Stable liquid detergents

Abstract

A liquid, surfactant-containing detergent for cleaning and / or caring for textiles, containing 0.5 to 7.5% by weight of caprylic acid, is storage-stable and resistant to microbial growth even without the addition of conventional preservatives.

Description

[0001] Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

[0002] Dr. Mundt

[0003] Stable liquid detergents

[0004] The invention relates to a liquid surfactant-containing agent for cleaning and / or caring for textiles, containing 0.5 to 7.5 wt.% caprylic acid, a method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles in which this agent is used, and the use of caprylic acid in liquid detergents to prevent or reduce microbial contamination and to stabilize the formulation.

[0005] Liquid detergents are widely used and appreciated by consumers due to their convenient dosing and handling. The segment of detergents for people with sensitive skin is constantly growing in Europe, as more and more consumers prefer these products, which they perceive as gentler. Consequently, they also have a heightened awareness of the ingredients used in detergents. Consumers with sensitive skin or allergies, in particular, focus on products with hypoallergenic formulas or formulas with low or no sensitizing potential. Some common sensitizing ingredients fall into the category of preservatives, such as boric acid or 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives like methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT). Therefore, there is a desire to remove such preservatives from formulations or replace them with less risky substances.At the same time, however, contamination of the products must be prevented, and consumers' wishes for the lowest possible prices and the most sustainable raw material sources must be met.

[0006] For consumer acceptance of a product formulation, it is also crucial that the product has an appealing appearance and is free of visual defects. During storage, liquid detergents can sometimes become cloudy or develop phase separations, which impair both their appearance and make handling more difficult, as the product may need to be shaken before use. To prevent such undesirable behavior, organic solvents or solubilizers, so-called hydrotropes, have traditionally been added to liquid detergents. However, these often originate from non-renewable sources and do not impart any additional beneficial properties to the liquid detergent. Therefore, it seems desirable to obtain stable formulations without the addition of organic solvents or hydrotropes.

[0007] The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a liquid textile detergent in which no conventional preservatives, in particular no boric acid and no 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives, are required, and which simultaneously meets the optical requirements. Furthermore, the detergent should exhibit high cleaning power while avoiding sensitizing ingredients and without compromising the physicochemical and microbiological stability of the liquid detergent. 2024PF00171

[0008] 2

[0009] Surprisingly, it was found that by adding caprylic acid, both the stability and the microbiological resistance of a liquid textile detergent can be improved to such an extent that the use of conventional preservatives, solvents, or hydrotropes can be dispensed with.

[0010] The present problem was therefore solved by a liquid surfactant-containing agent for cleaning and / or caring for textiles, characterized in that it contains caprylic acid in an amount of 0.5 to 7.5 wt.%, based on the agent.

[0011] The product can be used for washing textiles. Therefore, a further subject of this application is a method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles using this product.

[0012] Other subjects of this application include the use of caprylic acid in detergents to reduce or prevent microbial growth and to stabilize the formulation.

[0013] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and claims. Each feature from one aspect of the invention can be incorporated into any other aspect of the invention. Furthermore, it is understood that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and in particular, the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0014] Unless otherwise stated, all percentages are weight percentages based on the total weight of the agent / composition.

[0015] Numeric ranges specified in the format "from x to y" include the stated values. If multiple preferred numeric ranges are specified in this format, it is understood that all ranges resulting from the combination of the different endpoints are also included.

[0016] “At least one,” as used herein, refers to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more. In the context of components of the compositions described herein, this term refers not to the absolute quantity of molecules but to the type of component. “At least one anionic surfactant,” for example, means one or more different anionic surfactants, i.e., one or more different types of anionic surfactants. When used in conjunction with quantity specifications, the quantities refer to the total quantity of the appropriately designated type of component. 2024PF00171

[0017] 3

[0018] The composition according to the invention contains caprylic acid. Caprylic acid is the common name for octanoic acid, a saturated fatty acid with eight carbon atoms. It occurs as a triglyceride in various natural oils and fats, but can also be produced synthetically by oxidation of octanol or octanal, or biotechnologically using bacteria or yeast. In the composition according to the invention, caprylic acid is present in an amount of 0.5 to 7.5% by weight, preferably in an amount of 0.5 to 4% by weight, based on the composition.

[0019] Furthermore, the composition according to the invention contains one or more surfactants, preferably selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0020] Examples of anionic surfactants that can be used in accordance with this application include linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, ether carboxylates, secondary alkanesulfonates, sulfosuccinates, taurides, isethionates or rhamnolipids.

[0021] Sulfonate-type surfactants are particularly preferred as anionic surfactants. Suitable examples include Cg-1 alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefin sulfonates (i.e., mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonates), and disulfonates, such as those obtained from Ci2-is monoolefins with terminal or internal double bonds by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products. Also suitable are Ci2-18 alkanesulfonates and the esters of α-sulfofelic acids (estersulfonates), for example, the α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel, or tallow fatty acids.

[0022] Other preferred anionic surfactants include fatty alcohol sulfates (also known as alk(en)yl sulfates). These include the alkali and, in particular, the sodium salts of the sulfuric acid half-esters of the Ci2-Ci8 fatty alcohols, for example, from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or the Ci0-C20 oxo alcohols, and those half-esters of secondary alcohols of these chain lengths. For detergent applications, the Ci2-Cie alkyl sulfates and Ci2-Cis alkyl sulfates, as well as Ci4-Cis alkyl sulfates, are preferred. 2,3-Alkyl sulfates are also suitable anionic surfactants.

[0023] Suitable anionic surfactants also include alkyl ether sulfates of formula R 1 -O-(AO) n -SO3- X +

[0024] In this formula, R is represented by 1 for a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, preferably for a fatty alcohol group. Preferred groups are R.1 Selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, and eicosyl groups and mixtures thereof, with representatives having an even number of carbon atoms being preferred. Particularly preferred groups R 1 are derived from Cs-Cis- 2024PF00171

[0025] 4

[0026] Fetal alcohols, for example coconut fetal alcohol, tallow fetal alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, are particularly preferred; Ci2-14 fetal alcohols are especially preferred. AO stands for an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, preferably an ethylene oxide group. The subscript n stands for an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20, and particularly from 2 to 10. Most preferably, n stands for the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. X stands for a monovalent cation or the nth part of an n-valent cation; preferably, alkali metal ions, including Na, are used. + or K+ , where Na + is highly preferred. A Ci2-14 alkyl ether sulfate with 2 EO is particularly preferred.

[0027] Anionic surfactants can exist in the form of their sodium, potassium, magnesium, or ammonium salts. Protonated forms of choline, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, or methylethylamine are also suitable as counterions for anionic surfactants.

[0028] Preferably, the liquid textile detergent contains anionic surfactants in an amount of 5 to 50 wt.%, preferably 5 to 30 wt.%, based on the product.

[0029] Suitable non-ionic surfactants include, for example, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, fatty acid amides, alkoxylated fatty acid amides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides, sophorolipids, mannosyl erythritol lipids and mixtures thereof.

[0030] Preferably, alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated and / or propoxylated, and preferably ethoxylated, primary alcohols with preferably 8 to 22 carbon atoms and an average of 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol are used as nonionic surfactants. The alcohol residue may be linear or, preferably, methyl-branched at the 2-position, or the mixture may contain both linear and methyl-branched residues, as is commonly found in oxo alcohol residues. However, alcohol ethoxylates with linear residues from native alcohols with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, from coconut, palm, tallow, or oleyl alcohol, and an average of 2 to 8 moles of EO per mole of alcohol are particularly preferred.Preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, Ci2-14 alcohols with 3 EO or 4 EO, Cs-n alcohol with 7 EO, C -is alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C12-18 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C12-14 alcohol with 3 EO and Ci2-is alcohol with 5 EO.

[0031] The fatty alcohol alkoxylates preferentially obey the following formula, R' -O-(EO) m -H where R' represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted Cs-C22 alkyl group, EO is an ethylene oxide group, and m is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 20, and preferably 2 to 10. In particular, m is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. 2024PF00171

[0032] 5

[0033] Preferred residues R' are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, and nonadecyl residues and mixtures thereof, with those having an even number of carbon atoms being preferred. Particularly preferred residues R' are derived from fatty alcohols with 12 to 19 carbon atoms, for example, coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or from oxo alcohols with 10 to 19 carbon atoms.

[0034] Mixtures of fatty alcohol ethoxylates with different alkyl chain lengths and degrees of ethoxylation can also be used. Particularly preferred are fatty alcohols with 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 7 EO. Such fatty alcohol ethoxylates are available under the trade names Dehydol® LT7 (BASF), Lutensol® AO7 (BASF), Lutensol® M7 (BASF), and Neodol® 45-7 (Shell Chemicals).

[0035] Furthermore, the liquid textile detergent may contain amine oxide as a nonionic surfactant. In principle, any amine oxide established for this purpose in the prior art, i.e., compounds with the formula R, can be considered an amine oxide. 1 R 2 R 3 NO exhibit, wherein each R 1 , R 2 and R 3 Independently of the others, a possibly substituted hydrocarbon chain with 1 to 30 carbon atoms can be used. Particularly preferred amine oxides are those in which R 1 Alkyl with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and R 2 and R 3 Each of these are independent alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular alkyldimethylamine oxides with 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable amine oxides are N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristyl / cetyldimethylamine oxide, or lauryldimethylamine oxide.

[0036] Suitable non-ionic surfactants include, for example, alkyl glycosides of the general formula RO(G) X , in which R corresponds to a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, in particular 2-position methyl-branched, aliphatic residue with 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and G is the symbol representing a glucose unit with 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; preferably x is between 1.2 and 1.4.

[0037] Other suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Also suitable are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, polyol fatty acid esters, alkoxylated triglycerides, hydroxy mixed ethers, sorbitan fatty acid esters and adsorption products of ethylene oxide to sorbitan fatty acid esters such as polysorbates, sugar fatty acid esters and adsorption products of ethylene oxide to sugar fatty acid esters, adsorption products of ethylene oxide to fatty acid alkanolamides and fatty amines, fatty acid N-alkylglucamides, and 2024PF00171.

[0038] 6

[0039] Biosurfactants such as sophorolipids or mannosyl erythritol lipids (MEL) can be used as non-ionic surfactants.

[0040] Preferably, the liquid textile detergent contains non-ionic surfactants in an amount of 5 to 50 wt.%, preferably 5 to 30 wt.%, based on the product.

[0041] Zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants can also be used, for example betaines, sulfobetaines or amphoacetates.

[0042] Cationic surfactants can also be used, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, in particular esterquats. In a preferred embodiment, however, the liquid textile detergent is free of cationic surfactants.

[0043] Preferably, the composition according to the invention also contains soaps. Soaps are salts of linear or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated Cs-22 carboxylic acids. In a preferred embodiment, these are linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated Cs-22 carboxylic acids, particularly preferably linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated Cs-is carboxylic acids, and especially linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated Ci2-18 carboxylic acids. Examples of suitable saturated and unsaturated fatty acid soaps are the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, (hydrogenated) erucic acid, and behenic acid, as well as, in particular, soap mixtures derived from natural fatty acids, for example, coconut, palm kernel, olive oil, or tallow fatty acids.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention contains, based on the composition, 0.5 to 7.5 wt.%, preferably 0.5 to 4 wt.% soap, preferably Ci2-Ci8 soap.

[0045] The liquid product preferably contains water. Non-aqueous, organic solvents may also be added. Suitable non-aqueous solvents include mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines, or glycol ethers, provided they are miscible with water within the specified concentration range.Preferably, the solvents are selected from ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerin, diglycylene, propyldiglycol, butyldiglycylene, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, methoxytriglycol, ethoxytriglycol, butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol-t-butyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, and 2024PF00171.

[0046] 7

[0047] Mixtures of these solvents. An alcohol, especially ethanol and / or glycerin, is particularly preferred.

[0048] To further improve the stability of the agents, solubilizers, also known as hydrotropes, can be used. The term "hydrotrope," as used in connection with the present invention, refers to additives or solvents that increase the water solubility of sparingly soluble (hydrophobic) organic compounds. A second component (i.e., the hydrotrope) is added to the sparingly soluble substance, but it is not itself a solvent. Such hydrotropes have hydrophilic and hydrophobic structural units (like surfactants), but (unlike surfactants) do not tend to form aggregates in water. In various embodiments, these hydrotropes have no micelle-forming activity, or the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is greater than 10⁻⁵. 4 mol / L, preferably greater than 10 3 mol / L and even more preferably 10 2mol / L. The "critical micelle formation concentration," in accordance with the general understanding of the state of the art, is the concentration of the substance above which it begins to form micelles and any further molecule added to the system is converted into micelles. The hydrotropes used typically have a molecular weight < 10,000 g / mol, preferably < 2,500 g / mol, more preferably < 1,000 g / mol, and most preferably < 500 g / mol. They can be selected, for example, from short-chain mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-alkylbenzenesulfonates, in particular Ci-e alkylbenzenesulfonates, wherein the alkyl groups may be linear or branched, including but not limited to cumenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate and / or xylenesulfonate, as well as butyl glycol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,2-dioxolane, propylene carbonate, butyl lactate, 2-isobutyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol or mixtures thereof.

[0049] It is preferred that the liquid surfactant-containing agent according to the invention contains 0 to 10 wt.% organic solvents or hydrotropes and is particularly preferably free of organic solvents or hydrotropes.

[0050] The composition according to the invention has a pH value of 6.8 to 8.5 at 20 °C (measured undiluted). The pH value of the composition is important both for the stability of the composition and the individual ingredients, as well as for the washing and cleaning effect of the agent. A pH value of 7.2 to 7.8 of the liquid textile detergent at 20 °C (measured undiluted) is particularly preferred.

[0051] To adjust the desired pH value, system- and environmentally compatible acids, in particular citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, amino acids such as glycine, glutamic acid, arginine and / or aspartic acid, glycolic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, can be added to the composition according to the invention, provided that this pH value does not result automatically from the mixture of the other components. 2024PF00171

[0052] 8 and / or adipic acid, but also, if necessary, mineral acids, especially sulfuric acid, or bases, especially ammonium or alkali hydroxides, may be added.

[0053] According to the invention, it is preferred that the liquid textile detergent contains boric acid only in a limited amount. It is preferred that the composition according to the invention contains less than 0.5 wt.%, and particularly preferably less than 0.1 wt.%, boric acid. It is especially preferred that the liquid textile detergent contains no boric acid or is free of boric acid. Within the scope of this invention, this means that boric acid is neither added as a separate ingredient nor introduced into the claimed composition via preparations of other ingredients, for example, in amounts of up to 0.01 wt.% or up to 0.001 wt.% based on the total mass of the composition.

[0054] It is further preferred that the liquid textile detergent contains only a limited amount of active preservatives. Particularly suitable preservatives include 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives (isothiazoles and their derivatives). According to the invention, the composition contains less than 0.5 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 0.1 wt.%, of 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives and is most preferably free of 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives.

[0055] Other preservatives commonly used in liquid textile detergents are antimicrobial agents from the group consisting of antimicrobial peptides, benzyl alcohol, formaldehyde-containing preservatives, phthalimides, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, phenoxyethanol, or mixtures thereof. According to the invention, it is preferred that these ingredients, which also act as preservatives, are present in the composition in an amount of less than 0.5% by weight, and particularly preferably less than 0.1% by weight. It is especially preferred that the liquid textile detergent is free of these ingredients. Within the scope of this invention, this means that ingredients other than preservatives are neither added as separate ingredients nor introduced into the claimed composition via preparations of further ingredients, for example, in amounts of up to 0.01% or up to 0.001% by weight, respectively, based on the total mass of the composition.

[0056] A preferred subject matter is therefore a liquid textile detergent as described in this application, which does not contain an antimicrobial active ingredient from the group consisting of antimicrobial peptides, benzyl alcohol, formaldehyde-containing preservatives, isothiazoles and their derivatives, phthalimides, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, phenoxyethanol or mixtures thereof.

[0057] According to the invention, it is preferred that the liquid textile detergent contains at least one further active ingredient, preferably selected from the group comprising enzymes, builders, 2024PF00171

[0058] 9

[0059] Contains bleaching agents, bleach activators, electrolytes, pH adjusters, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, foam inhibitors, anti-reposition agents, anti-graying inhibitors, shrinkage inhibitors, anti-crease agents, color transfer inhibitors, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing aids, phobic and impregnating agents, skin conditioning agents, swelling and sliding agents, plasticizing components, and UV absorbers.

[0060] The liquid textile detergent may contain one or more enzymes. In principle, all enzymes established in the prior art for this purpose can be used. Preferably, the enzyme(s) are one or more enzymes capable of exerting catalytic activity in a detergent, in particular a protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, hemicellulase, mannanase, pectin-splitting enzyme, tannase, xylanase, xanthanase, β-glucosidase, carrageenase, perhydrolase, oxidase, oxidoreductase, hexosaminidase, and mixtures thereof. Preferred hydrolytic enzymes include, in particular, proteases, amylases (especially α-amylases), cellulases, lipases, hemicellulases (especially pectinases), mannanases, β-glucanases, and mixtures thereof. Enzymes selected from the group comprising amylases, proteases, cellulases, mannanases and lipases, as well as mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred.These enzymes are essentially of natural origin; based on the natural molecules, improved versions are available for use in detergents and are therefore preferred. The enzymes can be adsorbed onto carrier substances and / or embedded in coating materials to protect them against premature inactivation. The enzymes used can also be combined with accompanying substances, such as those from fermentation, or with stabilizers.

[0061] According to the invention, it is preferred that the liquid textile detergent has at least one enzyme, particularly preferably one or more enzymes preferably selected from the group comprising amylases, proteases, cellulases, mannanases, lipases and mixtures thereof.

[0062] A textile detergent according to the invention preferably contains at least one water-soluble and / or water-insoluble, organic and / or inorganic builder. Water-soluble organic building blocks include polycarboxylic acids, especially citric acid and sugar acids; monomeric and polymeric aminopolycarboxylic acids and their salts, especially glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); iminodisuccinates such as ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and hydroxyiminodisuccinates (HIDS); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); polyaspartic acid; polyphosphonic acids, especially aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid), lysinetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), and 1-hydroxyethane1,1-diphosphonic acid; polymeric hydroxy compounds such as dextrin; and polymeric (poly-)carboxylic acids, especially polycarboxylates accessible by oxidation of polysaccharides. 2024PF00171

[0063] Ten polymeric acrylic acids, methacrylic acids, maleic acids, and copolymers thereof, which may also contain small amounts of polymerizable substances without carboxylic acid functionality. The relative mean molecular weight of the homopolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids is generally between 5,000 g / mol and 200,000 g / mol, and that of the copolymers between 2,000 g / mol and 200,000 g / mol, preferably 50,000 g / mol to 120,000 g / mol, in each case based on free acid. A particularly preferred acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer has a relative mean molecular weight of 50,000 to 100,000. Suitable, though less preferred, compounds of this class are copolymers of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with vinyl ethers, such as vinyl methyl ethers, vinyl esters, ethylene, propylene and styrene, in which the proportion of the acid is at least 50% by weight.Water-soluble organic builder substances can also include terpolymers which contain as monomers two unsaturated acids and / or their salts and as a third monomer vinyl alcohol and / or a vinyl alcohol derivative or a carbohydrate.

[0064] Suitable water-soluble inorganic builder materials include polyphosphates, preferably sodium triphosphate, as well as water-soluble crystalline and / or amorphous alkali silicate builders. In a preferred embodiment, however, the textile detergents according to the invention are phosphate-free.

[0065] Water-insoluble inorganic builder materials, particularly crystalline or amorphous, water-dispersible alkali aluminosilicates, are used. Among these, crystalline sodium aluminosilicates of detergent quality, especially zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP, and optionally zeolite X, are preferred.

[0066] Bleaching agents can be any substance that destroys or absorbs dyes through oxidation, reduction, or adsorption, thereby decolorizing materials. These include, among others, hypohalite-containing bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide, perborate, percarbonate, peroxoacetic acid, diperoxoazelic acid, diperoxododecanedioic acid, and oxidative enzyme systems.

[0067] Anti-graying agents serve to keep the dirt detached from textile fibers suspended in the cleaning solution. Water-soluble colloids, mostly of organic origin, are suitable for this purpose, such as starch, glue, gelatin, salts of ethercarboxylic or ethersulfonic acids of starch or cellulose, or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are also suitable. Furthermore, starch derivatives other than those mentioned above can be used, for example, aldehyde starches. Cellulose ethers, such as carboxymethylcellulose (sodium salt), methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose, and mixed ethers, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof, are preferred.

[0068] Furthermore, dirt-removing polymers or soil release polymers, so-called, can be used.

[0069] SRPs may be included. Oligoesters are available as SRPs, preferably from 2024PF00171.

[0070] 11

[0071] Terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulfoisophthalic acid and / or their methyl esters, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (saturated and / or unsaturated), for example adipic acid, and / or their anhydrides, aliphatic substituted dicarboxylic acids, for example nonyl succinic acid, alkylene glycols (ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene glycol), polyethylene glycols, alkyl polyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol sulfobenzoic acid esters, polyethylene glycol sulfobenzoic acid esters, and optionally alkanolamines can be used. Terephthalate-PEG-based polymers, such as those commercially available under the trade name Texcare®, are preferred. Alternatively, (co)polymers based on polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl acetate, and polyethylene glycol can also be used.

[0072] Suitable dirt-removing polymers are generally already sufficiently known from the prior art. In particular, all polymers known from the prior art for this purpose can therefore be used.

[0073] To effectively suppress dye transfer and / or dye transfer to other textiles during washing and / or cleaning of dyed textiles, the composition according to the invention can contain a dye transfer inhibitor (DTI). It is preferred that the dye transfer inhibitor is a polymer or copolymer of cyclic amines such as vinylpyrrolidone and / or vinylimidazole. Suitable polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), polyvinylpyridine N-oxide, poly-N-carboxymethyl-4-vinyl ipyridium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) are particularly preferred as the dye transfer inhibitor.

[0074] Polycarboxylates are particularly suitable as anti-reposition agents. Appropriate materials can be prepared by the polymerization or copolymerization of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers, such as acrylic acid, maleic acid (or anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, and methylmalonic acid. Acrylate polymers and acrylic / maleic acid copolymers are especially preferred.

[0075] Textile detergents can contain optical brighteners such as derivatives of diaminostilbene disulfonic acid or its alkali metal salts. However, color detergents are preferably free of optical brighteners. Suitable examples include salts of 4,4'-bis(2-anilino-4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino)stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or similarly structured compounds that, instead of the morpholino group, bear a diethanolamino group, a methylamino group, an anilino group, or a 2-methoxyethylamino group. Furthermore, brighteners of the substituted diphenylstyryl type may be present, for example, the alkali salts of 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)diphenyl, 2024PF00171.

[0076] 12

[0077] 4,4'-Bis(4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl)-diphenyls, or 4-(4-chlorostyryl)-4'-(2-sulfostyryl)-diphenyls. Mixtures of the aforementioned optical brighteners can also be used.

[0078] Particularly when used in automated processes, it can be advantageous to add common foam inhibitors to textile detergents. Suitable foam inhibitors include, for example, soaps of natural or synthetic origin that have a high proportion of cis-C24 fatty acids. Suitable non-surfactant foam inhibitors include, for example, organopolysiloxanes and their mixtures with microfine, optionally silanized silica, as well as paraffins, waxes, microcrystalline waxes, and their mixtures with silanized silica or bis-fatty acid alkylenediamides. Mixtures of different foam inhibitors, such as those of silicones, paraffins, or waxes, are also advantageously used. Preferably, the foam inhibitors, especially silicone- and / or paraffin-containing foam inhibitors, are bound to a granular, water-soluble or dispersible carrier substance.In particular, mixtures of paraffins and bistearylethylenediamide are preferred.

[0079] Another object of the invention is a method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles comprising the process steps: a) providing a washing solution comprising a liquid surfactant-containing agent according to the invention, b) bringing a textile into contact with the washing solution according to a).

[0080] Another subject of the invention is the use of caprylic acid in liquid detergents to reduce or prevent microbial contamination.

[0081] Another subject of the invention is the use of caprylic acid in liquid detergents to stabilize the formulation.

[0082] 2024PF00171

[0083] 13

[0084] Examples

[0085] The inventive compositions E1 to E4 were produced as well as

[0086] Comparative compositions V1 and V2 were prepared. The compositions can be found in the following table; all quantities are given in wt% active ingredient.

[0087] The enzymes used were protease, amylase, mannanase and cellulase.

[0088] Testing of bearing stability:

[0089] The compositions were visually inspected by trained personnel immediately after production and again after two, four, eight and twelve weeks of storage.

[0090] Immediately after production, all formulations were clear and homogeneous. Phase separation occurred in the comparison formulation V1 after only two weeks, while the remaining formulations were still clear and homogeneous after twelve weeks.

[0091] Testing of antimicrobial efficacy:

[0092] A preservative stress test was also carried out on the compositions.

[0093] For this purpose, samples of the respective compositions were inoculated with various microorganisms, and the decrease in microbial count was determined at defined time intervals. The microorganisms used were essentially the standard microorganisms required by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and other international standards, and also with regard to cultivation- 2024PF00171

[0094] 14 and cultivation conditions, testing intervals and evaluation intervals were based on the Ph.Eur.

[0095] The results are shown in the following two tables: a) Bacteria: The samples were each treated with a bacterial suspension containing 2,000,000 cfu / g (cfu = colony-forming units), and the bacterial counts in the samples were determined after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days. b) Fungi: The samples were each treated with a fungal suspension, the germ count of which

[0096] The bacterial count was 450000 cfu / g, and the bacterial counts in the samples were determined after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days.

[0097] In principle, a test is considered passed if the bacterial count is reduced by 4 to 5 log units and the fungal count by 2 to 3 log units after 28 days. The lower the bacterial count, the better the effectiveness of a preservative. 2024PF00171

[0098] 15

[0099] It turns out that only the formulations according to the invention can deliver good results with regard to both storage stability and antimicrobial efficacy, while the comparison formulations are significantly less effective, especially against fungi, and one of the comparison formulations was also not sufficiently stable.

Claims

2024PF00171 16 Patent claims:

1. Liquid surfactant-containing agent for cleaning and / or caring for textiles, characterized in that it contains caprylic acid in an amount of 0.5 to 7.5% by weight, based on the agent.

2. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the caprylic acid is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 4% by weight, based on the agent.

3. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it contains 5 to 50 wt.%, preferably 5 to 30 wt.% anionic surfactants, based on the agent.

4. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it contains 2.5 to 25 wt.%, preferably 2.5 to 15 wt.% non-ionic surfactants, based on the agent.

5. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains, based on the agent, 0.5 to 7.5 wt.%, preferably 0.5 to 4 wt.% soap, preferably Ci2-Ci8 soap.

6. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains 0 to 10 wt.% organic solvents or hydrotropes and is particularly preferably free of organic solvents or hydrotropes.

7. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a pH value of 6.8 to 8.5, preferably of 7.2 to 7.8, measured undiluted at 20°C.

8. Liquid surfactant-containing agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is free of boric acid and 2H-isothiazol-3-one derivatives.

9. A method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles comprising the process steps of: a) providing a washing solution comprising a liquid surfactant-containing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 8, b) bringing a textile into contact with the washing solution according to a).

10. Use of caprylic acid in liquid detergents to reduce or prevent microbial growth. 2024PF00171 17 11. Use of caprylic acid in liquid detergents to stabilize the formulation.

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