Hydrophobic Poly Alpha-1,6-Glucan for Biodegradable Detergent Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack materials that can be used in aqueous applications such as laundry and dish care, for example as stain removal, anti-deposition, anti-graying, and/or whiteness performing agents in laundry detergents, and/or whiteness in laundry detergents, and/or dish care applications, and in dish care applications. There is a need for materials that are biodegradable and made from renewable resources.
Innovation Solution
A poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative is used in laundry and dish care compositions, comprising a poly alpha-1,6-glucan backbone with greater than 40% alpha-1,6 glycosidic linkages, optionally with alpha-1,2 and/or alpha-1,3 branches, and hydrophobic organic groups linked through an ether linkage, providing solubility and biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative with hydrophobic organic groups is used, then solubility and biodegradability are improved, but material availability and cost effectiveness are worsened due to lack of existing materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by combining poly alpha-1,6-glucan (a biodegradable polysaccharide) with hydrophobic organic groups through ether linkages. This composite structure provides both the solubility and biodegradability of the glucan backbone while incorporating the functional properties of hydrophobic groups, resulting in a material that meets multiple performance requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of poly alpha-1,6-glucan by introducing hydrophobic organic groups at controlled degrees of substitution (0.1 to 2.0 per glucose unit). This parameter change transforms the inherently hydrophilic glucan into an amphiphilic compound with improved solubility characteristics and enhanced functionality for laundry and dish care applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing polysaccharide derivatives are used, then material availability is improved, but performance in stain removal, anti-deposition, and whiteness functions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing hydrophobic organic groups at specific locations on the glucan backbone (through ether linkages at controlled degrees of substitution). This localized modification creates regions of hydrophobicity within the hydrophilic polymer structure, enabling the material to interact with both polar and non-polar substances, thereby improving stain removal and whiteness performance while maintaining availability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable resources and biodegradability are prioritized, then environmental friendliness is improved, but material options and performance consistency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the degree of substitution (0.1 to 2.0 hydrophobic groups per glucose unit) to ensure consistent performance while maintaining biodegradability. By precisely controlling this parameter, the invention achieves reproducible solubility, dispersibility, and cleaning performance characteristics across different batches, resolving the consistency issue while preserving environmental benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative effectively functions as a rheology modifier, emulsion stabilizer, and dispersing agent in water-based formulations, enhancing stain removal and whiteness in laundry detergents and dish care products while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
The poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative effectively functions as a rheology modifier
Implementation Method 2
The poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative effectively functions as a rheology modifier, emulsion stabilizer
Implementation Method 3
The poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative effectively functions as a rheology modifier, emulsion stabilizer, and dispersing agent
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry care or dish care composition can include a poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative, wherein the poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative includes: (i) a poly alpha-1,6-glucan backbone of glucose monomer units; and (ii) at least one hydrophobic organic group linked to the poly alpha-1,6-glucan backbone through an ether (—O—) linkage moiety; wherein, the poly alpha-1,6-glucan backbone has a weight average degree of polymerization of at least 5; wherein, the poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative has a degree of substitution of ether linkage moiety of from 0.20 to 1.00; wherein the poly alpha-1,6-glucan derivative is substantially free from hydrophilic substitution.