EP2787065B1 - Detergent composition for textiles comprising rhamnolipids having a predominant share of di-rhamnolipids - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to detergent formulations for textiles containing rhamnolipids, wherein the content of di-rhamnolipids predominates, and the use of certain rhamnolipid mixture compositions and the aforementioned detergent formulations for accelerating foaming and / or foam stabilization and the use of rhamnolipids to prevent the graying of a textile.

State of the art

Aqueous surfactant solutions show, depending on their composition, different rapid foam buildup and different foam stability. Foaming and decay are affected by the presence of dirt. Foam stability is an important quality feature for the consumer, especially when washing laundry or fabrics.

Desirable are detergent formulations with high foam stability. Surprisingly, it has been found that rhamnolipids (RL) with a high content of di-rhamnolipids in detergent formulations have a more stable foam and / or more foaming than surfactants according to the prior art, especially in the presence of high soil load.

Description of the invention

Surprisingly, it has been found that the formulations described below are capable of solving the problem set by the invention. The present invention therefore provides detergent formulations for textiles comprising a rhamnolipid mixture composition with an increased proportion of di-rhamnolipids, according to claim 1. Another object of the invention is the use of certain rhamnolipid blend compositions and the aforementioned detergent formulations for accelerating foam formation and / or for foam stabilization and the use of rhamnolipids for preventing the graying of a textile according to claims 11-14.

An advantage of the invention is that the surfactants used are biodegradable in the detergent formulation.

An advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their outstanding foam stability in the aqueous.

Another advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their outstanding foam volume in the aqueous.

Another advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their excellent foaming behavior.

Another advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their ease of formulation in any aqueous, surfactant systems.

Another advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their good thickenability with conventional thickeners in formulations.

Another advantage is their good washability of textiles.

A further advantage of the formulations according to the invention is their mildness or good physiological compatibility, in particular characterized by a high value in the Red Blood Cell (RBC) test.

Another advantage of the formulations according to the invention is that they leave a pleasant soft feel of the textile after washing.

wobei

• m = 2, 1 oder 0,
• n = 1 oder 0,
• R¹ und R² = unabhängig voneinander gleicher oder verschiedener organischer Rest mit 2 bis 24, bevorzugt 5 bis 13 Kohlenstoffatomen, insbesondere gegebenenfalls verzweigter, gegebenenfalls substituierter, insbesondere hydroxy-substituierter, gegebenenfalls ungesättigter, insbesondere gegebenenfalls einfach, zweifach oder dreifach ungesättigter, Alkylrest, bevorzugt solcher ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Pentenyl, Heptenyl, Nonenyl, Undecenyl und Tridecenyl und (CH₂)_o-CH₃ mit o = 1 bis 23, bevorzugt 4 bis 12.

The term "rhamnolipid" in connection with the present invention is understood in particular to mean compounds of the general formula (I) or their salts,

in which

• m = 2, 1 or 0,
• n = 1 or 0,
• R ¹ and R ² = independently of one another the same or different organic radical having 2 to 24, preferably 5 to 13 carbon atoms, in particular optionally branched, optionally substituted, in particular hydroxy-substituted, optionally unsaturated, in particular optionally mono-, di- or triunsaturated, alkyl radical, preferably those selected from the group consisting of pentenyl, heptenyl, nonenyl, undecenyl and tridecenyl and (CH ₂ ) _o -CH ₃ where o = 1 to 23, preferably 4 to 12.

The term "di-rhamnolipid" in connection with the present invention means compounds of the general formula (I) or their salts in which n = 1.

The term "mono-rhamnolipid" in connection with the present invention means compounds of the general formula (I) or their salts in which n = 0.

• Unter "diRL-CXCY" werden di-Rhamnolipide der allgemeinen Formel (I) verstanden, bei denen einer der Reste R¹ und R² = (CH₂)_o-CH₃ mit o = X-4 und der verbleibende Rest R¹ oder R² = (CH₂)_o-CH₃ mit o = Y-4.

Distinct rhamnolipids are abbreviated according to the following nomenclature:

• By "diRL-CXCY" di-rhamnolipids of the general formula (I) are understood, in which one of the radicals R ¹ and R ² = (CH ₂ ) _o -CH ₃ with o = X-4 and the remaining radical R ¹ or R ² = (CH ₂ ) _o -CH ₃ with o = Y-4.

"Mono R-CXCY" is understood as meaning mono rhamnolipids of the general formula (I) in which one of the radicals R ¹ and R ² = (CH ₂ ) _o -CH ₃ with o = X-4 and the remainder R ¹ or R ² = (CH ₂ ) _o -CH ₃ with o = Y-4.

The nomenclature used does not distinguish between "CXCY" and "CYCX". For rhamnolipids with m = 0, correspondingly monoRL-CX or diRL-CX is used. If one of the abovementioned indices X and / or Y is provided with ": Z", this means that the respective radical R ¹ and / or R ² = has an unbranched, unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical with X-3 or Y-3 carbon atoms Z represents double bonds.

The "pH" in the context of the present invention is defined as the value measured for corresponding substance at 25 ° C after five minutes of stirring with a pH electrode calibrated according to ISO 4319 (1977).

The term "aqueous" in the context of the present invention is to be understood as meaning a composition which contains at least 5% by weight of water, based on the total composition under consideration.

All percentages (%) are by mass unless otherwise specified. Claimed is thus a detergent formulation for textiles comprising a mono- and di-rhamnolipid mixture composition, characterized in that the weight ratio of di-rhamnolipids to mono-rhamnolipids greater than 97: 3, in particular greater than 98: 2.

By the term "mono- and di-rhamnolipid blend composition" in the context of the present invention, it is pointed out that the blend composition according to the invention contains mono-rhamnolipids. The detergent formulation according to the invention is preferably liquid at room temperature.

The detergent formulation preferred according to the invention is characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition
51 wt .-% to 95 wt .-%, preferably 70 wt .-% to 90 wt .-%, particularly preferably 75 wt .-% to 85 wt .-%, diRL-C10C10 and
From 0.5% to 9% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 3%, more preferably from 0.5% to 2%, by weight, mono Rl-C10C10
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids, The detergent formulation preferred according to the invention is characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition contains, in addition to the abovementioned diRLC10C10 and monoRL-C10C10 contents
From 0.5% to 15%, preferably from 3% to 12%, more preferably from 5% to 10%, by weight of the diRL-C10C12: 1
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids.

The detergent formulation preferred according to the invention is characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition contains, in addition to the abovementioned diRLC10C10 and monoRL-C10C10 contents
0.5 to 25 wt .-%, preferably 5 wt .-% to 15 wt .-%, particularly preferably 7 wt .-% to 12 wt .-%, diRL-C10C12
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids.

The detergent formulation preferred according to the invention is characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition contains, in addition to the abovementioned diRLC10C10 and monoRL-C10C10 contents
From 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight, of monoRL-C10C12 and / or, preferred and
From 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight, mono-C 10 -C 12: 1 .
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids.

It may be advantageous, and is therefore preferred, for the rhamnolipid mixture composition contained in the formulation according to the invention to contain, in addition to the abovementioned diRL-C10C10 and monoRL-C10C10 contents
From 0.1% by weight to 25% by weight, preferably from 2% by weight to 10% by weight, particularly preferably from 4% by weight to 8% by weight, of diRL-C8C10,
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids.

A particularly preferred detergent formulation according to the invention is characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition contains, in addition to the abovementioned diRL-C10C10 and monoRL-C10C10 contents
From 0.5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 3% to 12% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 10% by weight, of diRL-C 10 C 12: 1,
From 0.5% to 25% by weight, preferably from 5% by weight to 15% by weight, particularly preferably from 7% by weight to 12% by weight, of diRL-C10C12,
0.1 wt .-% to 5 wt .-%, preferably 0.5 wt .-% to 3 wt .-%, particularly preferably 0.5 wt .-% to 2 wt .-%, monoRL-C10C12 and
From 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight, mono-C 10 -C 12: 1 .
contains
wherein the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all contained rhamnolipids.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the rhamnolipid mixture composition contained in the formulation according to the invention contains rhamnolipids of the formula monoRL-CX or diRL-CX in only small amounts. In particular, the mixture composition according to the invention preferably contains
0 wt .-% to 5 wt .-%, preferably 0 wt .-% to 3 wt .-%, particularly preferably 0 wt .-% to 1 wt .-%, diRLC10, wherein the weight percent based on the sum of all Rhamnolipids, and the term "0 wt .-%" is no detectable amount to understand.

It is inventively preferred that the formulations of the invention are substantially free of fatty oil (at 20 ° C liquid acylglycerols) and thus in particular less than 0.5 wt .-%, in particular less than 0.1 wt .-%, particularly preferred no detectable levels of fatty oil based on the total blend composition.

The mixture compositions contained in the formulations according to the invention can be prepared by mixing the pure substances, wherein the pure substances from conventionally prepared rhamnolipid mixtures can be purified. Corresponding purification methods are, for example, selective crystallizations and chromatographic methods. Corresponding methods are in Heyd et al., Development and trends of biosurfactant analysis and purification using rhamnolipids as an example, Anal. Bioanal Chem. 2008 Jul; 391 (5): 1579-90 described.

In particular, the processes described below are suitable for the preparation of the mixture compositions contained in the formulations according to the invention.

1. Ia) Bereitstellen einer Pseudomonas putida Zelle, die derart gentechnisch verändert wurde, dass sie jeweils mindestens ein Gen der Gruppe rhIA, rhIB und rhIC überexprimiert,
   • IIa) in Kontakt Bringen der erfindungsgemäßen Zelle mit einem Medium beinhaltend mindestens eine Kohlenstoffquelle
   • IIIa) Kultivieren der Zelle unter Bedingungen, die es der Zelle ermöglichen, aus der Kohlenstoffquelle Rhamnolipid zu bilden und
   • IVa) gegebenenfalls Isolierung der gebildeten Rhamnolipide,
     dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gen rhIC verglichen zu rhIB stärker, insbesondere mindestens 1,5-fach, bevorzugt mindestens 2-fach, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 10-fach stärker, überexprimiert wird.
     Die relative Stärke der oben beschriebenen Überexpression lässt sich beispielsweise mit Hilfe von RT-PCR bestimmen, bei der die Menge an gebildeter mRNA für das jeweilige Gen bestimmt wird.
     Eine Regulierung der Stärke der Expression kann der Fachmann gezielt beispielsweise durch die Wahl von Promotoren oder durch den Einsatz induzierbarer Promotoren in Kombination mit Menge an Induktor erreichen oder auch durch Genvervielfachungen. Ein alternatives Verfahren umfasst die Verfahrensschritte:
2. Ib) Bereitstellen einer Pseudomonas putida Zelle, die derart gentechnisch verändert wurde, dass sie jeweils mindestens ein exogenes Gen der Gruppe rhIA, rhIB und rhIC, von denen mindestens eines unter der Kontrolle eines induzierbaren Promotors steht, aufweist,
   • IIb) in Kontakt Bringen und Kultivieren der erfindungsgemäßen Zelle mit einem Medium beinhaltend mindestens eine Kohlenstoffquelle unter Erreichung einer Zelldichte von 1-30 g Zelltrockenmasse pro L Fermentationsbrühe, bevorzugt 2-20 g Zelltrockenmasse pro L Fermentationsbrühe, besonders bevorzugt 5-15 g Zelltrockenmasse pro L Fermentationsbrühe,
   • IIIb) Induzieren des mindestens einen induzierbaren Promotors und Kultivieren der Zelle unter Bedingungen, die es der Zelle ermöglichen, aus der Kohlenstoffquelle Rhamnolipid zu bilden und
   • IVb) gegebenenfalls Isolierung der gebildeten Rhamnolipide.

A first method comprises the method steps:

1. Ia) providing a Pseudomonas putida cell genetically engineered to overexpress at least one of the groups rhIA, rhIB and rhIC,
   • IIa) contacting the cell of the invention with a medium containing at least one carbon source
   • IIIa) culturing the cell under conditions that allow the cell to form rhamnolipid from the carbon source and
   • IVa) if appropriate, isolation of the rhamnolipids formed,
     characterized in that the gene rhIC is more strongly overexpressed compared to rhIB, in particular at least 1.5-fold, preferably at least 2-fold, particularly preferably at least 10-fold stronger.
     The relative strength of the overexpression described above can be determined, for example, by means of RT-PCR, in which the amount of mRNA formed for the respective gene is determined.
     Regulation of the level of expression can be achieved by a person skilled in the art, for example, by the choice of promoters or by the use of inducible promoters in combination with the amount of inducer or by gene multiplication. An alternative method comprises the method steps:
2. Ib) providing a Pseudomonas putida cell genetically engineered to each have at least one exogenous gene of group rhIA, rhIB and rhIC, at least one of which is under the control of an inducible promoter,
   • IIb) bringing into contact and cultivating the cell according to the invention with a medium containing at least one carbon source to reach a cell density of 1-30 g of cell dry matter per L of fermentation broth, preferably 2-20 g Dry cell mass per L of fermentation broth, more preferably 5-15 g of cell dry mass per L of fermentation broth,
   • IIIb) inducing the at least one inducible promoter and culturing the cell under conditions that allow the cell to form rhamnolipid from the carbon source and
   • IVb) if appropriate, isolation of the rhamnolipids formed.

In the context of the present invention, the term "inducible promoter" is to be understood as meaning a promoter which changes its activity by altering the medium surrounding the cell. Changes may include, for example, temperature changes and concentration changes of certain substances.

The term "inducing the at least one inducible promoter" in the context of the present invention means that the activity of the inducible promoter is increased by a change in the medium surrounding the cell.

Suitable inducible promoters in the context of the present invention are, for example, promoters which are induced by the addition of chemical inducers (such as lactose, IPTG, dicyclopropyl ketone, tetracycline, doxycycline, propionate, cumate, benzoate, arabinose, rhamnose, nicotinic acid, etc.) altered environmental conditions (such as occurring phosphate or sulfur deficiency, altered temperatures or pH, etc.) are induced, or induced by certain physiological conditions (such as certain cell densities or growth rates or - phases).
Particularly preferred inducible promoters used in the method are selected from the group of promoters inducible by dicyclopropyl ketone, tetracycline, doxycycline, propionate, cumate, benzoate, phosphate deficiency, sulfur deficiency or a reduced growth rate.
The genes rhIA, rhIB and rhIC are preferably selected in both of the methods described above from those from P. aeruginosa.

Preferred formulations according to the invention comprise, in addition to the rhamnolipid mixture composition, at least one further surfactant, it being possible to use, for example, anionic, nonionic, cationic and / or amphoteric surfactants, with anionic surfactants being preferred.

From an application point of view, preference is given to mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants in the formulations according to the invention.
The total surfactant content of the formulation according to the invention is preferably from 5 to 40% by weight and more preferably from 9 to 35% by weight, based on the total formulation.

The nonionic surfactants used are preferably alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, in particular primary, alcohols having preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms and on average 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol, in which the alcohol radical can be linear or preferably methyl-branched in the 2-position or linear and methyl-branched radicals in the mixture can contain, as they are usually present in Oxoalkoholresten. In particular, however, alcohol ethoxylates with linear radicals of alcohols of native origin having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example of coconut, palm, tallow or oleyl alcohol, and on average 2 to 8 EO per mole of alcohol are preferred. The preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, C12-C14 alcohols with 3 EO, 4 EO or 7 EO, C9-C11 alcohol with 7 EO, C13-C15 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C12 C18 alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C12-C14 alcohol with 3 EO and C12-C18 alcohol with 7 EO. The degrees of ethoxylation given represent statistical means which, for a particular product, may be an integer or a fractional number. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates have a narrow homolog distribution. In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples include tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO or 40 EO. Nonionic surfactants containing EO and PO (propylene oxide) groups together in the molecule can also be used. Here, block copolymers with EO-PO block units or PO-EO block units can be used, but also EO-PO-EO copolymers or PO-EO-PO copolymers.
Of course, it is also possible to use mixed alkoxylated nonionic surfactants in which EO and PO units are not distributed in blocks, but randomly. Such products are available by the simultaneous action of ethylene and propylene oxide on fatty alcohols.
In addition, alkyl glycosides can also be used as further nonionic surfactants.
Another class of preferred nonionic surfactants used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants Surfactants are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated Fettsaurealkylester, preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, in particular fatty acid methyl esters, as described for example in Japanese Patent Application JP 58/217598 are described or preferably according to the in the international patent application WO 90/13533 be prepared described methods.
Nonionic surfactants of the amine oxide type, for example N-cocoalkyl-N, N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallowalkyl-N, N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, and the fatty acid alkanolamides may also be suitable. The amount of these nonionic surfactants is preferably not more than that of the ethoxylated fatty alcohols, especially not more than half thereof.
Further suitable surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are substances which can usually be obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or a fatty acid chloride.

The content of nonionic surfactants in the formulations according to the invention is preferably 5 to 30% by weight, preferably 7 to 20% by weight and in particular 9 to 15% by weight, based in each case on the entire formulation.

As anionic surfactants, for example, those of the sulfonate type and sulfates are used. As surfactants of the sulfonate type are preferably C9-C13-alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, ie mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonates and disulfonates, such as those of C12-C18 monoolefins with terminal or internal double bond by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acid hydrolysis of the sulfonation obtained. Also suitable are alkanesulfonates which are obtained from C 12 -C 18 alkanes, for example by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis or neutralization. Also suitable are the esters of α-sulfo fatty acids (ester sulfonates), for example the α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids.
Further suitable anionic surfactants are sulfated fatty acid glycerol esters. Fatty acid glycerol esters are to be understood as meaning the mono-, di- and triesters and mixtures thereof, as in the preparation by esterification of a monoglycerol with 1 to 3 mol fatty acid or in the transesterification of triglycerides with 0.3 to 2 mol Glycerol can be obtained. Preferred sulfated fatty acid glycerol esters are the sulfonation products of saturated fatty acids having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, for example caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid or behenic acid.
Alk (en) ylsulfates are the alkali metal salts and in particular the sodium salts of the sulfuric monoesters of C12-C18 fatty alcohols, for example coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or the C10-C20 oxo alcohols and those half esters secondary Alcohols of these chain lengths are preferred. Also preferred are alk (en) ylsulfates of said chain length, which contain a synthetic, produced on a petrochemical basis straight-chain alkyl radical, which have an analogous degradation behavior as the adequate compounds based on oleochemical raw materials. Of washing technology interest, the C12-C16 alkyl sulfates and C12-C18 alkyl sulfates and C14-C18 alkyl sulfates are preferred. Also 2,3-alkyl sulfates, which, for example, according to the U.S. Patents 3,234,258 or 5,075,041 and can be obtained as commercial products of the Shell Oil Company under the name DAN®, are suitable anionic surfactants.
Also, the sulfuric monoesters of ethoxylated with 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide straight or branched C7-C20 alcohols, such as 2-methyl-branched C9-C11 alcohols having an average of 3.5 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) or C12-C18 fatty alcohols with 1 up to 4 EO, are suitable. Due to their high foaming behavior, they are only used in detergents in relatively small amounts, for example in amounts of from 1 to 5% by weight.
Further suitable anionic surfactants are also the salts of alkylsulfosuccinic acid, which are also referred to as sulfosuccinates or as sulfosuccinic esters and the monoesters and / or diesters of sulfosuccinic acid with alcohols, preferably fatty alcohols and in particular ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Preferred sulfosuccinates contain C8-C18 fatty alcohol residues or mixtures of these. Particularly preferred sulfosuccinates contain a fatty alcohol residue derived from ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Sulfosuccinates, whose fatty alcohol residues are derived from ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a narrow homolog distribution, are again particularly preferred. Likewise, it is also possible to use alk (en) ylsuccinic acid having preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alk (en) yl chain or salts thereof. Particularly preferred anionic surfactants are soaps. Suitable are saturated and unsaturated fatty acid soaps, 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, for example coconut, palm kernel, olive oil or tallow fatty acids.
The anionic surfactants including the soaps may be in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and as soluble salts of organic bases such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. The anionic surfactants are preferably present in the form of their sodium or potassium salts, in particular in the form of the sodium salts.

The content of anionic surfactants of the formulation according to the invention is preferably 2 to 30 wt .-%, preferably 4 to 25 wt .-% and in particular 5 to 22 wt .-% based on the total formulation.

According to the invention, such surface-active compounds which carry at least one quaternary ammonium group and at least one -COO-- or -SO ₃ ^- group in the molecule can be used as amphoteric surfactants. Particularly preferred amphoteric surfactants in this context are betaine surfactants such as alkyl or alkylamidopropyl betaines. In particular, here are betaines such as the N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium glycinate, z. As the cocoalkyl dimethylammoniumglycinat, N-acyl-aminopropyl-N, N-dimethylammoniumglycinate, z. Cocoacylaminopropyldimethylammonium glycinate, C12-C18-alkyl-dimethyl-acetobetaine, cocoamidopropyl-dimethyl-acetobetaine, 2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethyl-imidazolines and sulfobetaines each having 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or acyl group, as well as cocoacylaminoethylhydroxyethylcarboxymethylglycinate. A particularly preferred zwitterionic surfactant is the N, N-dimethyl-N- (lauroylamidopropyl) ammonium acetobetaine known by the INCI name Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Further suitable amphoteric surfactants are the group of amphoacetates and amphodiacetates, in particular coconut or laurylamphoacetates or diacetates, the group of amphopropionates and amphodipropionates and the group of amino acid-based surfactants such as acylglutamates, in particular disodium cocoyl glutamates and sodium cocoyl glutamates, acylglycinates, in particular cocoyl glycinates, and acyl sarcosinates, especially ammonium lauroyl sarcosinates and sodium cocoyl sarcosinates.

Particularly preferred detergent formulations according to the invention are characterized in that the surfactant is selected from the group of sulfonates and Sulfates, preferably of the linear alkyl-benzene sulfonates, in particular from the group of C ₉ - C ₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonates, most preferably sodium (nC ₁₀ -C ₁₃ ) alkyl benzene sulfonate.

In addition to the surfactants, the detergent formulations may contain other ingredients which further enhance the performance and / or aesthetics of the detergent formulation. In the context of the present invention, preferred detergent formulations additionally contain one or more substances from the group of builders, bleaches, bleach activators, enzymes, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, dyes, foam inhibitors, silicone oils, antiredeposition agents, optical brighteners, grayness inhibitors, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-crease agents, dye transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing auxiliaries, repellents and impregnating agents, swelling and anti-slip agents, neutral filler salts and UV absorbers.

Examples of builders, builders, bleaches, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, and enzymes are disclosed in U.S. Pat WO 2007/115872 , Page 22, line 7 to page 25, line 26, the explicit disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Anti redeposition agents, optical brighteners, grayness inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors are exemplified in U.S. Pat WO 2007/115872 on page 26, line 15 to page 28, line 2, the explicit disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of anti-wrinkling agents, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, antistatic agents, ironing aids, UV absorbers are disclosed in US Pat WO 2007/115872 on page 28, line 14 to page 30, line 22 described by way of example, the explicit disclosure of which is incorporated by reference into this disclosure.

In particular, the detergent formulations may contain between 0.001 and 90, more preferably 0.01 to 45 wt .-% of one or more of the other ingredients mentioned herein, wherein the wt .-% refer to the total detergent formulation.

The detergent formulations according to the invention can advantageously be used to accelerate foam formation and / or foam stabilization. The detergent formulations according to the invention are preferred for Foam stabilization used, this inventive use is carried out in particular in the presence of dirt.

In the context of the abovementioned use according to the invention for accelerating foam formation and / or for foam stabilization, preference is given to using the detergent formulations which are mentioned above as preferred detergent formulations.

Likewise provided by the present invention is the use of the rhamnolipid mixture compositions contained in the detergent formulations according to the invention for accelerating foam formation and / or for foam stabilization. The rhamnolipid blend compositions contained in the detergent formulations according to the invention are used for foam stabilization, this use according to the invention being carried out in particular in the presence of dirt.

Within the scope of the abovementioned use according to the invention for accelerating foam formation and / or for foam stabilization, preference is given to using the rhamnolipid mixture compositions which are present in the detergent formulations mentioned above as being preferred.

Another object of the present invention is the use of a detergent formulation according to the invention for preventing the graying of a textile and / or as an anti-redeposition agent.

In the context of the abovementioned use according to the invention for preventing the graying of a textile and / or as an anti-redeposition agent, preference is given to using the detergent formulations which are mentioned above as preferred detergent formulations.

Another object of the present invention is the use of a rhamnolipid blend composition according to claim 1 for preventing the graying of a textile and / or as an anti redeposition agent, wherein the rhamnolipid blend compositions contained in the detergent formulations according to the invention are used. In the context of the abovementioned use according to the invention for preventing the graying of a textile and / or as antiredeposition agent, the rhamnolipid mixture compositions which are contained in the detergent formulations mentioned above as being preferred are particularly preferably used.

In the examples given below, the present invention is described by way of example, without the invention, the scope of application of which is apparent from the entire description and the claims, to be limited to the embodiments mentioned in the examples.

Examples: Example 1: Production of rhamnolipids with rhIABC from P. aeruginosa PAO1 in P. putida, wherein the expression of the gene coding for the rhamnosyltransferase RhIC is in many cases stronger than that of the gene RhIB coding for the rhamnosyltransferase RhIB

In order to produce rhamnolipids with P. aeruginosa rhIABC PAO1 in a P. putida strain in which the expression of the gene coding for the rhamnosyltransferase RhIC is much stronger than that of the gene coding for the rhamnosyltransferase RhIB gene, the plasmid pBBR1 MCS2- Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T (SEQ ID NO: 1). For this, the following DNA fragments were synthesized: P. aeruginosa PAO1 genes rhIA, rhIB and rhIC, followed by a terminator, followed by the synthetic tac promoter, followed by the P. aeruginosa PAO1 gene rhIC and a terminator flanked by Hin dIII - (5 'end) or Bsu 36I interface (3' end) ( SEQ ID NO: 2).

The vectors supplied by the DNA synthesis provider containing the synthesized DNA fragment are cleaved with Hin dIII and Bsu 36I and inserted into Hin dIII and Bsu 36I vector pBBR1 MCS-2 (Seq ID 3) by fast link ligation Kit (Epicenter Technologies, Madison, WI, USA). The obtained target vector pBBR1MCS2-Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T (pBBR1 MCS-2 with synthesized fragment Seq ID No. 2) has a size of 9336 base pairs.

The transformation of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with the vector pBBR1 MCS2-Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T (Seq ID No. 1) is carried out as described above ( Iwasaki et al. Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 1994. 58 (5): 851-854 ). The plasmid DNA of 10 clones each is isolated and analyzed. The resulting plasmid-carrying strain is called P. putida KT2440 pBBR1 MCS2-Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T.

Recombinant strain P. putida KT2440 pBBR1 MCS2-Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T is cultured on LB agar kanamycin (50 μg / ml) plates.

For the production of rhamnolipids, the medium referred to below as M9 medium is used. This medium consists of 2% (w / v) glucose, 0.3% (w / v) KH ₂ PO ₄ , 0.679% Na ₂ HPO ₄ , 0.05% (w / v) NaCl, 0.2% ( w / v) NH ₄ Cl, 0.049% (w / v) MgSO ₄ x 7 H ₂ O and 0.1% (v / v) of a trace element solution. This consists of 1.78% (w / v) FeSO ₄ .7H ₂ O, 0.191% (w / v) MnCl ₂ .7H ₂ O, 3.65% (w / v) HCl, 0.187% (w / v) / v) ZnSO ₄ .7H ₂ O, 0.084% (v / v) Na-EDTA x 2H ₂ O, 0.03% (v / v) H ₃ BO ₃ , 0.025% (w / v) Na ₂ MoO ₄ × 2 H ₂ O and 0.47% (w / v) CaCl ₂ × 2 H ₂ O. The pH of the medium is adjusted to 7.4 with NH ₄ OH and the medium is subsequently autoclave (121 ° C, 20 min). It is not necessary to adjust the pH during the cultivation.

To study the production of rhamnolipids in a shake flask, a preculture is first prepared. For this purpose, a colony of a strain freshly streaked out on an LB agar plate is used and 10 ml of LB medium are inoculated in a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask. All recombinant P. putida strains are cultured in LB medium to which 50 μg / ml kanamycin is added. The cultivation of the P. putida strains takes place at 30 ° C. and 200 rpm overnight.

The precultures are used to inoculate 50 ml of M9 medium (+ 50 μg / ml kanamycin) in the 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask (start OD ₆₀₀ 0.1). The cultures are cultured at 200 rpm and 30 ° C. After 24 h, a sample of 1 ml of culture broth is removed from the culture flask.

Fermentation and purification

For the main culture also a mineral medium (M9) is used. The fermentation after inoculation with 10 vol. % Pre-culture and consumption of the glucose is carbon-limited by means of a glucose feed in a 2 liter fermenter with a working volume of 1.2 l. The glucose feed is based on the dissolved oxygen signal. The dissolved oxygen is regulated at 20% saturation above the stirrer speed. The pH is adjusted to 7 via a pH electrode and addition of NH ₄ SO ₄ . The fermentation is carried out over 4 days to a dry biomass of 15 g / l. The rhamnolipid concentration is determined by HPLC and is 9.8 g / l. After separating the cells by centrifugation at 10,000 g, the fermentation broth is adjusted to a pH of 4.0 by adding concentrated HCl. The mixture is then extracted with the same volume of ethyl acetate. The rhamnolipidhaltige organic phase is separated and on processed. By adding 50% strength by weight KOH (aq), the pH of the solution is adjusted to pH 7. This leads to the formation of two liquid phases. The lower phase contains the liberated from lipophilic and hydrophilic impurities rhamnolipids in high purity. The composition of the rhamnolipid mixture is not affected by this. The lower phase is removed and the solvent removed as far as possible on a rotary evaporator. Then water is added again and the aqueous rhamnolipid solution is freeze-dried. The resulting powder is analyzed by means of HPLC and characterized by application technology.

Quantification of rhamnolipids

Sample preparation for the subsequent chromatographic analyzes is carried out as follows: 1 ml of acetone is introduced into a 2 ml reaction vessel using a displacement pipette (Combitip) and the reaction vessel is immediately closed to minimize evaporation. This is followed by the addition of 1 ml of culture broth. After vortexing the culture broth / acetone mixture, this is centrifuged off for 3 min at 13,000 rpm and 800 μl of the supernatant are transferred to an HPLC vessel.

An Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (Sedex LT-ELSD Model 85LT) is used to detect and quantify rhamnolipids. The actual measurement is performed using Agilent Technologies 1200 Series (Santa Clara, California) and the Zorbax SB-C8 Rapid Resolution column (4.6 x 150 mm, 3.5 μm, Agilent). The injection volume is 5 μl and the runtime of the method is 20 min. The mobile phase used is aqueous 0.1% TFA (trifluoroacetic acid, solution A) and methanol (solution B). The column temperature is 40 ° C. The detectors used are the ELSD (detector temperature 60 ° C) and the DAD (diode array, 210 nm). The gradient used in the method is: t [min] Solution B vol .-% Flow [ml / min] 0.00 70% 1.00 15.00 100% 1.00 15,01 70% 1.00 20.00 70% 1.00

The rhamnolipid composition of P. putida KT2440 pBBR1MCS2-Plac-rhIABC-T-Ptac-rhIC-T obtained by the method described above contains: DIRL-C10C10 81% by weight DIRL-C10C12 10% by weight DIRL-C10C12: 1 8% by weight monoRL-C10C10 1% by weight resulting in a weight ratio of di-rhamnolipids to mono-rhamnolipids of 99: 1 results.

Example 2: Application Testing - Description of the Method:

The stirrer with a holder for 4 closable cylinders with a volume of 300 ml is placed at an angle of 90 °. The 300 ml measuring cylinder with closure are arranged so that the rotation of the cylinder is horizontal. Before the actual measurement, the measuring cylinders are wetted with the surfactant solution. This solution is then discarded.

60 ml of surfactant solution to be tested are filled into each measuring cylinder as foam-free as possible. The sealed graduated cylinders are mounted in the appropriate holders and the mixer started at 20 rpm. At the same time a stopwatch is pressed. In order to measure the foam heights as a function of time, the mixer is stopped after appropriate time intervals, waited 30 seconds, and noted the foam height.

If the foaming behavior is to be observed under dirt load, the dirt is added at defined times.

The concentration of the surfactant is in all cases 0.4 g of active substance per liter of solution.

The solution was shaken for 2 minutes without addition of dirt in the cylinder. Then the first portion of dirt was added, then shaken for a further 10 min. After reading the foam height, the second addition of a defined amount of dirt took place and it was shaken again for 10 minutes. After reading the foam height, the third addition of a defined amount of dirt took place and it was shaken again for 10 minutes and the foam height was measured.

The measured foam heights represent mean values of 4 individual measurements.

As dirt standard dirt cloth SBL 2004 of the company wfk Testgewebe GmbH from Krefeld was used. The dirt load of the fabric is 8g of dirt per piece of fabric (certified by the company wfk Testgewebe GmbH Krefeld). SBL 2004 is a widely used industrial pollution standard to investigate the scrubbing of detergents in the presence of dirt.

The typical composition of the Standardschmutze is according to the company wfk Testgewebe GmbH as follows: 18.4% Olive oil (Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva) 18.4% Synthetic Sebum after Bey 9.4% kaolin 9.2% Protein (from protein powder) 8.0% Bleach consuming agent 6.9% Strength 6.9% salt 6.9% mineral oil 6.9% lanolin 2.8% Emulsifier (Uniperol® dispersant trade name of, BASF SE) 2.3% Urea (synthetic) 2.0% Quartz 1.8% calcium chloride 0.075% soot 0.025% iron oxide

Example 3: Foaming power without dirt added Conditions:

Water hardness: Measured in degrees German hardness ° dH, ratio of Ca and Mg = 2: 1 molarM
Water 5 ° dH,
0.4 g / L active concentration of surfactant. Measured values of foam height after specified number of minutes: surfactant ° dH 2 min 5 min 10 minutes 15 minutes 20 min 25 min 30 min READ 5 185 200 225 230 235 235 235 Ex.1 5 162 200 227 227 227 227 227 Jeneil 5 152 198 200 200 200 200 200

Surfactants used:

LAS = MARLON ARL ^© Sasol, sodium (nC ₁₀ -C ₁₃₎ -alkylbenzolsulphonat with an active content of 80 wt .-%, is a known, high foaming anion surfactant, which finds wide use in detergent formulations.
Jenil: Commercial sample with a high mono-rhamnolipid content

The composition of Example 1 shows a somewhat slower foaming behavior, but reaches a similar level after 10 minutes as the anionic surfactant LAS. Each with its high monoRL content and low diRL content exhibits a slower foaming behavior than Example 1, which has a low monoRL content and a high diRL content, and finally only achieves a significantly lower foam level than LAS or Example 1.

Example 4 Foaming Behavior in the Presence of Dirt:

With three additions (see Example 2) of 76 mg of dirt into a cylinder, the composition of Example 1 shows a slightly higher foam formation than LAS after 15 minutes compared to LAS. After the third dirt addition (after 20 min), the foam height is still stable and significantly higher than in LAS. The commercial sample of Jeneil shows already without added dirt a reduced foaming behavior as LAS or the composition of Example 1 (= foam height at 2 min) Measured values of foam height after specified number of minutes: surfactant ° dH 2 min 5 min 10 minutes 15 minutes 20 min 25 min 30 min READ 5 165 20 18 9 7 4 4 Ex.1 5 162 17 17 10 10 10 10 Jeneil 5 132 20 20 10 10 10 10

Example 5 Foaming Behavior of Mixtures of LAS and Rhamnolipids

Dirt load: 3 x 76 mg at 0.4 g / L active substance surfactant. Mixtures of LAS and the composition of Example 1 were used in the stated weight ratios. Measured values of foam height after specified number of minutes: surfactant ° dH 2 min 5 min 10 minutes 15 minutes READ 5 165 20 18 9 Ex.1 5 162 17 17 10 LAS / Ex. 1 75:25 5 167 20 18 10 LAS / Ex. 1 50:50 5 193 34 22 12 LAS / Ex. 1 25:75 5 182 41 25 12

Without dirt added in the foaming behavior, d. H. in foam build up, blends of LAS and the composition of Example 1 show a significantly higher foam volume than the particular component alone. After the first addition of dirt (at t = 2 min), the mixtures of LAS and the composition of Example 1 in a ratio of 50:50 (w / w) and 25:75 (w / w) show a significantly higher foam volume and increased foam stability than the respective component alone.

It could thus be shown that mixtures of LAS and rhamnolipids behave positively synergistically in the foaming behavior.

Example 6: Washing Performance

The effectiveness of the stain removal is determined in a Liniwaschgerät (principle: closed metal vessels, which are moved in a tempered water bath about a horizontal axis) on various, artificially soiled test fabrics. Dirt types used (area soiled cotton fabric): soiling Manufacturer / Supplier Cat. soy wfk 10080 curry wfk 10075 soot EMPA 114 sebum wfk 10013 Milk / cocoa wfk 10017 wfk = wfk test fabric GmbH, Krefeld
EMPA = Federal Material Testing Institute

With a Datacolor Elrepho SF450 spectrophotometer with ColorTools evaluation software, the reflectance of the test fabrics before and after washing is measured. The brightness L *, the value a * on the red-green color axis and the value b * on the yellow-blue color axis before and after washing are measured with the aid of the CIE-Lab color space classification. The change in the color value (ΔE value) is a measure of the achieved cleaning effect.

d.h. je besser die Schmutzentfernung ist, desto größer wird der ΔE-Wert.The ΔE value is defined as and is calculated, the calculation being carried out automatically using the ColorTools evaluation software, using the following formula $$\mathrm{\Delta }\mathit{e}=\sqrt{\left({\left(\mathrm{\Delta }\mathit{a}*\right)}^2+{\left(\mathrm{\Delta }\mathit{b}*\right)}^2+{\left(\mathrm{\Delta }\mathit{L}*\right)}^2\right)}$$

ie the better the soil removal, the larger the ΔE value becomes.

For stain removal efficiency, the following division can be used: AE value description > 2 Visually detectable reduction of contamination 4-10 Mediocre stain removal 10-20 Significant stain removal > 20 Complete stain removal

The conditions of the washing tests were as follows: Wash liquor: Composition cf. Table below Water hardness: 16 ° dH Fleet size: 200 ml Washing tank: 500 ml Fabric load per wash tank: 3 stains of a variety (10 x 10 cm) and 1 white cotton fabric (10 x 20 cm). The size of the lobules should be adjusted to weigh about 10g along with the white cotton fabric. (Fleet ratio 1:20) Washing mechanics: 10 steel balls Ø 6 mm Washing temperature: 25 ° C Washing time: 30 min Do the washing up: 3 x 30 s with tap water (about 5 ° dH)

In order to obtain reliable measurement results, the washes with each detergent formulation are carried out 3x at each soiling. This means that 9 test fabrics of each type of dirt are washed per detergent formulation. Detergent formulation A: Concentration% by weight (100% active base) Ex.1 37.60 glycerin 5 propylene glycol 9 triethanolamine 11.05 citric acid 1.71 water rest

The detergent formulations were adjusted to pH 8.2 with sodium hydroxide solution.

As a comparison, a commercially available Persil ^© Universal Gel from Henkel was used.

Persil Universal Gel was used according to the recommended dose of 40 ml / 10L. In the detergent formulation A, the total surfactant concentration in the wash liquor was 0.5 g / L. Results of stain removal: AE value spot soy curry soot sebum Milk / cocoa Persil ^© 23.98 3.7 3.97 4.57 13.11 A 24.69 3.34 3.48 3.67 11.14

A detergent formulation containing as the effective surfactant excluding a composition of Example 1 is as effective in stain removal of soy, curry, carbon black and skin fat as a commercial liquid detergent based on an optimized surfactant ratio of LAS, other anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants.

Example 7: Graying inhibition / antiredeposition of dirt

• Ein weiterer wichtiger Aspekt bei der Reinigung von Textilien ist, dass einmal in der Waschflotte dispergierter, gelöster oder emulgierter Schmutz sich nicht wieder auf sauberes Gewebe ablagert. Dieser unerwünschte Ablagerungseffekt ist als Vergrauung bekannt.

Measurement of graying or anti-deposition of dirt:

• Another important aspect when cleaning textiles is that once dispersed in the wash liquor, dissolved or emulsified dirt does not re-deposit on clean tissue. This undesirable deposition effect is known as graying.

In order to be able to measure this effect, a clean white cotton cloth was washed in all washing tests (see above) and subsequently also the ΔE value of this was measured. In this case, the reciprocal ΔE value provides a measure of graying; the lower the reciprocal ΔE value, the lower the graying. 1 / .DELTA.E values spot soy curry soot sebum Milk / cocoa Persil ^© 0.14 0.12 0.18 0.28 0.30 A 0.15 0.10 0.15 0.35 0.22

It can clearly be seen that rhamnolipids of the specific composition of Example 1 show a less graying effect on curry, soot, milk / cocoa than the commercial LAS-based liquid detergent and thus act as anti-redeposition agents.

Claims (14)

1. Detergent formulation for textiles, comprising a mono- and di-rhamnolipid mixture composition, characterized in that the weight ratio of di-rhamnolipids to mono-rhamnolipids is greater than 97:3, particularly preferably greater than 98:2.
2. Detergent formulation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   51% by weight to 95% by weight of diRL-C10C10 and
   0.5% by weight to 9% by weight of monoRL-C10C10,
   where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
3. Detergent formulation according to Claim 2, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   0.5% by weight to 15% by weight of diRL-C10C12:1,
   where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
4. Detergent formulation according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   0.5 to 25% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
   where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
5. Detergent formulation according to at least one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and/or, preferably and
   0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1, where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
6. Detergent formulation according to at least one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   0.5% by weight to 15% by weight of diRL-C10C12:1,
   0.5 to 25% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
   0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and
   0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1,
   where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
7. Detergent formulation according to at least one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the rhamnolipid mixture composition comprises
   0% by weight to 5% by weight of diRLC10,
   where the percentages by weight refer to the sum of all of the rhamnolipids present.
8. Detergent formulation according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one further surfactant.
9. Detergent formulation according to Claim 8, characterized in that the surfactant is selected from the group comprising:

   anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, with anionic surfactants being preferred.
10. Detergent formulation according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the surfactant is selected from the group of the sulphonates and sulphates, preferably of the linear alkylbenzenesulphonates, in particular from the group of the C₉-C₁₃ alkylbenzenesulphonates, very particularly preferably sodium (n-C₁₀-C₁₃)-alkylbenzenesulphonate.
11. Use of a detergent formulation according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10 for increasing the rate of foam formation and/or for foam stabilization.
12. Use of a rhamnolipid mixture composition as named in at least one of Claims 1 to 7 for increasing the rate of foam formation and/or for foam stabilization.
13. Use of a detergent formulation according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10 for preventing the greying of a textile and/or for use as antiredeposition agent.
14. Use of a rhamnolipid mixture composition as named in at least one of Claims 1 to 7 for preventing the greying of a textile and/or for use as antiredeposition agent.