Surfactant composition comprising linear alkyl benzene sulfonates

Abstract

A surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) surfactants having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, wherein 50 % by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, can be obtained using Litsea seed oil as a source of the hydrocarbon chain and may be used in laundry detergents, cleaning compositions, hair care compositions or dishwashing detergents.

Description

[0001] Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Dr. Mundt 2024PF00282

[0002] Surfactant composition comprising linear alkyl benzene sulfonates

[0003] The present invention is concerned with a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) of which at least 50% contain hydrocarbon chains derived from C12 saturated or unsaturated acids, a method for manufacturing the surfactant composition, and laundry detergent, cleaning hair care or dishwashing compositions comprising the surfactant composition.

[0004] Most surfactants used in modern cleaning applications are organic compounds comprising hydrophilic head groups and hydrophobic tail groups. The hydrophobic tails of most surfactants are formed by hydrocarbon chains. The source of these hydrocarbon chains is of great economic and environmental importance.

[0005] Hydrocarbon chains to produce surfactants may, for example, be obtained from fossil sources. Fossil sources are readily available but are less preferred from an ecological standpoint. As an alternative, hydrocarbon chains may also be obtained from renewable sources, such as palm oil or coconut oil. These oils, which are usually extracted from the seeds of the respective plants, contain triglycerides of fatty acids that can be industrially converted to fatty alcohols and further processed into the desired surfactants. However, the widespread use of palm oil or palm kernel oil as a renewable source is also not without controversy because of environmental issues such as deforestation and loss of biodiversity due to the widespread monoculture.

[0006] Sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly ingredients are becoming increasingly relevant for both producers and consumers. Therefore, there is a widespread interest to find alternative, eco- friendly sources to produce surfactants.

[0007] The source of the hydrocarbon chains also determines their length. Fatty acids from palm seed oil or coconut oil, for example, contain hydrocarbon chains having between 10 and 18 carbon atoms with a relatively high amount of hydrocarbon chains having 14 or more carbon atoms. The chain length distribution of the hydrocarbon chains, in turn, determines the cleaning performance of the resulting surfactants. There is, therefore, a need to provide surfactants with a hydrocarbon chain length distribution that has an equal or better cleaning performance than surfactants produced from conventional sources.

[0008] The present invention aims at providing surfactants that contain hydrocarbon chains of different length, which can be obtained from renewable, environmentally friendly sources. The surfactants should have similar or better cleaning performance than surfactants obtained from conventional renewable sources, such as palm oil or coconut oil. 2024PF00282

[0009] 2

[0010] Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) are a class of anionic surfactant with a hydrophilic sulfonate “head” and a hydrophobic alkylbenzene “tail”. They are one of the oldest and most widely used types of synthetic detergent and are used in both personal cleansing products and household detergent products such as laundry or dishwashing detergents due to their favourable cleaning and foaming properties as well for economical reasons. The alkylbenzene moiety can be produced by alkylation of benzene with a monoalkene. This monoalkene can be derived from a fatty acid, and it is highly desirable to obtain this fatty acid from a sustainable source. Hydrocarbon chains derived from C12 and C10 fatty acids are particularly preferred.

[0011] It has been found that Litsea seed oil can be used as a source of fatty acids used in the production of surfactants. The oil obtained from Litsea seeds has a high proportion of fatty acids containing 10 or 12 carbon atoms and can be readily processed to obtain a surfactant composition containing hydrocarbon chains of different chain lengths.

[0012] Specifically, it has been found that this oil can be used to produce linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths including a high relative amount of hydrocarbon chains having 12 carbon atoms.

[0013] A first aspect of the invention therefore relates to a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having hydrocarbon chains of different length, characterized in that 50 % by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

[0014] The surfactant composition according to the invention comprises a mixture of hydrocarbon chains predominantly consisting of hydrocarbon chains derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms. The surfactant composition thus contains a higher relative amount of these hydrocarbon chains than previously known surfactants that are obtained from either fossil sources or conventional renewable sources such as palm oil or coconut oil. Due to this higher relative amount, the surfactant composition according to the invention is thought to have a better cleaning performance, particularly on soil encountered in typical household applications, such as in laundry cleaning, hand dishwashing and hair washing.

[0015] In addition, the surfactant composition of the invention may be readily obtained from Litsea seed oil. The fruit of Litsea species, especially Litsea cubeba, has hitherto been used as a source of essential oil with a lemony fragrance due to its high content of citral, limonene and other components. The residues from the production of the essential oil were previously discarded or burnt. The present invention uses these residues, particularly the seeds, to obtain a surfactant composition. In addition, the large-scale production of Litsea plants is believed to be less harmful to 2024PF00282

[0016] 3 the environment than the growth of palm trees. Therefore, the present invention provides an environmentally friendly renewable source for the productions of surfactants.

[0017] In a first embodiment the subject-matter of this invention is a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having alkyl chains of different lengths, characterized in that 50 % by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

[0018] In another embodiment the subject-matter of the invention is a method for manufacturing a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, the method comprising the steps of

[0019] (a) reacting a Litsea seed oil comprising a mixture of triglycerides with an alcohol and an acid to obtain a mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters;

[0020] (b) reacting the mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters with a reducing agent to obtain a mixture of fatty alcohols;

[0021] (c) converting the fatty alcohols obtained in step (b) into olefins by catalytic dehydration;

[0022] (d) reacting the olefins of step (c) with benzene to obtain alkylbenzenes; and

[0023] (e) sulfonating the alkylbenzenes to produce LAS.

[0024] In further embodiments the subject-matter of the invention relates to laundry detergent or cleaning compositions, hair care compositions or liquid dishwashing compositions comprising the surfactant composition of the invention and at least one further active agent.

[0025] These and other aspects, embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention become apparent to the person skilled in the art in the following detailed description and claims. Each feature from one aspect of the invention can be used in any other aspect of the invention. Furthermore, the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but do not restrict it. In particular, the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0026] “At least one”, as used herein, means one or more, i.e. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more of the referenced species. Similarly, “one or more”, as used herein, relates to at least one and comprises 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more. In connection with a given species, the term does not relate to the total number of molecules, but rather to the type of species. “At least one betaine”, for example, thus means that one type of betaine or two or more different types of betaines may be present. In connection with amounts, the term relates to the total amount of the referenced species. With 2024PF00282

[0027] 4 betaines, for example, this means that the given amount is the total amount of all betaines in the composition.

[0028] Numeric values specified without decimal places here refer to the full value specified with one decimal place, i.e. for example, 99 % means 99.0 %, unless otherwise defined.

[0029] The terms “about”, “approximately” or “approx.”, in connection with a numerical value, refer to a variance of ±10 %, preferably ±5 %, with respect to the given numerical value.

[0030] The term “essentially free” within the context of this invention is to be interpreted as the respective compound is contained in the composition in an amount of less than 5 wt.-%, 4 wt.-%, 3 wt.-%, 2 wt.-%, 1.5 wt.-%, 1 wt.-%, 0.75 wt.-%, 0.5 wt.-%, 0.25 wt.-%, 0.1 wt.-%, 0.01 wt.-%, or 0.001 wt.-% based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the amounts are respectively more preferred in descending order. For example, 4 wt.-% is more preferred than 5 wt.-% and 3 wt.-% is more preferred than 4 wt.-%.

[0031] All percentages given herein in relation to the compositions or formulations relate to weight % (wt.- %) relative to the total weight of the respective composition or formula, if not explicitly stated otherwise. Numeric ranges specified in the format "from x to y" include the specified values. If multiple preferred numeric ranges are specified in this format, it is understood that all ranges created by combining the different endpoints are also included.

[0032] “Laundry detergents” according to the present invention comprise all conceivable textile washing and / or care compositions used in the washing machine or in hand washing. This includes, for example, detergent compositions and compositions for cleaning, care and / or conditioning, pre- and / or post-treatment of all types of textiles, such as garments, carpets, and textile furniture surfaces.

[0033] “Cleaning compositions” according to the present invention comprise all conceivable compositions used in the household for cleaning and care of hard surfaces, including bathroom and kitchen surfaces and appliances, mirrors, windows and other glass surfaces, floors and furniture, as well as automatic and hand dishwashing compositions.

[0034] “Hair care compositions” according to the present invention comprise all conceivable compositions used for cleaning and / or conditioning hair, i.e. shampoos, conditioners, lotions and the like.

[0035] The laundry detergents, cleaning compositions and hair care compositions according to the present invention may be in any form known for such products. Thus, it may be a liquid, gel-like or paste- 2024PF00282

[0036] 5 like composition or a solid composition in the form of a powder, granules, a bar, a block, a tablet and the like. It may also be in the form of a unit-dose composition in a pouch, sachet or the like. The term “liquid”, as used herein, refers to compositions that are flowable and pourable at standard conditions (20 °C and 1013 mbar). Non-Newtonian liquids are comprised as well.

[0037] Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) are a class of anionic surfactant and are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts of alkylbenzene sulfonic acids in which the alkyl chain preferably contains 10 to 16 carbon atoms, more preferably 10 to 12 carbon atoms. Especially preferred are the alkali metal salts, in particular the sodium and potassium salts. They are widely used in cleaning compositions and laundry detergents due to their foaming properties, their detergency as well as their biodegradability. The alkali metal salts of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, i.e. an LAS with a hydrocarbon chain with 12 carbon atoms, are particularly preferred.

[0038] In a first embodiment the subject-matter of this application is a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, wherein 50% by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

[0039] Preferably, the composition comprises 55 % by weight or more, more preferably 60 % by weight or more, most preferably 65 % by weight or more linear alkyl benzene sulfonates with a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates.

[0040] The surfactant composition also comprises linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing hydrocarbon chains derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with less than or more than 12 carbon atoms. The amount of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates with a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms is therefore smaller than 100 % by weight and is preferably limited to 99 % by weight or less, more preferably 95 % by weight or less, most preferably 90 % by weight or less, based on the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates

[0041] It is preferred that 5% or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 10 carbon atoms.

[0042] It is also preferred that less than 10 % by weight of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms. More preferably the surfactant composition comprises 8 % by weight or less, more preferably 5 % by weight or less, most preferably 2 % by weight or less of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates. The minimum amount is not particularly 2024PF00282

[0043] 6 limited. Preferably, the surfactant composition comprises 0.1 % by weight or more, more preferably 0.5 % by weight or more, most preferably 1 % by weight or more of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates.

[0044] It is further preferred that thejatio of the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms to the total weight of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms is 5 or more.

[0045] It is also preferred that 4 % by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from unsaturated fatty acids having 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0046] Furthermore it is preferred that 1% by weight or more of the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain.

[0047] In a particularly preferred embodiment the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates contain hydrocarbon chains derived from Litsea seed oil, preferably from at least one Litsea species selected from the group consisting of Litsea cubeba, Litsea confertiflora, Litsea coriacea, Litsea auriculata, Litsea angustifolia, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea laeta, Litsea lanuginosa or Litsea subcoriacea and most preferably from Litsea cubeba seed oil. Litsea species are evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs belonging to the laurel family, Lauraceae, and are native to parts of Asia and North America. So far, the flowers, leaves and fruit of Litsea species, especially Litsea cubeba, have been used as a source of essential oil with a citrus / lemon fragrance due to their high content of citral as well as limonene and other components. The residues from the production of the essential oil were previously discarded or burnt, but it has been found that these residues and in particular the seeds can be processed further to obtain a fatty oil.

[0048] Litsea seed oil contains triglycerides with a high proportion of C10 and C12 fatty acids. It can be extracted from the Litsea seeds by various methods, of which pressing, especially cold pressing, and solvent extraction, for example with petroleum ether, are the most common. Other extraction methods include ultrasound-assisted extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. The oil obtained by any of these methods is then decolorized using active clay before being processed further.

[0049] A surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths can be obtained by a method comprising the steps of:

[0050] (a) reacting a Litsea seed oil comprising a mixture of triglycerides with an alcohol and an acid to obtain a mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters; 2024PF00282

[0051] 7

[0052] (b) reacting the mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters with a reducing agent to obtain a mixture of fatty alcohols;

[0053] (c) converting the fatty alcohols obtained in step (b) into olefins by catalytic dehydration;

[0054] (d) reacting the olefins of step (c) with benzene to obtain alkylbenzenes; and

[0055] (e) sulfonating the alkylbenzenes to produce LAS.

[0056] The surfactant composition of the invention can be used for various purposes but is preferably an ingredient in laundry, hair care or cleaning compositions.

[0057] A further aspect of the invention therefore is a laundry detergent, a cleaning composition, a hair care composition or a dishwashing composition comprising the surfactant composition according to the invention and at least one further active agent.

[0058] Besides the surfactant composition, the laundry detergent or cleaning composition comprises at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, acids, alkalis, perfumes, solvents, dyes, opacifiers, viscosity regulators, enzymes, electrolytes, complexing agents, hueing dyes, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, soil-release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-greying agents, antiredeposition agents, antistatic agents, anti-crease agents, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters, preservatives, foam inhibitors, rheology modifiers, rheology stabilizers, ironing aids, bittering agents, shrink-proofing agents, anti-swelling and anti-slip agents, impregnating agents, UV absorbers, antimicrobial active ingredients, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, skin-care substances, softening agents or mixtures thereof.

[0059] The hair care composition comprises at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, nonionic polymers, anionic polymers, amino acids, oligopeptides, vitamins, provitamins, vitamin precursors, bio quinones, purine (derivatives), taurine (derivatives), L-carnitine (salts), panthenol, pantothenic acid, 2-furanone (derivatives), ectoine, allantoin, plant extracts, ester oils, UV protective filters, structurants, thickeners, electrolytes, pH regulators, dyes, perfume oils, anti-dandruff agents, opacifiers, pearlescent agents, pigments, stabilizing agents, swelling agents, complexing agents, propellants, preservatives, antioxidants or mixtures thereof.

[0060] The dishwashing composition is preferably a liquid dishwashing composition, more preferably a liquid hand dishwashing composition and comprises at least one further active agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, acids, alkalis, perfumes, dyes, 2024PF00282

[0061] 8 hydrotropes, builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, silver-protecting agents, skincare agents, antibacterial agents, enzymes or mixtures thereof.

[0062] In all these compositions the additional surfactant may be selected from anionic, non-ionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and / or cationic surfactants as well as biosurfactants.

[0063] Among the anionic surfactants that can additionally be used are those of the sulfonate and sulfate types. Surfactants of the sulfonate type that can be used are preferably olefin sulfonates, i.e. mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkane sulfonates, and disulfonates, as obtained, for example, from C12-18 monoolefins having a terminal or internal double bond by way of sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acid hydrolysis of the sulfonation products. Alkane sulfonates obtained from C12-18 alkanes, for example by way of sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis or neutralization, are also suitable. Likewise, the esters of a-sulfofatty acids (ester sulfonates) are suitable, for example the a-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut fatty acids, palm kernel fatty acids or tallow fatty acids. In preferred embodiments the sulfonate or sulfate surfactants may also comprise a hydrocarbon chain derived from Litsea seed oil.

[0064] The alkali salts and in particular the sodium salts of the sulfuric acid half-esters of C12-C18 fatty alcohols, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol, or of C10-C20 oxo alcohols and the half-esters of secondary alcohols having these chain lengths are preferred as alk(en)yl sulfates. Alk(en)yl sulfates of the mentioned chain length with synthetic straight-chain alkyl groups prepared from petrochemical sources may also be used. However, it is preferred that the alkyl chain is derived from renewable, natural sources. It is particularly preferred that the hydrocarbon chain is derived from Litsea seed oil.

[0065] Alkyl ether sulfates are ethoxylated sulfuric acid monoesters of straight-chain or branched alcohols, preferably of C10-C18 fatty alcohols, for example from Litsea seed fatty alcohol, coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol, or of C10-C20 oxo alcohols. They are preferably ethoxylated with 1 to 10 mol of ethylene oxide (EO), especially preferably 1 to 4 EO. A particularly preferred alkyl ether sulfate is sodium laureth sulfate.

[0066] Further suitable anionic surfactants include sulfated fatty acid glycerol esters as well as the salts of alkyl sulfosuccinic acid, which are also referred to as sulfosuccinates or as sulfosuccinic acid esters. Isethionates may also be advantageously used, as may amino acid based surfactants such as taurates, sarcosinates or glutamates. Soaps, especially saturated fatty acid soaps are also suitable, such as the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, hydrogenated erucic acid and behenic acid, and in particular soap mixtures derived from natural fatty acids, such 2024PF00282

[0067] 9 as coconut fatty acids, palm kernel fatty acids or tallow fatty acids; in preferred embodiments the soap mixture is derived from fatty acids obtained from Litsea seed oil.

[0068] The anionic surfactants, including the soaps, can be present in the form of the sodium, potassium, magnesium or ammonium salts thereof, or as soluble salts of organic bases, such as monoethanolamine, choline or triethylamine. The anionic surfactants are preferably present in the form of the sodium, potassium or magnesium salts, and in particular in the form of the sodium salts.

[0069] Non-ionic surfactants suitable for use include alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, in particular primary alcohols having preferably 8 to 18 C atoms and, on average, 1 to 12 mols of ethylene oxide (EO) per mol of alcohol, in which the alcohol group can be linear or preferably methyl-branched in the 2 position or can contain linear and methyl-branched groups in admixture, as are usually present in oxo alcohol groups. However, alcohol ethoxylates having linear groups of alcohols of native origin having 12 to 18 C atoms, for example of Litsea, coconut, palm, tallow fatty or oleyl alcohol, and an average of 2 to 8 EO per mol of alcohol, are particularly preferred. Examples of preferred ethoxylated alcohols include 012-14 alcohols having 3 EO or 4 EO, 09-11 alcohol having 7 EO, 013-15 alcohols having 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, 012-18 alcohols having 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO, and mixtures thereof, such as mixtures of 012-14 alcohol having 3 EO and 012-18 alcohol having 5 EO. The degrees of ethoxylation indicated represent statistical averages that can correspond to an integer or a fractional number for a specific product. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates have a narrowed homolog distribution (narrow range ethoxylates, NRE). In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols having more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples of these are tallow fatty alcohols having 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO, or 40 EO.

[0070] Amine oxides are another class of non-ionic surfactants which may be used. They are described by the formula

[0071] R1R2R3NO, in which each R1, R2and R3independently is an unsubstituted or substituted (i.e. hydroxysubstituted) C1-C30 hydrocarbon chain. In preferred amine oxides, R1stands for C12-C18 Alkyl and R2und R3independently of one another are C1-C4 alkyl, especially C12-C18 alkyl dimethylamine oxide. Suitable amine oxides include N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallowalkyl-N,N- dihydroxyethylamine oxide.

[0072] Another class of non-ionic surfactants that can advantageously be used is the alkyl polyglycosides (APG). Alkyl polyglycosides that can be used satisfy the general formula

[0073] RO(G)z, 2024PF00282

[0074] 10 in which R represents a linear or branched, in particular methyl-branched at the 2-position, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18, C atoms, and G is the symbol that represents a glycose unit having 5 or 6 C atoms, preferably glucose. The degree of glycosidation z is between 1.0 and 4.0, preferably between 1.0 and 2.0, and in particular between 1.1 and 1.4. Linear alkyl polyglycosides are preferably used, which is to say alkyl polyglycosides in which the polyglycol group is a glucose group and the alkyl group is an n-alkyl group.

[0075] Further non-ionic surfactants that may be used include alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, in particular fatty acid methyl esters, as well as fatty acid alkanolamides and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.

[0076] Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants include betaines, which are described by the formula

[0077] (Riii)(Riv)(Rv)N+CH2COO- in which

[0078] R"' stands for an alkyl group with 8 to 25, preferably 10 to 21 carbon atoms, which may additionally contain one or more heteroatoms or groups of heteroatoms such as O, S, NH, C(O), C(O)NH or C(O)O, and

[0079] Rivand Rvindependently stand for identical or different C1 -3 alkyl groups.

[0080] Among the betaines, Cio-Cis-alkyl dimethylcarboxymethylbetaine and Cn-Ci7-alkyl amidopropyldimethylcarboxymethylbetaine are preferred. An especially preferred betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0081] Biosurfactants may also be included in laundry detergents, cleaning compositions, hair care compositions or dishwashing detergent compositions according to the invention. Biosurfactants are surfactants of microbial origin and are produced by cultivating biosurfactant producing microorganisms on substrates such as plant oils or carbohydrates. They are composed of a hydrophilic moiety, which typically is made up of amino acids, peptides, mono-, di- or polysaccharides or sugar alcohols, and a hydrophobic moiety consisting of fatty acids. Preferred biosurfactants include glycolipids, lipopeptide / lipoproteins and polymeric surfactants. Among the glycolipids the rhamnolipids, sophorolipids and mannosylerythritollipids are particularly preferred.

[0082] The composition may also comprise one or more enzymes, in particular enzymes selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, mannanases, lipases, cellulases, hemicellulases and mixtures thereof. In preferred embodiments the composition comprises 0 to 5 wt.-%, more preferred 0 to 1 wt.-% enzymes, based on the weight of the concentrated composition. 2024PF00282

[0083] 11

[0084] Another optional ingredient are solvents. Besides water, the concentrated liquid laundry detergent composition may comprise water-miscible organic solvents, especially alcohols, alkanolamines or glycol ethers, preferably selected from ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, butanols, glycol, propane diol, butane diol, methylpropane diol, glycerol, diglycol, propyl diglycol, butyl diglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butylether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylen glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, methoxytriglycol, ethoxytriglycol, butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol-t-buty lether, di-n-octylether and mixtures thereof. Alcohols are particularly preferred, especially 1 ,2-propane diol, ethanol and / or glycerol.

[0085] The compositions of the invention may further comprise at least one builder, which may be a water- soluble or -insoluble, organic or inorganic builder. Water-soluble organic builders include polycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid and sugar acids, monomeric and polymeric aminopolycarboxylic acids and their salts, especially glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodisuccinates such as imino disuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and hydroxyiminodisuccinates (HIDS), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), beta-alanine N,N-diacetic acid, hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA) and alkali metal salts thereof, as well as polyaspartic acid, polyphosphonic acids, especially aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid), lysintetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and 1- hydroxyethane 1 ,1-diphosphonic acid, polymeric hydroxy compounds such as dextrin and polymeric (poly-)carboxylic acids. Among the polycarboxylic acids, preferred are citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid and gluconic acid, and combinations thereof. Particularly preferred is citric acid.

[0086] Water-soluble inorganic builders include polyphosphates, preferably sodium triphosphate, as well as water-soluble crystalline or amorphous alkali silicates. In a preferred embodiment, however, the composition is phosphate-free.

[0087] Crystalline or amorphous, water-dispersible alkali aluminosilicates may be used as water-insoluble inorganic builders, especially crystalline sodium aluminosilicates such as zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP or zeolite X.

[0088] In various embodiments, the composition comprises one or more builders in an amount of 3.0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 4.0 to 10.0 wt.-%. 2024PF00282

[0089] 12

[0090] Liquid, gel-like and paste-like compositions may also contain one or more thickeners to regulate and modify their viscosity and their rheological properties. These may be selected from all organic or inorganic thickeners, polymeric or monomeric, known to the skilled person, such as natural organic thickeners and their derivatives, synthetic organic thickeners or inorganic thickeners such as clays or silica. Electrolytes may also be used to regulate viscosity. Organic natural thickeners and their derivatives, such as agar, carrageenan, alginates, pectins, guar gum, gellan gum, starch, dextrin, gelatin casein, carboxymethylcellulose and similar cellulose ethers, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and others, are preferred, as are synthetic organic thickeners such as optionally substituted (meth)acrylic acid polymers, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers and the like.

Claims

2024PF0028213Claims:1 . A surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) having hydrocarbon chains of different lengths, characterized in that 50 % by weight or more of the LAS contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms.

2. The surfactant composition according to claim 1 , wherein 5 % by weight or more of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 10 carbon atoms.

3. The surfactant composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein less than 10 % by weight of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms.

4. The surfactant composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the total weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 12 carbon atoms to the total weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates containing a hydrocarbon chain derived from saturated or unsaturated fatty acids with 14 carbon atoms is 5 or more.

5. The surfactant composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 4 % by weight or more of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates contain a hydrocarbon chain derived from unsaturated fatty acids having 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

6. The surfactant composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 1 % by weight or more of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates contain an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 10 to 16 carbon atoms.

7. The surfactant composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates contain hydrocarbon chains derived from Litsea seed oil, preferably from at least one Litsea species selected from the group consisting of Litsea cubeba, Litsea confertiflora, Litsea coriacea, Litsea auriculata, Litsea angustifolia, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea laeta, Litsea lanuginosa or Litsea subcoriacea and most preferably from Litsea cubeba seed oil.

8. The surfactant composition according to claim 1 , obtainable by the method of claim 9.

9. A method for manufacturing a surfactant composition comprising a mixture of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate having hydrocarbon chains of different length, the method comprising the steps of:2024PF0028214(a) reacting a Litsea seed oil comprising a mixture of triglycerides with an alcohol and an acid to obtain a mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters;(b) reacting the mixture of fatty acid alcohol monoesters with a reducing agent to obtain a mixture of fatty alcohols;(c) converting the fatty alcohols obtained in step (b) into olefins by catalytic dehydration;(d) reacting the olefins of step (c) with benzene to obtain alkylbenzenes; and(e) sulfonating the alkylbenzenes to produce LAS.

10. A laundry detergent or cleaning composition comprising the surfactant composition of any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one further active agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, acids, alkalis, perfumes, solvents, dyes, opacifiers, viscosity regulators, enzymes, electrolytes, complexing agents, hueing dyes, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, soil-release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-greying agents, anti-redeposition agents, antistatic agents, anti-crease agents, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters, preservatives, foam inhibitors, rheology modifiers, rheology stabilizers, ironing aids, bittering agents, shrink-proofing agents, anti-swelling and anti-slip agents, impregnating agents, UV absorbers, antimicrobial active ingredients, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, skin-care substances, softening agents or mixtures thereof.

11. A hair care composition comprising the surfactant composition of any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one further active agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, nonionic polymers, anionic polymers, amino acids, oligopeptides, vitamins, provitamins, vitamin precursors, bio quinones, purine (derivatives), taurine (derivatives), L-carnitine (salts), panthenol, pantothenic acid, 2-furanone (derivatives), ectoine, allantoin, plant extracts, ester oils, UV protective filters, structurants, thickeners, electrolytes, pH regulators, dyes, perfume oils, anti-dandruff agents, opacifiers, pearlescent agents, pigments, stabilizing agents, swelling agents, complexing agents, propellants, preservatives, antioxidants or mixtures thereof.

12. A liquid dishwashing composition, preferably for manual dishwashing, comprising the surfactant composition of any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one further active agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of additional surfactants, acids, alkalis, perfumes, dyes, hydrotropes, builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, silver-protecting agents, skincare agents, antibacterial agents, enzymes or mixtures thereof.