Alcohol-based gel composition and method for producing the same

Abstract

To provide a highly practical gel composition with good productivity without requiring means such as heating while using an alcohol as a solvent to be gelatinized.SOLUTION: There are provided: an alcohol-based gel composition comprising 3 to 9 mass% of hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose, 55 to 70 mass% of a lower monoalcohol having 5 or less carbon atoms and 15 to 40 mass% of water; and a method for producing the same.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an alcohol-based gel composition, and more particularly, to an alcohol-based gel composition that uses alcohol as a main solvent and can be produced without heating, and a method for producing the same. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in various fields, gel compositions obtained by gelling with a gelling agent using water or alcohol as a solvent have been widely used. Gels using alcohol as the main solvent have a lower freezing point than gels using water as the main solvent, and exhibit an antifreeze effect in low-temperature environments, so gel compositions that can be used even in freezers, cold regions, and the like can be obtained. It is also useful when alcohol itself is used as an active ingredient or when used in environments that are averse to water. However, compared with water, there are few reports of practical techniques for gelling alcohol.

[0003] As a method for obtaining a lower alcohol-based gel while eliminating the above problems, there has been reported a technique in which an acid is added to modified guar gum, which is obtained by chemically modifying guar gum, a polysaccharide, to easily obtain an elastic gel even at room temperature without particular heating (Patent Document 1). However, since modified guar gum is derived from natural products, it is difficult to obtain modified guar gum with a constant degree of modification of substituents, and it is difficult to maintain a constant alcohol concentration and constant physical properties of the gelled composition after thickening using such modified guar gum. In addition, since the availability of guar gum derived from natural products tends to be unstable, there has been a problem that the availability of modified guar gum itself tends to be unstable.

[0004] The present applicant has also proposed an alcohol gel using a mixture of hydroxyalkyl cellulose and hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose (Patent Documents 2 and 3). However, when actually carrying out production, problems such as complicated handling during mixing and reduced productivity arise. Prior Art Documents [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-212298 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-177057 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-88679 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a technology for obtaining a highly practical gel-like composition with good productivity without requiring heating or other means, even while using alcohol as the solvent for gelation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors of the present invention had been conducting research on techniques for gelling alcohol, and discovered that by adding hydroxyalkylcellulose, a water-soluble polymer, and water in specific proportions as gelling agents, an alcohol-based gel-like composition could be obtained with high productivity at room temperature without heating or other processes, and that it also had high practicality. This led to the completion of the present invention.

[0008] In other words, the present invention is an alcohol-based gel composition characterized by containing 3 to 9% by mass of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose, 55 to 70% by mass of a lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms, and 15 to 40% by mass of water.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing an alcohol-based gel-like composition, characterized by mixing a solution comprising hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and a lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms with an aqueous solution containing a lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms at room temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a practical alcohol-based gel-like composition can be obtained that is productive, stable even at room temperature. Furthermore, because this gel-like composition shrinks due to the volatilization of alcohol, water, and volatile components, and its endpoint is clearly defined, it can be used as a composition that volatilizes its components. In addition, because this gel-like composition has good powder dispersibility, it can also be used as a composition that contains powder. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] a is the position of the top edge of the created gel, and b is the position of the leading edge of the gel surface after 5 minutes have passed since the gel was placed on its side in the beaker. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The alcohol-based gel composition of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the gel composition of the present invention") contains 3 to 9% by mass of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose, 55 to 70% by mass of a lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms, and 15 to 40% by mass of water.

[0013] The gel-like composition of the present invention refers to a composition having a gel-like appearance obtained by using an alcohol-containing solvent. Furthermore, "gel-like" means a state in which the material has lost its fluidity due to high viscosity and whose appearance is generally referred to as a gel. For example, if a total of 80 g of gel is prepared in a 100 ml beaker and left to stand at room temperature for 20 minutes, the distance from the top of the gel to the front of the gel surface after the beaker is tilted on its side and left for 5 minutes is 21 mm or more and 25 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less.

[0014] The hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose (hereinafter abbreviated as "HAAC") used in the present invention is a nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether obtained by treating cellulose with caustic soda and then reacting it with an etherifying agent such as alkyl chloride or alkylene oxide. By substituting some of the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl group of cellulose with alkyl groups or hydroxyalkyl groups, hydrogen bonds are eliminated, making it water-soluble. These HAACs can be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0015] The above-mentioned HAACs specifically include hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and other hydroxypropyl methylcellulose compounds. C2-4 Alkyl C1-4 Examples include alkylcellulose. Among these, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hereinafter abbreviated as "HPMC") is preferred.

[0016] The degree of substitution of HAAC used in the present invention, that is, the average number of hydroxyl groups substituted with alkoxyl groups present per glucose ring unit of cellulose, is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 2.5, and more preferably in the range of 1.5 to 2.5. Similarly, the number of substituted moles, that is, the average number of moles of hydroxyalkoxy groups added per glucose ring unit of cellulose, is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 0.40, and more preferably in the range of 0.10 to 0.30.

[0017] Furthermore, the preferred viscosity of the aqueous solution obtained by dissolving HAAC used in this invention in water is preferably 300 to 200,000 mPa·s, and more preferably 3,000 to 100,000 mPa·s, as a 2% aqueous solution viscosity. The viscosity was measured at 20°C using a B-type viscometer.

[0018] Examples of the above HPMC include Metolose manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Examples of such Metolose include the Metolose SH series, etc. Among the Metolose SH series, the Metolose 65SH series (degree of substitution 1.8, number of substituted moles 0.15, multiple viscosities) and the like are preferable, and among these, Metolose 65SH-75000 is particularly preferable.

[0019] The content of HAAC in the gel composition of the present invention is 3 to 9 mass% (hereinafter simply referred to as %), preferably 4 to 6%.

[0020] The lower monoalcohol having 5 or less carbon atoms (hereinafter simply referred to as "monoalcohol") used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and pentanol. Among these, ethanol is preferable. These monoalcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds thereof.

[0021] The content of the monoalcohol in the gel composition of the present invention is 55 to 70%, preferably 60 to 65%.

[0022] The mass ratio of HAAC to monoalcohol in the gel composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and for example, HAAC:monoalcohol = 1:9 to 1:25, preferably 1:10 to 1:15.

[0023] The water used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and for example, tap water, ion-exchanged water, or the like can be used.

[0024] The content of water in the gel composition of the present invention is 15 to 40%, preferably 20 to 40%, more preferably 25 to 35%.

[0025] The gel-like composition of the present invention preferably further contains a nonionic surfactant for the purpose of dispersing the active ingredient or improving release properties from the container wall due to the volatilization of the solvent or volatile active ingredient. The nonionic surfactant is not particularly limited, but examples include polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene styrene-modified phenyl ether, and polyoxyethylene tripenzylphenyl ether. Among these, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil ether is preferred, and polyoxyethylene (40) hydrogenated castor oil ether is particularly preferred. The HLB of these nonionic surfactants is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 10 to 15, preferably 12 to 14. These nonionic surfactants can be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0026] The content of the nonionic surfactant in the gel-like composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%.

[0027] The gel-like composition of the present invention preferably contains glycerin for the purpose of improving release properties from the container wall due to the volatilization of the solvent or volatile active ingredient, and for suppressing cracking of the gel and causing it to shrink to a similar shape.

[0028] The amount of glycerin in the gel-like composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%.

[0029] The gel-like composition of the present invention preferably contains active ingredients such as fragrance components, insecticidal components, insecticidal components, antibacterial components, deodorizing components, and odor-eliminating components. Fragrance components are not particularly limited, but examples include fragrances and essential oils. Insecticidal components, insecticidal components, and antibacterial components are not particularly limited, but examples include empenthrin, transfluthrin, allethrin, phenothrin, metofluthrin, profluthrin, paradichlorobenzene, naphthalene, camphor, 2-phenoxyethanol, chili pepper, burdock, cumin aldehyde, benzalkonium chloride, and alkyltrimethylammonium chloride. Deodorizing components are not particularly limited, but examples include aluminum sulfate, ammonium chloride, alum, copper sulfate, zinc sulfide, zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, titanium dioxide zinc oxide, flavonoid compounds, catechin, polyphenols, cyclodextrin, zeolite, layered zinc aluminosilicate, activated carbon, and binchotan charcoal. The form of these active ingredients is not particularly limited, but powder form is preferred, and powders of chili pepper, layered zinc aluminosilicate, activated carbon, binchotan charcoal, etc. are more preferred. The size of the powder is not particularly limited, but for example, the average particle size (median diameter D50) is 0.1 μm to 500 μm, preferably 1 μm to 350 μm. These active ingredients can be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0030] The content of the active ingredient in the gel-like composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.01 to 10%, preferably 0.1 to 5%.

[0031] Furthermore, the gel-like composition of the present invention may optionally contain other gelling agents such as hydroxypropylated guar gum and hydroxyalkylcellulose, emulsifying and dispersing components such as other surfactants other than the nonionic surfactant, pH adjusting components such as acids and alkalis, and pigment components such as synthetic dyes and natural dyes, to the extent that they do not interfere with the effects of the present invention.

[0032] Furthermore, because HAAC is a nonionic compound, it exhibits high selectivity for added surfactants and volatile active ingredients. Additionally, HAAC has a very low base odor, minimizing its impact when fragrances are used, allowing for the creation of gel-like compositions usable with a wide range of volatile active ingredients. Moreover, due to HAAC's surfactant properties, gel-like compositions containing high concentrations of volatile active ingredients, including fragrances, can be obtained while minimizing the amount of surfactant added.

[0033] The gel-like composition of the present invention is produced by mixing a solution consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and a monoalcohol with an aqueous solution containing the monoalcohol at room temperature (approximately 25°C) without any special heating, and then homogenizing the mixture. The solution consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and the monoalcohol is a highly fluid dispersion, but by adding the aqueous solution containing the monoalcohol, the entire composition gels.

[0034] Furthermore, the solution consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and monoalcohol, or the aqueous solution containing monoalcohol, may optionally contain emulsifying and dispersing components such as nonionic surfactants, glycerin, active ingredients, other gelling agents, other surfactants other than the aforementioned nonionic surfactants, pH adjusting components such as acids and alkalis, and coloring components such as synthetic dyes and natural dyes. In addition, it is preferable that the monoalcohol content in the aqueous solution containing monoalcohol be less than the monoalcohol content in the solution consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and monoalcohol.

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the gel-like composition of the present invention include the following. In particular, all of these gel-like compositions allow for uniform stirring, exhibit good gel-forming properties and high productivity, have minimal syneresis of water from the gel, and as the solvent evaporates, the gel does not remain on the container wall but shrinks to a similar shape, does not crack during evaporation, and has excellent powder dispersibility. Hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose 4-6% Lower monoalcohols with 5 or fewer carbon atoms: 55-65% Water 25~35% Nonionic surfactant 0.5-1% Glycerin 0.5-1% Active ingredient (powder): 0.1-2%

[0036] The gel-like composition thus obtained in the present invention is formed by gelling a high-concentration alcohol without heating using HAAC, which is easy to handle.

[0037] Furthermore, the preparation process of the gel-like composition of the present invention can prevent the risk of explosion, fire, and other dangers caused by overheating alcohol. Moreover, by incorporating alcohol at a high concentration of 50% or more, it is possible to provide insect-repellent and antifreeze effects in low-temperature environments. In addition, since gelation of the composition occurs upon addition of water during preparation, the gel-like composition can be obtained safely and easily.

[0038] Furthermore, in the manufacturing process of the gel-like composition of the present invention, the gelation rate can be slowed down for a certain period of time. This eliminates the inconvenience of the gel immediately gelling after mixing, which would result in an ununiform gel, making it easy to handle in actual manufacturing settings.

[0039] Due to the properties described above, the gel-like composition of the present invention can be advantageously used as a deodorant, odor remover, insect repellent, insecticide / insect repellent, disinfectant, or fragrance of the type that volatilizes its components, or as a deodorant, odor remover, insect repellent, insecticide / insect repellent, disinfectant, or fragrance of the type that contains powder. [Examples]

[0040] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited in any way by these examples.

[0041] Example 1 Preparation and property evaluation of gel-like compositions: A gel-like composition was prepared according to the composition (mixing ratio) shown in Table 1, using the following manufacturing method. The physical properties of the obtained gel-like composition were evaluated according to the evaluation criteria below. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0042] [Table 1]

[0043] [Manufacturing Method] At room temperature, the mixture of solution A according to the proportions shown in Table 1 was placed in a 100 ml plastic beaker. While stirring this mixture, the mixture of solution B according to the proportions was added to induce gelation, yielding 80 g of gel-like composition.

[0044] [Evaluation of physical properties of gel-like compositions] The physical properties of the above-mentioned gel-like composition were evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0045] (1) Gelation After stopping the stirring for gel formation, the gel migration distance of a 100 ml beaker that had been left to stand at room temperature for 20 minutes was measured as shown in Figure 1, and the gel-forming ability was evaluated from this value. Specifically, the distance (migration distance) from the position of the top edge of the created gel (a in the figure) to the position of the leading edge of the gel surface (b in the figure) after the beaker containing the gel had been tilted on its side for 5 minutes was measured and evaluated according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) ×...Cannot gel. △...When tilted on its side, the tip of the gel is positioned between 26mm and 30mm after 5 minutes. ○...When tilted on its side, the tip of the gel should be between 21mm and 25mm after 5 minutes. ◎...When tilted on its side, the tip of the gel is 20mm or less after 5 minutes.

[0046] (2) Productivity The gelation state during gel production was evaluated according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) ◎...It can gel uniformly even after mixing. ○...Gelation is somewhat fast, but it can be gelled uniformly. ×...It immediately gels, resulting in an uneven gel.

[0047] (3) Mold releasability During the process of the gel shrinking due to solvent evaporation, the release properties of the gel from the container wall were evaluated according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) ◎...The gel was released from the container wall without leaving any residue. ○...A small amount of gel remained on the container wall. ×...Gel remained on the container wall and did not release.

[0048] (4) Gel cracking During the gel's contraction due to solvent evaporation, cracking of the gel was evaluated according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) ◎...No gel cracking occurred in any of the samples until the end of the evaporation period. ○...Some samples show slight cracking of the gel during evaporation, but this does not affect their use. ×...Gel cracking occurs during the evaporation of all samples.

[0049] (5) Dispersibility of powder The dispersibility of chili powder in the gel was evaluated according to the following criteria. (Evaluation) (Content) ○...It was uniformly dispersed in the gel. ×...It did not disperse in the gel.

[0050] [Table 2]

[0051] As is clear from the results of the above examples, the gel-like composition of the present invention was able to form a gel-like composition with excellent gelling properties, productivity, release properties, gel cracking resistance, and powder dispersibility within the gel. Note that comparative samples 1-3 could not be gelled, so productivity, release properties, and gel cracking were not evaluated. Also, comparative samples 4 and 5 received a negative evaluation for productivity, so release properties and gel cracking were not evaluated.

[0052] Example 2 Examples of formulations: Using the compositions shown in Table 3 (values ​​in the table are in g), the gel-like insecticide of the present invention was prepared by the same method as in Example 1. In all cases, uniform stirring was possible, good gel-forming properties were observed, productivity was high, and there was little syneresis from the gel. As the solvent evaporated, the gel did not remain on the container walls and contracted in a similar shape. No cracking of the gel occurred during evaporation, and the powder dispersibility was excellent. Therefore, a formulation with high utility value was obtained.

[0053] [Table 3]

[0054] Implementation Example 3 Examples of formulations: Using the compositions shown in Table 4 (values ​​in the table are in g), the gel-like fragrance of the present invention was prepared by the same method as in Example 1. In all cases, uniform stirring was possible, good gel-forming properties were observed, productivity was high, and there was little syneresis from the gel. As the solvent evaporated, the gel did not remain on the container wall and contracted in a similar shape, and no cracking occurred in the gel during evaporation. Therefore, a highly useful formulation was obtained.

[0055] [Table 4]

[0056] Implementation Example 4 Examples of formulations: Using the compositions shown in Table 5 (values ​​in the table are in g), the gel-like deodorant of the present invention was prepared by the same method as in Example 1. In all cases, uniform stirring was possible, good gel-forming properties were observed, productivity was high, and there was little syneresis from the gel. As the solvent evaporated, the gel did not remain on the container walls and contracted in a similar shape. No cracking of the gel occurred during evaporation, and the powder dispersibility was excellent. Therefore, a formulation with high utility value was obtained.

[0057] [Table 5] [Industrial applicability]

[0058] The gel-like composition of the present invention has high productivity and high practicality because the composition shrinks due to the volatilization of alcohol, water, etc., and its endpoint is clearly defined. It can be used in deodorizers, odor removers, insect repellents, insecticides / insect repellents, disinfectants, and fragrances that volatilize their components, as well as in deodorizers, odor removers, insect repellents, insecticides / insect repellents, disinfectants, and fragrances that contain powder.

Claims

1. Hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose in 3 to 9% by mass, Lower monoalcohols with 5 or fewer carbon atoms in an amount of 60-65% by mass, An alcohol-based gel composition characterized by containing 20 to 35% by mass of water.

2. Hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose is hydroxy C ２－４ Alkyl C １－４ The alcohol-based gel-like composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is alkylcellulose.

3. Hydroxy C ２－４ Alkyl C １－４ The alcohol-based gel composition according to claim 2, wherein the alkylcellulose is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

4. Furthermore, the alcohol-based gel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a nonionic surfactant.

5. The alcohol-based gel composition according to claim 4, wherein the content of the nonionic surfactant is 0.05 to 10% by mass.

6. Furthermore, the alcohol-based gel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further containing glycerin.

7. The alcohol-based gel composition according to claim 6, wherein the glycerin content is 0.05 to 10% by mass.

8. Furthermore, the alcohol-based gel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 contains one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of aromatic components, insecticidal components, insect repellent components, antibacterial components, deodorizing components, and odor-eliminating components.

9. The alcohol-based gel composition according to claim 8, wherein the active ingredient is in powder form.

10. The alcohol-based gel composition according to claim 8, wherein the active ingredient content is 0.01 to 10% by mass.

11. Hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose in an amount of 3 to 9% by mass, Lower monoalcohols with 5 or fewer carbon atoms in an amount of 55-70% by mass, A method for producing an alcohol-based gel-like composition containing 15 to 40% by mass of water, A method for producing an alcohol-based gel-like composition, characterized by mixing a solution comprising the hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose and the lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms with an aqueous solution containing the lower monoalcohol having 5 or fewer carbon atoms at room temperature.

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