Liquid softening agent composition

Abstract

To provide a softening agent composition excellent for avoiding a half-dry odor.SOLUTION: A liquid softening agent composition includes the following (A) to (C) components: (A) a pectinase enzyme; (B) a cationic water-soluble high-molecular weight compound; and (C) a silicone compound.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid fabric softener composition, and more particularly to a liquid fabric softener composition that is excellent in suppressing damp odor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, fabric softeners containing various quaternary ammonium salts as the main component have been used for the purpose of imparting softness to textile products by adding them to clothes during rinsing after washing. However, depending on the type of fabric, they can cause a slimy feeling or reduce the effect of imparting smoothness, so liquid fabric softener compositions that use silicone in combination with a water-soluble polymer having cationic properties, a solvent, etc. have been developed (Patent Document 1). On the other hand, when we look at the daily laundry habits of consumers, we see that they have various odor problems, among which the "damp odor" that occurs when drying clothes indoors is a cause for resignation for many consumers, and is a very serious problem that has yet to be resolved. Therefore, there is a demand for deodorizing and antibacterial technologies to suppress the damp odor. As specific examples of deodorizing techniques for compositions containing silicone compounds, techniques that utilize specific antibacterial agents and fragrances are known (Patent Documents 2 and 3), but the deodorizing power is insufficient. In addition, a technique that utilizes enzymes against biofilms (masses of bacteria formed by bacterial proliferation), which are thought to be one of the causes of damp odor, is also known (Patent Document 4), but there is no mention of a deodorizing effect on damp odor in clothing. Meanwhile, pectinase is also known as an enzyme that breaks down pectin (polysaccharide), a component of cell walls (Patent Document 5), but there is no example of a mention of its damp odor suppressing effect in the fabric softener field. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2004 / 025017 [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-187973 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2007-63741 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2020-513068 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2019-522988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a fabric softener composition that is excellent in suppressing the smell of damp clothes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a result of intensive research into this issue, the inventors discovered that by incorporating a specific enzyme (pectinase) into a composition containing a cationic polymer and a silicone compound, a good texture can be imparted while also improving the deodorizing performance of damp odors. The present invention relates to, for example, the following items [1] to [5]. [1] The following components (A) to (C): (A) Pectinase enzyme (B) Cationic water-soluble polymer compound (C) Silicone Compound A liquid fabric softener composition comprising: [2] The liquid fabric softener composition according to [1] above, further comprising (D) a nonionic surfactant. [3] The liquid fabric softener composition according to [2] above, wherein the component (D) is a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether represented by the following formula (D1): R 1 -O-(C 2 H 4 O) r -H (D1) (In the formula, R 1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and r is the average number of moles added and is a number from 2 to 100. [4] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of the above [1] to [3], wherein the component (A) is at least one enzyme selected from pectate lyase, polygalacturonase, pectin esterase, and pectin methyl esterase. [5] The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein the component (C) is a polyether-modified silicone. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a fabric softener composition having an excellent effect of suppressing damp odor can be provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fabric softener composition that has an excellent effect of suppressing damp odor while maintaining the texture of the fabric softener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] [Component (A)] In the liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention, component (A) is a pectinase enzyme, and is incorporated to suppress damp odor. Pectinase enzymes (pectin degrading enzymes) can be classified according to their preferred substrates, such as highly or lowly methylesterified pectins and polygalacturonic acid (pectic acid), and their reaction mechanism is β-elimination or hydrolysis. For example, pectinase enzymes include enzymes that cleave polysaccharide and / or oligosaccharide chains in pectic substances, such as poly(1,4-α-D-galacturonide) and its derivatives (see Sakai et al., Pectin, pectinase and protopectinase: production, properties and applications, pp. 213-294: Advances in Applied Microbiology vol. 39, 1993). Non-limiting examples of pectinases include hydrolase-type pectinases (e.g., rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase) and lyase-type pectinases (e.g., pectate lyase). Pectinases can be primarily endo-acting, cleaving the polymer at random sites in the chain to give a mixture of oligomers, or they can be exo-acting, acting from one end of the polymer to give monomers or dimers. Numerous pectinase activities acting on the smooth region of pectin are included in the enzyme classifications provided by the Enzyme Nomenclature (1992), such as pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2), pectin lyase (EC 4.2.2.10), polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15), exo-polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.67), exo-polygalacturoate lyase (EC 4.2.2.9), and exo-poly-α-galacturonosidase (EC 3.2.1.82).

[0008] For example, pectate lyase refers to the activity (EC 4.2.2.2) that catalyzes the cleavage and elimination of (1→4)-α-D-galacturonan, resulting in oligosaccharides having a 4-deoxy-α-D-galacta-4-enuronosyl group at the non-reducing end. Pectate lyases have been cloned from different bacterial genera, such as Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Xanthomonas. Cloning of pectate lyase from Bacillus subtilis (Nasser et al. (1993) FEBS 335:319-326) and Bacillus sp. YA-14 (Kim et al. (1994) Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 58:947-949) is also known. In addition, the component (A) may be a mutant such as that described in JP 2019-522988 A.

[0009] The component (A) may use one type alone, or two or more types in combination. The pectinase enzyme, component (A), is, for example, at least one enzyme selected from pectate lyase, polygalacturonase, pectin esterase, and pectin methyl esterase, and two or more of these may be used in combination, or may be used in combination with other pectinase enzymes. The component (A) is generally commercially available as a preparation containing an enzyme (enzyme preparation). When preparing a liquid fabric softener composition, the component (A) is usually blended in the form of an enzyme preparation. Examples of preparations containing the component (A) (pectinase preparations) include Pectawash, Pectaway, and Xpect 1000L available from Novozymes Co., Ltd., Pectinase XP-534NEO available from Nagase & Co., Ltd., Pectinase SS available from Yakult Co., Ltd., and Sucrase N available from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

[0010] The amount of the (A) component is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the blending can be achieved. As described above, the (A) component is usually blended in the form of an enzyme preparation, and the blending amount of the enzyme preparation is preferably 0.05 to 3 mass %, more preferably 0.1 to 2 mass %, and even more preferably 0.3 to 1 mass %, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the blending amount of component (A) is expressed based on enzyme activity, from the viewpoint of deodorizing properties, an amount that results in a pectinase activity of the liquid softener composition of 0.5 (PDEU / g) or more is preferable, more preferably 1.0 (PDEU / g) or more, and even more preferably 3.3 (PDEU / g) or more. Here, the unit PDEU of pectinase activity means a value converted from an absorbance calibration curve prepared using the standard enzyme "Standard Pectinase" manufactured by Novozymes, and / g means a value relative to unit mass of the liquid softener composition.

[0011] [(B) Component] In the liquid softener composition of the present invention, component (B) is a cationic water-soluble polymeric compound that promotes the adsorption of the silicone compound (component (C)) to the surface of a textile product, thereby improving the texture. In addition, by using component (B) in combination with components (A) and (C), a better damp odor suppression effect can be achieved. When 1 g of component (B) is added to 100 g of water at 25° C., the liquid is clear and not cloudy (i.e., water-soluble). As the cationic water-soluble polymer compound of component (B), any compound that has cationic properties when dissolved in water can be used, but as component (B), in particular, a water-soluble polymer compound having one or more cationic groups selected from an amino group, an amine group, and a quaternary ammonium group is preferred. The cationic water-soluble polymeric compound of component (B) preferably has a degree of cationization of 0.1% or more, for example, from 0.1 to 35, and particularly preferably 1.5% or more, for example, from 2.0 to 15. When the degree of cationization satisfies such conditions, the effect of adsorbing the coexisting silicone compound to the fibers can be excellent, and cases in which a large amount of incorporation is required, which is uneconomical, can be prevented.

[0012] Here, the degree of cationization is defined as a value calculated by the following mathematical formula (1) when the polymer compound is a polymer of a cationic monomer, a copolymer of a cationic monomer and a nonionic monomer, or a nonionic polymer partially modified or substituted with a cationic group (such as cationic cellulose), or by the following mathematical formula (2) when the polymer compound is a copolymer of a cationic monomer and an anionic monomer, or a copolymer of a cationic monomer, an anionic monomer, and a nonionic monomer. Cationization degree (%) = X × Y × 100 Formula (1) [X: Atomic weight of the cationized atom (nitrogen, etc.) in the cationic group of the polymer compound Y: number of moles of cationic groups contained in 1 g of polymer compound] Cationization degree (%) = X × (YZ) × 100 Formula (2) [X: Atomic weight of the cationized atom (nitrogen, etc.) in the cationic group of the polymer compound Y: The number of moles of cationic groups contained in 1 g of polymer compound Z: The number of moles of anionic groups contained in 1 g of polymer compound (The anionic group of Z includes a carboxyl group and a sulfonic acid group contained in a monomer unit in a polymer chain. Specifically, it is a carboxylic acid in acrylic acid. However, it does not include a counter ion of a cationic group.)

[0013] As an example of calculating the degree of cationization, the case of MERQUAT 280 (manufactured by Lubrizol Japan Co., Ltd.) represented by the following formula (III) is shown below. X: 14 (atomic weight of nitrogen atom) Y: 4.95×10 -3 (Calculated from the weight of cationic groups per 1 g: 0.8 g and the molecular weight of the cationic groups) Z:2.78×10 -3 (Weight of anionic group per 1 g: 0.2 g, calculated from the molecular weight of the anionic group) From equation (2), Cationization degree (%) = 14×(4.95×10 -3 -2.78×10 -3 ) x 100 = 3.0 It is.

[0014] [ka]

[0015] m:n=65:35 Mass ratio of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride to acrylic acid = 80:20 Therefore, according to the above-described method for calculating the degree of cationization, the degree of cationization of a polymer of a nonionic monomer or a polymer of an anionic monomer is 0.

[0016] The water-soluble polymer of component (B) preferably has a weight-average molecular weight, as measured by gel permeation chromatography using polyethylene glycol as the standard substance, of 1,000 to 5,000,000, more preferably 3,000 to 1,000,000, and even more preferably 5,000 to 500,000. This makes it possible to effectively prevent odor and to suppress an increase in viscosity, thereby making the product easy to use. Examples of component (B) include polymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride such as Noverite 310 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon), MERQUAT 100 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon), ADEKA CACIOACE PD-50 (manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd.), DAIDOL EC-004, DAIDOL HEC, and DAIDOL EC (manufactured by Daido Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.), and MERQUAT 550. Examples of the copolymer include dimethyldiallylammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymers such as JL5 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon Co., Ltd.) and MERQUAT 295 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon Co., Ltd.), dimethyldiallylammonium chloride-acrylic acid copolymers such as MERQUAT 280 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon Co., Ltd.), cationized cellulose such as LEOGUARD KGP (manufactured by Lion Corporation), imidazolinium chloride-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers such as LUVIQUAT-FC905 (manufactured by BASF), polyethyleneimines such as LUGALVAN-G15000 (manufactured by BASF), cationized polyvinyl alcohols such as Poval CM318 (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), natural polymer derivatives having an amino group such as chitosan, and copolymers of vinyl monomers having a hydrophilic group to which diethylamino methacrylate-ethylene oxide or the like is added. However, the copolymer is not limited to these examples and may be any polymer compound that has cationic properties when dissolved in water. Among these, from the viewpoint of not interfering with the softness and texture imparted by the silicone, those which impart small rigidity to the fiber when component (B) is adsorbed alone are preferred. Dimethyldiallylammonium chloride polymer, imidazolinium chloride-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, and cationic cellulose are preferred. A particularly preferred polymer is a cationic polymer obtained by polymerizing a dimethyldiallylammonium salt represented by the following general formula (IV). The structure of this polymer is usually represented by the following general formula (V) or (VI). In addition, the polymer may contain both the structural unit of general formula (V) and the structural unit of general formula (VI).

[0017] [ka] (X in the formula - represents any anion, such as chloride, bromide, etc.)

[0018] [ka]

[0019] [ka]

[0020] In the formula, c and d each represent an average degree of polymerization, and each is preferably in the range of 6 to 30,000, more preferably 20 to 6,000, and further preferably 30 to 3,000. Examples of such polymers include Noverite 310 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon), MERQUAT 100 (manufactured by Lubrizol Nippon), ADEKA CACIOACE PD-50 (manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd.), DAIDOL EC-004, DAIDOL HEC, and DAIDOL EC (manufactured by Daido Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). As the component (B), the above cationic water-soluble polymer compounds may be used alone or as a mixture. The blending amount of the (B) component is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but it is preferably within a range that does not impart rigidity to the textile product, and for example, is preferably 0.1 to 10 mass%, more preferably 0.5 to 10 mass%, and even more preferably 1.0 to 4.0 mass% relative to the total mass of the liquid softener composition. By making the blending amount of the (B) component within the range of 0.1 to 10 mass%, the silicone compound can be sufficiently promoted to be adsorbed on the surface of the textile product, and the texture can be made better.

[0021] [(C) component] In the liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention, component (C) is a silicone compound that can improve the texture of the fabric. Furthermore, by using component (C) in combination with components (A) and (B), a better damp odor suppressing effect can be achieved. Silicone compounds have a molecular weight of 10 to 100,000,000 mm 2 It is preferable that the viscosity of the silicone compound is 1 / s (B-type viscometer, 25°C). There are no particular limitations on the silicone compound, so long as it can impart flexibility and smoothness to textile products when adsorbed thereon. Examples of silicone polymer compounds generally used in textile treatment include dimethyl silicone, polyether-modified silicone, methylphenyl silicone, alkyl-modified silicone, higher fatty acid-modified silicone, methylhydrogen silicone, fluorine-modified silicone, epoxy-modified silicone, carboxy-modified silicone, carbinol-modified silicone, and amino-modified silicone, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The molecular structure of this silicone polymer compound may be linear, branched, or crosslinked. The modified silicone polymer compound may be modified with one type of organic functional group, or may be modified with two or more types of organic functional groups. The silicone compound can be used as an oil, or as an emulsion dispersed with any emulsifier. In order to prevent yellowing of textile products that have been softened, it is preferable that the silicone polymer compound does not contain an amino group. Furthermore, in order to enhance the effect of component (B) in adsorbing the silicone compound (component (C)) to the fiber and to enhance softness and smoothness, it is preferable that the silicone compound is non-ionic, and more preferably dimethyl silicone, carbinol-modified silicone, epoxy-modified silicone, or polyether-modified silicone, and even more preferably dimethyl silicone or polyether-modified silicone.

[0022] Among these, a particularly preferred silicone polymer compound is polyether-modified silicone, which can impart flexibility and make the liquid softener composition transparent or semi-transparent, thereby increasing the commercial value. In this specification, transparent means that when a glass cell with an optical path length of 10 mm is used as the measurement cell and ion-exchanged water is placed in the reference cell, the light transmittance at a wavelength of 660 nm is 95% or more, and semi-transparent means that the transmittance is 30% or more and less than 95%. Compared with dimethyl silicone having no polyether group, the silicone has less squeaky feeling and good flexibility, and is suitable for obtaining a transparent liquid softener composition. A preferred polyether-modified silicone is a copolymer of alkyl (1 to 3 carbon atoms) siloxane and polyoxyalkylene (alkylene group preferably has 2 to 5 carbon atoms). Among these, a copolymer of dimethyl siloxane and polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, random or block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, etc.) is preferred. As such, a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or (II) can be mentioned.

[0023] [ka] (In the formula, M, N, a, and b are average degrees of polymerization, and R represents hydrogen or an alkyl group.) Here, M is 10 to 10,000, preferably 50 to 1,000, more preferably 100 to 300, N is 1 to 1,000, preferably 5 to 300, more preferably 5 to 100, and it is preferable that M>N, a is 2 to 100, preferably 5 to 50, more preferably 5 to 20, and b is 0 to 50, preferably 0 to 10. R is preferably hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and more preferably hydrogen. The polyether-modified silicone represented by the above general formula (I) can generally be produced by addition reaction of an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having a Si-H group with a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether having a carbon-carbon double bond at its terminal, such as a polyoxyalkylene allyl ether.

[0024] [ka] (In the formula, A, B, h, and i are average degrees of polymerization, R represents an alkyl group, and R' represents hydrogen or an alkyl group.) Here, A is preferably 5 to 10,000, B is preferably 2 to 10,000, h is preferably 2 to 100, and i is preferably 0 to 50. R is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. R' is preferably hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In addition, the weight average molecular weight of the block copolymer represented by formula (II) is preferably 15,000 to 100,000,000 from the viewpoints of flexibility and smoothness. The linear polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer can be produced by reacting a polyoxyalkylene compound having a reactive end group with a dihydrocarbylsiloxane having an end group that reacts with the reactive end group of the polyoxyalkylene compound.

[0025] Specific examples of polyether-modified silicone oils that can be used in the present invention include CF1188N, BY22-029, SH3772M, SH3775M, SH3748, SH3749, SF8410, SH8700, BY22-008, SF8421, SILWET L-7001, SILWET L-7002, SILWET L-7602, SILWET L-7604, SILWET FZ-2104, SILWET FZ-2120, SILWET FZ-2161, SILWET FZ-2162, SILWET FZ-2164, SILWET FZ-2171, SILWET FZ2222, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-01, ABN SILWET Examples of the silicone oil include FZ-F1-009-02, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-03, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-05, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-09, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-11, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-13, ABN SILWET FZ-F1-009-54, ABN SILWET FZ-2222, KF352A, KF6008, KF615A, KF6016, and KF6017 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., and TSF4450 and TSF4452 manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicones Co., Ltd., and these can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more types. The blending amount of component (C) is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 0.5 to 5 mass %, more preferably 1 to 4 mass %, and even more preferably 1 to 3 mass %, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. By setting the blending amount of component (C) within the range of 0.5 to 5 mass %, a better texture can be imparted.

[0026] [Mass ratio of component (B) to component (C)] The mass ratio (B / C) of the component (B) to the component (C) is preferably 0.1-30, more preferably 0.3-20, even more preferably 0.3-10, and particularly preferably 0.4-5. When the mass ratio is within the above range, it is possible to impart a good texture to the textile product while auxiliary enhancing the effect of the (A) component against damp odor.

[0027] [Optional ingredients] The liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention may contain additives that are used in ordinary fabric softeners, provided that the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0028] <Nonionic surfactant> The liquid softener composition of the present invention may contain a nonionic surfactant as component (D) in order to maintain good appearance stability of the liquid softener composition.

[0029] As component (D), any nonionic surfactant known in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without particular limitation. Examples include alkylene oxide adducts of alcohols or fatty acids. The carbon chain portions of the alcohol and fatty acid constituting the "alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol or fatty acid" may be either branched or straight chain, and may contain an unsaturated group. The carbon chain may have a distribution. The number of carbon atoms in the carbon chain is preferably 6 to 20, more preferably 8 to 18. When the carbon chain is straight chain, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6 to 18, more preferably 8 to 16, and particularly preferably 10 to 14. When the carbon chain is branched chain, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6 to 18, more preferably 9 to 18, and particularly preferably 10 to 13. As the raw material of the nonionic surfactant, Exxal manufactured by ExxonMobil, LUTENSOL series manufactured by BASF, OXOCOLE manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, DOBANOL series manufactured by Shell, etc. can be used. When component (D) is an alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol, either primary alcohol or secondary alcohol can be used as the raw material. Alcohol with 13 carbon atoms is produced from dodecene, for example, but the starting material can be either butylene or propylene. When the carbon chain contains an unsaturated group, the number of carbon atoms is particularly preferably 18. The stereoisomeric structure of the unsaturated group may be either a cis or trans isomer, or a mixture of both, and it is particularly preferable that the ratio of cis / trans isomers is 25 / 75 to 100 / 0 (mass ratio). As the alkylene oxide, ethylene oxide (EO) is preferred, but propylene oxide (PO) or butylene oxide (BO) may be further added in addition to EO. The average number of moles of EO added is preferably 2 to 100 moles, more preferably 3 to 75 moles, and particularly preferably 5 to 30 moles. The average number of moles of PO or BO added together with EO is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 3 moles. In this embodiment, PO or BO may be added after EO is added, or EO may be added after PO or BO is added. Preferred examples of the "alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol or fatty acid" include EO and PO adducts of nonyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 9 moles of EO, 1 mole of PO), EO adducts of primary isononyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 40 moles), EO adducts of primary isodecyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 20 moles), EO adducts of lauryl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 7 moles or 15 moles), EO adducts of myristyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 7 moles or 15 moles), EO adducts of primary isohexadecyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 60 moles), EO adducts of primary isotridecyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 40 moles or 60 moles), EO adducts of tridecyl alcohol (average number of moles of EO added: 50 moles), and EO adducts of lauric acid (average number of moles of EO added: 20 moles). Commercially available products that can be used include the Emalex series manufactured by Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd., the Emulmin series manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., the TDA series manufactured by Lion Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., the Softanol series manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., the LUTESOL series manufactured by BASF Co., Ltd., and the NIKKOL series manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.

[0030] Other examples of component (D) include hydrogenated castor oil, POE castor oil, POE sorbitol fatty acid ester, POE sorbitan fatty acid ester, POE glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, etc., to which a polyoxyethylene (hereinafter, POE) group is added, the average number of moles of EO added being 1 to 100. Of these, POE hydrogenated castor oil, POE castor oil, and POE sorbitol fatty acid ester are preferred, and POE hydrogenated castor oil having an average number of moles of EO added being 30 to 70 is preferred.

[0031] The component (D) is preferably an "alcohol alkylene oxide adduct." Preferable examples of the "alkylene oxide adduct of alcohol" include compounds represented by the following general formula (D1) or (D2). R 1 -O-(C 2 H 4 O) r -H (D1) In formula (D1), R 1 R is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and r is the average number of moles added, which is 2 to 100, preferably 3 to 75. 1 The alkyl or alkenyl group may be straight-chain or branched. R 1 -O-(C 2 H 4 O) s (C 3 H 6 O) t -H (D2) In formula (D2), R 1 is as defined in formula (D1), s is the average number of moles added, which is 2 to 40, preferably 5 to 30; t is the average number of moles added, which is 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10; (C 2 H 4 O) and (C 3 H 6 The addition of O) may be either random or block.

[0032] Component (D) is a known substance and is readily available on the market or can be prepared. The component (D) may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. The blending amount of the (D) component is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 mass %, more preferably 0.5 to 7.0 mass %, and even more preferably 1.0 to 5.0 mass %, relative to the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the blending amount of the (D) component is within the range of 0.1 to 10 mass %, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the handleability due to the increase in the viscosity of the liquid softener composition, while maintaining good appearance stability, and to obtain a more excellent blending effect.

[0033] <Enzyme stabilizer> In the liquid softener composition of the present invention, an enzyme stabilizer may be blended as component (E). Component (E) may be blended to maintain good appearance stability of the liquid softener composition. As component (E), an enzyme stabilizer known in the field of liquid softeners can be used, and preferred examples for liquid softener compositions include sodium lactate and sodium benzoate as component (E-1), and polyethyleneimine and alkylene oxide adducts of polyethyleneimine as component (E-2). Commercially available products of ethylene oxide adducts of polyethyleneimine include, for example, the trade name "Sokalan HP20" manufactured by BASF. Both are considered to be stabilized by adsorbing to the enzyme surface and protecting the structure. The blending amount of component (E) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 1 mass %, more preferably 0.03 to 0.8 mass %, and even more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mass % based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. Furthermore, in the case of component (E-1), the blending amount is particularly preferably 0.05 to 0.2 mass%, and in the case of component (E-2), the blending amount is particularly preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mass%. When the blending amount of component (E) is within the range of 0.01 to 1 mass%, floating or precipitation of the enzyme is suppressed, and the appearance stability is improved. [Mass ratio of component (A) to component (E)] The mass ratio (A / E) of the component (A) to the component (E) is preferably 0.5 to 50, more preferably 0.6 to 16.7, and even more preferably 1.0 to 10. Furthermore, in the case of the component (E-1), the mass ratio is particularly preferably 2.5 to 10, and in the case of the component (E-2), the mass ratio is particularly preferably 1.0 to 2.5. The ratio of the enzyme activity of component (A) to the mass of component (E) per 1 g of fabric softener (A / E, kPDEU / g) is preferably 0.5 to 50, more preferably 0.6 to 16.7, and even more preferably 1.0 to 10. Furthermore, in the case of component (E-1), this ratio is particularly preferably 2.5 to 10, and in the case of component (E-2), this ratio is particularly preferably 1.0 to 2.5.

[0034] <Water> The liquid softener composition is preferably an aqueous composition containing water. As the water, tap water, ion-exchanged water, pure water, distilled water, etc. can be used. Among them, ion-exchanged water is preferable. The water content is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the water content is 50% by mass or more, the handleability of the liquid softener composition becomes better.

[0035] <Solvent> A solvent may be included to improve the flowability of the liquid softener composition. Examples of the solvent include polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and glycol ether solvents represented by the following general formula (i). R 1 -(OR 2 ) w OH(i) (In the formula, R 1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, R 2 is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, w represents the average number of moles added and is 1 to 30,000.

[0036] Examples of polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and glycerin. Examples of glycol ether solvents represented by formula (i) include ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylene glycol monophenyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (R 1 is an alkyl group having 4 carbon atoms, and R 2 is an alkylene group having 2 carbon atoms, and w is 2. R in formula (i) 1 An example of a compound in which is hydrogen is polyethylene glycol. As the polyethylene glycol, one in which w in formula (i) is 5 or more is preferred. The mass average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is preferably 200 to 1,320,000, more preferably 200 to 5,000, further preferably 200 to 2,000, and particularly preferably 200 to 1,000. The mass average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is a value measured by GPC using methanol as a solvent and calculated based on a calibration curve for polyethylene glycol. Among them, polyethylene glycol having a mass average molecular weight of 1,000 (w is 22 to 24) is particularly preferred. As the solvent, from the viewpoints of excellent fluidity, mild odor, and ready availability of raw materials, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether are preferred, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene glycol are more preferred.

[0037] Specific examples of the other solvents include compounds represented by the following general formula (ii). [ka] (In the formula, R 1 ~R 3 are independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R 4is a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group.

[0038] In formula (ii), R 1 ~R 3 are preferably all hydrogen atoms, or one is an alkyl group and the other two are hydrogen atoms. That is, R 1 ~R 3 It is preferable that two or more of R are hydrogen atoms. 1 ~R 3 When two or more of the above are hydrogen atoms, a high blending effect can be obtained. R 1 ~R 3 When any of the groups is an alkyl group, the carbon number thereof is preferably 1 to 2, and more preferably 1. When the carbon number is within the above range, a high blending effect can be obtained. R 4 is preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0039] R in formula (ii) 4 is a hydrogen atom, for example, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methoxy-3-methylbutanol, 3-methoxy-3-ethylbutanol, 3-methoxy-3-propylbutanol, 3-methoxy-2-methylbutanol, 3-methoxy-2-ethylbutanol, 3-methoxy-2-propylbutanol, 3-methoxy-1-methylbutanol, 3-methoxy-1-ethylbutanol, 3-methoxy-1-propylbutanol, etc.; R in formula (ii) 4 is an acetyl group, for example, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-3-methylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-3-ethylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-3-propylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-2-methylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-2-ethylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-2-propylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-1-methylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-1-ethylbutyl acetate, 3-methoxy-1-propylbutyl acetate, and the like. Of these, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methoxy-3-methylbutanol, 3-methoxy-2-methylbutanol, 3-methoxy-1-methylbutanol, and 3-methoxy-3-methylbutyl acetate are preferred, and 3-methoxy-3-methylbutanol is more preferred.

[0040] The solvent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The content of the solvent is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the blending can be achieved, but is preferably 1.0 mass % or more and less than 12 mass %, preferably 2.0 to 10 mass %, and more preferably 3.0 to 8.0 mass %, relative to the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[0041] <Fragrance> The perfume is added to the liquid softener composition to impart fragrance to the composition itself and / or to impart fragrance to textile products after treatment with the composition. As the fragrance, any substance known in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without any particular limitation. The fragrance may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. Examples of the fragrance include aldehydes, phenols, alcohols, ethers, esters, hydrocarbons, ketones, lactones, musks, fragrances having a terpene skeleton, natural fragrances, animal fragrances, etc. Specific examples of each fragrance are as follows. Examples of aldehydes include undecylenic aldehyde, lauryl aldehyde, aldehyde C-12 MNA, mirac aldehyde, α-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, cyclamen aldehyde, citral, citronellal, ethyl vanillin, heliotropin, anisaldehyde, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, octanal, ligustral, lilial, lyral, tripral, vanillin, and helional. Examples of phenols include eugenol and isoeugenol. Examples of alcohols include citronellol, dihydromyrcenol, dihydrolinalool, geraniol, linalool, nerol, sandalol, santalex, terpineol, tetrahydrolinalool, menthol, borneol, 1-decanal, bacdanol, and phenylethyl alcohol. Examples of ethers include cedrumbar, grisalva, methyl eugenol, and methyl isoeugenol. Examples of esters include cis-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl propionate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, p-cresyl acetate, pt-butylcyclohexyl acetate, amyl acetate, methyl dihydrojasmonate, amyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, cedryl acetate, citronellyl acetate, decahydro-β-naphthyl acetate, and methyl dihydrojasmonate. Acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl acetate, Erica propionate, ethyl acetoacetate, Erica acetate, geranyl acetate, geranyl formate, hedione, linalyl acetate, β-phenylethyl acetate, hexyl salicylate, styrallyl acetate, terpinyl acetate, vetiberyl acetate, ot-butylcyclohexyl acetate, manzanate, and allyl heptanoate. Examples of the hydrocarbons include limonene (particularly d-limonene), α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, camphene, terpinolene, and the like. Examples of ketones include α-ionone, β-ionone, methyl-β-naphthyl ketone, α-damascone, β-damascone, δ-damascone, damascenone, cis-jasmone, methylionone, allylionone, cashmeran, dihydrojasmone, isoe-super, vertofix, isolonedifolanone, coavone, carvone, rosephenone, raspberry ketone, dynascone, and maltol. Examples of lactones include γ-decalactone, γ-undecalactone, γ-nonalactone, γ-dodecalactone, coumarin, and ambroxan. Examples of musks include cyclopentadecanolide, ethylene brassylate, galaxolide, musk ketone, tonalide, tonalide, and nitro musks. Examples of fragrances having a terpene skeleton include geraniol, nerol, linalool, citral, citronellol, menthol, mint, citronellal, myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, terpineol, carvone, ionone (e.g., β-ionone), camphene, and borneol. Examples of natural fragrances include essential oils such as orange oil, lemon oil, lime oil, petitgrain oil, yuzu oil, neroli oil, bergamot oil, lavender oil, lavandin oil, abies oil, anise oil, bay oil, bois rose oil, ylang-ylang oil, citronella oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, patchouli oil, jasmine oil, rose oil, cedar oil, vetiver oil, galbanum oil, oakmoss oil, pine oil, camphor oil, sandalwood oil, camphor oil, turpentine oil, clove oil, clove leaf oil, cassia oil, nutmeg oil, cananga oil, and thyme oil. Examples of animal-derived fragrances include musk, spirit cat fragrance, beaver fragrance, ambergris, and the like.

[0042] The fragrance preferably contains an aldehyde, ketone or hydrocarbon fragrance, and more preferably contains the fragrances described below. [Aldehydes] One or more selected from the group consisting of undecylenic aldehyde, lauryl aldehyde, aldehyde C-12 MNA, mirac aldehyde, α-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, cyclamen aldehyde, citral, citronellal, heliotropin, anisaldehyde, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, octanal, ligustral, lilial, lyral, tripral, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, and helional. [Ketones] One or more selected from the group consisting of α-ionone, β-ionone, methyl-β-naphthyl ketone, α-damascone, β-damascone, δ-damascone, cis-jasmone, methylionone (methylionone), allylionone (allylionone), cashmeran, dihydrojasmone, isoe-super, vertofix, isolonedifolanone, corebon, rosephenone, raspberry ketone, dynascone, and maltol. [Hydrocarbons] One or more selected from the group consisting of limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, and terpinolene

[0043] When the fragrance contains aldehydes, ketones, and hydrocarbons as fragrance components, from the viewpoint of fragrance release, the total content of these fragrance components is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the fragrance composition.

[0044] The fragrance may contain fragrance solvents commonly used in liquid fabric softeners. Examples of fragrance solvents include acetin (triacetin), MMB acetate (3-methoxy-3-methylbutyl acetate), sucrose diacetate hexaisobutyrate, ethylene glycol dibutyrate, hexylene glycol, dibutyl sebacate, Deltyle Extra (isopropyl myristate), methyl carbitol (diethylene glycol monomethyl ether), carbitol (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether), TEG (triethylene glycol), benzyl benzoate (BB), propylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, tripropylene glycol, Aborin (dimethyl phthalate), Deltyle Prime (isopropyl palmitate), dipropylene glycol (DPG), Examples of such ingredients include farnesene, dioctyl adipate, tributyrin (glyceryl tributanoate), hydrolyte-5 (1,2-pentanediol), propylene glycol diacetate, cetyl acetate (hexadecyl acetate), ethyl abietate, Abarin (methyl abietate), Citroflex A-2 (acetyl triethyl citrate), Citroflex A-4 (tributyl acetyl citrate), Citroflex No. 2 (triethyl citrate), Citroflex No. 4 (tributyl citrate), Durafix (methyl dihydroabietate), MITD (isotridecyl myristate), polylimonene (limonene polymer), and 1,3-butylene glycol. The content of the fragrance solvent is, for example, 0.1 to 30 mass %, preferably 1 to 20 mass %, relative to the total mass of the fragrance composition.

[0045] The content of the fragrance is not particularly limited as long as the blending purpose can be achieved, but is preferably 0.5 to 5.0 mass %, more preferably 0.8 to 3.0 mass %, and even more preferably 0.8 to 2.0 mass %, based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. When the content is within the above range, a more excellent blending effect can be obtained.

[0046] <Antibacterial agent> Antimicrobial agents may be included to further enhance the antimicrobial properties of the liquid fabric softener composition. Specific examples of antibacterial agents include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (e.g., Clariant, GenaminCTAC), dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (Lion Specialty Chemicals, Lipocard 12-37W), tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Arcard 16-50), octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Arcard T-800), coco-alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Ethocard C / 12), didecyldimethylammonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Arcard 210-80E), dicoco-alkyldimethylammonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Arcard 2C-75), and benzalkonium chloride (e.g., Lion Akzo, Arcard CB-50). Of these, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride are preferred. The antibacterial agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The content of the antibacterial agent is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of the blending can be achieved, but is preferably 0.01 to 5.0 mass %, more preferably 0.1 to 2.0 mass %, and even more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 mass %, relative to the total mass of the liquid fabric softener composition.

[0047] <Antifoaming agent> Antifoaming agents may be included to reduce sudsing and improve the metering ability of the softener composition. Examples of the defoaming agent include silicone-based defoaming agents, alcohol-based defoaming agents, ester-based defoaming agents, mineral oil-based defoaming agents, vegetable oil-based defoaming agents, and synthetic oil-based defoaming agents, but silicone-based or alcohol-based defoaming agents are preferred from the viewpoint of suppressing foaming during softener metering and improving metering ability.The silicone-based defoaming agent used in the present invention includes oil-type defoaming agents, compound-type defoaming agents, self-emulsifying defoaming agents, emulsion-type defoaming agents, powder-type defoaming agents, and solid-type defoaming agents.Among these, self-emulsifying defoaming agents and emulsion-type defoaming agents are more preferred from the viewpoint of metering ability improvement effect, and emulsion-type defoaming agents are particularly preferred. Specific examples of the defoaming agent include ethanol manufactured by Japan Synthetic Alcohol Co., Ltd., and FS Antifoam Series manufactured by Dow Toray Co., Ltd., including DKQ1-071, DKQ1-1208, DKQ1-1086, 544, 001, 80, 81, 026A, 545, 013B, DK Q1-072, AFE, BE, DB-31, DB-110N, H-10, 025, EPL, F-18, F-20, F-51, CE, 90, 91, 92, 1122, DK Q1-1089, DK Q1-1056, DK Q1-1014, DK Q1-1022, DK Q1-1032, DK Q1-1042, DK Q1-1056, DK Q1-1014, DK Q1-1056 ... Q1-1074, KS496A, KS502, KS506, KS508, KS530, KS531, KS536, KS537, KS538, KM73, KM73A, KM73B, KM73E, KM72, KM72A, KM72F, KM70, KM71, KM75, KM80, KM83, KM83A, KM85, KM87A, KM89, KM90, KM93, KM68-1F, KM68-2F manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., and Q2-3183A, BY28-503, SD5591, SH7PA, SH5503, SH5510, SM5513 manufactured by Dow Toray Co., Ltd. , SH5561, SH5507, BY22-517, SM5511, SM5512, SM5515, SM5517, SM5571, SM5572F, SM5573, YSA6406, TSA780, TSA7341, TSA7343, TSA739, TSA732, TSA732A, TSA772, TSA730, TSA770, TSA775, TSA776, YMA6509, TSA737, TSA737B, TSA737S, TSA737F, TSA737K, and others manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan, LLC.

[0048] <Preservatives> The preservative may be added mainly to enhance the preservative or bactericidal power of the liquid fabric softener composition and to maintain the preservative properties during long-term storage. As the preservative, any component known in the field of liquid fabric softeners can be used without particular limitation, specific examples of which include isothiazolone-based organic sulfur compounds, benzisothiazolone-based organic sulfur compounds, benzoic acids, 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, etc. Examples of the isothiazolone organic sulfur compound include 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-n-butyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-benzyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-phenyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4,5-dichloroisothiazolone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and mixtures thereof. Among these, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one are preferred, a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one is more preferred, and a mixture of about 77% by mass of the former and about 23% by mass of the latter or a dilution thereof (e.g., an isothiazolone solution) is particularly preferred. Examples of benzisothiazolone-based organic sulfur compounds include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and related compounds such as dithio-2,2-bis(benzmethylamide), and mixtures thereof. Among these, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one is particularly preferred. Examples of the benzoic acids include benzoic acid or a salt thereof, parahydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, butyl parahydroxybenzoate, and benzyl parahydroxybenzoate. A single type of preservative may be used, or multiple types may be used in combination. The content of the preservative is not particularly limited as long as the purpose of blending can be achieved, but is preferably 0.0001 to 1 mass% based on the total mass of the liquid softener composition. If it is 0.0001 mass% or more, the blending effect of the preservative can be sufficiently obtained, and if it is 1 mass% or less, the high storage stability of the liquid softener composition can be sufficiently maintained.

[0049] <Other optional ingredients> In addition to the above-mentioned components, antioxidants and reducing agents for improving the stability of the fragrance and color tone of the liquid fabric softener composition, opacifiers (polystyrene emulsions, etc.), opacifying agents, shrink prevention agents, washing wrinkle prevention agents, shape retention agents, drape retention agents, ironing improvers, oxygen bleaching inhibitors, brightening agents, whitening agents, fabric softening clays, antistatic agents, dye transfer inhibitors (polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.), polymer dispersants, stain release agents, scum dispersants, fluorescent whitening agents (4,4-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl disodium (Ciba Specialty Chemicals' Chinopearl CBS-X, etc.), dye fixatives, anti-fading agents (1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine, etc.), stain removers, fiber surface modifiers, etc. In addition, it is possible to appropriately blend in the following: agents (enzymes such as cellulase, amylase, protease, lipase, and keratinase), foam inhibitors, components that impart the texture and functions of silk, such as moisture absorption and release properties (silk protein powder, surface modified products thereof, and emulsified dispersions, specifically K-50, K-30, K-10, A-705, S-702, L-710, FP series (Idemitsu Petrochemicals), hydrolyzed silk liquid (Jomo), Silkgen G Soluble S (Ichimaru Falcos)), and stain-preventing agents (non-ionic polymer compounds consisting of alkylene terephthalate and / or alkylene isophthalate units and polyoxyalkylene units, such as FR627 manufactured by GOO Chemical Industry and SRC-1 manufactured by Clariant Japan).

[0050] [pH of liquid fabric softener composition] The pH of the liquid softener composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of suppressing hydrolysis of component (A) over storage time, the pH at 25°C is preferably adjusted to the range of 2 to 9, more preferably 3 to 7. For pH adjustment, pH adjusters that can be used include short-chain amine compounds such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, alkyl sulfuric acid, benzoic acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid, phytic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and dimethylamine; alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide; alkali metal carbonates; and alkali metal silicates.

[0051] [Viscosity of liquid fabric softener composition] The viscosity of the liquid softener composition of the present invention is suppressed from thickening, and therefore has a viscosity that improves its usability (particularly, the ease of handling when put into a washing machine and the efficiency of discharging from the inlet of the washing machine). Specifically, the viscosity (25°C) is preferably less than 500 mPa·s, more preferably less than 300 mPa·s. The viscosity can be measured using a B-type viscometer (manufactured by TOKIMEC Corporation).

[0052] [Method of preparing liquid fabric softener composition] The method for preparing the liquid softener composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. The liquid softener composition can be produced by a known method, for example, according to the same steps as those for producing a liquid softener composition containing a silicone compound as a main component. For example, a liquid fabric softener composition can be produced by mixing an oil phase containing components (C) and (D) with an aqueous phase containing components (A) and (B) and stirring the mixture.

[0053] [Method of using the liquid fabric softener composition] The method of treating textile products using the liquid softener composition is not particularly limited, and it can be used in the same way as conventional liquid softeners. For example, there is a method of dissolving the liquid softener composition in rinsing water at the stage of washing, or a method of dissolving the liquid softener composition in water in a container such as a basin, and then putting the textile product in the container for immersion treatment. In either case, the composition is used after being diluted to an appropriate concentration, and the bath ratio (weight ratio of the treatment liquid to the textile product) is preferably 3 to 100 times, more preferably 5 to 50 times. The amount of the liquid softener composition used per textile product weight (1 kg) is preferably 0.1 to 100 g, more preferably 1 to 50 g. The type of textile product that can be treated with the liquid fabric softener composition is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include clothing, curtains, sofas, carpets, towels, handkerchiefs, sheets, pillowcases, etc. The material of the textile product may be natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, etc., or chemical fibers such as polyester. EXAMPLES

[0054] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In the examples, the amounts of components are all expressed in mass% (based on pure content unless otherwise specified).

[0055] [Component (A): Pectinase Enzyme] The following A-1 and A-2 were used. A-1: Product name "Xpect 1000L", manufactured by Novozymes (1244 PDEU / g) A-2 (Comparative Example): Product name "Carezyme Premium", manufactured by Novozymes

[0056] [Component (B): Cationic water-soluble polymer compound] The following B-1 and B-2 were used. B-1: Product name "Noverite 310", polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride, manufactured by Lubrizol Japan B-2: Product name "MERQUAT295", dimethyldiallylammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymer, manufactured by Lubrizol Japan

[0057] [Component (C): Silicone compound] The following C-1 and C-2 were used. C-1: Product name "CF1188N", polyether modified silicone, manufactured by Dow Toray Co., Ltd. C-2: Product name "SH3775M", polyether modified silicone, manufactured by Dow Toray Co., Ltd.

[0058] Regarding optional ingredients, the following were used: [Component (D): Nonionic surfactant] The following D-1 was used. D-1: Trade name "Lutensol XP100", polyoxyethylene alkyl ether EO 10 mol, manufactured by BASF D-1 is a compound represented by the general formula (D1) (R 1is an alkyl group having 10 carbon atoms, and r is 10.

[0059] [Component (E): Enzyme stabilizer] E-1-1: Product name "Sodium Lactate 60E", sodium lactate, manufactured by Musashino Chemical Laboratory Co., Ltd. E-1-2: Trade name "Na benzoate (35% aqueous solution)", sodium benzoate, manufactured by Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd. E-2-1: Product name "Epomin SP-003", polyethyleneimine, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. E-2-2: Trade name "Sokalan HP20", ethylene oxide adduct of polyethyleneimine, manufactured by BASF

[0060] [Common ingredients] Antibacterial agent: cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (manufactured by Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., product name "Lipocard 16-29") 0.7% by mass Solvent: Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether ("Butyl diglycol (84)" manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai Co., Ltd.) 2.5% by mass Solvent: 3-methoxy-3-methylbutanol ("Solfit" manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 3.5% by mass Antifoaming agent: Ethanol (Japan Synthetic Alcohol Co., Ltd. "Specific Alcohol 95% Synthetic") 1.0% by mass Defoamer: Silicone emulsion type defoamer ("KM-90" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.005% by mass ·Fragrance 0.9% by mass The fragrance compositions shown in Table 1 below were used. [Table 1] Antioxidant: BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., product name "SUMILIZER BHT") 0.01% by mass

[0061] [Method of preparing liquid fabric softener composition] First, component (C), component (D), solvent, flavor, and antioxidant were placed in a 1000 mL beaker and thoroughly stirred with a stirring blade to obtain an oil phase mixture. On the other hand, component (B) and the antibacterial agent were dissolved in ion-exchanged water to obtain an aqueous phase mixture. Next, the aqueous phase mixture was added while stirring the oil phase mixture, and then the component (A), the component (E), and the defoaming agent were added and thoroughly stirred until homogenous to prepare 1000 g of a liquid softener composition. For Examples 1, 11 to 13, and 17 to 23 in which the component (E) was added, an appropriate amount of hydrochloric acid (reagent 1 mol / L, Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) or sodium hydroxide (reagent 1 mol / L, Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) was added to adjust the pH to 5.0. The compositions of each liquid softener composition are shown in Tables 2 and 3 below. The content values ​​in Tables 2 and 3 are the contents (mass %) relative to the total mass of the liquid softener composition.

[0062] [Method of evaluating liquid fabric softener compositions] <Suppresses damp odor> The evaluation fabrics were old towels found in ordinary households that have a noticeable damp smell, and the damp smell suppression effect was verified. The evaluation cloth was a worn-out towel that is present in a general household and has a worrying damp odor, and the damp odor suppression effect was examined. The evaluation cloth was washed for 10 minutes with a commercial detergent "Top Platinum Clear" (manufactured by Lion Corporation) using a two-tub washing machine (NA-W40G2 manufactured by Panasonic Corporation) (standard usage amount, standard course, bath ratio 20 times, tap water at 25 ° C.), the first rinse (3 minutes), and during the second rinse, a softening treatment was performed for 3 minutes with each liquid softener composition prepared by the above-mentioned "Preparation method of liquid softener composition" (10 mL of liquid softener composition for 1.5 kg of test cloth, bath ratio 20 times, tap water at 25 ° C.). After the softening treatment, the cloth was dehydrated and hung in a room at 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 100% RH for 6 hours (drying indoors). Then, a sensory evaluation was performed in which six expert panelists smelled the odor of the household collected towels after drying (drying indoors) for 6 hours. The sensory evaluation was performed by scoring based on the following evaluation criteria. Specifically, a specialist panel smelled each of the household collected towels after drying indoors, scored them according to the odor intensity rating of the following six stages, and calculated the average score. Using this average score as an index, the effect of suppressing the generation of damp-dry odor was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "Damp-dry odor suppression" section in Tables 2 and 3. Those with ○ or ◎ were considered to pass.

[0063] (Odor Intensity Indication) 0 points: No strange odor at all. 1 point: The odor is barely detectable. 2 points: The odor is weak. 3 points: The odor is somewhat strong. 4 points: A strong unpleasant odor is detected. 5 points: A strong unpleasant odor is felt.

[0064] (Evaluation Criteria) ◎◎ : Less than 1 point ◎: 1 point or more, less than 1.5 points ○: 1.5 points or more, less than 2 points × : 2 or more points

[0065] <Texture evaluation> 1. Preparation of Evaluation Fabric A commercially available cotton towel (100% cotton, Senshu towel) was pretreated twice in a twin-tub washing machine (Toshiba VH-30S) with a commercial detergent "Top Platinum Clear" (manufactured by Lion Corporation), which contains an anionic surfactant as the main cleaning base material (standard amount of detergent used: bath ratio 30 times. Tap water at 45°C. After 10 minutes of washing, two 10-minute rinses were performed). After pretreatment, the towel was dried for 20 hours under constant temperature and humidity conditions of 20°C and 45% RH to be used as the evaluation cloth.

[0066] 2. Treatment with fabric softener during the rinsing process The evaluation fabric was treated with each liquid fabric softener composition prepared by the above-mentioned "Preparation method of liquid fabric softener composition". The treatment was performed using a drum washing machine (HITACHI BD-V1, standard course) by adding a commercially available detergent "Top Super NANOX" (manufactured by Lion Corporation, standard usage amount) and the liquid fabric softener composition (10 mL per 1.5 kg of fabric). At this time, the bath ratio (ratio of the mass of water to the mass of the evaluation fabric) during washing and rinsing was 10 times. After the treatment, the evaluation fabric was dried for 20 hours under constant temperature and humidity conditions of 20°C and 45% RH, and the texture of the evaluation fabric was evaluated by the following method.

[0067] 3. Evaluation of fabrics treated with fabric softener A paired sensory evaluation was carried out by eight expert panelists using a test cloth treated with no fabric softener (water) as a control. The sensory evaluation was carried out based on the following criteria, and the results are shown in the "handle" section of Tables 2 and 3. In terms of commercial value, a rating of ○ or higher was judged to be acceptable.

[0068] (Judgment criteria) ◎◎: Much better than the control (water treatment) ◎: Much better than the control (water treatment) ○: Slightly better than the control (water treatment) ×: Equal to or less than the control (water treatment)

[0069] <Evaluation of enzyme stability> The enzyme stability of the liquid softener composition was evaluated by appearance. Each liquid softener composition prepared by the above "Preparation method of liquid softener composition" was poured into a lightweight glass bottle (PS-No. 11, manufactured by Tanuma Glass Industry Co., Ltd.) in an amount of 80 mL and sealed to prepare an evaluation sample. The evaluation sample was left to stand at 40°C for 5 days, and then the state of the enzyme was visually observed. Three panelists evaluated the composition according to the following evaluation criteria, calculated the average score, and judged the enzyme stability of the liquid softener composition according to the following judgment criteria. The results are shown in the "Enzyme Stability" section in Tables 2 and 3. A judgment criterion of ○ or higher was judged as passing.

[0070] (Evaluation Criteria) 0 points: Enzyme precipitation is clearly observed in the sample. 1 point: The enzyme is clearly suspended in the sample, with only a small amount of precipitation. 2 points: A small amount of enzyme is visible floating in the sample, but no precipitation is observed. 3 points: No enzyme precipitate or suspension was observed in the sample.

[0071] (Judgment criteria) ◎:3 points ○: 2 points or more, less than 3 points △: 1 point or more, less than 2 points ×: Less than 1 point

[0072] [Table 2]

[0073] [Table 3]

[0074] The damp odor suppression effect of component (A) was improved by the combined use of components (B) and (C). In addition, the damp odor suppression effect tended to increase as the blending amount of each component increased. Considering that the components (B) and (C) themselves do not have the effect of suppressing damp-dry odor, the excellent damp-dry odor suppression effect exerted by the liquid fabric softener composition of the present invention is unexpected.

Claims

1. The following components (A) to (C): (A) Pectinase Enzyme (B) Cationic water-soluble polymer compound (C) Silicone compound A liquid fabric softener composition comprising:

2. 2. The liquid fabric softener composition of claim 1, further comprising (D) a nonionic surfactant.

3. The liquid softener composition according to claim 2, wherein the component (D) is a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether represented by the following formula (D1): R 1 -O-(C 2 H 4 O) r -H (D1) (In the formula, R 1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and r is the average number of moles added and is a number from 2 to 100.

4. The liquid fabric softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component (A) is at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of pectate lyase, polygalacturonase, pectin esterase, and pectin methyl esterase.

5. The liquid softener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component (C) is a polyether-modified silicone.

6. The liquid softener composition according to claim 4, wherein component (C) is a polyether-modified silicone.

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