Fabric treatment using bacterial spores

Abstract

To provide a method for treating fabric that provides sustained malodor removal and / or malodor control from fabric over an extended period of time.SOLUTION: A method of treating fabrics in a washing machine using a low temperature and / or a quick program comprising contacting the fabrics with a treatment liquor comprising bacterial spores of at least 1 * 10 2 CFU / litre of liquor, preferably from about 1 * 10 2 to about 1 * 10 8 CFU / litre of liquor, wherein the low temperature program comprises a wash having a bath temperature of less than 30 °C and / or wherein the quick program lasts less than 40 minutes.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of treating fabrics to provide malodor reduction and / or malodor prevention. [Background technology]

[0002] Malodours are an increasing problem, especially in laundry, as habits change towards lower temperatures and shorter wash programmes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] There is a need for an environmentally friendly, low energy consumption washing process that helps combat malodours in fabrics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for treating fabrics in a washing machine using a low temperature and / or quick program, preferably a low temperature and quick program, the method comprising a treating step of contacting the fabrics with a treatment solution. The treatment solution comprises at least 1×10 s of the solution. 2 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 2 ~Approx. 1×10 8 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 4 ~Approx. 1×10 7 CFU / liter of bacterial spores. By "low temperature program" is herein understood a program having a wash bath temperature of less than 30°C, preferably less than about 25°C, more preferably less than about 22°C. By "quick program" is herein understood a program lasting less than 40 minutes, preferably less than about 30 minutes, more preferably less than 28 minutes.

[0005] The method of the present invention provides sustained malodor removal and / or prevention from fabrics over an extended period of time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention encompasses a method for treating fabrics in a washing machine using a low temperature and / or quick program. The method comprises treating fabrics in a washing machine using at least 1×10 s of liquor. 2 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 2 ~Approx. 1×10 8 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 4 ~Approx. 1×10 7 The method includes contacting the fabric with a treatment solution containing bacterial spores, preferably Bacillus spores, at CFU / liter.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention uses a low temperature cycle with a program length of 60 minutes or less.

[0008] Although it has generally been thought that laundry processes are more effective when carried out at high temperatures and with long wash times, in the course of this work it has surprisingly been found that low temperature and / or quick laundry processes can provide better lasting malodor removal and prevention than laundry processes carried out at higher temperatures and with longer wash times.

[0009] By "sustained malodor removal" it is meant that malodor removal and / or prevention occurs for at least 24 hours, preferably at least 48 hours, after the fabric is treated. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that bacterial spores germinate upon external stimuli such as heat and sweat from the user, thereby providing malodor removal and prevention while the fabric is being worn.

[0010] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an," when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms "include," "includes," and "including" are meant to be open-ended. The compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components of the present disclosure.

[0011] All percentages, ratios, and proportions used herein are by weight of the composition unless otherwise specified. All average values ​​are calculated "by weight" of the composition unless otherwise expressly indicated. All ratios are calculated as weight / weight levels unless otherwise specified.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, all measurements are performed at 25°C.

[0013] Unless otherwise noted, all ingredient or composition concentrations are in terms of the active portion of that ingredient or composition and are exclusive of impurities, e.g., residual solvents or by-products, that may be present in commercial sources of such ingredient or composition.

[0014] How to treat the surface The present disclosure relates to methods of treating fabrics using bacterial spores, preferably the bacterial spores include Bacillus spores.

[0015] The method of the present disclosure includes contacting a fabric with an aqueous treatment solution. The aqueous treatment solution comprises at least 1×10 2 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 2 ~Approx. 1×10 8 CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 4 ~Approx. 1×10 7 CFU / liter of bacterial spores, preferably Bacillus spores.

[0016] The method for treating fabrics is carried out in an automatic washing machine. Such a machine may be a top-loading machine or a front-loading machine. Preferably, the method program of the present invention uses no more than 65 liters of water, more preferably no more than 60 liters of water, more preferably no more than 50 liters of water, and even more preferably no more than 40 liters of water.

[0017] The treatment step may be part of a wash or rinse cycle of a program in an automatic washing machine. The aqueous treatment solution may be the rinse solution. The composition comprising the bacterial spores may be added to the drawer or drum of the automatic washing machine during the wash or rinse cycle to form the treatment solution.

[0018] The treating step of the disclosed method includes contacting fabrics with an aqueous wash liquor. The step of contacting fabrics with the aqueous wash liquor may occur before contacting the fabrics with an aqueous rinse liquor. Such a step may occur during a single treatment cycle. The aqueous wash liquor may include a cleaning composition, such as a granular or liquid laundry detergent composition, dissolved or diluted in water. The detergent composition may include an anionic surfactant. The aqueous wash liquor may include from about 50 ppm to about 5000 ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm, of anionic surfactant.

[0019] The method of the present invention can include a laundry process comprising a wash and rinse cycle, and the bacterial spores can be delivered to the fabric from the cleaning composition and / or the additive composition. The bacterial spores can be delivered to the wash cycle or the rinse cycle, preferably the wash cycle.

[0020] Compositions for use in the methods of the present invention The compositions used in the methods of the present invention are sometimes referred to herein as "compositions of the present invention."

[0021] As used herein, the phrase "fabric treatment composition" includes compositions designed for the treatment of fabrics, including clothing, or other textiles.

[0022] Such compositions include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric deodorizing compositions, laundry prewash detergents, laundry pretreatments, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agents or compositions, laundry rinse additives, cleaning additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in porous substrates or nonwoven sheets, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as laundry pretreatments, laundry post-treatments, or may be added during the wash and / or rinse cycles of the laundry process.

[0023] The composition may be in any suitable form. The product may be in the form of a liquid composition, a granular composition, a single-compartment pouch, a multi-compartment pouch, a sheet, a pastille or bead, a fibrous article, a tablet, a bar, a flake, or a mixture thereof. The composition may be selected from a liquid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

[0024] The composition may be in liquid form. The composition may contain about 30% to about 90%, or about 50% to about 80% water by weight of the composition. The pH of the composition may be optimized to promote bacterial spore stability.

[0025] The composition may be a cleaning or additive composition and may be in the form of a unitized dose article, such as a tablet, pouch, sheet, or fibrous article. Such pouches typically include a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol water-soluble film, that at least partially encapsulates the composition. Suitable films are available from MonoSol, LLC (Indiana, USA).

[0026] The composition can be enclosed in a single-compartment pouch or a multi-compartment pouch. The multi-compartment pouch may have at least two, at least three, or at least four compartments. The multi-compartment pouch may include compartments arranged side-by-side and / or stacked. The composition contained in the pouch or its compartments may be liquid, solid (such as powder), or a combination thereof. The pouch composition may have a relatively low amount of water, for example, less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 12%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 8% water by weight of the detergent composition.

[0027] The composition may be in the form of pastilles or beads. The pastilles may contain polyethylene glycol as a carrier. The polyethylene glycol may have a weight average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 20,000 daltons, preferably about 5000 to about 15,000 daltons, and even more preferably about 6000 to about 12,000 daltons.

[0028] The composition may contain a non-aqueous solvent that can act as a carrier and / or promote stability. Non-aqueous solvents may include organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, glycol ethers, hydrocarbons, or mixtures thereof. Other non-aqueous solvents may include lipophilic fluids such as siloxanes or other silicones, hydrocarbons, perfluorinated amines, perfluorinated and hydrofluoroether solvents, or mixtures thereof. Amine-containing solvents such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine may be suitable.

[0029] Bacterial spores Although bacterial spores can be present on surfaces, the methods of the present invention involve intentionally adding bacterial spores to fabric surfaces in an amount that can provide a noticeable benefit to the consumer, particularly malodor removal and prevention. Preferably, the methods of the present invention involve the intentional addition of at least 1 x 10 bacterial spores to fabric surfaces in an amount that can provide a noticeable benefit to the consumer, particularly malodor removal and prevention. 2 CFU / g, preferably 1 x 10 2CFU / g of surface area: 1 x 10 4 By "intentional addition of bacterial spores" herein is meant that the spores are added in addition to any microorganisms that may be present on the fabric.

[0030] The microbial spores used in the methods and uses of the present invention can be added to the wash or rinse cycle, and the spores are fabric-persistent and provide malodor control after the laundering process, particularly during and after use (e.g., wearing) of the fabric.

[0031] The microbial spores of the present invention can germinate on fabrics. The spores can be activated by heat, for example, heat generated during the use of the fabric. The spores can germinate when the fabric is stored and / or used. The malodor precursors produced by the spores can be used by the microorganisms as nutrients to promote germination.

[0032] Bacterial spores for use herein are i) able to survive temperatures encountered in the laundry process, ii) fabric persistent, iii) capable of controlling odor, and iv) preferably capable of supporting the cleaning action of laundry detergents. The spores have the ability to germinate and form cells during processing, and continue to germinate and form cells on the fabric using malodor precursors as nutrients. The spores can be provided in liquid or solid form. Preferably, the spores are in solid form.

[0033] Some Gram-positive bacteria have a two-stage life cycle. During this life cycle, bacteria growing under certain conditions, such as in response to nutrient deficiency, can execute an elaborate developmental program leading to spore or endospore formation. Bacterial spores are protected by a coat composed of approximately 60 different proteins assembled into a biochemically complex structure with intriguing morphological and mechanical properties. The protein coat is considered a static structure that provides rigidity and primarily acts as a sieve to filter out large, exogenous, toxic molecules, such as lytic enzymes. Spores are highly resistant to extreme environmental conditions and therefore play an important role in the long-term survival of a species. Spores can also remain metabolically dormant for many years. Methods for obtaining bacterial spores from vegetative cells are well known in the art. In some instances, vegetative bacterial cells are grown in liquid culture. From late logarithmic or early stationary phase, bacteria can initiate spore formation. Once the bacteria have completed sporulation, the spores can be harvested from the culture medium, for example, by centrifugation. Various methods can be used to kill or remove any remaining vegetative cells. Various methods can be used to purify spores from cellular debris and / or other materials or substances. Bacterial spores can be differentiated from vegetative cells using various techniques, such as phase contrast microscopy, automated scanning microscopy, high-resolution atomic force microscopy, or thermotolerance methods. Bacterial spores are generally metabolically inactive or dormant, environmentally resistant structures, making them easily selected for use in commercial microbial products. Despite their hardiness and extremely long lifespan, spores can rapidly respond to the presence of specific small molecules known as germination, which signals favorable conditions for interrupting dormancy by germination, the initial step in the process of completing their life cycle by reverting to vegetative bacteria. For example, commercial microbial products can be designed so that spores are dispersed into an environment where they encounter germs present in the environment, germinate within vegetative cells, and perform their intended function. A variety of different bacteria can form spores. Bacteria from any of these groups can be used in the compositions, methods, and kits disclosed herein.For example, the following genera: Acetonema, Alcalibacillus, Ammoniphilus, Ampibacillus, Anaerobacter, Anaerospora, Aneuribacillus, Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Cardanaerobacter, Caloramater, Caminicella, Serrasibacillus, Clostridium, Clostridium disalibacter, Cornella, Dendrosporobacter, Desulfotomaculum, Desulfosporomusa, Desulfosporosinus S., Desulfovirgra, Desulfnispora, Desulfrispora, Filifactor, Filobacillus, Gerria, Geobacillus, Geosporobacter, Gracilibacillus, Halonatronum, Heliobacterium, Heliophyllum, Raceella, Lentinibacillus, Raisinibacillus, Mahela, Metabacterium, Moorella, Natroniella, Oceanobacillus, Olenia, Ornithinebacillus, Oxalophagus, Oxobacillus Tar, Paenibacillus, Paraliobacillus, Perospora, Perotomaculum, Piscibacillus, Planiphyllum, Pontibacillus, Propionispora, Salinibacillus, Sarsuginibacillus, Seinonella, Simazuela, Sporacetigenium, Sporoanaerobacter, Sporobacter, Sporobacterium, Sporohalobacter, Sporolactobacillus, Sporomusa, Sporosalcia, Sporotalea, Sporotomaculum, Si Some bacteria among the following can form spores: Ntrophomonas, Syntrophospora, Tenuibacillus, Tepidibacter, Teribacillus, Thalassobacillus, Thermoacetogenium, Thermoactinomyces, Thermoalkalibacillus, Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaeromonas, Thermobacillus, Thermoflavimicrobium, Thermovenablum, Tuberibacillus, Bulgibacillus, and / or Vulcanobacillus.

[0034] Preferably, the bacterium capable of forming spores is a bacterium of the Bacillaceae family, for example, Aeribacillus, Allibacillus, Alkalibacillus, Alkalicoccus, Alkalihalobacillus, Alkalicactibacillus, Allobacillus, Arteribacillus, Arteribacter, Ampibacillus, Anaerobacillus, Anoxybacillus, Aquibacillus, Aquisaribacillus, Aureibacillus, Bacillus, Caldarcalibacillus, Caldibacillus, Calditericola, Caldifontisbacillus, Cameliibacillus, Serrasibacillus, Compostibacillus, Rus, Cytobacillus, Desertibacillus, Domibacillus, Ectobacillus, Evansella, Farcibacillus, Ferdinandcohina, Fermentibacillus, Fictibacillus, Filbacillus, Geobacillus, Geomicrobium, Gottfriedia, Gracilibacillus, Hallalkalibacillus, Halobacillus, Haloractibacillus, Heindrixia, Hydrogenibacillus, Lederbergia, Lentibacillus, Richfieldia, Rottidebacillus, Margaritia, Marinococcus, Mergilibacillus, Mesobacillus, Metabacillus, Microaerobacter, Natoribacillus, Natronobacillus, Neobacillus, Niaria, Oceanobacillus, Ornithinibacillus, Parageobacillus, Paraliobacillus, Paralcalibacillus, Paucisalibacillus, Pelagirhabdos, Peribacillus, Piscibacillus, Polygonibacillus, Pontibacillus, Pradosia, Prieszia, Pseudogracilibacillus, Pueribacillus, Radiobacillus, Robertomuraya, Rosellomorea, Saccharococcus, Salibacterium, Salimicrobium, In various examples, the bacteria are from species of the genera Salinibacillus, Salipaldibacillus, Salirhabdus, Salisediminibacterium, Saliteribacillus, Salsiuginibacillus, Sediminibacillus, Siminovichia, Sinibacillus, Sinobacillus, Streptohalobacillus, Sacrifiella, Swionibacillus, Tenuibacillus, Tepidibacillus, Terribacillus, Terrilacticbacillus, Texcoconibacillus, Thalassobacillus, Thalassorhabdus, Thermolongibacillus, Bardibacillus, Bardibacillus, Vulcanibacillus, and Weizmania.Bacillus aerophilus, Bacillus albus, Bacillus alticuzinis, Bacillus albeauensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciensex, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus aquiflavi, Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus australimalis, Bacillus badius, Bacillus benzoevorans, Bacillus cabriaresii, Bacillus canaverarius, Bacillus cappallidis, Bacillus carboniphilus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus chagangensis, Bacillus corefirense, Bacillus cytotoxicus, Bacillus decisifrondis, Bacillus ectoiniformans, Bacillus enculensis, Bacillus fengquensis, Bacillus fungorum, Bacillus glitinifermentans, Bacillus gobiensis, Bacillus halotolerans, Bacillus heineshii, Bacillus forti, Bacillus inaquosorum, Bacillus infantis, Bacillus infernus, Bacillus isaberiae, Bacillus quequeae, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus luti, Bacillus manusensis, Bacillus ma Bacillus linisedimentorum, Bacillus mesophilus, Bacillus methanolicus, Bacillus mobilis, Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus nakamurai, Bacillus nudgiopicus, Bacillus nitrachiredusens, Bacillus oleivorans, Bacillus pacificus, Bacillus pachystanensis, Bacillus paralicheniformis, Bacillus paramycoides, Bacillus paranthrasis, Bacillus pervagus, Bacillus pisticola, Bacillus proteolyticus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus proteolyticus Millis, Bacillus safensis, Bacillus tharracetis, Bacillus salinus, Bacillus salitorrans, Bacillus theohaeanensis, Bacillus sibazii, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus smithii, Bacillus solimanglobi, Bacillus songkurensis, Bacillus sonorensis, Bacillus spizizenii, Bacillus spongiae, Bacillus stearicolis, Bacillus stratosphericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus swedzei, Bacillus thaeanensis, Bacillus tamaricis, Bacillus tequilensis,The strain may be a strain of Bacillus thermocloacae, Bacillus thermotolerans, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus tianchenii, Bacillus toyonensis, Bacillus tropicalis, Bacillus valismortis, Bacillus verrezuensis, Bacillus viedmannii, Bacillus vdaliankiensis, Bacillus kiamenensis, Bacillus kiapuensis, Bacillus zangzouensis, or a combination thereof.

[0035] In some examples, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Bacillus strain, such as Bacillus sp. strain SD-6991, Bacillus sp. strain SD-6992, Bacillus sp. strain NRRL B-50606, Bacillus sp. strain NRRL B-50887, Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7792 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50019, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50020, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50021, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50022, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50023, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50024, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50025, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50026, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50027, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50028, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50029, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50029, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-5 B-50018, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546, Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791, Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136 (also known as DA-33R, ATCC accession number 55406), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399, Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014, Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50607, Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50147 (also known as 300R), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50150, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, Bacillus megaterium PTA-3142, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain ATCC accession number 55405 (also known as 300), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain ATCC accession number 55407 (also known as PMX), Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-50398 (ATCCBacillus cereus ATCC accession number 700386, Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC accession number 700387 (all of the above strains are available from Novozymes, Inc., USA), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24 (e.g., isolates NRRL B-50304 and NRRL B-50349 TAEGRO® available from Novozymes), Bacillus subtilis (e.g., isolate NRRL B-21661 in RHAPSODY®, SERENADE® MAX, and SERENADE® ASO available from Bayer CropScience), Bacillus pumilus (e.g., isolate NRRL B-21661 available from Bayer CropScience), Bacillus cereus ATCC accession number 700386, Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC accession number 700387 (all of the above strains are available from Novozymes, Inc., USA), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24 (e.g., isolates NRRL B-50304 and NRRL B-50349 TAEGRO® available from Novozymes), Bacillus subtilis (e.g., isolate NRRL B-21661 in RHAPSODY®, SERENADE® MAX, and SERENADE® ASO available from Bayer CropScience), Bacillus pumilus ... available from Bayer CropScience), Bacillus cereus ATCC accession number 700386, Bacillus thuring B-50349 isolate), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TrigoCor (also known as "TrigoCor 1448", e.g., isolate Embrapa Trigo accession number 144 / 88.4Lev, Cornell accession number Pma007BR-97, and ATCC accession number 202152 available from Cornell University, USA), and combinations thereof.

[0036] In some examples, the spore-forming bacterial strain can be a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain. For example, the strain can be Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus) and / or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, or from other Bacillus amyloliquefaciens microorganisms.

[0037] In some examples, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Brevibacillus species, such as Brevibacillus brevis, Brevibacillus formosus, Brevibacillus laterosporus, or Brevibacillus parabrevis, or a combination thereof.

[0038] In some examples, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Paenibacillus species, such as Paenibacillus alvei, Paenibacillus amylolyticus, Paenibacillus azotofixans, Paenibacillus cookii, Paenibacillus macerans, Paenibacillus polymyxa, or Paenibacillus validus, or a combination thereof. The bacterial spores may have an average particle size of about 2 to 50 microns, preferably about 10 to 45 microns. Bacillus spores are commercially available in blends in aqueous carriers in which they are insoluble. Other commercially available Bacillus spore blends include, but are not limited to, Freshen Free™ CAN (10X), available from Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., Evogen® Renew Plus (10X), available from Genesis Biosciences, Inc., and Evogen® GT (10X, 20X, and 110X), all available from Genesis Biosciences, Inc. In the foregoing list, the designations in parentheses (10X, 20X, and 110X) indicate the relative concentrations of Bacillus spores.

[0039] The bacterial spores used in the methods and compositions disclosed herein may or may not be heat activated. In some instances, the bacterial spores are heat activated. In some instances, the bacterial spores are not heat inactivated. Preferably, the spores used herein are heat activated. Heat activation may involve heating the bacterial spores from room temperature (15-25°C) to an optimum temperature of 25-120°C, preferably 40-100°C, and holding the optimum temperature for up to 2 hours, preferably 70-80°C for 30 minutes.

[0040] For the methods, compositions, and products disclosed herein, a population of bacterial spores is generally used. In some examples, the population of bacterial spores may include bacterial spores from a single strain of bacteria. Preferably, the population of bacterial spores may include bacterial spores from two, three, four, five, or more strains of bacteria. Generally, the population of bacterial spores contains a majority of spores and a small number of vegetative cells. In some examples, the population of bacterial spores does not contain vegetative cells. In some examples, the population of bacterial spores may contain less than about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, or 50% vegetative cells, where the percentage of bacterial spores is calculated as ((number of vegetative cells / (number of spores in the population + number of vegetative cells in the population)) × 100). Generally, the populations of bacterial spores used in the disclosed methods, compositions, and products are stable (i.e., not germinating) and at least some individual spores in the population are capable of germination.

[0041] The population of bacterial spores used in the present disclosure may contain bacterial spores at different concentrations. In various examples, the population of bacterial spores is at least 1 x 10 2 , 5×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 5×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 5×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 5×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 5×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 5×107 , 1×10 8 , 5×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 5×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 5×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 5×10 11 , 1×10 12 , 5×10 12 , 1×10 13 , 5×10 13 , 1×10 14 , or 5 x 10 14 particles / mL, particles / gram, or particles / cm 3 The spores may include, but are not limited to, spores of Bacillus subtilis.

[0042] Suitable cleaning ingredients include at least one of a surfactant, an enzyme, an enzyme stabilizing system, a detergent builder, a chelating agent, a complexing agent, a clay soil removal / anti-redeposition agent, a polymeric soil release agent, a polymeric dispersing agent, a polymeric grease cleaner, a dye transfer inhibitor, a bleaching agent, a bleach activator, a bleach catalyst, a fabric conditioner, a clay, a suds booster, a defoamer, a suds suppressor, a corrosion inhibitor, a soil suspending agent, a dye, a hueing dye, a disinfectant, an anti-haze agent, an optical brightener, a fragrance, a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, a calcium cation, a magnesium cation, a visual signal component, a structurant, a thickener, an anti-caking agent, a starch, a sand, a gelling agent, or any combination thereof.

[0043] Surfactant System: The composition may comprise a surfactant system in an amount sufficient to impart the desired cleaning characteristics. In some embodiments, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 70% of a surfactant system, by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 60% of a surfactant system, by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, the composition comprises from about 5% to about 30% of a surfactant system, by weight of the composition. The surfactant system may comprise a detersive surfactant selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, ampholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a detersive surfactant includes any surfactant or mixture of surfactants that provides cleaning, stain removal, or laundering benefits to soiled materials.

[0044] Anionic Surfactants. Non-limiting examples of suitable anionic surfactants include any conventional anionic surfactant, including linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), α-olefin sulfonates (AOS), alkyl sulfates (fatty alcohol sulfates) (AS), alcohol ethoxy sulfates (AEOS or AES), secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS), α-sulfofatty acid methyl esters, alkyl- or alkenyl succinic acids, or soaps.

[0045] Nonionic surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants useful herein can include any conventional nonionic surfactant. These can include, for example, alkoxylated fatty alcohols and amine oxide surfactants. Other non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants useful herein include C8-C 18 Alkyl ethoxylates (NEODOL® nonionic surfactants (Shell), etc.); C6-C 12 Alkylphenol alkoxylate (the alkoxylate units can be ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or combinations thereof); C 12 ~C 18C6-C with alcohol and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymer 12 Alkylphenol condensates (such as Pluronic® (BASF)); C 14 ~C 22 Medium-chain branched alcohol (BA); C 14 ~C 22 Medium-chain branched MEA (BAE x) (wherein x is 1 to 30); alkyl polysaccharides; specifically alkyl polyglycosides; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; and ether-terminated poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants. Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants also include alkyl polyglucosides and alkyl alkoxylated alcohols. Suitable nonionic surfactants also include those sold by BASF under the trade name Lutensol®.

[0046] Cationic Surfactants. The surfactant system may include a cationic surfactant. In some embodiments, the surfactant system includes from about 0% to about 7%, from about 0.1% to about 5%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight of the surfactant system of a cationic surfactant, e.g., as a co-surfactant. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are substantially free of cationic surfactants and surfactants that become cationic at a pH below 7 or below 6. Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium surfactants, which may have 26 or fewer carbon atoms, including alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants; dimethylhydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium; dimethylhydroxyethyl lauryl ammonium chloride; polyamine cationic surfactants; cationic ester surfactants; and amino surfactants, such as amidopropyldimethylamine (APA).

[0047] Zwitterionic surfactants. Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include secondary and tertiary amine derivatives, heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amine derivatives, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium compounds, quaternary phosphonium compounds, or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Betaines, including alkyl dimethyl betaines and cocodimethylamidopropyl betaines, C8-C 18 (For example, C 12 ~C 18 ) amine oxides, and sulfo- and hydroxybetaines such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamino-1-propanesulfonates (wherein the alkyl group is C8-C 18 and in certain embodiments C 10 ~C 14 (It can be said that).

[0048] Examples of amphoteric surfactants include aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, and heterocyclic aliphatic derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, in which the aliphatic group may be straight or branched, and one of the aliphatic substituents contains at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one of the aliphatic substituents contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, such as carboxy, sulfonate, or sulfate. Examples of compounds falling within this definition are sodium 3-(dodecylamino)propionate, sodium 3-(dodecylamino)propane-1-sulfonate, sodium 2-(dodecylamino)ethyl sulfate, sodium 2-(dimethylamino)octadecanoate, disodium 3-(N-carboxymethyldodecylamino)propane-1-sulfonate, disodium octadecyl-iminodiacetate, sodium 1-carboxymethyl-2-undecylimidazole, and sodium N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-sulfato-3-dodecoxypropylamine. Suitable amphoteric surfactants also include sarcosinates, glycinates, taurinates, and mixtures thereof.

[0049] Enzymes. Preferably, the composition comprises one or more enzymes. Preferred enzymes provide cleaning performance and / or fabric care benefits. Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, galactanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidases, chondroitinases, laccases, and amylases, or mixtures thereof. A typical combination is an enzyme cocktail, which may include, for example, proteases and lipases together with amylases.

[0050] Protease. Preferably, the composition comprises one or more proteases. Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases, including, for example, neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases such as subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62). Suitable proteases include those of animal, plant, or microbial origin. In one aspect, such suitable proteases may be of microbial origin. Suitable proteases include chemically or genetically modified variants of the aforementioned suitable proteases. In one aspect, suitable proteases may be serine proteases, such as alkaline microbial proteases and / or trypsin-type proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include: (a) Subtilisin (EC3.4.21.62), in particular WO 2004067737, WO 2015091989, WO 2015091990, WO 2015024739, WO 2015143360, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,312,936(B1), 5,679,630, 4,760,025, German Patent Publication No. 102006 Bacillus species B. lentus (B.) as described in International Publication Nos. 022216(A1), 102006022224(A1), WO 2015089447, 2015089441, 2016066756, 2016066757, 2016069557, 2016069563, and 2016069569. those derived from Bacillus such as B. lentus, B. alkalophilus, B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, B. gibsonii, and B. akibaii; (b) Trypsin- or chymotrypsin-type proteases, such as trypsin (e.g., of porcine or bovine origin), including the Fusarium protease described in WO 89 / 06270 and the chymotrypsin protease derived from Cellulomonas described in WO 05 / 052161 and WO 05 / 052146. (c) Metalloproteases, in particular those derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, as described in WO 07 / 044993(A2). those derived from Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Thermoactinomyces, Geobacillus, Paenibacillus, Lysinibacillus or Streptomyces spp. as described in WO 2014194032, WO 2014194054 and WO 2014194117, Kribella alluminosa as described in WO 2015193488, and Streptomyces and Lysobacter as described in WO 2016075078; (d) A protease having at least 90% identity to the subtilase from Bacillus sp. TY145, NCIMB 40339, described in WO 92 / 17577 (Novozymes A / S), including variants of this Bacillus sp. TY145 subtilase described in WO 2015024739 and WO 2016066757.

[0051] Suitable commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Durazym®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase Ultra®, Savinase Ultra®, Ovozyme®, Neutrase®, Everlase® and Esperase® by Novozymes A / S (Denmark); those sold under the trade names Maxatase®, Maxacal®, Maxapem®, Properase®, Purafect®, Purafect Prime®, Purafect Ox®, FN3®, FN4®, Excellase® and Purafect OXP® by DuPont; and those sold under the trade names Opticlean® and Optimase® by Solvay. those sold by Enzymes, available from Henkel / Kemira, namely BLAP (sequence shown in Figure 29 of U.S. Patent No. 5,352,604), and KAP available from Kao (Bacillus alkalophilus subtilisin with mutations A230V+S256G+S259N).

[0052] Amylase. Preferably, the composition may comprise an amylase. Suitable α-amylases include those of bacterial or fungal origin, including chemically or genetically modified variants. Preferred alkaline α-amylases are those derived from Bacillus species, such as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or other Bacillus species, such as Bacillus species NCIB 12289, NCIB 12512, NCIB 12513, DSM 9375 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,818), DSM 12368, DSMZ no. 12649, KSM AP1378 (WO 97 / 00324), KSM K36, or KSM K38 (EP 1,022,334). (a) Variants described in WO 94 / 02597, WO 94 / 18314, WO 96 / 23874 and WO 97 / 43424, in particular variants in which one or more of the following positions have been substituted relative to the enzyme listed as SEQ ID NO:2 in WO 96 / 23874: 15, 23, 105, 106, 124, 128, 133, 154, 156, 181, 188, 190, 197, 202, 208, 209, 243, 264, 304, 305, 391, 408 and 444. (b) Variants described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,164 and WO 99 / 23211, WO 96 / 23873, WO 00 / 60060 and WO 06 / 002643, in particular the AA560 enzyme listed as SEQ ID NO: 12 in WO 06 / 002643, at the following positions: 26, 30, 33, 82, 37, 106, 118, 128, 133, 149, 150, 160, 178, 182, 186, 193, 203, 214, 231, 256, 257, 258, 269, 270, 272, 283, 295, 296, 298, 299, 303, 304, 305, 311, 31 Mutants in which one or more of 4, 315, 318, 319, 339, 345, 361, 378, 383, 419, 421, 437, 441, 444, 445, 446, 447, 450, 461, 471, 482, 484 are substituted, preferably also containing deletions of D183* and G184*. (c) SEQ ID NO: 4 in WO 06 / 002643, variants exhibiting at least 90% identity to the wild-type enzyme from Bacillus sp. SP722, in particular variants with deletions at positions 183 and 184, and variants described in WO 00 / 60060, which are incorporated herein by reference. (d) Variants exhibiting at least 95% identity to the wild-type enzyme of Bacillus sp. 707 (SEQ ID NO: 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,562), particularly those containing one or more of the following mutations: M202, M208, S255, R172, and / or M261. Preferably, the amylase contains one or more of the following mutations: M202L, M202V, M202S, M202T, M202I, M202Q, M202W, S255N, and / or R172Q. Particularly preferred are those containing the M202L or M202T mutations. (e) a variant described in WO 09 / 149130, preferably one that exhibits at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 in WO 09 / 149130, a wild-type enzyme derived from Geobacillus Stearophermophilus, or a truncated version thereof. (f) Variants exhibiting at least 89% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 in WO2016091688, in particular those containing a deletion at positions H183+G184 and further containing one or more mutations at positions 405, 421, 422, and / or 428. (g) A variant showing at least 60% amino acid sequence identity with "PcuAmyl α-amylase" derived from Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus YK9 (SEQ ID NO: 3 in WO 2014099523). (h) A variant showing at least 60% amino acid sequence identity with "CspAmy2 amylase" derived from Cytophaga sp. (SEQ ID NO: 1 in WO 2014164777). (i) A variant exhibiting at least 85% identity with AmyE from Bacillus subtilis (SEQ ID NO: 1 of WO 2009149271). (j) A variant exhibiting at least 90% identity with the wild-type amylase from Bacillus sp. KSM-K38 having accession number AB051102.

[0053] Suitable commercially available α-amylases include DURAMYL®, LIQUEZYME®, TERMAMYL®, TERMAMYL ULTRA®, NATALASE®, SUPRAMYL®, STAINZYME®, STAINZYME PLUS®, FUNGAMYL®, and BAN® (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), KEMZYM® AT 9000 (Biozym Biotech Trading GmbH, Wehlistrasse 27b A-1200 Wien, Austria), RAPIDASE®, PURASTAR®, ENZYSIZE®, OPTISIZE HT PLUS®, POWERASE®, and PURASTAR OXAM® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, CA). Alto, California), and KAM® (Kao, 14-10 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8210, Japan). In one aspect, suitable amylases include NATALASE®, STAINZYME®, and STAINZYME PLUS®, and mixtures thereof.

[0054] Lipase. Preferably, the composition comprises one or more lipases, including "first cycle lipases," such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,939,702 (B1) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0217464. Preferred lipases are first wash lipases. The composition may comprise a first wash lipase.

[0055] Enzyme Stabilizing System. The composition may optionally comprise from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system may be any stabilizing system compatible with detersive enzymes. In the case of aqueous detergent compositions containing proteases, reversible protease inhibitors such as boron compounds, including borate, 4-formylphenylboronic acid, phenylboronic acid, and derivatives thereof, or compounds such as calcium formate, sodium formate, and 1,2-propanediol may be added to further improve stability.

[0056] Builder. The composition may optionally include a builder or builder system. Built cleaning compositions typically include at least about 1% builder by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Liquid cleaning compositions may include up to about 10%, and in some instances, up to about 8%, builder by weight of the composition. Granular cleaning compositions may include up to about 30%, and in some instances, up to about 5%, builder by weight of the composition.

[0057] Builders selected from aluminosilicates (e.g., zeolite builders such as zeolite A, zeolite P, and zeolite MAP) and silicates assist in controlling mineral hardness, especially calcium and / or magnesium, in wash water or in removing particulate soils from surfaces. Suitable builders may be selected from the group consisting of phosphates, such as polyphosphates (e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate), especially its sodium salt; carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and carbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonates; organic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylates, especially water-soluble non-surfactant carboxylates in the form of acid, sodium, potassium, or alkanolammonium salts, as well as oligomeric or water-soluble low-molecular-weight polymeric carboxylates, including aliphatic and aromatic species, and phytic acid. These may be supplemented, for example, by borates for pH buffering purposes, or by sulfates, especially sodium sulfate, and any other fillers or carriers that may be important in engineering stable surfactant- and / or builder-containing cleaning compositions. Additional suitable builders may be selected from citric acid, lactic acid, fatty acids, polycarboxylate builders, such as copolymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid, and copolymers of acrylic acid and / or maleic acid and other suitable ethylenic monomers with various types of additional functional groups. Also suitable for use as builders herein are those having a chain structure and in the following general anhydride form: x(MO)ySiO 2· A synthesized crystalline ion exchange material or a hydrate thereof having a composition represented by zM'O, where M is Na and / or K, M' is Ca and / or Mg, y / x is 0.5 to 2.0, and z / x is 0.005 to 1.0.

[0058] Alternatively, the composition may be substantially free of builders.

[0059] Chelating Agents. The compositions may also include one or more metal ion chelating agents. Suitable molecules include copper, iron, and / or manganese chelating agents and mixtures thereof. Such chelating agents may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonates, aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, succinates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, 2-pyridinol-N-oxide compounds, hydroxamic acids, carboxymethyl inulin, and mixtures thereof. The chelating agents may be present in acid form or in salt form, including alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, and substituted ammonium salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0060] Additional Amines: Various additional amines may be used in the compositions to enhance grease and particle removal from soiled materials. The compositions may comprise from about 0.1% to about 10%, in some examples from about 0.1% to about 4%, and in other examples from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of the cleaning composition of additional amines. Non-limiting examples of additional amines may include, but are not limited to, polyamines, oligoamines, triamines, diamines, pentamines, tetraamines, or combinations thereof. Specific examples of suitable additional amines include tetraethylenepentamine, triethylenetetraamine, diethylenetriamine, or mixtures thereof.

[0061] Dye Transfer Inhibitors. The composition may further comprise one or more dye transfer inhibitors. Suitable dye transfer inhibitors include, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyvinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidase, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid (DTPMP); hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP); ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS); methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA); diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA); propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDT A); 2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide (HPNO); or methylglycine diacetate (MGDA); glutamic acid N,N-diacetate (N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid tetrasodium salt (GLDA); nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid; citric acid and any salt thereof; N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTHA), N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG), ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid (EDTP), and derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0062] Bleaching Compounds, Bleaching Agents, Bleach Activators, and Bleach Catalysts. The compositions described herein may include a bleaching agent, a bleach activator, and / or a bleach catalyst. The bleaching component may be present in a concentration of about 1% to about 30% by weight, and in some examples, about 5% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. When present, the amount of bleach activator may be about 0.1% to about 60% by weight, and in some examples, about 0.5% to about 40% by weight of the composition.

[0063] Examples of bleaching agents include oxygen bleaches, perborate bleaches, percarboxylic acid bleaches and their salts, peroxygen bleaches, persulfate bleaches, percarbonate bleaches, and mixtures thereof.

[0064] In some examples, the composition may also include a transition metal bleach catalyst.

[0065] Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaches are also known in the art and can be used in the compositions. These include, for example, photoactivated bleaches, or preformed organic peracids such as peroxycarboxylic acids or their salts, or peroxysulfonic acids or their salts. A suitable organic peracid is phthaloylimoperoxycaproic acid. When used, the compositions typically contain such bleaches, and in some instances, zinc phthalocyanine sulfonate, in amounts of about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight of the composition.

[0066] Brightening Agents: Optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents may be incorporated at a level of from about 0.01% to about 1.2% by weight of the composition.

[0067] Commercially available optical brighteners that may be used herein can be divided into subgroups that include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbenes, pyrazolines, coumarins, benzoxazoles, carboxylic acids, methine cyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered heterocycles, and various other agents.

[0068] In some examples, the optical brightener is disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-morpholino-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (brightener 15, commercially available under the trade name Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation), disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (brightener 15, commercially available under the trade name Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation), disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (brightener 15, commercially available under the trade name Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation), disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (brightener 15, commercially available under the trade name Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation), or disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (brightener 15, commercially available under the trade name Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation). More preferably, the optical brightener is disodium 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-morpholino-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate.

[0069] The whitening agent may be added in particulate form or as a premix with a suitable solvent, such as a non-ionic surfactant, monoethanolamine, propanediol.

[0070] Fabric Hueing Agents. The composition may include a fabric hueing agent (sometimes referred to as a tinting agent, bluing agent, or whitening agent). Typically, the hueing agent imparts a blue or blue-purple hue to the fabric. Hueing agents can be used either alone or in combination to create a particular hue and / or tint different types of fabric. This can be achieved, for example, by mixing a red and a green-blue dye to produce a blue or purple hue. The hueing agent may be selected from any known chemical class of dyes, including, but not limited to, acridines, anthraquinones (including polycyclic quinones), azines, azos including premetallized azos (e.g., monoazos, diazos, trisazos, tetrakisazos, polyazos), benzodifurans and benzodifuranones, carotenoids, coumarins, cyanines, diazahemicyanines, diphenylmethanes, formasans, hemicyanines, indigoids, methanes, naphthalimides, naphthoquinones, nitro and nitroso, oxazines, phthalocyanines, pyrazoles, stilbenes, styryls, triarylmethanes, triphenylmethanes, xanthenes, and mixtures thereof.

[0071] Encapsulation. The composition may include an encapsulating agent. The encapsulating agent may include a core and a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the shell encapsulating the core.

[0072] Other Ingredients. The composition may further comprise a silicate. Suitable silicates may include, for example, sodium silicate, sodium disilicate, sodium metasilicate, crystalline phyllosilicates, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the silicate may be present at a concentration of about 1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0073] The compositions may further include conventional detergent ingredients such as suds boosters, suds suppressors, corrosion inhibitors, soil suspending agents, soil anti-redeposition agents, dyes, disinfectants, anti-tarnish agents, optical brighteners, or fragrances.

[0074] The composition optionally comprises a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, preferably a saturated or unsaturated C12 ~C 24 fatty acids; deposition aids such as polysaccharides, cellulose polymers, polydiallyldimethylammonium halide (DADMAC) and random or block copolymers of DADMAC with vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, imidazole, imidazolinium halide, and mixtures thereof, cationic guar gum, cationic cellulose, cationic starch, cationic polyacrylamide, or combinations thereof. When present, the fatty acids and / or deposition aids may each be present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0075] The composition may optionally include silicone or fatty acid based suds suppressors; hueing dyes, calcium and magnesium cations, visual signaling components, anti-foaming agents (0.001% to about 4.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition), and / or structurants / thickeners (0.01% to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition) selected from the group consisting of di- and triglycerides, ethylene glycol distearate, microcrystalline cellulose, microfiber cellulose, biopolymers, xanthan gum, gellan gum, and mixtures thereof.

[0076] Additive composition The additive compositions of the present disclosure may include additional adjunct ingredients. Such adjuncts may provide additional treatment benefits to the target fabric and / or they may act as stabilizing or processing aids to the composition. Suitable adjuncts may include chelating agents, fragrances, structuring agents, chlorine scavengers, malodor-reducing materials, organic solvents, or mixtures thereof. [Example]

[0077] Example 1: Bacterial Spores - Cold and Quick vs. Regular Full-Scale Cleaning Three products were tested in two combinations to evaluate the malodor effect on consumer fabrics under three different wash conditions (cold water 60°F / quick wash - 25 minutes, cold water 60°F / normal wash - 40 minutes, and hot water 86°F / normal wash - 40 minutes). Six tests were created by combining Product 1 with either Product 2 (control test) or Product 3 for testing. All six tests contained Product 1 as the regular wash Tide detergent. Product 1 is P&G's commercial laundry detergent (Tide® Unscented & Undyed) reformulated without fragrance or dyes and was used in all tests as follows: Test 1 consisted of ("Product 1 & 3") and Test 2 consisted of ("Product 1 & 2"). Product 2 consisted of 100% PEG 8000 particles, while Product 3 consisted of 100% PEG 8000 particles.

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] Product 3 was PEG 8000 and spore particles (Evozyme® P500 BS7, Genesis Biosciences, Cardiff), and the final product (FP) contained 0.01% spore powder equivalent to 100 ppm, corresponding to 1.0 x 10 total CFU of Bacillus spores. Product 3 was a single component made from 100% PEG 8000 used as a control and contained no spores. Table 1 below lists the six two-component tests, product description, test type, wash conditions, and through-the-wash (TTW) concentration used in each test.

[0080] Normal, low temperature and quick odor fabric All fabrics with a strong malodor were supplied by J&R Coordinating Services Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio). One bath towel, one polyester T-shirt, and one cotton T-shirt with a pronounced malodor were cut into swatches and co-washed in six different Whirlpool Duet HT front-loader washing machines. For each test, corresponding to the product combinations supplied at the wash concentrations shown in Table 1, two sets of front-loader washing machines (one test and one control) were used, using three sets of wash conditions: 1) cold water 60°F / quick wash - 25 minutes, 2) cold water 60°F / normal wash - 40 minutes, and 3) hot water 86°F / normal wash - 40 minutes.

[0081] Stinky Rib Room The fabric swatches were dried for 45 minutes on the high heat setting in a Kenmore 80 Series Heavy Duty Dryer and individually placed in sealed, sterile plastic cups overnight for malodor evaluation after 24, 48, 96, and 168 hours. Prior to olfactory evaluation for malodor, the fabric swatches in the plastic cups were ribbed by spraying them wet with deionized water equivalent to 33% of the fabric weight in the cup, then incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. The fabric swatches in the plastic cups were then ribbed by spraying them with deionized water equivalent to 33% of the fabric weight in each cup, and allowed to equilibrate at room temperature before evaluation. Volunteer evaluators, selected from those familiar with malodor, were asked to rank the fabrics from least to most malodorous. A total of 96 samples were pre-prepared for eight evaluators. After evaluation, the fabric swatches were left in the cups for an additional 24 hours at ambient temperature, after which second, third, and fourth evaluations were conducted at 48, 96, and 168 hours. Swatches were incubated in sealed cups at 37°C for 1 hour to saturate the headspace and then allowed to equilibrate at room temperature before malodour assessment at 24, 48, 96 and 168 hours.

[0082] Table 2 below shows the results of this test corresponding to a malodor ranking from low to highest on a malodor scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = low malodor to 10 = highest malodor, for all six (6) tests at different time points. As can be seen from the overall ranking, fabric swatches from Test 2 (Invention 1) and Test 4 (Invention 2), both of which were cold water treated / washed but with quick and regular washes, respectively, were judged to have the lowest malodor compared to the remaining treatments / washes. Test 1 and Test 3, both of which contained no spores, performed the worst as negative controls for the cold and quick wash (Test 1) and cold and regular wash (Test 3), respectively.

[0083] Example 2: Reducing Ribbed Odors

[0084] [Table 2]

[0085] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Claims

1. 1. A method of treating fabrics in a washing machine using a low temperature and / or quick program, comprising: ２ CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 ２ ~Approx. 1×10 ８ 1. A method comprising a treatment step of contacting the fabric with a treatment solution containing CFU / liter of bacterial spores, wherein the low temperature program comprises washing with a bath temperature of less than 30°C, and / or the quick program lasts less than 40 minutes.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bath temperature of the cold program is below 25°C, preferably below about 22°C, and / or the quick program lasts less than 30 minutes.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the quick program comprises a wash lasting less than 15 minutes, preferably less than 10 minutes.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the washing machine uses a low temperature cycle and the program lasts less than 60 minutes.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method uses a low temperature and a quick program.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the program uses no more than 65 liters of water, preferably no more than 60 liters of water, more preferably no more than 50 liters of water.

7. The bacterial spores are preferably selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus mojavensis), and mixtures thereof, more preferably comprising Bacillus spores selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, and mixtures thereof; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the low temperature and / or quick program comprises a wash cycle and a rinse cycle, and the treatment step is carried out in the wash cycle.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the treating step comprises adding a cleaning composition to the wash cycle.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cleaning composition comprises a surfactant system and adjuvants comprising one or more of additional enzymes, peroxy compounds, bleach activators, anti-redeposition agents, neutralizing agents, optical brighteners, suds suppressors, chelating agents, bittering agents, dye transfer inhibitors, soil release agents, water softeners, electrolytes, pH adjusters, graying inhibitors, anti-wrinkle ingredients, bleaching agents, colorants, fragrances, processing aids, and mixtures thereof.

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the cleaning composition is in the form of a liquid composition, a granular composition, a single-compartment pouch, or a multi-compartment pouch.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the treatment liquid is formed by delivering an additive composition to the wash cycle or the rinse cycle.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the additive composition is in the form of a sheet, pastille or bead, fibrous article, tablet, bar, or flake.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the additive composition is in the form of pastilles or beads comprising polyethylene glycol as a carrier, the polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 15,000 daltons.

15. At least 1 x 10 of the solution ２ CFU / liter, preferably about 1 x 10 ２ ~Approx. 1×10 ８ Use of a treatment solution containing CFU / liter of bacterial spores in a low temperature and / or quick program to provide a lasting malodor effect on fabrics, wherein the low temperature program includes a wash having a bath temperature of less than 30°C and / or the quick program lasts less than 40 minutes.

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