WO2023025744A1

WO2023025744A1 - Detergent composition

Info

Publication number: WO2023025744A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/073373
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gurpreet Singh Kohli; Prajkta Rupesh Rane; Asha Telkar
Original assignee: Unilever Ip Holdings B.V.; Unilever Global Ip Limited; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2021-08-27
Filing date: 2022-08-23
Publication date: 2023-03-02
Also published as: WO2023025748A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent composition, particularly a solid laundry detergent composition. There is a need in the art to provide laundry detergent composition that maintain or sustain at least some level of beneficial bacteria. This may be accomplished so that beneficial bacteria may regulate or suppress the growth of non-autotrophic bacteria. e.g., pathogenic bacteria and/or maintain a suitable microbiome on a subject to benefit from health improvements that the non-pathogenic bacteria may provide. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition which does not harm the good bacteria and commensals in the skin microbiome. We have found that when a detergent composition having an alkyl sulphate surfactant along with no or low levels of alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant and with no or low levels of a bleach system, the solid detergent composition is gentle on the good bacteria and the commensal bacteria present on the skin surface. The solid detergent composition of the present invention provides a skin microbiome-friendly detergent composition while maintaining the cleaning performance of the composition.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a detergent composition, particularly to a solid laundry detergent composition.

Background of the invention

Synthetic detergents are widely used for laundering fabrics, due to their efficiency in cleaning and stain removal. Among the known surfactants, anionic alkyl benzene sulphonate are the predominant surfactant in laundry detergent composition. Sodium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS or referred generally as LAS) provides good stain removal and cleaning performance.

Epithelial surfaces such as skin and intestine are colonized by an abundant and diverse community of microbes that have been collectively known as the “microbiome”. Skin is frequently exposed to different kind of conditions which combine with other elements of the epithelial environment such as antimicrobial peptides, pH, lipids, temperature, mucins, salts, and hydration to modulate skin microflora.

The presence of LAS in laundry detergent compositions, gives rise to a variety of possible consumer contact scenarios including direct and indirect skin contact. In addition to mild skin irritation, the direct contact with the detergent composition or contact with aqueous liquor may lead to reduction in the skin microbiome. The reduction in the skin microbiome upon contact with LAS and other formulation ingredients present in the detergent composition or wash liquor is of particular concern in the case of manual washing process where consumer hand is in direct contact with the wash liquor for considerable amount of time. In addition to this, components of the detergent composition may deposit onto the fabric and when subsequently worn, the fabric may remain in close contact with skin, prolonged contact times may affect skin microbiome.

It is well known that bacteria and other microorganisms are ubiquitous in the environment and are naturally present on animate and inanimate objects. The importance of the microbiome in the Gl (gastrointestinal) tract has been well established, and we are now learning about the importance of the microbiome for skin health. The human skin has a diverse and complex microbial ecosystem. The presence of desirable bacteria is seen as useful in maintaining balance, health and preventing disease states. The current understanding is that most of these skin microbes are harmless or commensal organisms that play essential role in inhibiting colonization by pathogenic microbes or modulating innate and adaptive immune systems. A disruption in the microbiome can create inflammation, irritation, dry, itchy skin, dermatitis, and even worsen skin diseases.

Although LAS is considered to play an importance role in the cleaning performance of any laundry detergent composition, it also is generally associated with antimicrobial effect. Soaps (alkyl carboxylate salt of Cs to Cis fatty acid) are also known to have antibacterial properties.

EP 0460925 A2 (Unilever, 1991) discloses a particulate detergent composition having coconut alkyl sulphate surfactant and sodium carbonate builder. Example 1 of D1 has 0 wt.% LAS and 0 wt.% bleach and 1 wt.% soap.

GB2330588 A (Cheng Wen Lin, 1999) discloses a multipurpose cleaning agent which is safe to use and discloses a composition having sodium alkyl sulfate, the composition does not have LAS and discloses inclusion of 0.1 to 1 wt.% sodium percarbonate (bleach).

WO 98/17751 A1 (The Procter & Gamble Company) discloses a detergent composition having a pre-formed peracid and a cationic surfactant. The composition includes a bleach selected from percarbonate/perborate bleach, PAP, and photoactivated bleach.

CN 105670823 A (Guangzhou Nanda Ind Co. Ltd., 2016) discloses an antibacterial washing powder having at least one of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium a- alkenylsulfonate. There is a need in the art to provide a laundry detergent composition that maintains or sustains at least some level of beneficial bacteria on skin surface. Presence of beneficial bacteria on skin surface may regulate or suppress the growth of non- autotrophic bacteria, e.g., pathogenic bacteria and/or maintain a suitable microbiome on a skin surface.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a solid laundry detergent composition which does not harm the good bacteria and commensals in the skin microbiome.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition which tackles or reduces the harmful bacteria in the skin microbiome.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition which has low or no alkyl benzene sulphonate without affecting the cleaning performance of the detergent composition.

Summary of the invention

We have found that when a detergent composition has an alkyl sulphate surfactant along with no or low levels of alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant and with no or low levels of a bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group where the specific nonionic surfactant is present in specific weight ratio with the alkyl sulphate surfactant, the solid detergent composition is gentle on the good bacteria and the commensal bacteria present on the skin surface. The solid detergent composition of the present invention provides a skin microbiome-friendly detergent composition while maintaining the cleaning performance of the composition. The composition was also found to tackle or reduce the harmful bacteria on the skin surface.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, disclosed is a solid laundry detergent composition comprising: i) an alkyl sulphate surfactant; ii) 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant; iii) carbonate builder; iv) 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system; and, v) 0 wt.% soap; wherein the composition comprises a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1:1.5 to 1 :10.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, disclosed is a method of treating a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the solid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) washing the textile surface with the wash liquor; iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface; iv) contacting the laundered textile surface to a skin surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, disclosed is the use of a combination of alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate, carbonate builder, 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1:1.5 to 1:10 for providing a detergent composition which is gentle on the good bacteria and commensal bacteria of the skin surface.

Detailed description of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention provided is a detergent composition having alkyl sulphate surfactant, low levels of alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, carbonate builder, nonionic surfactant, and low or no bleach system. Alkyl sulphate surfactant

The disclosed solid detergent composition includes an alkyl sulphate surfactant. Suitable alkyl sulphate surfactant includes Cs to Cis alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, sulphate and/or ether sulfate. Suitable counterions include alkali metal cation or ammonium or substituted ammonium, but preferably sodium.

Conventional primary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula: R"OSOs'M⁺ wherein R" is typically a Cs to C20 alkyl group, which may be straight chain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. In specific embodiments, R" is a C10 to C15 alkyl group, and M is alkali metal, more specifically R" is C12 to C14 alkyl and M is sodium.

The alkyl sulphate surfactant may be selected from Cs to Cis primary, linear, branched chain or random alkyl sulphates (AS). They may also be selected from Cs to Cis secondary (2,3) alkyl sulphates; Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxy sulphates (AExS) wherein preferably x is from 1 to 30 in which the alkoxy group could be selected from ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy or even higher alkoxy groups and mixtures thereof. More preferably ethoxy or propoxy, still preferably ethoxy. The sulphate surfactant may also be selected C10 to Cis secondary (2 ,3)-alkyl sulfates having following formulae:

wherein M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality, and all M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunct ingredient, can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon the form isolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system wherein the compound is used, with non-limiting examples of preferred cations including sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is an integer of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and y is an integer of at least 8, preferably at least about 9.

The alkyl sulfate surfactant may be preferably mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in US 6,008, 181 and US 6,020,303. Preferably the alkoxylated anionic sulphate surfactant has a degree of ethoxylation of having a degree of ethoxylation of from 0.2 to 7, more preferably from 1 to 7, even more preferably from about 1 to 3. The alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactant may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted. Most preferably the alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulphate with an average degree of ethoxylation from 1 to 3.

The alkyl sulphate surfactant may be linear or branched, substituted or un-substituted. The alkyl sulphate surfactant may be derived from petrochemical material or biomaterial.

Preferably the amount alkyl sulphate surfactant ranges from 0.5 wt.% to 20 wt.%, still preferably from 0.5 wt.% to 10 wt.%, still more preferably from 1 wt.% to 8 wt.%. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 2 wt.% alkyl sulphate surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition, still preferably at least 3 wt.%, still preferably at least 4 wt.%, most preferably at least 5 wt.%, but typically not more than 9 wt.%, still preferably not more than 8.5 wt.%, more preferably not more than 8 wt.% and most preferably not more than 7.5 wt.% alkyl sulphate surfactant in the detergent composition. Preferably the alkyl sulphate surfactant is linear or branched C12 to Cis sulphate surfactant.

Alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant

The detergent composition according to the present invention includes from 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant. The detergent composition according to the present invention has low levels of the alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that alkyl benzene sulphonate generally has an antimicrobial effect during the laundering process.

Alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) include those obtainable, by sulphonating commercially available linear alkyl benzene (LAB); suitable LAB includes low 2-phenyl LAB, other suitable LAB include high 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename Hyblene®. Preferably the alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant are the alkali metal salts of C10 to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, preferably C10 to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. In one aspect, the alkyl group is linear. Such linear alkyl benzene sulfonates are known as “LAS”. Such surfactants and their preparation are described for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially preferred are the sodium and potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodium C11 to C14 LAS, e.g., C12 LAS, are a specific example of such surfactants. Also includes within the alkyl benzene sulphonate are the modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241 , WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO 00/23548.

Suitable alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant may be in salt form, suitable counter-ions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. A preferred counterion is sodium.

The alkyl benzene sulphonate may be linear or branched, substituted or un-substituted. The alkyl benzene sulphonate may be derived from petrochemical material or biomaterial.

The detergent composition may include other sulphonate surfactant which includes but is not limited to methyl ester sulphonates, alpha olefin sulphonates. When present these sulphonate surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 5 wt.%, preferably 0 wt.% to 3 wt.%.

Preferably the amount alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant ranges from 0 wt.% to 5 wt.%, still preferably from 0 wt.% to 2 wt.%. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition, still preferably at least 1 wt.%, still preferably at least 1.5 wt.%, most preferably at least 2 wt.%, but typically not more than 4.5 wt.%, still preferably not more than 4 wt.%, more preferably not more than 3.5 wt.% and most preferably not more than 3 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant in the detergent composition. Preferably the alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant is C10 to C14 linear alkyl benzene sulphonate. Soap

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention includes 0 wt.% soap. Soaps are alkyl carboxylate salt of Cs to Cis fatty acid. As described herein, the term soap refers to carboxylate salts of fatty acids. Preferably the water-soluble alkyl carboxylate salt of the Cs to Cis fatty acid includes alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkyl ammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 8 to about 16 carbon atoms. More preferably from 8 to 14 carbon atoms. The fatty acid may preferably be saturated or an unsaturated fatty acid. More preferably saturated.

The term “soap” is used herein in its popular sense, i.e. , the alkali metal or alkanol ammonium salts of aliphatic, alkanes, or alkene monocarboxylic acids. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, mono-, di- and tri-ethanol ammonium cations, or combinations thereof, are the most suitable for purposes of this invention.

Nonionic surfactant

The solid detergent composition according to the first aspect of the present invention preferably includes a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group. Suitable non-ionic detersive surfactants are selected from the group consisting of: Cs to Cis alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® non-ionic surfactants from Shell; Cs to C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein preferably the alkoxylate units are ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units or a mixture thereof; C12 to Cis alcohol and Cs to C12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers such as Pluronic from BASF; alkylpolysaccharides, preferably alkylpolyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, ether capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof. Suitable alkylpolyglycosides includes sodium laurylglucoside, cocoglucoside, decyl glucoside or mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkyl alkoxylated alcohols nonionic detersive surfactant includes Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, preferably a Cs to Cis is alkyl ethoxylated alcohol, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol has an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol is a Cs to Cis is alkyl ethoxylated alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7, more preferably from 1 to 5 and most preferably from 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohol can be linear or branched, substituted or un-substituted. More preferably the nonionic surfactant is selected from C12 to C15 ethoxylated fatty alcohol with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group.

Further nonionic detersive surfactant may also include those selected from polyethylene sorbital ester (Tween 80), ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, lauramide oxide, polysulphonate alkyl polyglucoside, sodium laurylglucoside hydroxypropyl phosphate or mixtures thereof. Other suitable nonionic detersive surfactant includes secondary alcohol based detersive surfactant.

Preferably the detergent composition according to the present invention comprises from 0.5 wt.% to 20 wt.% nonionic surfactant. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.6 wt.% Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO groupbased on the weight of the detergent composition, still preferably at least 0.8 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.9 wt.%, most preferably at least 1 wt.%, but typically not more than 15 wt.%, still preferably not more than 13 wt.%, more preferably not more than 11 wt.% and most preferably not more than 12.5 wt.% Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group in the detergent composition.

The total amount of the surfactant in the detergent composition is preferably from 0.5 wt.% 25 wt.%. The detergent composition may include alkyl sulphate surfactant as the only surfactant or alkyl sulphate surfactant may be used along with alkyl ether sulphate surfactant.

The weight ratio of the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group is from 1:1.5 to 1 :10, more preferably 1:1.5 to 1:8, still more preferably 1 :1.5 to 1 :5.

Bleach system

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention includes 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system. The bleach system includes at least a bleach. More preferably the bleach system includes a bleach and a bleach activator. Suitable bleach includes sodium percarbonate or any other hydrogen peroxide precursor. More preferably the bleach is peroxide bleach. Most preferably, the bleach is a percarbonate. Further preferred, the bleach is a coated percarbonate. Other examples of bleach known in the art includes the perborate based bleach, PAP (N- phthaloylamidoperoxicaproic acid), photoactivated bleach or mixtures thereof.

In addition to the bleach, the bleach system generally includes a bleach activator. Suitable bleach activator includes peroxyacid bleach precursor. The bleach activator includes sodium tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED). Other suitable bleach activators include the amide substituted alkyl peroxyacid precursor, perbenzoic acid precursor, cationic peroxyacid precursor, benzoxazine organic peroxyacid precursor or mixtures thereof.

The amount of the bleach system in the solid detergent composition is at low levels. Although bleach systems are known to give good bleachable stain removal performance. However, bleach systems are also known to have antimicrobial affect and are also harsh on skin. The levels of bleach system in the detergent composition of the present invention are therefore maintained at low levels, preferably the level of the bleach system in the composition is not more than 3 wt.%. The bleach system according to the present invention has one or more of the ingredients selected from bleach, bleach activator, bleach catalyst or mixture thereof.

The solid detergent composition according to the present invention preferably may not include any bleach. If present the solid detergent composition may include small levels, preferably ranging from 0 wt.% to 3 wt.%, more preferably at from 0 to 2 wt. %, even more preferably from 0 wt.% to 1 wt.%. Preferably the bleach system has from 0 wt.% to 2 wt.% TAED bleach activator. Most preferably the detergent composition has 0 wt.% bleach and 0 wt.% bleach activator.

Preferably the detergent composition does not include a citric acid (0 wt.%), alkali metal salt of citric acid (0 wt.%) or mixtures thereof.

Carbonate builder

The solid detergent composition of the present invention includes a carbonate builder. Examples of the carbonate builder includes alkaline earth metal and alkali metal carbonates as disclosed in the German patent application No. 2,321,001.

The carbonate builder is preferably an alkali metal carbonate, alkaline earth metal carbonate or mixtures thereof. Preferred alkali carbonates are sodium and/or potassium carbonate of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. It is further preferred that sodium carbonate makes up at least 75 wt.%, more preferably at least 85 wt.% and even more preferably at least 90 wt.% of the total weight of the alkali carbonate builder.

The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 2 wt.% to 30 wt.% carbonate builder, preferably 15 wt.% to 30 wt.%, further preferably from 15 wt.% to 25 wt.% carbonate builder. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 5 wt.%, still preferably at least 10 wt.%, still preferably at least 15 wt.%, most preferably at least 20 wt.% of the carbonate builder, but typically not more than 28 wt.%, still preferably not more than 26 wt.%, most preferably not more than 25 wt.% of carbonate builder based on the weight of the solid detergent composition.

Non-carbonate builder

In addition to the carbonate builder the detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include further inorganic non-carbonate builder. The other preferred builders may be selected from the group consisting of silicates, silica, zeolites phosphates or mixtures thereof. Yet other non-carbonate builder may be organic builders which includes but are not limited to as succinates, carboxylates, malonates, polycarboxylates, citric acid or a salt thereof. Suitable silicates include the water-soluble sodium silicates with an SiCh: Na2O ratio of from 1 .0 to 2.8, with ratios of from 1 .6 to 2.4 being preferred, and 2.0 ratio being most preferred. The silicates may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt. Sodium silicate with an SiCh: Na2O ratio of 2.0 is the most preferred silicate.

Preferably the silicate in the detergent composition in accordance with the invention is sodium silicate. Preferably the alkali metal silicate in the detergent composition is in an amount ranging from 2 wt.% to 20 % by weight of the composition, preferably 2 wt.% to 18 wt.%, still preferably 4 wt.% to 10 wt.%. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 3 wt.%, still preferably at least 4 wt.%, still preferably at least 5 wt.%, most preferably at least 6 wt.% of the silicate, but typically not more than 15 wt.%, still preferably not more than 12 wt.%, most preferably not more than 10 wt.% of silicate based on the weight of the solid detergent composition.

Zeolite and phosphate builder

The composition preferably has from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% zeolite builder, more preferably from 0 to 2 wt.%. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of zeolite builder. Most preferably the composition of the present invention includes 0 wt.% zeolite builder. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of phosphate builder. By substantially free it is meant that there is no deliberately added phoshpate salt in the composition. Most preferably the composition of the present invention includes 0 wt.% phosphate builder. Example of phosphate builder include alkali metal salt of tripolyphosphate.

Form of the composition

The composition of the present invention is in the solid form. The composition according to the present invention may be made via a variety of conventional methods known in the art and those which includes but is not limited to the mixing of ingredients, including dry-mixing, compaction such as agglomerating, extrusion, tabletting, or spraydrying of the various compounds comprised in the detergent component, or mixtures of these techniques, whereby the components herein also can be made by for example compaction, including extrusion and agglomerating, or spray-drying. The detergent composition may be made by any of the conventional processes, especially preferred is the technique of slurry making and spray drying.

The compositions herein can take a variety of physical solid forms including forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste, tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the composition is in the form of powder, granules or a tablet, still preferably the composition is in the form of a powder. The composition may be in the form of a unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is a solid laundry detergent composition. Preferably the composition is in the form of a spray -dried powder. The compositions preferably has a bulk density of more than 350 grams/litre, more preferably more than 450 grams/litre or even more than 570 grams/litre. pH of the composition:

The composition according to the present invention has a pH ranging from 9 to 12, preferably from 9.5 to 11.5, when measured at 1 wt.% dilution in de-ionised water at 27°C. The composition of the present invention includes a carbonate builder to deliver the desired level of pH to the composition. Preferably, the composition may include further alkaline carbonate which is selected from bicarbonates and semi-bicarbonates. The composition may preferably include a buffer.

Optional ingredients

The detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include one or more of the optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of cleaning and care ingredients. The optional ingredients include one or more adjunct cleaning additives selected from polymers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizer, brightening agents, hueing agent, bleach, chelating agent, humectant, perfume, filler or carrier, an alkalinity system, a buffer or combinations thereof. Polymers:

The composition of the present invention may preferably include polymers which provide cleaning or care benefits.

The cleaning polymer includes but is not limited to soil release polymer, carboxylate polymers, antiredeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, care polymers, dye-transfer inhibiting polymer, amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers, clay soil cleaning polymers, soil suspending polymers or mixtures thereof.

Suitable carboxylate polymer includes polymers such as a maleate/acrylate random copolymer or polyacrylate homopolymer. Suitable carboxylate polymers include polyacrylate homopolymers having a molecular weight of from 4,000 Da to 9,000 Da; maleate/acrylate random copolymers having a molecular weight of from 30,000 Da to 100,000 Da, or from 50,000 Da to 100,000 Da, or from 60,000 Da to 80,000 Da.

Also suitable are homopolymeric or copolymeric carboxylic acids, such as polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid or Methacrylic acid with maleic acid and maleic acid with vinyl methyl ether, these polymeric acids being present as free acids or preferably as sodium salts. Preferred representatives of this group are sodium polyacrylate and sodium salts of acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers having a weight ratio of acrylic acid: maleic acid of 10: 1 to 1 : 1 , preferably 7: 1 to 2: 1. These compounds generally have molecular weights of 3,000 to 150,000, preferably 5,000 to 100,000.

Soil release polymers are designed to modify the surface of the fabric to facilitate the ease of removal of soil. Typically soil release polymers are based on or derivatives of polyethylene glycol/vinyl acetate copolymers or polyethylene glycol terephthalate polyesters and combinations thereof. Suitable soil release polymers are sold by Clariant under the TexCare® series of polymers, e.g. TexCare® SRN240, TexCare® SRN100, TexCare® SRN 170, TexCare® SRN300, TexCare® SRN325, TexCare® SRA100 and TexCare® SRA300. Other suitable soil release polymers are sold by Rhodia under the Repel-o-Tex® series of polymers, e.g. Repel-o-Tex® SF2, Repel-o- Tex® SRP6 and Repel-o-Tex® Crystal. A preferred polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyester soil release polymer, both end-capped and non-end-capped sulphonated PET/POET polymers, both end-capped and non-end-capped unsulphonated PET/POET polymers or combinations thereof.

Preferably the levels of these soil release polymer in the adjunct particle is from 3 wt.% to 15wt.% at least 5 wt%, still preferably at least 6wt%, still preferably at least 6.5wt%, most preferably at least 7wt%, but typically not more than 14wt%, still preferably not more than 13wt%, most preferably not more than 12wt%.

Anti-redeposition polymers are designed to suspend or disperse soil. Typically, antiredeposition polymers are polyethylene glycol polymers, polycarboxylate polymers, polyethyleneimine polymers or mixtures thereof. Such polymers are available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan®CP5 (neutralised form) and Sokalan®CP45 (acidic form). Suitable antiredeposition polymers are ethoxylated and or propoxylated polyethylene imine or polycarboxylate materials, for example, acrylic acid-based homo or copolymers available under the trademark ACLISOL from Dow Chemical, Alcosperse from Akzonobel or Sokolan from BASF.

Suitable care polymers include cellulosic polymers that are cationically modified or hydrophobically modified. Such modified cellulosic polymers can provide anti- abrasion benefits and dye lock benefits to fabric during the laundering cycle. Suitable cellulosic polymers include cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose. Other suitable care polymers include dye lock polymers, for example the condensation oligomer produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorhydrin, preferably in ratio of 1 :4:1. A suitable commercially available dye lock polymer is Polyquart® FDI (Cognis).

Preferably the adjunct particle includes from 0.01% to 10%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of care polymer.

Examples of suitable sequestering polymers are DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate type sequestering polymers sold by Monsanto and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. The cleaning composition preferably includes from 0.05 to 0.5 wt.% sequestrants, The sequestrant is preferably HEDP. More preferably the composition is substantially free of phosphate based sequestering polymers. By substantially free, it is meant herein that no phosphate based sequestering polymers is deliberately added.

Enzymes:

The composition of the present invention preferably includes one or more enzymes. Preferred examples of the enzymes include those which provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits. Preferably the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, mannanase or mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, xyloglucanase, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, G-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, or mixtures thereof. A typical combination is an enzyme cocktail that may comprise, for example, a protease and lipase in conjunction with one or more of amylase, mannanase and cellulase. When present in a detergent composition, the aforementioned additional enzymes may be present at levels from about 0.00001% to about 2%, from about 0.0001% to about 1% or from 0.001% to about 0.5% enzyme protein by weight of the detergent composition.

In one aspect preferred enzymes would include a protease. Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases, including neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases, such as subtilisins (EC 3.4.21.62). Suitable proteases include those known to a person skilled in the art and preferably from animal, vegetable or microbial origin. In one aspect, such suitable protease may be of microbial origin. The suitable proteases include chemically or genetically modified mutants of the aforementioned suitable proteases. In one aspect, the suitable protease may be a serine protease, such as an alkaline microbial protease or/and a trypsin-type protease. Suitable commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Durazym®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase Ultra®, Savinase Ultra®, Ovozyme®, Neutrase®, Everlase® and Esperase® by Novozymes A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase®, Maxaca®l, Maxapem®, Properase®, Purafect®, Purafect Prime®, Purafect Ox®, FN3®, FN4®, 10 Excellase® and Purafect OXP® by Genencor International, those sold under the tradename Opticlean® and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes.

Suitable alpha-amylases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants (variants) are included. A preferred alkaline alphaamylase is derived from a strain of Bacillus, such as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or other Bacillus sp. Suitable commercially available alpha-amylases include DURAMYL®, LIQUEZYME®, TERMAMYL®, TERMAMYL ULTRA®, NATALASE®, SUPRAMYL®, STAINZYME®, STAINZYME PLUS®, FUNGAMYL® and BAN® (Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), 15 KEMZYM® AT 9000 Biozym Biotech Trading GmbH Wehlistrasse 27b A- 1200 Wien Austria, RAPIDASE®, PURASTAR®, ENZYSIZE®, OPTISIZE HT PLUS®, POWERASE® and PURASTAR OXAM® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California) and KAM® (Kao, 14-10 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, 1-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo 103-8210, Japan). In one aspect, suitable amylases include NATALASE®, STAINZYME and STAINZYME PLUS® and mixtures thereof.

In one aspect, such enzymes may be selected from the group consisting of: lipases, including "first cycle lipases". In one aspect, the lipase is a first-wash lipase, preferably a variant of the wild-type lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus comprising one or more of the T231 R and N233R mutations. The wild-type sequence is the 269 amino acids (amino acids 23 — 291) of the Swissprot accession number Swiss-Prot 059952 (derived from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Humicola lanuginosa)). Preferred lipases would include those sold under the tradenames Lipex® and Lipolex®.

In one aspect, other preferred enzymes include microbial-derived endoglucanases exhibiting endo-beta-1 , 4-glucanase activity (E.C. 3.2. L4). Suitable endoglucanases are sold under the tradenames Celluclean® and Whitezyme® (Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). Other preferred enzymes include pectate lyases sold under the tradenames Pectawash®, Pectaway®, Xpect® and mannanases sold under the tradenames Mannaway® (all from Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), and Purabrite® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California).

Enzyme stabilizing system:

The enzyme-containing compositions described herein may optionally comprise from 0.001% to 10%, in some examples from about 0.005% to about 8%, and in other examples, from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight of the composition, of an enzyme stabilizing system. Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the solid laundry composition.

Brightening agents:

Optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents may be incorporated at levels from 0.01 % to 1.2%, by weight of the composition. Commercial brighteners suitable for the present invention can be classified into subgroups, including but not limited to: derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, benzoxazoles, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5, 5- dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Preferred commercially available Brighteners includes Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation, Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. The brighteners may be added in particulate form or as a premix with a suitable solvent, for example nonionic surfactant, monoethanolamine, propane diol.

Fabric hueing agents:

The composition may comprise a fabric hueing agent (sometimes referred to as shading, bluing or whitening agents). Typically, the hueing agent provides a blue or violet shade to fabric. Hueing agents can be used either alone or in combination to create a specific shade of hueing and/or to shade different fabric types. This may be provided for example by mixing a red and green-blue dye to yield a blue or violet shade. Hueing agents may be selected from any known chemical class of dye, including but not limited to acridine, anthraquinone (including polycyclic quinones), azine, azo (e.g., monoazo, disazo, trisazo, tetrakisazo, polyazo), including 30 premetallized azo, benzodifurane and benzodifuranone, carotenoid, coumarin, cyanine, diazahemicyanine, diphenylmethane, formazan, hemicyanine, indigoids, methane, naphthalimides, naphthoquinone, nitro and nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanine, pyrazoles, stilbene, styryl, triarylmethane, triphenylmethane, xanthenes and mixtures thereof. Suitable fabric hueing agents include dyes, dye-clay conjugates, and organic and inorganic pigments.

Perfume/Fragrance:

Perfume are well known in the art and are preferably incorporated into compositions described herein at level of 0.1 wt.% to 5 wt%. The fragrance may be selected from encapsulated fragrance, microcapsules, fragrance oil or mixtures thereof. Preferably the perfume is a plant derived perfume.

Additional optional surfactants

The detergent composition may include cationic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof. Suitable amphoteric surfactant includes cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.

Most preferably the solid laundry composition of the present invention includes 0 wt.% cationic surfactant. Most preferably the solid laundry composition of the present invention includes 0 wt.% fatty acid diethanolamide. Most preferably the solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention includes 0 wt.% SiOx supported silver.

Fillers:

The detergent composition preferably includes fillers and flow aid selected from calcite, dolomite, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride, clays and combinations thereof.

Antifoam

Preferably the detergent composition includes an antifoaming agent. Preferably the antifoaming agent s present in an amount ranging from 0.1 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%, still preferably from 0.1 to 0.25 wt.%. According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of treating a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the solid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) washing the textile surface with the wash liquor; iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface; and, iv) contacting the laundered textile surface to a skin surface, contacting a skin surface with the wash liquor of step (ii) during the washing process or both to a skin surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of treating a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the solid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) washing the textile surface with the wash liquor; iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface; and, iv) contacting the laundered textile surface to a skin surface.

Preferably the washing of the textile surface may be carried out by a manual hand washing process or a machine-washing process. Preferably during the washing process the skin surface may come in contact with the aqueous wash liquor, especially during the hand washing process. The skin surface may also come in contact with the detergent composition, for example during dispensing the detergent composition. The contact of the skin surface with the wash liquor and /or the detergent composition is gentle on the skin microbiome, especially the good bacteria and the commensals.

Preferably after the washing process, the laundered textile may carry some amount of the detergent composition which gets deposited during the laundering process but not completed rinsed off. When the skin surface comes in contact with such textile article upon wearing, the deposited detergent composition on the textile article is gentle on the skin microbiome even when the fabric is worn for prolonged period of time. The term skin microbiome refers to a population, which includes one or more microorganisms that live on the skin surface. The population may have one or more beneficial functions and/or benefits, relevant to supporting the health of the skin surface.

The term beneficial microorganism as used herein includes bacteria that are beneficial to humans, for example to the health of the human skin, these typically include the good bacteria and the commensal bacteria. The beneficial microorganism may assist in limiting or reducing a concentration of the pathogenic microorganism for example, by exhausting a food source or produce by-products which are generally harmful to the pathogenic microorganisms.

"Biome-friendly" or “microbiome friendly” refers to a product or an article in contact with the skin surface which allows for minimal disruption of a microbiome present on the skin surface. The product includes a consumer product such as the solid laundry detergent composition or an aqueous liquor comprising the solid detergent composition. The article may include a textile article post laundering which textile article may include deposits of the detergent composition post laundering.

According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is the use of a combination of alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate, carbonate builder, 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, wherein the composition comprises wherein the composition comprises a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :10 for providing a detergent composition which is gentle on the good bacteria and commensal bacteria of the skin surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is the use of a combination of alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate, carbonate builder, 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, wherein the composition comprises wherein the composition comprises a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :10 for providing a skin microbiome safe and friendly detergent composition.

According to another aspect of the present invention disclosed is the use of an alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, carbonate builder, 0 to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, wherein the composition comprises a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :10 in a solid detergent composition to provide at least 2 log reduction, preferably from 2 log to 4 log of pathogenic skin bacterial microbiome.

Skin microbiome (also called skin microbiota) is an ecosystem of bacteria on the skin’s surface. It works to guard skin against pathogens that could affect skin and overall health. When skin microbiome is balanced, skin looks and feels healthy. However, it can become unbalanced when there’s more harmful bacteria than helpful bacteria, leading to issues like dryness and itching. Laundry detergent composition having LAS generally also remove or harm the skin microbiota as its antimicrobial action does not differentiate between good, commensal and bad bacteria.

Examples

Example 1 : Evaluation of the effect of a solid detergent composition on the bacteria present on the skin surface.

Different solid powder laundry detergent compositions as shown in Table 1 was prepared and used for the evaluation of influence of the composition on different types of bacteria using the ASTM 2783 method. 2 different solid detergent composition were taken for the evaluation with different levels of the LAS surfactant as shown in the table 1 below.

LAS = Linear C12 alkyl benzene sulphonate

PAS = Primary alkyl sulphate surfactant Bleach system = sodium percarbonate and TAED

Table 1

ASTM 2783 assessment of antimicrobial activity of different detergent composition:

4 grams of the detergent composition as shown in Table 1 was diluted using 1 litre of sterilized hard water (water hardness 25FH Ca:Mg 4:1) to prepare a detergent solution. The prepared detergent solution was then tested for antimicrobial activity in accordance to the ASTM standard test protocol E2783.1360915-1 (Standard Test Method for Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity for Water Miscible Compounds Using a Time-Kill Procedural) on different representative skin microbes as given below.

Good bacteria: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis Commensal bacteria: Micrococcus luteus and Corynebacterium xerosis Pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus Escherichia coli and Enterococcus hirae were also included in the test

Experimental conditions:

The antibacterial activity test is set up with one concentration of test product solution as described above at dosage of 4 grams/ litre and at a 30-minute contact time. The test temperature was maintained at 27°C and test organisms were enumerated in duplicate, using standard plating techniques. The antibacterial activity was tested on various microbes using standard ASTM method 2783 and the results obtained were recorded and provided in table 2 below.

A dilution/aliquot of each detergent composition mentioned in table

1 is separately brought into contact with a known population of test bacteria listed in table 2 for 30 minutes at a specified temperature of 27°C. At the end of the 30- minute time the activity of the test bacteria is quenched with an appropriate neutralizing technique and the samples were collected. The number surviving microorganisms in the sample is then enumerated. The log₁₀ reduction, from an initial microbial population is calculated and provided in table 2 below.

Table 2

The results on Table 2 show that the detergent composition having a combination of PAS surfactant, alkaline source and no bleach, no LAS and having a nonionic surfactant which is present in a specific claimed weight ratio according to the present invention (Ex 1), when used is gentle on skin microbiome (good bacteria and commensals) as compared to the comparative composition (Ex A). Further it was observed that the detergent composition according to the present invention achieved good kill of pathogenic bacteria (approx, at least log 2.5 reduction).

Claims

25

Claims

1 A solid laundry detergent composition comprising: i) an alkyl sulphate surfactant; ii) 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant; iii) carbonate builder; iv) 0 wt.% to 3 wt.% bleach system; v) 0 wt.% soap; wherein the composition comprises a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :10.

2 A composition according to claim 1 wherein a 1 wt.% solution of the composition prepared with distilled water and measured at 27°C has a pH ranging from 9 to 12.

3 A composition according to claim 1 wherein the alkyl sulphate surfactant is linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted Cs to Cis alkyl chain.

4 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the carbonate builder is sodium carbonate.

5 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition includes an alkali metal silicate salt, preferably sodium silicate, preferably in an amount ranging from 2 wt. to 18 wt.%, preferably 4 to 10 wt.%.

6 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sodium carbonate builder is present in an amount ranging from 15 wt.% to 30 wt.%, preferably from 15 wt.% to 25 wt.%.

7 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkyl sulphate surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0.5 wt.% to 20 wt.%, preferably 0.5 wt.% to 10 wt.%. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises a total amount of 0.5 to 25 wt.% surfactant which comprises the alkyl sulphate surfactant, nonionic surfactant and preferably the alkyl ether sulphate surfactant . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition includes a plant derived perfume. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition includes an enzyme, preferably selected from the group consisting of protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, mannanase or mixtures thereof. A method of treating a textile surface with the detergent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the solid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) washing the textile surface with the wash liquor; iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface; and, iv) contacting the laundered textile surface to a skin surface, contacting the wash liquor to a skin surface during the washing step (ii) or both to a skin surface. A method of treating a textile surface with the detergent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 11 , the method comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the solid laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) washing the textile surface with the wash liquor; iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface; and, iv) contacting the laundered textile surface to a skin surface. Use of an alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, carbonate builder and 0 to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging 1 to 7 EO group and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 :1.5 to 1 :10 for providing a solid detergent composition which is gentle to good and commensal bacteria and/or does not harm or kill the good bacteria and the commensal bacteria. Use of an alkyl sulphate surfactant, 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, carbonate builder, 0 to 3 wt.% bleach system, 0 wt.% soap, a Cs to Cis alkyl alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant with an average degree of ethoxylation ranging 1 to 7 EO group, and wherein the weight ratio between the alkyl sulphate surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is from 1 : 1 .5 to 1 : 10 in a solid detergent composition to provide at least 2 log reduction, preferably from 2 log to 4 log of pathogenic skin bacterial microbiome.