Self-emulsifying composition

Abstract

To provide a composition that enables a preparation containing fatty acid ester to be readily and sufficiently emulsified in water.SOLUTION: A self-emulsifiable composition has a component (A): a specific fatty acid ester, a component (B): polyoxyalkylene sorbitan trifatty acid ester, and a component (C): a specific oxyalkylene alkyl ether.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-emulsifying composition.

Background Art

[0002] Fatty acid esters are widely used as solvents for suspending and dispersing active ingredients. For example, in the field of agricultural chemicals, they are used as solvents for suspending powdery active ingredients and as solvents for oily active ingredients.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of reducing skin irritation and irritating odor, as an alternative solvent to aromatic solvents such as xylene and methylnaphthalene, a combination of two types of ester solvents, an ester solvent having a water solubility of 2% by weight or more and an ester solvent having a water solubility of less than 2% by weight, is disclosed for use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, liquid oily pesticides are often diluted with water by the user and sprayed as an emulsion at the time of use. When the emulsifying property of the emulsion is poor, problems may occur such as the inability to uniformly spray the active ingredient, clogging of the sprayer, and the inability to stably spray. Further, at the time of forming the emulsion, it is necessary to emulsify without using mechanical stirring force such as shaking from the viewpoint of simplicity.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a composition capable of easily and favorably emulsifying a preparation containing a fatty acid ester in water.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to Component (A): the following chemical formula (1);

[0008] [Chemical formula]

[0009] In chemical formula (1), R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 7 to 23 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; a fatty acid ester represented by Component (B): a polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5, and Component (C): the following chemical formula (2);

[0010] [Chemical formula]

[0011] In chemical formula (2), R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and m represents 1 to 20; an oxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by, is a self-emulsifying composition having. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0012] According to the self-emulsifying composition of the present invention, it can be emulsified in water simply and well. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the present invention is not limited only to the following embodiments.

[0014] In this specification, "X~Y" indicating a range means "X or more and Y or less". Also, unless otherwise specified, measurements of operations, physical properties, etc. are measured under the conditions of room temperature (20~25°C) / relative humidity 45~55%RH.

[0015] <Emulsifier composition> The first embodiment of the present invention is

[0016]

Chemical formula

[0017] In chemical formula (1), R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 7 to 23 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; a fatty acid ester represented by Component (B): a polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5, and Component (C): the following chemical formula (2);

[0018]

Chemical formula

[0019] In chemical formula (2), R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms, R4 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and m represents 1 to 20; an oxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by, is a self-emulsifying composition.

[0020] Here, the self-emulsifying property refers to the property that it is oily (including the case where the outer phase is an oil phase) before contacting with an aqueous solvent such as water, but when contacting with the aqueous solvent, an emulsion is spontaneously formed without the need for strong mechanical energy such as stirring. Therefore, according to the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment, it can be made into an emulsion by simple means such as shaking when diluting with water. Further, according to the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment, an emulsion with a fine particle size can be obtained by simple means such as shaking (the emulsifying property is good). Therefore, the stability of the diluted product is maintained without separation of the oil phase even after dilution with water.

[0021] In addition, the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment is in an oily form, and preferably, the self-emulsifying composition itself is not an emulsion composition. Specifically, the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment preferably has a low water content, and the water content is preferably 25% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or less.

[0022] The self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment is preferably in a liquid form. Here, being in a liquid form means having fluidity at 25°C. More specifically, when the composition is tilted at 45°, its shape cannot be maintained for more than 10 minutes and a change in shape occurs.

[0023] Hereinafter, each component constituting the self-emulsifying composition will be described.

[0024] (Component (A): Fatty acid ester) The fatty acid ester has a structure represented by the following chemical formula (1).

[0025]

Chemical formula

[0026] In Chemical Formula (1), R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 7 to 23 carbon atoms. Since it is desirable to have low flammability, the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl group of R1 is preferably 9 or more, more preferably 11 or more. Also, from the viewpoint of good handleability, the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl group of R1 is preferably 21 or less, more preferably 17 or less.

[0027] In Chemical Formula (1), R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms. From the viewpoints of low cost and good handleability, R2 is preferably an alkyl group, the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of R2 is preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 4, even more preferably R2 is a methyl group or an ethyl group, and most preferably R2 is a methyl group.

[0028] Examples of the fatty acid ester represented by General Formula (1) include myristyl 2-ethylhexanoate, cetyl 2-ethylhexanoate, stearyl 2-ethylhexanoate, isodecyl octanoate, isocetyl octanoate, isononyl isononanoate, isotridecyl isononanoate, cetearyl isononanoate, octyl propylheptanoate, methyl laurate, isopropyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isocetyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl stearate, isocetyl stearate, isotridecyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, octyl isostearate, isocetyl isostearate, isostearyl isostearate, methyl oleate, oleyl oleate, isobutyl oleate, oleyl erucate, and the like. Among these, from the viewpoints of low flammability, low cost, and good handleability, the fatty acid ester is preferably methyl laurate and / or methyl oleate, and particularly preferably methyl oleate.

[0029] The fatty acid ester may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] In the self-emulsifying composition, considering the suspension or dissolution of the active ingredient, the content of component (A) is preferably 30% by mass or more, more preferably 35% by mass or more, and even more preferably 50% by mass or more. Also, considering self-emulsification, in the self-emulsifying composition, the content of component (A) is preferably 98.9% by mass or less, and more preferably 94% by mass or less. In a preferred embodiment, the content of component (A) in the self-emulsifying composition is 35 to 94% by mass.

[0031] (Component (B): Polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester (polyoxyalkylene sorbitan oleate) in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5) The polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5 is also simply referred to as polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester hereinafter.

[0032] The polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is, for example, a compound having a chemical structure represented by Chemical Formula (3), but is not particularly limited, and includes those having an isomer structure, an acyclic structure, and an isosorbide structure.

[0033] The sorbitan-derived part refers to the part derived from sorbitan in the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester. Also, the fatty acid-derived part refers to the part derived from the fatty acid in the sorbitan fatty acid ester.

[0034] In this specification, the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5 refers to that obtained by adding 2.5 to 3.5 mol of fatty acid to 1 mol of sorbitan charged. Also, the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan mono-fatty acid ester used in the comparative examples described later refers to that in which the average molar ratio of sorbitan to fatty acid is sorbitan:fatty acid = 1:0.5 to 1.5 mol.

[0035] [Chem.]

[0036] In formula (3), A represents an oxyalkylene group, R represents an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, w, x, y, and z represent numbers of 0 or more, at least one of w, x, y, and z is 1 or more, and preferably w is 1 or more.

[0037] Examples of the polyoxyalkylene group in the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester include, for example, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, a block polyoxyalkylene group of a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxypropylene group, a random polyoxyalkylene group of a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxypropylene group, a block polyoxyalkylene group of a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxybutylene group, a random polyoxyalkylene group of a polyoxyethylene group and a polyoxybutylene group, and the like. Among them, since the effects of the present invention are further exerted, the polyoxyalkylene group is preferably a polyoxyethylene group.

[0038] Examples of the fatty acid component in the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and the like.

[0039] The polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan triisostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trilaurate, and the like. Among them, since the emulsifying property (the emulsion droplets of the emulsion are fine) is improved, the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester is particularly preferably polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate.

[0040] The average number of moles of polyoxyalkylene chains added in polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters (for example, the average value of w + x + y + z in the above formula (3)) is preferably 10 to 60, more preferably 15 to 50, even more preferably 15 to 40, and particularly preferably 15 to 30 in consideration of emulsifying properties. Here, the average number of moles of polyoxyalkylene chains added refers to the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene raw materials (for example, ethylene oxide (C = 2), propylene oxide (C = 3), etc.) charged per 1 mole of the charged skeleton.

[0041] The HLB of polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters is preferably 8 to 16, more preferably 10 to 15, and even more preferably 10 to 13 in consideration of emulsifying properties and emulsion stability in combination with component (C).

[0042] When a plurality of polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters are combined, the HLB of the above polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters is the total HLB obtained by adding and averaging the HLB values of each polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester based on its blending ratio (mass%). Specifically, it is represented by the following formula.

[0043] Total HLB = Σ(HLBA × A(%) / 100) HLBA represents the HLB value of polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester A. A(%) represents the blending ratio of polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester A having the value of HLBA in the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters.

[0044] For the HLB value of the polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester in the present invention, for example, when the oxyalkylene group is an oxyethylene group, the HLB value according to Griffin can be used, and specifically, it is calculated based on the following formula. HLB = (E + P) / 5 (where E is the weight fraction of the oxyalkylene group and P is the weight fraction of the polyhydric alcohol group) The polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tri-fatty acid ester may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0045] Considering the emulsifying property, the content of component (B) in the self-emulsifying composition is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass.

[0046] (Component (C): oxyalkylene alkyl ether) Component (C) is used in combination with component (B). By using component (C) in combination, the effect of improving the emulsifying property (the emulsion droplets become smaller) is achieved. Also, by using component (C) in combination, it is possible to improve the emulsion stability when the emulsion prepared by dilution is stored temporarily, etc.

[0047] The (poly)oxyalkylene alkyl ether of component (C) is represented by the following chemical formula (2);

[0048]

Chemical formula

[0049] It is represented by.

[0050] In chemical formula (2), R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples of R3 include linear or branched alkyl groups such as n-hexyl group, n-heptyl group, n-octyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, etc. When the number of carbon atoms of R3 is 5 or less or 9 or more, the emulsifying property is significantly inferior (refer to the comparative examples described later).

[0051] In Chemical Formula (2), R4 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. More specifically, examples of R4 include an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, a propylene group, an n-butylene group, a 1-methylpropylene group, a 2-methylpropylene group, a dimethylethylene group, and an ethylethylene group. Among these, R4 is preferably a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an ethylene group.

[0052] m represents the average number of moles of oxyalkylene added in the oxyalkylene alkyl ether and is 1 to 20. Considering the emulsifying property, it is preferably 1 to 15, more preferably 2 to 10, even more preferably 2 to 8, and even more preferably 3 to 5.

[0053] Specific examples of component (C) include diethylene glycol - n - hexyl ether, diethylene glycol - 2 - ethylhexyl ether, polyoxyethylene glycol - 2 - ethylhexyl ether, polyoxyethylene - n - hexyl ether, and the like.

[0054] Considering the emulsifying property and emulsification stability in combination with component (B), the HLB of the oxyalkylene alkyl ether is preferably 8 to 16, and more preferably 10 to 12.

[0055] When a plurality of oxyalkylene alkyl ethers are combined, the HLB of the oxyalkylene alkyl ether is the total HLB obtained by adding up the HLB values of each oxyalkylene alkyl ether based on its blending ratio (mass%). Specifically, it is represented by the following formula.

[0056] Total HLB = Σ(HLBA’ × A’(%)) / 100 HLBA’ represents the HLB value of the oxyalkylene alkyl ether A’. A’(%) represents the blending ratio of the oxyalkylene alkyl ether A’ having the value of HLBA’ in the oxyalkylene alkyl ether.

[0057] In the present invention, for the HLB value of the oxyalkylene alkyl ether, for example, when the oxyalkylene group is an oxyethylene group, the HLB value by Griffin can be used. Specifically, it is calculated based on the following formula.

[0058] HLB = E / 5 (where E is the weight fraction of the oxyalkylene group) The oxyalkylene alkyl ether may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0059] Considering the emulsifying property, the mass ratio (C) / (B) of the component (C) to the component (B) is preferably 0.2 or more and 2.5 or less, more preferably 0.25 or more and 2.5 or less, and even more preferably 0.3 or more and 2.3 or less.

[0060] (Component (D): polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether and / or polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether) From the viewpoint of emulsifying property, the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment preferably further contains the component (D) polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether and / or polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether.

[0061] The polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether is a compound obtained by the addition polymerization of oxyalkylene to castor oil. Also, hydrogenated castor oil is a hydrogenated product of castor oil, and the polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether is a compound obtained by the addition polymerization of oxyalkylene to hydrogenated castor oil. Hereinafter, the polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether and / or polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether are also referred to as polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether.

[0062] Considering the emulsifying property, component (D) is preferably polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether.

[0063] Considering the emulsion stability, the average number of moles of addition of the polyoxyalkylene chain in polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether is preferably 5 to 60, more preferably 15 to 50.

[0064] Considering the emulsifying property in combination with component (C), the HLB of polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether is preferably 8 to 15, more preferably 10 to 14.

[0065] When combining a plurality of polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ethers, the HLB of the above polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether is the total HLB obtained by adding the HLB values of each polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether based on their blending ratios (mass %). Specifically, it is represented by the following formula.

[0066] Total HLB = Σ(HLBa × a(%) / 100) HLBa represents the HLB value of polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether a.

[0067] a(%) represents the blending ratio of polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether a having the value of HLB a in the polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether.

[0068] As the calculation formula for the HLB value of the polyoxyalkylene (hydrogenated) castor oil ether in the present invention, the HLB value by Griffin is used.

[0069] The polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether and / or polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0070] Considering the emulsifying property, the mass ratio (D) / (B) of the component (D) to the component (B) is preferably 0.01 or more and 1 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.8 or less, even more preferably 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less, and still more preferably 0.1 or more and 0.3 or less.

[0071] Considering the emulsifying property, the total content of the components (B), (C) and the component (D) present optionally is preferably 5 to 50% by mass, more preferably 10 to 45% by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 30% by mass in the self-emulsifying composition.

[0072] (Active ingredient) The self-emulsifying composition may contain an active ingredient. Further, the active ingredient may be added after the production of the above self-emulsifying composition. According to the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment, various water-insoluble substances (oily components, powders, etc.) can be contained to form an emulsified preparation with respect to water. Further, since the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment has good emulsifying property (small emulsion droplets), it is difficult for unevenness in the concentration of the active ingredient to occur, and the efficacy of the active ingredient is likely to be stable. Further, since the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment has good emulsifying property (small emulsion droplets), an effect that the medicinal effect of the active ingredient is improved by the active ingredient adhering uniformly to the surface of the target can be expected (for example, an improvement in the contact probability of the active ingredient with pests and weeds, an improvement in the absorption rate of the active ingredient by plants, and an increase in the gasification rate for an active ingredient with a high vapor pressure are expected).

[0073] The active ingredient is preferably poorly soluble in water. Poor solubility means low solubility in water. Specifically, in the sixteenth revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the solubility means "slightly difficult to dissolve" (the amount of solvent required to dissolve 1 g or 1 mL of solute is 30 mL or more and less than 100 mL), "difficult to dissolve" (the same solvent amount is 100 mL or more and less than 1000 mL), "extremely difficult to dissolve" (the same solvent amount is 1000 mL or more and less than 10000 mL), or "hardly soluble" (the same solvent amount is 10000 mL or more).

[0074] Examples of the active ingredient include pesticidal active ingredients. Examples of the pesticidal active ingredients can include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, or plant growth regulators. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention is further a self-emulsifying composition (pesticide composition) containing a pesticidal active ingredient.

[0075] Examples of the insecticides include systemic insecticides such as isoxathion, diazinon, disulfoton, propaphos, trichlorfon, formothion, dimethoate, monocrotophos, acephate, carbofuran, carbosulfan, thicyclam, cartap, bensultap, benfuracarb, fenthion, buprofezin, phenothiocarb, methomyl carb, propoxur, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, and acetamiprid; or synthetic pyrethroids such as cycloprothrin, etofenprox, and silafluofen, which are effective against pests living in water or near the water surface such as rice water weevils and rice water bugs.

[0076] Examples of the fungicides can include imidazole fungicides such as iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), probenazole, isoprothiolane, iprobenfos, tricyclazole, pyroquilon, carpropamid, olitram, azoxystrobin, and 7-fluoro-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3.2.1-i.j]quinolin-4-one; sheath blight fungicides such as flutolanil, mepronil, thifluzamide, flutriafol, and 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3-trimethylsilylpropan-2-ol; tecnazene; or benomyl, and preferably, probenazole, isoprothiolane, pyroquilon, carpropamid, olitram, azoxystrobin, 7-fluoro-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3.2.1-i.j]quinolin-4-one, flutolanil, thifluzamide, flutriafol, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3-trimethylsilyl-propan-2-ol, or tecnazene.

[0077] Examples of herbicides include pyrazolate, benzofenap, pyraclonifen, pyributicarb, bromobutide, butamiphos, mefenacet, bensulfuron-methyl, anilofos, butachlor, pretilachlor, thiobencarb, chloronitrofen, chlomethoxyfen, dimefuron, biphenox, napropamide, oxadiazon, oxadiargyl, bentazone, molinate, piperophos, dimepiperate, esprocarb, dithiopyr, imazosulfuron, benfuresate, quinoclamine, simetryn, MCPA or its salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, etc. or esters, 2,4-D or its salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, etc. or esters, MCPB or its salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, etc. or esters, cinchonacrine, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pentoxazone, tenilchlor, cumyluron, cinosulfuron, simetrine, dimetamethrin, cyhalofop-butyl, etobenzanid, cafenstrole, ethoxysulfuron, azimsulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, indanofan, pyriminobac-methyl, oxadiquone, 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4,5-dihydro-N-ethyl-5-oxo-1H-tetrazole-1-carboxamide (NBA061), [3-(2-chloro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoyl)-4-phenylthio]bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one (benzobicyclon, SB500), methyl = N-[4-(benzothiazol-2-ylmethoxy)-2-methylphenyl]carbamate and methyl = N-[4-(benzoxazol-2-ylmethoxy)-2-methylphenyl]carbamate, etc.

[0078] Examples of plant growth regulators include inabenfide, paclobutrazol, uniconazole or triapenthenol, etc.

[0079] These active ingredients may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0080] The addition amount of the active ingredient is appropriately set in consideration of efficacy and the like. For example, in the self-emulsifying composition, it is 0.01 to 50% by mass, may be 0.01 to 25% by mass, or may be 0.01 to 10% by mass.

[0081] (Additive ingredient) For the purpose of suppressing sedimentation and aggregation of the solid active ingredient, a thickener may be added to the self-emulsifying composition of the present embodiment.

[0082] Examples of the thickener include polymer thickeners or inorganic thickeners. Examples of the polymer thickeners include xanthan gum, welan gum, ramzan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum, diutan gum, etc. Examples of the inorganic thickeners include white carbon, bentonite, colloidal silica, colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate hydrate, etc. Other substances that can function as thickeners include, for example, sugar fatty acid esters (e.g., dextrin palmitate, inulin stearate, etc.), higher fatty acids (e.g., sodium stearate, etc.), PEG, synthetic wax, fatty acid amide, hydrogenated castor oil, pullulan, pectin, arabinogalactan, casein, tara gum, gum arabic, tamarind gum, karaya gum, starch, sodium alginate, carrageenan, celluloses (e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, etc.), polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, etc. These thickeners can also be used in combination of two or more. The proportion of the thickener itself in the whole composition is usually in the range of about 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass, preferably in the range of about 0.03% by mass to 5% by mass.

[0083] In addition, additives such as a dispersant, a wetting agent, a preservative, an antioxidant, a colorant, water, etc. may be added to the self-emulsifying composition of the present invention.

[0084] (Emulsion) The self-emulsifying composition of this embodiment forms an emulsion when diluted with water during use. In one example, the self-emulsifying composition of this embodiment is preferably diluted 2 to 10,000 times, 5 to 5,000 times by weight.

[0085] The average particle size of the emulsion is, for example, 4 μm or less, and more preferably 2 μm or less. The "average particle size" means the volume-converted average particle size measured by the dynamic light scattering method. The average particle size can be measured by a measuring device using the dynamic light scattering method (for example, a particle size distribution measuring device (for example, partica LA-950V2 (model number) manufactured by HORIBA)).

[0086] (Use) The use of the self-emulsifying composition of the first embodiment is not particularly limited, and examples include agricultural chemicals, wood preservatives, and mildew-proof agents.

Examples

[0087] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the examples, the notations "parts" or "%" are used, and unless otherwise specified, they represent "parts by mass" or "mass %". Also, unless otherwise specified, each operation is performed at room temperature (25 °C).

[0088] (Examples 1-1 to 1-10, Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-3) Self-emulsifying compositions having the compositions shown in Table 1 below were produced. Specifically, component (B) and component (C) were added to component (A) and uniformly mixed to obtain a self-emulsifying composition. Methyl laurate was methyl laurate (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation). The numbers in parentheses for each component represent the average number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added. Also, for the polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate of component (B) used in the examples, the average molar ratio of sorbitan to fatty acid is sorbitan:fatty acid = 1:3.

[0089] Evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation methods 1 and 2. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0090] (Evaluation Method 1: Emulsifying Property) 1 g of the self-emulsifying composition obtained above was placed in a test tube containing 19 g of tap water and mixed by shaking 10 times to obtain an emulsion. The emulsifying property was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0091] [Table 1]

[0092] (Evaluation Method 2: Emulsion Stability) After obtaining an emulsion in the same manner as in Evaluation Method 1 above, the emulsion stability at 25°C was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0093] [Table 2]

[0094] [Table 3]

[0095] As shown in the above results, the self-emulsifying compositions of the examples had good emulsifying properties and were stable even after 15 hours from emulsification with water. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1-1 and 2 in which Component (C) was not blended, the emulsifying properties were not good and separation occurred in 3 hours. Further, in Comparative Example 2-3 in which the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group in the oxyalkylene alkyl ether of Component (C) was 12 and 13, the emulsifying properties were not good and separation occurred in 3 hours.

[0096] (Examples 2-1 to 2-5, Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-5) Self-emulsifying compositions having the compositions described in Table 2 below were produced. Specifically, Component (B) and Component (C) were added to Component (A) and uniformly mixed to obtain a self-emulsifying composition.

[0097] (Examples 2-6 and 7) An autoemulsifying composition having the composition described in Table 2 below was produced. Specifically, component (B), component (C), and an active ingredient were added to component (A) and uniformly mixed to obtain an autoemulsifying composition.

[0098] For methyl oleate, methyl oleate (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation) was used.

[0099] Evaluation was conducted according to the evaluation methods 1 and 2 above. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0100]

Table 4-1

[0101]

Table 4-2

[0102] As described above, the autoemulsifying composition of the example had good emulsifying properties and was stable even after 15 hours had passed after emulsification with water. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 where component (B) was polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester, the emulsifying properties were not good, and although it was stable for 3 hours, separation occurred in 7 hours. Further, in the oxyalkylene alkyl ether of component (C), Comparative Example 2-2 where the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group was 4, Comparative Examples 2-3 and 4 where the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group was 10, and Comparative Example 2-5 where component (C) was not blended had poor emulsifying properties and separation occurred in 3 hours.

[0103] (Examples 3-1 to 3-4) An autoemulsifying composition having the composition described in Table 3 below was produced. Specifically, component (B) and component (C) were added to component (A) and uniformly mixed to obtain an autoemulsifying composition.

[0104] For methyl oleate, methyl oleate (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation) was used.

[0105] Evaluation was performed according to the evaluation method 1 described above. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0106]

Table 5

[0107] As shown in the above results, the self-emulsifying composition of the example had emulsion droplets of 4 μm or less and good emulsifying properties.

Claims

1. Component (A): The following chemical formula (1); 【Chemical 1】 In the chemical formula (1), R １ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 7 to 23 carbon atoms; R ２ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; Component (B): A polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the average molar ratio of the fatty acid-derived part to 1 mol of the sorbitan-derived part is 2.5 to 3.5, and Component (C): The following chemical formula (2); [Chemical 2] In Chemical Formula (2), R ３ represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and R ４ represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and m represents 1 to 20; and has an oxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the formula: The mass ratio (C) / (B) of the content of the component (C) to the component (B) is 0.2 or more and 2.5 or less, An autoemulsifying composition in which the content of the component (A) is 35 to 94% by mass.

2. An autoemulsifying composition according to claim 1, further comprising component (D): polyoxyalkylene castor oil ether and / or polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil ether.

3. The autoemulsifying composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the HLB of the component (B) is 8 to 16.

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