NO771768L - ANTI-ODORANT. - Google Patents

Description

Deodorizing compositions and methods for their production.

The present invention relates to a composition and a method for eliminating or reducing unpleasant odors.

Odor formation occurs in several different ways. Firstly, organic material such as parts of natural by-products from living organisms, e.g. meat or excrement or urine, start to smell due to microbial action. Such microbial action or biodegradation often results in the development of unwanted and unpleasant-smelling by-products. In certain cases, such a breakdown is desirable, e.g. in sewage treatment plants. Another type of unpleasant odor occurs in cases where the substance itself smells as such.

When removing odor-producing substances, this can be done in several ways. One way is to produce a binding effect, and here you prevent the spread of the smelling particles from the source itself into the atmosphere. Furthermore, an odor-removing composition can be dispersed in the atmosphere, and here the dispersed odor-removing particles will bind to the very particles that produce the smell, whereby these are reduced in whole or in part.

The present invention thus provides devices to eliminate or significantly reduce both types of odor, i.e. odors produced due to microbial action and those types where the substance itself smells. The invention thus includes devices for eliminating or reducing odors which include a combination of a phenolic antioxidant and an aliphatic hydrocarboxylic acid compound selected from the group consisting of free hydroxycarboxylic acids and partial and full organic derivatives thereof, i.e. those for bonds where some of the hydroxy and the carboxy hydrogen atoms in the compound are substituted with other organic groups.

The invention thus preferably provides a water-dispersible, odor-reducing composition consisting of a phenolic antioxidant and the aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound together with an emulsifying surfactant, after which the composition is dispersed in an aqueous medium. In one embodiment, the surfactant moiety may be part of the same compound as the phenolic antioxidant or hydroxycarboxylic acid compound.

The phenolic antioxidant compounds that can be used in accordance with the present invention include any type of compounds that retard oxidation, degradation and rancidity. Such compounds are well known and have previously been widely used, e.g. to protect natural types of fats, oils, soaps, petroleum products, vulcanized rubber and other organic compounds of this type. Such antioxidants are usually non-toxic and have thus been used in various food products, especially those containing natural fats and oils, and such agents can also be used in the present invention. Such antioxidants which can be used in food and which are consequently non-toxic to humans, are particularly well suited where the deodorizing composition is to be vaporized into the atmosphere and then possibly inhaled by humans or otherwise come into direct contact with humans or animals. In cases where the deodorizing composition is to be applied to dead surfaces, e.g. floor, walls or the like, e.g. using a sponge or brush, the antioxidase ion agents can be toxic to humans.

Antioxidants include polyphenols, such as hydroquinones, as especially ortho- and para-polyphenols, e.g. pyrocatechol and pyrrogallol, poly-substituted "masked", or "hindered" phenols, especially those substituted in the 2, k and 6-positions, for example 2-, 4-, 6-trialkylphenols, nbutyrate esters of hydroxybenzoic acids, such as alkylhydroxybenzoic acids, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid and salicylic acid, bis-phenols, aminophenols and condensed hydroxyaromatic compounds such as naphthols.

Useful antioxidant compounds further include e.g. butylated hydroxyanisole, di-tert.butyl-para-cresol, alkyl gallate esters, such as ethyl gallate, propyl gallate, butyl gallate, octyl gallate and dedecyl gallate, ethyl toluate, butyl toluate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl salicylate, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, sesamol, alpha- naphthol, eugenol, quercetin, catacol, osagin, pomiferin, 2, 2, 5, 7, 8-penta-methylhydroxychroman, 6-quinone, gossypol, 4-tert.butyl-m-cresol, o-phenylphenol, p-chloro- m-xylenol, o-cresol, o-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, and 4-amino-salicylic acid.

The hydroxycarboxylic acid compound which can be used in the present invention can contain one or more hydroxy groups or organic derivatives of such groups, and carboxyl groups or organic derivatives thereof.

With the term "aliphatic" is understood here both closed ring compounds, so-called cycloaliphatic compounds, as well as open both branched and straight compounds. However, it is preferred to use so-called open-chain compounds. The term "aliphatic" also includes saturated groups and groups containing at least one olefinic or acetylenic unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, and the unsaturated groups are preferred.

The most common aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound can be represented by the following general formula:

where R is an aliphatic organic group or a series of such groups connected to the "C-0-X" group, and where the dashed lines indicate any possible bonds between R and the COX and OCY groups or between the COX and OCY groups direct; n is 0 or 1; OX is a hydroxy group (-OH), an ether group or an ester group; and O=C-Y can be a carboxyl group (OCOH), a thioacid group (OCSH), an ester group (OCOR<1>), a thioester group (OSCR'), or an amide group (OCNR"R"'). R"

and R" ' may be the same or different and may each be either a hydrogen atom or an organic group. The R group may contain one or more additional COX and/or OCY groups as defined above. The "aliphatic" group R

should preferably contain at least 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably at least approx. 8 carbon atoms.

The most preferred hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds

in the present invention are hydroxy fatty acids, and especially those hydroxycarboxylic acids which have at least approx. 13 carbon atoms, no more than about 30 carbon atoms and preferably no more than 21 carbon atoms, optionally from 15 - 21 carbon atoms, and ether, ester and amide derivatives thereof, i.e. where some of the hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups are substituted with other organic groups. Most preferred are unsaturated acids containing at least one polyfinic unsaturated bond. Such acid compounds include naturally occurring castor oil compounds, ricinlaidic acid compounds, dihydroxyoctadecenoic acid compounds, aleuritic acid (trihydroxypalmitic acid) compounds, dihydroxystearic acid compounds, trihydroxystearic acid compounds, tetrahydroxystearic acid compounds , abietic acid compounds, cholic acid compounds and desoxycholic acid compounds.

Other useful hydroxycarboxylic acids include the following: ascorbic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, α-hydroxybutyric acid, hydraacrylic acid, cyclohexaneglycolic acid, gluconic acid, galactonic acid, amnunuronic acid and other sugar acids.

As indicated above, the free acid can be used, but it has been found that the ester and amide derivatives of the carboxyl group, i.e. where Y is one. ester group or amine group, are most effective, and especially esters of both poly- and mono-alcohols. Such ester groups can be derived from either an aliphatic or an aromatic alcohol, e.g. esters of alkanols, alkenols, alkynols, cyclic compounds such as benzyl alcohols etc. Examples of such esters can be derived from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, propargyl alcohol, propenol, ricinoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, 3-butene- l-ol, allyl alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerin, n-butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol,

butene-1,4-diol and diethylene glycol.

The group "Y" can contain up to 30 carbon atoms and preferably from 1-6 carbon atoms.

Other useful compounds include the amides (O=CNR'R") derived from both monoamines and polyamines. Such amine groups may be derived preferably from aliphatic amines such as ethylamine, propylamine, isopropanolamine, ethanolamine, hydroxyethylethylenediamine and aromatic amines such as aniline, phenyl -endimaine, triaminobenzene, α-naphthylamine and (3-naphthylamine.

It is preferred that hydroxyl groups are not substituted, i.e. that X is a hydrogen atom. However, if desired, ether or ester derivatives of the hydroxyl groups can be used. Such groups should preferably contain from 1-6 atoms or more, if this is desirable, and include aliphatic and aromatic groups such as e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, ethyloxyethyl, cyclohexyl and methylbenzyl as well as ester groups such as acetyl. Polyether groups can also be used.

As mentioned above, the different R groups and

X and Y groups each contain additional hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, as well as the oxygen bond, amine groups and

other groups which do not affect the deodorizing activities of the deodorizing compositions, e.g. halogen atoms such as chlorine and bromine can be specified. Although R is defined as an aliphatic group, one can also have the presence of an aromatic ring substituent on a long aliphatic chain, although it is understood that this does not reveal the aliphatic nature of the compound. Somewhat depending on the aromatic group's position then

in most cases it will have no effect on the composition's odor-degrading ability. Thus, such an "inert" aromatic substituent can be present on a hydroxycarboxylic acid compound without thereby abandoning the intention of the invention.

The use of metal salts of the hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds does not produce the same undesirable effect in the present invention when these are used in combination with a phenolic antioxidant. Thus, e.g. a metal salt of castor oleic acid, e.g. sodium ricinoleate prepared by saponifying castor oil, does not produce the same undesirable effect as either the use of the free acid or an organic derivative thereof,

e.g. an ester or an amide.

Similarly, the presence of sulfate groups, e.g. as found in the so-called "sulfonated castor oils", affect the activity of the present composition. It is thus preferred to use sulfate-free hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds.

The active combination of a phenolic compound and an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound in accordance with the present invention is preferably dispersed in a carrier or diluent for use. For use by the consumer, it is preferred that the diluent is water or an aqueous solution. Consequently, the active combination itself can be soluble or dispersible in water, or can possibly be dispersed in water by means of a surface-active emulsifier.

The most used and preferred emulsifiers for water dispersion of antioxidants are non-ionic surfactants, e.g. so-called alkylated phenols and oxyalkylated glycerides which include oxyalkylated natural oils, e.g. castor oil and tall oil, or possibly available synthetic glycerides of organic acids. Particularly useful non-ionic surfactants are alkoxylated alkylphenols which in a single compound combine an effective water-dispersing ability as well as a small but effective deodorising activity, and it can thereby assist the anti-oxidation agent to reduce or eliminate odours, e.g. produced by a microbial breakdown of organic material. A preferred alkylphenol surfactant includes an alkyl group containing at least about 6 carbon atoms, preferably from approx. 8 - approx. 32 carbon atoms, possibly approx. 8 - approx. 24 carbon atoms. The alkylphenol is reacted with an alkylene oxide, e.g. ethylene oxide, whereby a surface-active compound with the following general formula is obtained:

where R is an alkyl group containing at least approx. 6 carbon

atoms. If desired, any other alkyl groups (R) may be substituted on each of the phenyl rings. However, it is preferred that there should not be more than two alkyl groups per ring, and optimally there is only one alkyl group.

Another group of highly preferred surfactants are oxyalkylated glycerides which combine in a single compound a very effective water-dispersing and emulsifying activity with high deodorizing activity, are aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid esters. Commercially available such compounds are usually derived from castor oil, which is a natural source of glycerides of castor oleic acid. This glyceride can be reacted with an alkylene oxide, e.g. ethylene oxide, whereby a surface-active compound with the following formula is formed:

where R' is defined as for formula (2), and /3(n+1)7 can vary from approx. 3 and up to approx. 50 or higher, somewhat depending on the desired surface activity. The minimum value for n should be such that the desired emulsifying activity is achieved for the amount of air-removing activity desired from the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound part in the emulsifier.

Other hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds that can be carboxylated in the same way can also. is used as an emulsifier, if this is desired.

Other hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds that have intrinsic emulsifying properties for phenolic antioxidants in water include the amides, such as diethanolamine ricinoleate.

When using non-ionic surfactants. agents, and then especially of the alkylated type, the hydrophilic properties of the compound, i.e. on said alkylphenol or oxyalkylated triglyceride, will increase with the number (n) of said oxyalkyl groups in each molecule. The oxyalkyl groups that are usually found in commercially available compounds tend to be oxyethylene groups, although one also finds the oxypropylene group or mixed oxyethylene-oxypropylene groups. The oxyalkyl group can usually contain from 2-6 carbon atoms, preferably from 2-4 carbon atoms and optimally 2 or 3 carbon atoms. Such compounds are commercially available and their emulsifying properties are well known. Such compounds and their activities are thus not included as part of the present invention.

Alternatively, if desired, the aerating combination can be dispersed in an organic solvent such as an aliphatic solvent, cycloaliphatic or aromatic, cycloaliphatic-aromatic, aliphatic-aromatic or chlorinated solvents. The active deodorizing combination according to the present invention should preferably be soluble in such solvents. The solvent must be inert, i.e. non-reactive with respect to the antioxidant and the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound.

The organic solvent should preferably be relatively volatile, and have approximately the same vapor pressure as water or higher than the vapor pressure at normal room temperature.

Usable organic solvents include e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene, aliphatic and aromatic petroleum fractions, such as low flash point paraffins and hexane-heptane mixtures. Non-hydrocarbon solvents which may be used include alcohols, phenols, ketones such as acetone, esters and terpenes.

Generally, it is not necessary to use surface-active agents or emulsifiers to disperse the active combination of the compounds according to the present invention in an organic solvent which is preferably, of course, chosen so that it is a solvent for the active ingredients used.

In accordance with the present invention, it has further been found that the addition of a terpene to the deodorizing composition results in a further improvement of its activity. For this purpose, it has been found that terpenoids can be used, i.e. oxygenated derivatives of terpene hydrocarbons such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, acids and esters derived from the terpenes, and such compounds are included in the general term "terpene" as used here . Useful terpenes include acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic terpenes.

Although it has been found that C-^-terpenes are the most effective,

then sesquiterpenes and diterpenes can also be used. Examples of such compounds include a-pinene, (3-pinene, fellandrene, myrcene, ocimene, tricyclene, terpinolene, terpinoyl acetate, iso-borneol, dipentene, menthol, mento.n, karene, limonene, sylvestreh, sabinene, camphene, a- farnesene, zingiberene, caryophyllene, geraniol, geranial, nerol, linalool, neral, citronellal, α-terpineol, 1,8-cineole, askaridol, camphor, thujone, verbenone, fenchone, iso-bornyl acetate, farnesol, abietic acid and salts and esters of Furthermore, it has been found that you can use a number of natural

equally occurring terpene mixtures, e.g. derived from citrus fruits, such as lemon terpenes, orange terpenes and lime oil distillate. Although one can use the higher terpenes, i.e. diterpenes and sequi-terpenes, it is preferred to use terpene hydrocarbons and terpenoids. Furthermore, mixtures of terpenes and terpenoids can be used in the present invention.

When the odor-reducing composition is to be applied

a solid surface, e.g. in toilets or in kitchens,

then the phenolic antioxidant will preferably be dispersed in an inert diluent, such as water, in an amount

those of at least 0.005 percent by weight of the total liquid, preferably

show in a quantity of at least approx. 0.01% by weight. More prefer-

where the phenolic antioxidant is present in the diluent in amounts of from 0.01 to approx. 1 percent by weight of. the total mixture, and optimally from approx. 0.02 - 0.2% by weight. The hydroxycarboxylic acid compound is preferably present in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight of the phenolic antioxidant present, preferably at least approx. 100% by weight of the antioxidant, and most preferably from approx. 100 to approx. 2000 percent by weight of the oxidizing agent,

and optimally from approx. 200% to approx. 1000% by weight of the antioxidant.

The terpenes can be present in an amount of at least approx.

20 percent by weight of the phenolic antioxidant, most preferably from approx. 25 - approx. 300% by weight of said compound.

For the above-mentioned active compounds, the outer limits are only intended as indications beyond which it is considered to be a waste to use the compound. However, if it were to be desired, such large quantities can of course be used. However, it should be noted that when such a possibly active compound has an undesired unpleasant smell, this could easily result in an undesired situation. The composition used is preferably non-toxic to humans.

The surface-active agent used to disperse the antioxidants and the terpenes in water should be present in a sufficiently large quantity to obtain an emulsion of the organic compounds in the water. Usually this will be at least approx. 200% by weight of the water-insoluble organic compounds to be dispersed, e.g. the phenolic antioxidant ion compound, and the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound if this is to be dispersed. The emulsifier is preferably present in an amount of at least approx. 400 percent by weight, most preferred is approx. 400 to approx. 2000 weight percent, optimal from approx. 500 to approx. 1000% by weight of the antioxidant and any other insoluble substances.

It has been found that the addition of a polyol, especially glycerin, and a carboxylic acid, such as a fatty acid or lactic acid, to the water-dispersible composition together with the antioxidant results in a further improvement in deodorizing properties. The carboxylic acid and the polyol act as coupling agents that facilitate dissolution in the usual way.

The odor removal composition according to the present invention can preferably be dispersed in an aqueous medium in the amounts indicated above. However, the composition can be processed and shipped in concentrated form without water, where the phenolic antioxidant and the hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds and any other compounds present can be dispersed or dissolved in other organic ingredients, preferably a relatively large amount of the surfactant.

The water-dispersible concentrate can then be easily dispersed in water to the desired concentration by mixing only a mixture of the water and the non-aqueous concentrate. In many

in

cases, however, it is more preferred to provide the deodorizing composition in a concentrated aqueous dispersion which can then be further diluted by only pouring the required amount of additional water into the concentrate and making a careful stirring. For certain purposes, e.g. to remove odors from relatively large amounts of aqueous liquids or water-immiscible liquids, a non-aqueous concentrate will be most useful.

The deodorizing composition according to the present invention can e.g. used to eliminate the smell of animal excrement, e.g. gjbdsel, in that the composition is applied to the surface of the collected excrement. Sewage discharge can be made odorless and therefore easier to store, which can facilitate further processing in certain cases. In a similar way, liquids from paper boiling can be made odorless by adding an odor-removing composition according to the present invention and this can be easily done without affecting further processing of the paper pulp.

In many cases, fuel is made from crushed animal excrement. The addition of a small amount, e.g. 1 percent by weight of the deodorizing composition according to the present invention will essentially eliminate unpleasant odors during combustion.

The deodorizing composition according to the present invention can also be used as a deodorizing agent for both animals and humans, and can then be applied to the body in a diluted aqueous solution, e.g. in a bathroom. An addition of the deodorizing composition according to the present invention to moistened packaged small paper towels, moistened with an alcoholic solution, will greatly increase the ability to remove unpleasant odors, e.g. from the hands or from other parts of the body.

It has been found preferable to add a relatively strong biocide to the deodorizing composition according to the present invention in order to prevent a breakdown on the basis of - biological organisms, especially the surfactant during storage. The biggest problem has proven to be fungal attack, but there are also other organisms that can attack the composition. The composition according to the present invention is effective against a wide range of odorous compounds and especially sulphides, both inorganic sulphides, such as hydrogen sulphide and its aqueous solutions, and organic sulphides such as mercaptans and mercaptides, this also includes organic amines. However, it should be noted that free ammonia can affect the activity of the composition according to the present invention.

The composition can further be mixed with or applied to the surface of a mass of smelling chemical material, or e.g. a tbnne or container where the chemical pollutes with its smell, or by means of a spray to remove the chemical smell that is present, such as a liquid aerosol, gas or vapor in the air. Such chemicals may include pure or mixed chemicals. Other chemically smelling compounds can e.g. include chemical reaction products of the type that occur when wood pulp is boiled or sewage decomposes in large plants, where the active deodorizing combination is added in concentrations that are so low that they do not affect the reactions that occur in such places, e.g. . to prevent a microbial breakdown of the sewage, but in sufficient quantity to eliminate or substantially reduce the development of undesirable odorous substances.

The following examples illustrate the invention. A number of equivalent compounds can be used in the composition, e.g. of the type previously indicated.

Example 1

A water-dispersible mixture was formed with the following composition:

A part of the above mixture, 10 parts by weight, was dispersed in 990 parts of water so that a stable emulsion of the deodorizing compounds together with the specified emulsifiers was formed. An odorous sample was made from 10 ml of running water and 3 g of fish fillet. This mixture was mixed together with 2 ml of the above deodorizing emulsion. An identical second odorant sample was prepared in the same manner but with 2 ml of water added. The two compositions were incubated at a temperature varying from 37 to 40°C. The relative strength of the smell was measured after 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 and 168 hours. The composition containing only pure water was essentially completely degraded within 24 hours. The composition which contained the deodorizing emulsion according to the present invention did not develop a putrid smell for after approx. 72 hour trial period.

Example 2

The test from example 1 was repeated and 0.5 parts by weight of a mixture of terpenes with the following ingredients were added:

the f3 pin,

di-pentene,

citron terpenes,

lemongrass oil,

para-cymene,

fellander,

terpinolene,

terpinoyl acetate,

orange interpenes,

lime oil (distilled).

The same odor test was carried out, and the fish-water composition containing the deodorizing composition according to the present invention had a very low odor level up to a level of 168 hours.

As a comparative example, the procedure was repeated, but the two phenols were eliminated, i.e. butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole. It was found that the sample solution had an odor approaching strong putrefaction already after 72 hours, and was completely rotten after 168 hours.

In another comparative sample, the procedure of Example 2 was repeated, except that the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound, i.e., the ethoxylated castor oil acid, was omitted. The sample solution had an odor approaching that of putrefaction only after about 72 hours, and.was severely decomposed after 168 hours.

Example 3

The deodorizing test composition according to example 2 in an amount of 1 cm quickly spread as a thin film on the surface of a beaker containing approx. 100 cm ethyl mercaptan. It was found that the smell of the mercaptan was essentially eliminated.

Example 4

Strong-smelling sewage discharge in a primary decomposition vessel in an amount of approx. 1900 m 3 was treated by dripping the non-aqueous concentrate from example 2 into the sewer in a quantity of 1 drop per minute in a period of 96 hours. At the end of this period, the development of odors from the sewage liquid was essentially eliminated, and without affecting or inhibiting further decomposition of the sewage to a significant or measurable extent.

Example 3

An aqueous deodorizing emulsion prepared as described in Example 2 was added to recirculating water in a treatment plant where the rnan used an atomizing nozzle of the type often used for treating sulphite wood pulp.

The treated air was essentially odorless.

■ Example 6

A premoistened paper towel usually consists of a piece of paper saturated with an alcohol-water solution. One commercially available product was used to clean hands on

a person who had previously rubbed these with a mixture of onions and salmon. The smell was only slightly reduced. The hands were again rubbed with a mixture of onion and salmon and then immediately rubbed with a paper towel moistened with alcohol and the

deodorizing emulsion prepared as indicated in example 2. Luk- ; The fish and roe salmon were essentially completely removed.

Example 7

The procedure from example 1 was repeated using the following deodorizing composition: 10 parts by weight of this mixture were dispersed in 990 parts of water so that a stable emulsion was formed. The same tests as stated in example 1 were carried out and greater efficiency was obtained with regard to the decomposition of the smell of decay, and the strength of the smell after 72 hours was somewhat weaker than in example 1, and even after 200 hours you could substantially no smell of decay.

Examples 8-20

The procedure from Example 7 was repeated using the same composition as indicated there, except that the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound, i.e. "Surfactol 318" was replaced with the same amount of the compounds indicated in the table below:

In all these cases, the deodorizing composition was able to prevent a putrefaction smell after 72 hours and was in all cases able to substantially reduce such a smell even after 200 hours. The composition from examples 10, 11, 12 and 16 essentially eliminated such an odor even after 200 hours.

Examples 21 - 27

The procedure from Example 7 was again repeated except that the phenolic antioxidants indicated in Example 7 were replaced by equal amounts by weight of the compounds indicated below:

In each of the samples, no smell of putrefaction could be noticed after 72 hours, and the smell was either completely eliminated or significantly reduced also for a significant period after said 72 hours.

Claims (8)

1. Method for reducing odor in odorous materials consisting of a chemical or mixture thereof, characterized by mixing the odorous material with an odor-removing composition consisting of a phenolic antioxidant and an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deodorizing composition is dispersed in an aqueous medium. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound has the following general formula: where R is an aliphatic organic group or a series of such groups connected to the "C-0-X" group, and where the dashed lines indicate alternative possible bonds between R and the COX and OCY groups, or between COX and OCY the groups directly; n is 0 or 1; OX is a hydroxy group (-OH), an ether group or an ester group; and 0=C-Y can be a carboxyl group (OCOH), a thioacid group (OCSH), an ester group (OCOR <1> ), a thioester group (OSCR') or an amide group (OCNR"R"'). 4. Odor-removing composition for reducing odor in odorous materials, characterized in that the composition consists of a substituted phenolic antioxidant and a sulfate-free aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound with at least 8 carbon atoms and at least one saturated carbon-carbon bond. 5. An aqueous deodorizing composition, characterized by consisting of an aqueous medium in which a combination of a substituted phenolic antioxidant and an aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid compound and an emulsifying agent is dispersed, wherein said emulsifying agent is able to maintain a stable dispersion of the combination in water, and where said phenolic antioxidant is dispersed in the water in an amount of at least 0.05 percent by weight of the total dispersion, and where the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound is present in an amount of at least approx. 50% by weight of the phenol. 6. Deodorizing composition according to claim 5, characterized in that the hydroxycarboxylic acid compound is a sulfate-free, unsaturated, aliphatic acid compound selected from the group consisting of a free hydroxycarboxylic acid and ester and amide derivatives thereof. 7..Procedure according to crawling, characterized in that the deodorizing composition also contains a terpene. 8. Deodorizing composition according to claim k, characterized by also containing a terpene.