant. Preferably, the detergent composition also comprises a complexing agent in an amount of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, more preferably 2 wt.% to 8 wt.%, and most preferably 4 wt.% to 6 wt.%, based on the total weight of the detergent composition.

[0068] The detergent composition may furthermore contain one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, complexing agents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleaching catalysts, acids, alkalis, perfumes, solvents, dyes, opacifiers, viscosity regulators, enzymes, electrolytes, complexing agents, dyes, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, dirt-repellent polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, graying inhibitors, antireactivity agents, antistatic agents, iron-shining agents, corrosion inhibitors, pH regulators, preservatives, foam inhibitors, rheology modifiers, rheology stabilizers, ironing aids, bittering agents, shrinkage inhibitors, swelling inhibitors and anti-slip agents, waterproofing agents, UV absorbers, antimicrobial agents, germicidal agents, fungicides, antioxidants, skin-conditioning agents, plasticizers or mixtures thereof.

[0069] A cleaning composition for hard surfaces according to the invention is a composition for cleaning surfaces other than textiles used on the human body, such as ceramic, metal, or glass surfaces. The cleaning composition for hard surfaces can be solid or liquid. Preferably, the cleaning composition for hard surfaces is liquid. Preferably, the cleaning composition for hard surfaces is a dishwashing composition, more preferably a handwashing composition.

[0070] The cleaning composition for hard surfaces may furthermore contain one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, acids, alkalis, perfumes, dyes, hydrotropes, complexing agents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleaching catalysts, silver protectants, skin conditioners, antibacterial agents, enzymes or mixtures thereof.

[0071] A hair care composition according to the invention is a composition for cleansing or conditioning hair, such as a shampoo or a hair conditioner. Preferably, the hair care composition is a shampoo. The hair care composition is preferably liquid. Preferably, the hair care composition is a shampoo and contains, in addition to the surfactant composition according to the invention, at least one surfactant. Preferably, the hair care composition contains at least one additional anionic surfactant and one amphoteric surfactant. Most preferably, the additional anionic surfactant is selected from the taurate group and the amphoteric surfactant from the betaine group. In a preferred embodiment, the hair care composition additionally contains a nonionic surfactant.

[0072] The hair care composition may further include one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, non-ionic polymers, anionic polymers, amino acids, oligopeptides, vitamins, provitamins, vitamin precursors, bioquinones, purine (derivatives), taurine (derivatives), L-carnitine (salts), panthenol, pantothenic acid, 2-furanone (derivatives), ectoin, allantoin, plant extracts, ester oils, UV filters, structuring agents, thickening agents, electrolytes, pH regulators, dyes, perfume oils, anti-dandruff agents, opacifiers, pearlescent agents, pigments, stabilizers, swelling agents, complexing agents, propellants, preservatives, antioxidants, or mixtures thereof.