DESCRIPTION
DETERGENT COMPOSITION
TECHNICAL FIEL5 D
[0001]
The present invention relates to a detergent composition.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-123943, filed June
12, 2013, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
10
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
Neutral salts of sulfonated products of fatty acid alkyl esters are frequently also
referred to as α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts (or α-sulfo fatty acid ester salts), and are
15 surfactants which not only exhibit favorable hard water resistance and biodegradability,
but also offer excellent detergency while being mild on the skin. Further, because α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts are a reusable natural raw material, they are also useful
from the viewpoint of protecting the global environment. Moreover, α-sulfo fatty acid
alkyl ester salts are available commercially in the form of flakes and powders and the
20 like, and each of these types of commercial product are readily available.
For the reasons outlined above, α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts are often
blended into detergents for textile products such as clothing.
[0003]
However, α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts have a distinctive raw material odor,
25 and when added to detergents, tend to cause an unpleasant odor that can adversely effect
2
the fragrance of the product. For example, in the case of a granular detergent product in
which a granular detergent is stored inside a sealed container, when the container is
opened to use the granular detergent product, the odor that has accumulated in the head
space inside the container can sometimes cause the user some unpleasantness.
Further, in order to differentiate a detergent composition and enhance it5 s
commercial value, a fragrance is often added to the detergent in order to impart a
favorable aroma. However, if the detergent contains an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt,
then the odor of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt may inhibit the development of the
aroma from the fragrance, which can impair the commercial value.
10 It is known that the substances responsible for the odors derived from α-sulfo
fatty acid alkyl ester salts (namely, the odorous components) are lactones (lactonecontaining
compounds). It is thought that these odorous components are generated
during the production process or the like as a result of decomposition of the α-sulfo fatty
acid alkyl ester salt itself or impurities derived from the natural raw materials (paragraph
15 [0032] of Patent Document 1).
PRIOR ART LITERATURE
Patent Documents
[0004]
20 Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication
No. 2005-187579
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
25 [0005]
3
The present invention has been developed in light of the above circumstances,
and has an object of providing a detergent composition with a favorable aroma in which
the effects of odors derived from α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts are suppressed.
Means for Solving the Problem5 s
[0006]
As a result of intensive investigation, the inventors of the present invention
obtained the following findings.
If a specific amount of a fragrance component (fragrance (A)) selected from a
10 group consisting of 12 specific compounds is added to a detergent composition
containing an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, then an effect is obtained in which the
unpleasant odor caused by odorous components derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester salt is suppressed, and another effect is obtained in which any inhibition by the
aforementioned odorous components on the development of the aroma from another
15 fragrance (fragrance (B)) that is added for the purpose of differentiating the detergent
composition is also suppressed. As a result, the true aroma of the fragrance (B) is able to
develop, meaning the detergent composition has a favorable aroma.
When these effects were investigated further, the inventors discovered that the
amount of alkyl methyl ketones having an alkyl chain length of 4 to 8 contained within
20 the head space portion when a detergent composition containing an α-sulfo fatty acid
alkyl ester salt was stored in a sealed container was a particularly effective indicator of
the above effects. In other words, the smaller the amount of these alkyl methyl ketones,
the less the unpleasant odor caused by the odorous components derived from the α-sulfo
fatty acid alkyl ester salt, meaning the development of the aroma of the fragrance (B) was
25 less likely to be inhibited, resulting in an improved product aroma.
4
The present invention was developed on the basis of the above findings, and has
the aspects described below.
[0007]
A first aspect of the present invention is a detergent composition containing an α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherei5 n
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) described below, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
10 mass of the detergent composition.
Fragrance (A): a fragrance composed of at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex,
tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and habanolide.
15 [0008]
A second aspect of the present invention is a detergent composition containing an
α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
20 the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) described below,
the amount of the fragrance composition is from 0.25 to 1% by mass relative to
the total mass of the detergent composition, and the amount of the fragrance (A) within
the fragrance composition is at least 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the
fragrance composition.
5
Fragrance (A): a fragrance composed of at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex,
tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super, and habanolide.
[00095 ]
In the detergent composition of the aforementioned first aspect or second aspect,
it is preferable that the fragrance composition also contains a fragrance (B) described
below, wherein the mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B),
represented by (mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more
10 than 10.
Fragrance (B): a fragrance composed of at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, allyl cyclohexyl
propionate, triplal, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether,
citronellyl nitrile, dodecane nitrile, menthone, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-
15 methylvalerate, citronellal, patchouli oil, n-heptanal, n-octanal, n-nonanal, 1-decanal,
undecanal, dodecanal, 2-methylundecanal, 10-undecenal, terpineol-4, menthol, styralyl
acetate, butyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, prenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate,
allyl amyl glycolate, cis-3-hexenol, ethyl 2-cyclohexyl propionate, fruitate, allyl
hexanoate, allyl heptanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, isomenthone,
20 isocyclocitral, octyl isobutyrate, benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, 1,4-cineole, allyl ionone,
floropal, linalool oxide, rose oxide, cyclogalbanate, α-dynascone, α-damascone, β-
damascone, γ-damascone, δ-damascone, β-damascenone, methyl heptenone, L-carvone,
geranial, neral, 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol, methyl pamplemousse, 3-methyl-1-isobutylbutyl
acetate, ethyl butyrate, cashmeran, karanal, cedrol methyl ether, 2,2,6-
6
trimethylcyclohexyl-3-hexanol, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl anthranilate,
spirogalbanone pure, and javanol.
In the detergent composition of the aforementioned first aspect or second aspect,
the fragrance (A) is preferably composed of at least three fragrance components.
In the detergent composition of the aforementioned first aspect or second aspect5 ,
the amount of alkyl methyl ketones measured by the measurement method described
below is preferably not more than 5.3 ng.
(Method for measuring amount of alkyl methyl ketones)
Three grams of the detergent composition is weighed accurately and placed in a
10 sealable container with a capacity of 20 mL, the container is sealed, and following
standing for 30 minutes in a 40°C thermostatic chamber, a solid-phase microextraction
fiber is exposed for one hour at 40°C within the head space portion inside the container,
thereby extracting the alkyl methyl ketones having an alkyl group with a carbon number
of 4 to 8 from the head space portion. Following this extraction, the solid-phase
15 microextraction fiber is analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
apparatus, the total amount (ng) of the aforementioned alkyl methyl ketones extracted
from the head space portion is determined, and that value is deemed the amount of alkyl
methyl ketones.
20 Effects of the Invention
[0010]
The present invention is able to provide a detergent composition with a favorable
aroma in which the effects of odors derived from α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts are
suppressed.
25
7
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0011]
<>
A detergent composition of the first aspect of the present invention (hereafter also
referred to as the detergent composition (1)) contains an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester sal5 t
and a fragrance composition.
[0012]
<α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt>
The α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is a type of anionic surfactant, and functions
10 as a detergent component.
Examples of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt include compounds represented
by general formula (I) shown below.
R1-CH(SO3M)-CO-O-R2 ... (I)
In the formula, R1 represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having a carbon number of
15 6 to 20, R2 represents an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 6, and M represents
a counter ion.
[0013]
The alkyl group or alkenyl group for R1 may be linear or branched. From the
viewpoint of the detergency, the carbon number of R1 is typically from 6 to 20,
20 preferably from 10 to 16, and more preferably from 14 to 16.
The alkyl group for R2 may be linear or branched. From the viewpoint of the
detergency, the carbon number of R2 is typically from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 3, and
most preferably 1. In other words, an α-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester (MES) salt is
particularly preferred as the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
8
The counter ion M may be any ion capable of forming a water-soluble salt with
the R1CH(COOR2)SO3
- ion. Examples of this type of salt include alkali metal salts,
alkaline earth metal salts, amine salts and ammonium salts.
Specific examples of the alkali metals include sodium and potassium.
Specific examples of the alkaline earth metals include calcium and magnesium5 .
The amine may be a primary, secondary or tertiary amine. Examples of the
amine include alkanolamines, and the carbon number of the alkanol group is preferably
from 1 to 3. Specific examples of the alkanolamine include monoethanolamine,
diethanolamine and triethanolamine.
10 The salt is preferably an alkali metal salt, and more preferably a sodium salt.
[0014]
The detergent composition (1) may contain a single α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester
salt or two or more α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts.
The amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt within the detergent
15 composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is typically
from 1 to 30% by mass, preferably from 4 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 8 to
30% by mass, and still more preferably from 8 to 20% by mass.
Provided that the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is at least 1% by
mass, the effect of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt in improving the detergency
20 performance can be enhanced, and provided the amount is not more than 30% by mass,
the effects of the invention in suppressing the effects of the odors derived from the α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt on the aroma of the product (for example, the suppression
effect on the unpleasantness resulting from odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid
alkyl ester salt, and in the case where a fragrance (B) is also included in the detergent
9
composition, the suppression effect on any inhibition by the aforementioned odors on the
development of the aroma from the fragrance (B)) are more effective.
[0015]
A commercially available product may be used as the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester salt, or a salt produced using a conventional production method may be used5 .
An example of a commercially available α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is the
product MIZULAN manufactured by Lion Eco Chemicals Sdn. Bhd.
Examples of methods for producing α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts include the
methods disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 2004-111166 pamphlet
10 and International Patent Publication No. WO 2009-054406 pamphlet.
For example, an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester can be obtained by sulfonating a
fatty acid alkyl ester, and by neutralizing the sulfo group of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester with an alkali, an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is obtained. The alkali used in
the neutralization corresponds with the aforementioned counter ion M.
15 In the above production method, if necessary, an esterification may be performed
using an alcohol such as methanol, following the sulfonation but prior to the
neutralization. If an esterification step is performed, then in those cases when SO3
bimolecular adducts remain within the reaction product, the alkoxy portions of those SO3
bimolecular adducts are esterified, thus accelerating SO3 elimination. As a result, the
20 production of by-products is suppressed, and the purity of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester within the reaction product improves.
In the production method described above, if necessary, a bleaching treatment
using a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide may be performed, either before or
after the aforementioned neutralization step, in order to adjust the color tone of the α-
25 sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt to a color close to white.
10
The product (for example, α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt) obtainable after
neutralization or breaching treatment is in a paste state having a solid content of 50 to
80% by mass. If necessary, the product may be subjected to condensation treatment,
powdering treatment and the like.
The paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt obtained in the manner describe5 d
above typically contains, in addition to the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt itself, α-sulfo
fatty acid dialkali salts (such as salts in which R2 in the general formula (s1) shown
above is substituted with another counter ion M. Hereafter these salts are sometimes
referred to as disalts). Further, the product may also contain trace amounts of other by10
products (including organic substances such as methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, propyl
sulfate, lower and intermediate carboxylic acids and esters thereof, ketones and
aldehydes, and inorganic substances such as sodium sulfate). In the paste-like α-sulfo
fatty acid alkyl ester salt, the amounts of the various components, relative to the total
mass of the paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, may typically include 40 to 80%
15 by mass of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt (as a pure fraction), 0 to 3% by mass of a
zeolite, 1 to 10% by mass of α-sulfo fatty acid dialkali salts, 1 to 10% by mass of methyl
sulfate, 1 to 10% by mass of sodium sulfate, 10 to 40% by mass of moisture, and trace
amounts of other by-products.
[0016]
20 In those cases when a powdered α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is to be used
during production of the detergent composition, the paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester salt obtained from the above production method, or the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester
intermediate product, may be subjected to a powdering treatment.
11
Although there are no particular limitations on the method used for producing a
powdered α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, examples include the methods described
below.
1. A method in which a paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt obtained in
the manner described above is dissolved in a solvent such as water to form a slurry, and 5 a
drying step such as spray drying is then performed to form a powder.
2. A method in which the solvent fraction such as the methanol fraction of a
paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt obtained in the manner described above is
removed by flash distillation or the like, or the moisture fraction is evaporated to
10 generate a concentrated state, and a granulation is then performed.
3. A method in which the moisture fraction of a paste-like α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester salt obtained in the manner described above is evaporated to generate a
concentrated state, and a solid obtained by using a drum flaker or belt cooler or the like
to cool the concentrated material is then pulverized or granulated.
15 4. A method in which an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester obtained in the manner
described above is neutralized while undergoing granulation with an alkali component.
The granulation can be performed using a conventional granulation method such
as extrusion granulation, agitation granulation or rolling granulation.
[0017]
20
The fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) described below.
Fragrance (A): a fragrance composed of at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex,
25 tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super, and habanolide.
12
The fragrance component that constitutes the fragrance (A) may be one or more
components selected from the above 12 components. In terms of achieving superior
effects for the present invention, the fragrance (A) is preferably composed of at least 3
fragrance components from among the above 12 components.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains at least one fragrance component selecte5 d
from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate
and tricyclodecenyl propionate.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and
10 habanolide.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains a combination of at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate,
15 tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide. In such a case, the mass ratio between the at least
one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol,
isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and the at least
20 one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic
aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide is preferably 1:1.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains a combination of at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragrance
25 component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and
13
vertenex. In such a case, the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and the at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and
vertenex is preferably 1:5 1.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains a combination of at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex. In such a
10 case, the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and
habanolide, and the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting
of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is preferably 1:1.
The fragrance (A) preferably contains a combination of at least one fragrance
15 component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E
Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected from the group
consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex. In such a case, the mass
20 ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of
dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate, the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and the at least
one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool,
25 verdox and vertenex is preferably 1:1:1.
14
The fragrance (A) is preferably a combination of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox,
vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and
habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of amyl salicylate5 ,
vertenex and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
lilial and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
10 combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a
15 combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of
verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl
20 propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and
habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of
lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl
25 acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a
15
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate;
a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination
of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination o5 f
amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl acetate
and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
10 acetate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, lilial and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and Iso E
Super; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and habanolide; a combination of
15 isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
20 isobornyl acetate, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, vertenex and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, vertenex and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and amyl
25 salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and Iso E Super; a combination of
16
dihydromyrcenol, lilial and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnami5 c
aldehyde and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
and verdox; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and verdox; a
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of
10 dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and vertenex; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
vertenex and Iso E Super; or a combination of dihydromyrcenol, vertenex and habanolide.
[0018]
The amount of the fragrance (A) in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
total mass of the detergent composition (1), is typically from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass,
15 preferably from 0.09 to 0.5% by mass, and more preferably from 0.21 to 0.5% by mass.
By ensuring that the amount of the fragrance (A) in the detergent composition (1) is at
least 0.07% by mass, any deterioration in the product aroma due to odors derived from
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is suppressed. Further, when the composition also
contains the fragrance (B) described below, inhibition of the development of the aroma
20 from the fragrance (B) due to the aforementioned odors is also suppressed. As a result,
the aroma of the product is favorable.
In the present embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the amount of
the fragrance (A) within the fragrance composition, provided that the amount of the
fragrance (A) relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1) falls within the
25 range from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass.
17
The amount of the fragrance (A) within the fragrance composition, relative to the
total mass of the fragrance composition, is typically at least 20% by mass, preferably at
least 30% by mass, and more preferably 50% by mass or greater. More specifically, the
amount is preferably from 70 to 90% by mass, and more preferably from 80 to 90% by
mass5 .
Further, there are no particular limitations on the amount of the fragrance
composition in the detergent composition (1), provided that the amount of the fragrance
(A) relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1) falls within the range from
0.07 to 0.5% by mass. Specifically, the amount of the fragrance composition relative to
10 the total mass of the detergent composition (1) is typically from 0.25 to 1% by mass,
preferably from 0.25 to 0.7% by mass, and more preferably from 0.25 to 0.5% by mass.
By ensuring that the amount of the fragrance composition in the detergent
composition (1) is at least 0.25% by mass relative to the total mass of the detergent
composition (1), and that the amount of the fragrance (A) within the fragrance
15 composition is at least 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the fragrance
composition, any deterioration in the product aroma due to odors derived from the α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is suppressed. Further, when the composition also
contains the fragrance (B), inhibition of the development of the aroma from the fragrance
(B) due to the aforementioned odors is also suppressed. As a result, the aroma of the
20 product is favorable.
[0019]
The fragrance composition may, if required, include fragrance components other
than the fragrance (A), and solvents and the like.
There are no particular limitations on the fragrance components other than the
25 fragrance (A), and fragrances may be selected appropriately from known fragrances.
18
Lists of fragrance raw materials that can be used are disclosed in various documents,
including "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals", Vol. I and II, Steffen Arctander, Allured Pub.
Co. (1994); "Gousei kouryou kagaku to shouhin chishiki" (Synthetic Fragrance
Chemistry and Product Knowledge), Motoichi Indo, published by The Chemical Daily
Co., Ltd. (1996); "Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin", Steffen Arctander5 ,
Allured Pub. Co. (1994); "Kaori no Hyakka" (Encyclopedia of Fragrances), edited by
Japan Flavor and Fragrance Materials Association, Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd. (1989);
"Perfumery Material Performance V.3.3", Boelens Aroma Chemical Information Service
(1996); and "Flower oils and Floral Compounds In Perfumery", Danute Lajaujis Anonis,
10 Allured Pub. Co. (1993).
[0020]
The fragrance composition preferably contains the fragrance (B) described below
as a fragrance component other than the fragrance (A). The fragrance (B) has a stronger
aroma than the fragrance (A), and is used for imparting a distinctive aroma to the product.
15 The fragrance (A) itself is not a fragrance component with a particularly strong
aroma, but including at least a certain amount of the fragrance (A) in the present
invention enables the effects of the odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester
salt to be suppressed. Accordingly, the development of the aroma of the fragrance (B) is
more favorable than the case where the fragrance (A) is not included, making it easier to
20 achieve the perfume effect provided by the fragrance (B).
Fragrance (B): a fragrance composed of at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, allyl cyclohexyl
propionate, triplal, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether,
citronellyl nitrile, dodecane nitrile, menthone, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-
25 methylvalerate, citronellal, patchouli oil, n-heptanal, n-octanal, n-nonanal, 1-decanal,
19
undecanal, dodecanal, 2-methylundecanal, 10-undecenal, terpineol-4, menthol, styralyl
acetate, butyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, prenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate,
allyl amyl glycolate, cis-3-hexenol, ethyl 2-cyclohexyl propionate, fruitate, allyl
hexanoate, allyl heptanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, isomenthone,
isocyclocitral, octyl isobutyrate, benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, 1,4-cineole, allyl ionone5 ,
floropal, linalool oxide, rose oxide, cyclogalbanate, α-dynascone, α-damascone, β-
damascone, γ-damascone, δ-damascone, β-damascenone, methyl heptenone, L-carvone,
geranial, neral, 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol, methyl pamplemousse, 3-methyl-1-isobutylbutyl
acetate, ethyl butyrate, cashmeran, karanal, cedrol methyl ether, 2,2,6-
10 trimethylcyclohexyl-3-hexanol, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl anthranilate,
spirogalbanone pure, and javanol.
The fragrance component that constitutes the fragrance (B) may be one or more
of the above components.
Among the above components, in order to achieve better aroma development, the
15 fragrance component that constitutes the fragrance (B) is preferably at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, allyl
cyclohexyl propionate, triplal, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl
ether, citronellyl nitrile, dodecane nitrile, menthone, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-
methylvalerate, citronellal and patchouli oil. Among these, at least one fragrance
20 component selected from the group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole,
camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone,
citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-
methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and patchouli oil is more preferred. In particular,
the fragrance (B) most preferably includes allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole,
25 camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone,
20
citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-
methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and patchouli oil.
In terms of the combination of the fragrance (A) and the fragrance (B), a
combination of a fragrance (A) containing at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetat5 e
and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and a fragrance (B) containing at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole,
camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone,
citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-
10 methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and patchouli oil is preferred. Further, a
combination of a fragrance (A) containing at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and
habanolide, and a fragrance (B) containing at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl
15 oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane
nitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate
and patchouli oil is also preferred.
Furthermore, a combination of a fragrance (A) containing at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and
20 vertenex, and a fragrance (B) containing at least one fragrance component selected from
the group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide,
β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil is also preferred. Moreover, a combination of a fragrance (A) containing at
25 least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol,
21
isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
a fragrance (B) containing at least one fragrance component selected from the grou5 p
consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil is more preferred.
10 Further, a fragrance (A) composed of at least one combination selected from the
group consisting of: a combination of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex,
tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and habanolide; a
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl
15 acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex
and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
20 combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a
25 combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
22
combination of amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of
verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl
propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate an5 d
habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of
lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl
10 acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate;
a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination
15 of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of
amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl acetate
and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
20 acetate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, lilial and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and Iso E
Super; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and habanolide; a combination of
25 isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of
23
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexy5 l
cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, vertenex and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, vertenex and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and amyl
10 salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, lilial and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
15 tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic
aldehyde and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
and verdox; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and verdox; a
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of
20 dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and vertenex; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
vertenex and Iso E Super; and a combination of dihydromyrcenol, vertenex and
habanolide, and
a fragrance (B) composed of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor,
diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal,
24
dodecane nitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-
methylvalerate and patchouli oil is particularly preferred.
[0021]
When the fragrance composition includes the fragrance (B), the amount of the
fragrance (B) within the fragrance composition is an amount that results in a mass rati5 o
of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by (mass of fragrance
(A))/(mass of fragrance (B)) (hereafter also referred to as A/B), that is at least 1 but not
more than 10. In other words, the amount of the fragrance (B) relative to 100 parts by
mass of the fragrance (A) is at least 10 parts by mass but not more than 100 parts by
10 mass. A/B is preferably at least 1 but not more than 9, and more preferably at least 1 but
not more than 7.
The value of A/B in the fragrance composition is the same as the value of A/B in
the detergent composition (1).
[0022]
15 The variety and amounts of the fragrance components in the detergent
composition can be determined by adjusting the variety and amounts of the raw materials
used during production. Alternatively, the variety and amounts of the fragrance
components may be confirmed by analyzing the detergent composition following
production.
20 Analysis of the detergent composition (analysis of the variety and amounts of the
components in the fragrances (A) and (B)) can be performed using typical methods. For
example, in the case of a granular detergent composition, analysis of the fragrance
components of the fragrances (A) and (B) and the like may be performed by liquid
extraction, using the procedure outlined below. In the method described below,
25 quantification is performed using an internal standard. Any substance having a (peak)
25
retention time that does not overlap with those of the fragrance components can be used
as the internal standard, and examples include hydrocarbons such as n-tetradecane.
[0023]
[Method for analyzing fragrance components in granular detergent compositions]
1. One gram of the granular detergent composition is weighed accurately into 5 a
vial with a capacity of 20 mL, and a mixed solution of diethyl ether/acetone = 9/1
(volumetric ratio) (1 mL) containing n-tetradecane at a concentration of 100 ppm as an
internal standard is added to the vial.
2. Subsequently, water (5 mL) and a mixed solution of diethyl ether/acetone =
10 9/1 (volumetric ratio) (5 mL) are added to the vial, and following mixing using a vortex
mixer, the supernatant is transferred to a measuring flask (capacity: 20 mL).
3. The operations described above in 2 are repeated twice, the supernatant that
has been transferred to the measuring flask is made up to a constant volume with a mixed
solution of diethyl ether/acetone = 9/1 (volumetric ratio) (although being an internal
15 standard method, a constant volume is not essential), an appropriate amount of sodium
sulfate is added and shaken, and following standing for 10 minutes, the supernatant is
filtered through a filter with a pore size of 0.45 μm to obtain a test solution.
4. The obtained test solution is analyzed using a GC-MS (Agilent 7890/5975C,
manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc.) and an HP-INNOWax column (length: 30
20 m, inner diameter: 0.25 mm, film thickness: 0.25 μm), under conditions including a
measurement temperature that is held at 35°C for 3 minutes, increased to 205°C at a rate
of 4°C/minute, and then further increased to 250°C at 10°C/minute, helium as the carrier
gas, an injection temperature of 250°C, an interface temperature of 250°C, and a splitless
injection method.
26
5. Based on the results from 4 above, and using the peak area values in the mass
chromatogram, the internal standard method is used to quantify the fragrance
components (such as the fragrance components that constitute the fragrance (A)) in the
test solution. Based on the resulting values and the weight of the weighed granular
detergent composition, the amount (%) of the fragrance (A) can be calculated as a weigh5 t
percentage of the total of all the fragrance components that constitute the fragrance (A)
per unit of weight of the granular detergent composition. The amount (%) of the
fragrance (B) can be calculated in a similar manner.
[0024]
10 There are no particular limitations on the solvent for the fragrance composition,
and solvents commonly known as solvents for fragrance components may be used.
Specific examples include the same solvents as those listed below as examples of
optional components. Among these solvents, ethanol, isopropanol, glycerol, ethylene
glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol are preferred. The
15 amount of the solvent in the fragrance composition, relative to the total mass of the
fragrance composition, is preferably from 40 to 80% by mass, and more preferably from
50 to 70% by mass.
There are no particular limitations on the amount of the fragrance composition in
the detergent composition (1), provided that the amount of the fragrance (A) falls within
20 the range described above.
[0025]

The detergent composition (1) may, if required, include other components besides
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and the fragrance composition. Examples of these
25 other components include surfactants other than α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts,
27
detergency builders, colorants, fluorescent brighteners, bleaching agents, bleach
activators, bleach activation catalysts, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, polymers, caking
inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, reducing agents, clay minerals, fiber-treating silicone
compounds, ultraviolet absorbers, pH modifiers, antioxidants, preservatives and process
agents. Further, if necessary the detergent composition may also include liquid medi5 a
such as water or solvents.
[0026]
[Surfactants]
Examples of the surfactants other than α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts include
10 anionic surfactants besides α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts, nonionic surfactants,
cationic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants.
[0027]
(Anionic surfactants)
Examples of the anionic surfactants besides α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts
15 include the types of compounds described below.
(1) Linear or branched alkylbenzene sulfonates having an alkyl group with a
carbon number of 8 to 18 (hereafter also abbreviated as "LAS" or "ABS").
(2) Alkane sulfonates having a carbon number of 10 to 20.
(3) α-olefin sulfonates having a carbon number of 10 to 20 (hereafter also
20 abbreviated as "AOS").
(4) Alkyl sulfates or alkenyl sulfates having a carbon number of 10 to 20
(hereafter also abbreviated as "AS").
(5) Alkyl (or alkenyl) ether sulfates having a linear or branched alkyl (or alkenyl)
group with a carbon number of 10 to 20, to which has been added an average of 0.5 to 10
25 mol of any alkylene oxide having a carbon number of 2 to 4, or a mixture of ethylene
28
oxide and propylene oxide (in which the molar ratio between EO and PO satisfies EO/PO
= 0.1/9.9 to 9.9/0.1) (hereafter also abbreviated as "AES").
(6) Alkyl (or alkenyl) phenyl ether sulfates having a linear or branched alkyl
group (or alkenyl group) with a carbon number of 10 to 20, to which has been added an
average of 3 to 30 mol of any alkylene oxide having a carbon number of 2 to 4, or 5 a
mixture of ethylene oxide (hereafter also abbreviated as "EO") and propylene oxide
(hereafter also abbreviated as "PO") (in which the molar ratio between EO and PO
satisfies EO/PO = 0.1/9.9 to 9.9/0.1).
(7) Alkyl (or alkenyl) ether carboxylates having a linear or branched alkyl group
10 (or alkenyl group) with a carbon number of 10 to 20, to which has been added an average
of 0.5 to 10 mol of any alkylene oxide having a carbon number of 2 to 4, or a mixture of
ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (in which the molar ratio between EO and PO
satisfies EO/PO = 0.1/9.9 to 9.9/0.1).
(8) Alkyl polyhydric alcohol ether sulfates such as alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates
15 having a carbon number of 10 to 20.
(9) Long-chain monoalkyl, dialkyl or sesquialkyl phosphates.
(10) Polyoxyethylene monoalkyl, dialkyl or sesquialkyl phosphates.
(11) Soaps.
Examples of the soaps include alkali metal salts, and preferably sodium or
20 potassium salts, of fatty acids having an average carbon number of 10 to 20, and
preferably higher fatty acids having a carbon number of 12 to 18. The alkyl chain of the
fatty acid is preferably linear. In terms of the chain length, soaps of a single chain length
and soaps composed of a mixture containing two or more different chain lengths can both
be used favorably. These anionic surfactants can be used in the form of alkali metal salts
29
such as sodium and potassium salts, amine salts, and ammonium salts and the like.
Further, these anionic surfactants can be used in the form of mixtures.
[0028]
(Nonionic surfactants)
Examples of the nonionic surfactants include the compounds described below5 .
(1) Nonionic surfactants represented by general formula (n1) shown below.
R3-T-[(R4O)p-R5]q ... (n1)
In the formula, R3 represents a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 6
to 22, and preferably an alkyl group or alkenyl group having a carbon number of 8 to 18,
10 and more preferably 12 to 16.
R4 represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 4, and is
preferably an ethylene group.
R5 represents an alkylene group having a carbon number of 1 to 3 or a hydrogen
atom, and is preferably a hydrogen atom.
15 Further, p represents the average number of repeating units of R4O (the average
number of added moles of the alkylene oxide), and is number from 1 to 30, preferably a
number from 3 to 25, and most preferably a number from 5 to 20.
T represents -O-, -N-, -NH-, -N(C2H4OH)-, -COO-, -CON-, -CONH- or -
CON(C2H4OH)-, and when T represents -O-, -NH-, -N(C2H4OH)-, -COO-, -CONH- or -
20 CON(C2H4OH)-, q is 1, whereas when T represents -N- or -CON-, q is 2.
[0029]
Preferred examples of the nonionic surfactants represented by the above general
formula (n1) include compounds represented by general formula (n1-1) shown below.
R3-O-(C2H4O)s(C3H6O)t(C2H4O)u-R5 ... (n1-1)
25 In the formula, R3 and R5 have the same meaning as defined above.
30
Further, s and u each represents the average number of repeating units of an
oxyethylene group (the average number of added moles of ethylene oxide), wherein s is a
number from 2 to 25, and preferably from 5 to 20, and u is a number from 0 to 5.
Moreover, t represents the average number of repeating units of an oxypropylene
group (the average number of added moles of propylene oxide), and is a number from 5 0
to 5.
In the formula (n1-1), in the partial structure represented by
(C2H4O)s(C3H6O)t(C2H4O)u, the (C2H4O) groups and the (C3H6O) groups may be added
randomly or in blocks.
10 [0030]
Among the above nonionic surfactants, preferred compounds include
polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene
polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkenyl ethers.
The aliphatic alcohol used in these compounds may be a primary alcohol or a
15 secondary alcohol, but is preferably a primary alcohol. Further, the alkyl group or
alkenyl group may be either linear or branched.
For example, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having one or more alkyl groups or
alkenyl groups with a carbon number of 12 to 18 is preferable, and compounds in which
an average of 5 to 20 mol of oxyethylene groups have been added are particularly
20 desirable.
[0031]
(2) Polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers or polyoxyethylene alkenyl phenyl
ethers.
(3) Glycerol fatty acid esters.
25 (4) Polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.
31
(5) Polyoxyethylene sorbit fatty acid esters.
(6) Polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters.
(7) Polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil.
These nonionic surfactants may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more compounds may be used5 .
[0032]
Among the nonionic surfactants described above, nonionic surfactants of type (1)
are preferred, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkenyl ethers,
polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene
10 alkenyl ethers, fatty acid methyl ester ethoxylates obtained by adding ethylene oxide to a
fatty acid methyl ester and fatty acid methyl ester ethoxypropxylates obtained by adding
ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to a fatty acid methyl ester, which have a melting
point of 50°C or lower and an HLB value of 9 to 16 can be used particularly favorably.
The "HLB value" mentioned above is a value determined by the Griffin method
15 (see "New Edition Surfactant Handbook", co-edited by Yoshida, Shindo, Ogaki and
Yamanaka, published by Kogyo-Tosho Co., Ltd., 1991, page 234).
Furthermore, the "melting point" mentioned above means a value measured by
the melting point measurement method described in JIS K 0064-1992 "Measurement
methods for melting points and melting ranges of chemical products."
20 [0033]
(Cationic surfactants)
Examples of the cationic surfactants include the compounds described below.
(1) Di(long-chain alkyl) di(short-chain alkyl) quaternary ammonium salts.
(2) Mono(long-chain alkyl) tri(short-chain alkyl) quaternary ammonium salts.
25 (3) Tri(long-chain alkyl) mono(short-chain alkyl) quaternary ammonium salts.
32
The term "long-chain alkyl" describes an alkyl group, or an alkenyl group having
one or more double bonds, with a total carbon number of 12 to 26, and preferably 14 to
18, which may be divided by an ester group and/or an amide group.
The term "short-chain alkyl" includes substituents such as a phenyl group, benzyl
group, hydroxyl group and hydroxyalkyl groups, and may also include an ether linkag5 e
between carbon atoms. Of the various possibilities, preferred groups include an alkyl
group having a carbon number of 1 to 4, and preferably 1 or 2, a benzyl group, a
hydroxyalkyl group having a carbon number of 2 to 4, and preferably 2 or 3, or a
polyoxyalkylene group having a carbon number of 2 to 4, and preferably 2 or 3.
10 The above cationic surfactants may be used individually, or appropriate
combinations containing two or more compounds may be used.
[0034]
(Amphoteric surfactants)
Examples of the amphoteric surfactants include imidazoline-based amphoteric
15 surfactants and amidobetaine-based amphoteric surfactants. Specific examples of
preferred amphoteric surfactants include 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-Nhydroxyethylimidazolinium
betaine and lauric acid amidopropylbetaine.
[0035]
The amount of these surfactants in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
20 total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 10 to 40% by mass, and
more preferably from 10 to 30% by mass.
[0036]
[Detergency builders]
Examples of detergent builders include inorganic builders and organic builders.
33
Examples of the inorganic builders include alkali metal carbonates such as
sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium
sesquicarbonate; alkali metal sulfites such as sodium sulfite and potassium sulfite;
crystalline layered sodium silicate [for example, crystalline alkali metal silicates such as
the product "Na-SKS-6" (δ-Na2O·2SiO2) manufactured by Clariant Japan K.K.] an5 d
amorphous alkali metal silicates; sulfates such as sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate;
amorphous alkali metal silicates such as sodium silicate; alkali metal chlorides such as
sodium chloride and potassium chloride; phosphates such as orthophosphates,
pyrophosphates, tripolyphosphates, metaphosphates, hexametaphosphates and phytates;
10 crystalline aluminosilicates and amorphous aluminosilicates; and complexes of sodium
carbonate and amorphous alkali metal silicates (such as the product "NABION 15"
manufactured by Rhodia Group).
Among the inorganic builders listed above, sodium carbonate, an aluminosilicate,
or a potassium salt (such as potassium carbonate or potassium sulfate) or alkali metal
15 chloride (such as potassium chloride or sodium chloride) which also provides a solubility
improvement effect is preferable.
Either a crystalline or non-crystalline (amorphous) aluminosilicate may be used,
but from the viewpoint of the cation exchange capability, a crystalline aluminosilicate is
preferred.
20 A-type, X-type, Y-type and P-type zeolites and the like can be used favorably as
the crystalline aluminosilicate.
The average primary particle size of the crystalline aluminosilicate is preferably
from 0.1 to 10 μm. The average primary particle size can be measured by normal
methods using a dynamic light-scattering particle size distribution analyzer SALD 2300
25 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).
34
[0037]
Examples of the organic builders include aminocarboxylates such as
nitrilotriacetates (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetates (EDTA), β-alaninediacetates
(ADAA), aspartic acid diacetates (ASDA), methylglycinediacetates (MGDA) and
iminodisuccinates (IDS); hydroxyaminocarboxylates such as serine diacetates5 ,
hydroxyiminodisuccinates (HIDS), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates and
dihydroxyethylglycine salts; hydroxycarboxylates such as hydroxyacetates, tartrates,
citrates and gluconates; cyclocarboxylates such as pyromellitates, benzopolycarboxylates
and cyclopentanetetracarboxylates; ether carboxylates such as a
10 carboxymethyltartronates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, oxydisuccinates and tartaric
acid mono- or disuccinates; polyacetal carboxylates such as polyacrylates, acrylic acidallyl
alcohol copolymer salts, acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer salts and
polyglyoxylates; salts of acrylic acid polymers or copolymers such as hydroxyacrylic
acid polymers and polysaccharide-acrylic acid copolymers; salts of polymers or
15 copolymers of maleic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, tetramethylene 1,2-dicarboxylic
acid, succinic acid and aspartic acid and the like; and polysaccharide derivatives
including polysaccharide oxides such as starch, cellulose, amylose and pectin.
Among the organic builders listed above, citrates, aminocarboxylates,
hydroxyaminocarboxylates, polyacrylates, salts of acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers,
20 and polyacetal carboxylates are preferred. In particular, hydroxyiminodisuccinates, salts
of acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers having a weight-average molecular weight of
1,000 to 80,000, polyacrylates, and polyacetal carboxylates such as polyglyoxylates
having a weight-average molecular weight of 800 to 1,000,000 (and preferably 5,000 to
200,000) (for example, the compounds disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent
25 Application, First Publication No. Sho 54-52196) are ideal.
35
[0038]
The above detergency builders may be used individually, or appropriate
combinations containing two or more compounds may be used.
[0039]
The amount of the detergency builder in the detergent composition (1), relative t5 o
the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 10 to 40% by mass,
and more preferably from 10 to 30% by mass.
[0040]
[Colorants]
10 Various colorants may be used, including dyes and pigments.
Examples of dyes that may be used, classified in terms of their chemical structure,
include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, indigoid dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, carbonium
dyes, quinoneimine dyes, methine dyes, quinoline dyes, nitro dyes, nitroso dyes,
benzoquinone and naphthoquinone dyes, naphthalimide dyes and perinone dyes. Further,
15 oxides may also be used as colorants, including titanium oxide, iron oxide, copper
phthalocyanine, cobalt phthalocyanine, ultramarine, Prussian blue, cyanine blue and
cyanine green. These colorants may be used individually, or in mixtures containing two
or more colorants.
[0041]
20 The amount of the colorant in the detergent composition (1), relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.0001 to 0.1% by mass, and
more preferably from 0.001 to 0.01% by mass.
[0042]
[Fluorescent brighteners]
36
Examples of the fluorescent brighteners include stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin,
carboxylic acids, methinecyanine, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azole, and 5-membered
and 6-membered heterocyclic compounds. Further examples include 4,4'-bis-(2-
sulfostyryl)-biphenyl salts, 4,4'-bis(4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl)-biphenyl salts, 2-
(styrylphenyl)naphthothiazole derivatives, 4,4'-bis(triazol-2-yl)stilbene derivatives an5 d
bis-(triazinylaminostilbene)disulfonic acid derivatives.
These fluorescent brighteners may be used individually, or appropriate
combinations containing two or more compounds may be used.
Specific examples of preferred commercially available fluorescent brighteners
10 include Whitex SA and Whitex SKC (both product names, manufactured by Sumitomo
Chemical Co., Ltd.), Tinopal AMS-GX, Tinopal DBS-X and Tinopal CBS-X (all product
names, manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Japan Ltd.), and Lemonite CBUS-3B (a product
name, manufactured by Khyati Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.). Among these, Tinopal CBS-X and
Tinopal AMS-GX are particularly preferred.
15 [0043]
The amount of the fluorescent brightener in the detergent composition (1),
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.01 to 1%
by mass, and more preferably from 0.04 to 0.4% by mass.
[0044]
20 [Bleaching agents]
There are no particular limitations on the bleaching agents, and any of the
bleaching agents used in typical detergent compositions can be used favorably, but
examples of compounds which can be used particularly favorably include inorganic
peroxides and organic peroxides, which generate hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in
25 water. Specific examples include alkali metal salts of percarbonic acid, perboric acid,
37
peroxypyrophosphate, citrate perhydrate, perbenzoate, peroxyphthalate, diperazelaic acid,
phthaloimino peracid and diperdodecanedioic acid. Usually, one or both of sodium
percarbonate and sodium perborate is used. In terms of of stability over time, sodium
percarbonate is particularly preferred. If moisture or other detergent components or the
like contact the surface of an inorganic peroxide particle, then the inorganic peroxid5 e
may sometimes undergo decomposition, and therefore in order to prevent such
decomposition, the inorganic peroxide is preferably subjected to a coating treatment or
the like. Oxygen-based bleaching agent particles that have already been proposed can be
used as these coated particles. Examples include the bleaching agent particles disclosed
10 in Japanese Patent (Granted) Publication No. 2,918,991. These bleaching agent particles
exist in the form of granules obtained by separately spraying an aqueous solution of boric
acid and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate onto sodium percarbonate
particles in a fluid state, and then drying the coated particles. In addition, conventional
stabilizers such as chelating agents may also be used in combination with the coating
15 agent.
[0045]
The amount of the bleaching agent in the detergent composition (1), relative to
the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 1 to 20% by mass, and
more preferably from 3 to 10% by mass.
20 [0046]
[Bleach activators, bleach activation catalysts]
Conventional compounds may be used as the bleach activator, and the use of
organic peracid precursors is preferred.
Examples of organic peracid precursors include tetraacetylethylenediamine,
25 alkanoyloxy-benzenesulfonic acids or salts thereof having an alkanoyl group with a
38
carbon number of 1 to 18, and preferably 8 to 12, and alkanoyloxy-benzoic acids or salts
thereof having an alkanoyl group with a carbon number of 1 to 18, and preferably 8 to 12,
and among these compounds, 4-decanoyloxy-benzoic acid (DOBA), sodium 4-
decanoyloxy-benzenesulfonate (DOBS) and sodium 4-nonanoyloxy-benzenesulfonate
(NOBS) are preferred. These compounds may be used individually, or appropriat5 e
combinations containing two or more compounds may be used.
Particles containing bleach activators can be produced by conventional
production methods. For example, production can be performed by an extrusion
granulation method, or a granulation method with a prescribed tablet shape using a
10 briquetting machine. Specifically, the organic peracid precursor particles are preferably
obtained by dispersing the organic peracid precursor and a surfactant powder such as an
olefin sulfonate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, or alkyl sulfate ester salt or the like in a heated
and melted binder material that is solid at normal temperatures, such as a PEG #3000 to
#20,000 polyethylene glycol and preferably a PEG #4000 to PEG #6000 polyethylene
15 glycol, subsequently extruding the resulting dispersion to produce noodle-like organic
peracid precursor granules having a diameter of about 1 mm, and then gently grinding
the noodle-like granules into lengths of about 0.5 to 3 mm. The surfactant powder is
preferably an α-olefin sulfonate with an alkyl chain length of 14.
Conventional compounds may be used as the bleach activation catalysts. Specific
20 examples include compounds in which a transition metal atom such as copper, iron,
manganese, nickel, cobalt, chromium, vanadium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium,
rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum, and one or more ligands form a complex via nitrogen
atoms or oxygen atoms or the like. The transition metal is preferably cobalt or
manganese or the like, and is most preferably manganese. The bleach activation
39
catalysts disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2004-189893 are particularly desirable.
Particles containing the bleach activation catalyst can be produced using
conventional granulation methods. For example, production can be performed by an
extrusion granulation method, or a granulation method with a prescribed tablet shap5 e
using a briquetting machine.
[0047]
The amount of the bleach activator or bleach activation catalyst in the detergent
composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably
10 from 0.1 to 5% by mass, and more preferably from 0.2 to 3% by mass.
[0048]
[Enzymes]
Enzymes such as proteases, esterases, lipases, cellulases, amylases, pectinases,
and glucosidases and the like are preferred as enzymes.
15 Specific examples of the proteases include pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin,
collagenase, keratinase, elastase, subtilisin, papain, bromelin, carboxypeptidase A or B,
aminopeptidase, and aspergillo-peptidase A or B. Examples of commercially available
proteases include Savinase, Alcalase, Kannase, Everlase and Deozyme (all product
names, manufactured by Novozymes Japan Ltd.); API 21 (a product name, manufactured
20 by Showa Denko K.K.); Maxacal and Maxapem (both product names, manufactured by
Genencor International BV); and Protease K-14 and K-16 (proteases disclosed in
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 5-25492).
Specific examples of the esterases include gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, plant
lipases, phospholipases, cholinesterases and phosphatases.
40
Specific examples of the lipases include commercially available lipases such as
Lipolase and Lipex (both product names, manufactured by Novozymes Japan Ltd.), and
Liposam (a product name, manufactured by Showa Denko K.K.).
Specific examples of the cellulases include commercially available products such
as Celluclean and Celluzyme (product names, manufactured by Novozymes Japan Ltd.)5 ;
and Alkali Cellulase K, Alkali Cellulase K-344, Alkali Cellulase K-534, Alkali Cellulase
K-539, Alkali Cellulase K-577, Alkali Cellulase K-425, Alkali Cellulase K-521, Alkali
Cellulase K-580, Alkali Cellulase K-588, Alkali Cellulase K-597, Alkali Cellulase K-
522, CMC-ase I, CMC-ase II, Alkali Cellulase E-II and Alkali Cellulase E-III (all of
10 which are cellulases disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. Sho 63-264699).
Examples of the amylases include commercially available products such as
Stainzyme, Termamyl and Duramyl (manufactured by Novozymes Japan Ltd.).
The above enzymes may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
15 containing two or more enzymes may be used.
The enzymes are preferably used by dry blending stable particles of the enzyme
that have been prepared separately with the detergent base (particles).
[0049]
The amount of enzymes in the detergent composition (1), relative to the total
20 mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.01 to 2% by mass, and more
preferably from 0.1 to 1% by mass.
[0050]
[Enzyme stabilizers]
41
Examples of enzyme stabilizers that may be added include calcium salts,
magnesium salts, polyols, formic acid and boron compounds. Among these compounds,
sodium tetraborate and calcium chloride are preferred.
The enzyme stabilizers may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more compounds may be used5 .
[0051]
The amount of the enzyme stabilizer in the detergent composition (1), relative to
the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.01 to 1% by mass,
and more preferably from 0.05 to 0.5% by mass.
10 [0052]
[Polymers]
In the detergent composition, a polyethylene glycol with a weight-average
molecular weight of 200 to 200,000, a salt of an acrylic acid and/or maleic acid polymer
having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000, a polyvinyl alcohol, a
15 cellulose derivative such as a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl
cellulose (HPMC) or cationized cellulose, having a weight-average molecular weight of
2,000 to 1,000,000 and a degree of etherification of 0.2 to 1.0, or a cellulose such as a
powdered cellulose may be added, either as a binder or powder properties regulator that
is used when the density of the granular detergent composition is increased, or in order to
20 impart an anti-resoiling effect relative to hydrophobic microparticles (soiling). The
aforementioned weight-average molecular weights can be measured using a light
scattering detector.
Further, a copolymer or terpolymer composed of a repeating unit derived from
terephthalic acid and a repeating unit derived from ethylene glycol and/or propylene
25 glycol may also be added as a soil removing agent.
42
Furthermore, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamine N-oxide-containing polymer, a
copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, or poly(4-vinylpyridine-Noxide)
or the like may be added in order to impart a color migration preventative effect.
The above polymers may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more polymers may be used5 .
[0053]
The amount of polymers in the detergent composition (1), relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.1 to 10% by mass, and more
preferably from 0.5 to 5% by mass.
10 [0054]
[Caking inhibitors]
Caking inhibitors such as para-toluene sulfonates, xylene sulfonates, cumene
sulfonates, acetates, sulfosuccinates, talc, finely powdered silica, clay and magnesium
chloride may also be added.
15 [0055]
The amount of the caking inhibitor in the detergent composition (1), relative to
the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.1 to 5% by mass,
and more preferably from 0.1 to 3% by mass.
[0056]
20 [Anti-foaming agents]
Examples of anti-foaming agents include conventional agents such as
silicone/silica-based anti-foaming agents. Further, these anti-foaming agents may be
used in the form of anti-foaming agent granules obtained using the production method
described below.
43
First, 20 g of silicone ("PS Antifoam", a product name for a compound-type
silicone manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation) as an anti-foaming agent
component is added to 100 g of maltodextrin (a product name for an enzyme-modified
dextrin manufactured by Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ltd.) and mixed to obtain a
uniform mixture. Subsequently, 50% by mass of the thus obtained uniform mixture5 ,
25% by mass of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000, melting point: 58°C) and 25% by mass
of neutral anhydrous sodium sulfate are mixed at 70 to 80°C, and the mixture is
granulated using an extrusion granulator (model: EXKS-1, manufactured by Fuji Paudal
Co., Ltd.) to obtain anti-foaming agent granules (see Japanese Unexamined Patent
10 Application, First Publication No. Hei 3-186307).
[0057]
The amount of the anti-foaming agent in the detergent composition (1), relative to
the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.1 to 5% by mass,
and more preferably from 0.2 to 2% by mass.
15 [0058]
[Reducing Agents]
Examples of reducing agents that may be used include sodium sulfite and
potassium sulfite.
[0059]
20 [Clay minerals]
Clay minerals are used for the purpose of imparting softness to laundered textile
products. Examples of these clay minerals include bentonite and the like.
The clay minerals may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more compounds may be used.
25 [0060]
44
The amount of the clay minerals in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.1 to 10% by mass, and
more preferably from 1 to 5% by mass.
[0061]
[Fiber-treating silicone compounds5 ]
Fiber-treating silicone compounds are used for the purpose of improving the
texture of laundered textile products.
The types of silicone compounds typically used for fiber treatments can be used
as these fiber-treating silicone compounds, and specific examples include dimethyl
10 silicones, polyether-modified silicones, methyl phenyl silicones, alkyl-modified silicones,
higher fatty acid-modified silicones, methyl hydrogen silicones, fluorine-modified
silicones, epoxy-modified silicones, carboxy-modified silicones, carbinol-modified
silicones and amino-modified silicones. These silicones may be used individually, or
appropriate combinations containing two or more silicones may be used.
15 [0062]
The amount of the fiber-treating silicone compound in the detergent composition
(1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.1 to
5% by mass, and more preferably from 0.5 to 3% by mass.
[0063]
20 [Ultraviolet absorbers]
Ultraviolet absorbers are used for the purpose of protecting the laundered textile
products from ultraviolet rays.
Examples of the ultraviolet absorbers include derivative compounds of stilbene,
benzophenone and benzotriazole, and stilbene derivatives are preferred. Among stilbene
45
derivatives, the commercial products Tinosorb FD and Tinosorb FR manufactured by
Ciba-Geigy Japan Ltd. are preferred, and Tinosorb FD is particularly desirable.
[0064]
The amount of the ultraviolet absorber in the detergent composition (1), relative
to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.01 to 1% by mass5 ,
and more preferably from 0.04 to 0.4% by mass.
[0065]
[pH modifiers]
There are no particular limitations on the pH of the detergent composition, but
10 when the detergent composition is a solid detergent, from the viewpoint of the
detergency performance, the pH of a 1% by mass aqueous solution of the detergent
composition is preferably 8 or higher, and the pH of the 1% by mass aqueous solution is
more preferably from 9 to 11. By ensuring that the pH is 8 or higher, the detergency
effects can be enhanced.
15 In order to control the pH of the detergent composition, an alkaline agent is
usually used to adjust the pH. Examples of this alkaline agent, in addition to the alkaline
formulations mentioned above for the detergency builders, include alkanolamines such as
monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, as well as sodium hydroxide
and potassium hydroxide.
20 For example, in terms of achieving the desired solubility in water and the desired
degree of alkalinity, complex particles such as NABION 15 (a product name,
manufactured by Rhodia Group), which is a mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium
silicate and water in a ratio of 55/29/16 (mass ratio), may also be used.
46
Further, in order to ensure that the pH of the aforementioned 1% by mass aqueous
solution does not become too high, an acid or the like may be used to adjust the pH to a
value within the above range.
Examples of acids that may be used include the aforementioned metal ion
scavengers, alkali metal dihydrogen phosphates such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate5 ,
as well as lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, gluconic acid and polycarboxylic acids
thereof, as well as sodium hydrogen carbonate, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
These pH modifiers may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more pH modifiers may be used.
10 Furthermore, buffers may also be used for preventing any reduction in the pH due
to acid components derived from fiber soiling during laundering.
[0066]
The amount of the pH modifier in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 5 to 40% by mass, and
15 more preferably from 10 to 30% by mass.
[0067]
[Antioxidants]
Antioxidants are used for the purpose of improving the stability of the product.
There are no particular limitations on the antioxidant, and examples include the
20 generally known types of natural antioxidants and synthetic antioxidants. Specific
examples include mixtures of ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid palmitate and propyl gallate;
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), mixtures of propyl
gallate and citric acid, hydroquinone, tertiary-butylhydroquinone, natural tocopherolbased
compounds, long-chain esters (C8 to C22) of gallic acid such as dodecyl gallate,
25 Irganox-based compounds available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc., citric acid
47
and/or isopropyl citrate, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (etidronic acid), 4,5-
dihydroxy-m-benzenesulfonic acid or the sodium salt thereof, dimethoxyphenol, catechol,
methoxyphenol, carotenoids, furans, and amino acids.
These antioxidants may be used individually, or appropriate combinations
containing two or more antioxidants may be used5 .
[0068]
The amount of the antioxidant in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 0.01 to 5% by mass, and
more preferably from 0.1 to 1% by mass.
10 [0069]
[Preservatives]
Preservatives are used for the purpose of preventing bacterial occurrence in liquid
detergents.
Examples of the preservative include isothiazolone-based organosulfur
15 compounds, benzisothiazolone-based organosulfur compounds, benzoic acids and 2-
bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol.
Specific examples of the isothiazolone-based organosulfur compounds include 5-
chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-n-butyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-benzyl-3-
isothiazolone, 2-phenyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4,5-dichloroisothiazolone, 5-chloro-2-
20 methyl-3-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and mixtures of the above
compounds. Among the above compounds, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and
2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one are preferred, a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-
isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one is more preferred, and a mixture
containing about 77% by mass of the former and about 23% by mass of the latter is
25 particularly desirable.
48
Specific examples of the benzisothiazolone-based organosulfur compounds
include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-4-isothiazolin-3-one,
dithio-2,2-bis(benzmethylamide) as an analogous compound, and mixtures of the above
compounds. Among these compounds, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one is particularly
desirable5 .
Examples of the benzoic acids include benzoic acids and salts thereof, parahydroxybenzoic
acid and salts thereof, methyl para-oxybenzoate, ethyl para-oxybenzoate,
propyl para-oxybenzoate, butyl para-oxybenzoate and benzyl para-oxybenzoate.
Among the above compounds, benzisothiazolone-based compounds are preferred.
10 These preservatives may be used individually, or appropriate combinations containing
two or more preservatives may be used.
[0070]
The amount of the preservative in the detergent composition (1), relative to the
total mass of the detergent composition (1), is preferably from 10 to 1,000 ppm, and
15 more preferably from 20 to 200 ppm.
[0071]
[Process agents]
When the detergent composition (1) is a solid (powder), sodium sulfate or
calcium carbonate may sometimes be used as process agents.
20 When the detergent composition (1) is a solid, the amount of the process agent in
the detergent composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1),
is preferably from 1 to 40% by mass.
[0072]
[Water]
49
Tap water, ion-exchanged water, pure water, or distilled water may all be used as
the water, and among these possibilities, ion-exchanged water is ideal.
[0073]
When the detergent composition (1) is a liquid, the amount of water within the
detergent composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), i5 s
preferably from 30 to 80% by mass, and more preferably from 40 to 70% by mass.
When the detergent composition (1) is a solid, the amount of water within the
detergent composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1), is
preferably from 1 to 10% by mass, more preferably from 2 to 10% by mass, and still
10 more preferably from 3 to 7% by mass.
[0074]
[Solvents]
There are no particular limitations on solvents other than water, and any of the
solvents conventionally added to detergent compositions may be used.
15 The solvent is preferably a water-soluble solvent. The water-soluble solvent is
preferably at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of lower alcohols
(carbon number: 1 to 4), glycol ether-based solvents, and polyhydric alcohols, and is
more preferably at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol,
isopropanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene
20 glycol, hexylene glycol, polyoxyethylene phenyl ether, and compounds represented by
general formula (II) shown below.
R6-O-(C2H4O)y-(C3H6O)z-H ... (II)
In formula (II), R6 represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having a carbon
number of 1 to 6 (and preferably a carbon number of 2 to 4). Further, y is a number
25 representing the average number of repetitions of the oxyethylene group, and is
50
preferably a number from 1 to 10, and more preferably a number from 2 to 5. Moreover,
z is a number representing the average number of repetitions of the oxypropylene group,
and is preferably a number from 0 to 5, and more preferably a number from 0 to 2.
Examples of the water-soluble solvents represented by formula (II) include butyl
carbitol and diethylene glycol monopropylene glycol monobutyl ether5 .
Among the water-soluble solvents mentioned above, ethanol, ethylene glycol,
butyl carbitol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol monopropylene glycol monobutyl
ether and glycerol are preferred.
[0075]
10 When the detergent composition (1) is a liquid, the amount of the solvent within
the detergent composition (1), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (1),
is preferably from 1 to 10% by mass, and more preferably from 2 to 5% by mass.
This amount does not include any solvent within the fragrance composition.
[0076]
15
The detergent composition (1) may be in either solid or liquid form.
The term "solid detergent" is a generic term that includes detergents prepared in a
variety of forms such as granular detergents (powdered or granular), tablet detergents,
briquette detergents, bar-shaped detergents, and wrapped detergents in which a granular
20 detergent or a paste-like detergent is wrapped in single doses in a water-soluble film or
sheet or the like.
In terms of the usability of the present invention, the detergent composition (1) is
preferably in solid form, and a granular composition is particularly preferred.
[0077]
51
In the detergent composition (1), the amount of alkyl methyl ketones, measured
using the measurement method described below, is preferably not more than 5.3 ng, and
more preferably 4.0 ng or less. The smaller this amount of alkyl methyl ketones, the
better the suppression of any deterioration in the aroma of the product, or inhibition of
the development of the aroma from the fragrance (B), caused by the odors derived fro5 m
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, resulting in an improved aroma for the product.
(Method for measuring amount of alkyl methyl ketones)
Three grams of the detergent composition is weighed accurately and placed in a
sealable container (such as a vial) with a capacity of 20 mL, the container is sealed, and
10 following standing for 30 minutes in a 40°C thermostatic chamber, a solid-phase
microextraction (hereafter abbreviated as SPME) fiber is exposed for one hour at 40°C
within the head space portion inside the container, thereby extracting the alkyl methyl
ketones having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8 from the head space
portion. Following this extraction, the SPME fiber is analyzed using a gas
15 chromatography-mass spectrometry apparatus (GC-MS), the total amount (ng) of the
aforementioned alkyl methyl ketones extracted from the head space portion is determined,
and that value is deemed the amount of alkyl methyl ketones.
In this description, the "head space" means the space formed, when the detergent
composition is placed in a sealable container and sealed, between the surface of the
20 composition and the lid of the container.
A solid-phase microextraction fiber describes needles obtained by chemically
bonding or coating any of various liquid phases to the surface of fused silica rods.
An example of the measurement conditions used when performing the analysis
using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry apparatus is a method that involves
25 inserting the solid-phase microextraction fiber directly into the injection port, introducing
52
the extracted substances into the gas chromatograph column, and then detecting the ion
intensities of the components that have been separated inside the column.
More detailed analysis conditions are described below in the "Examples" section.
As the amount of alkyl methyl ketones increases, the odors derived from the α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt are felt more strongly. Accordingly, the above method fo5 r
measuring the amount of alkyl methyl ketones is useful as a method for measuring the
odor of the detergent composition containing the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
[0078]

10 There are no particular limitations on the method used for producing the detergent
composition (1), and production can be achieved by normal methods in accordance with
the formulation of the detergent composition that is to be produced.
One example of the production method in the case where the detergent
composition is a liquid is a batch production method using a mixing kettle. This type of
15 method includes a step of mixing the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, the fragrance
composition, and any optional components that are used as required, with a liquid
medium such as water.
Further, one example of the production method in the case where the detergent
composition is a solid (powder) is a method including a step of adding the α-sulfo fatty
20 acid alkyl ester salt, the fragrance composition, and any optional components that are
used as required to a liquid medium such as water and performing mixing.
Alternatively, other examples of the production method in the case where the
detergent composition is a solid include a method in which particles containing the α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and any optional components that are used as required
25 (hereafter referred to as the base particles or the base detergent) are sprayed with the
53
fragrance composition, and a method in which the particles obtained in the above method
are molded into a desired form.
[0079]
The particles that constitute the base particles may be of a single type or two or
more different types. The base particles must include at least particles containing the 5 α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt. In those cases where the detergent composition (1) also
includes one or more optional components, those optional components may be
incorporated within the particles containing the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, or may
be included in other particles that do not contain the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
10 The particles containing the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt may be either
commercially available particles, or particles produced using a conventional production
method (such as one of the methods described above as an example of the method for
producing the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt).
[0080]
15 In those cases where the base particles also include an optional component such
as another surfactant or a detergency builder or the like, any of the methods (1) to (3)
described below are preferred as the method for producing the base particles.
(1) A method in which a slurry containing the raw materials for the base particles
(hereafter referred to as the detergent raw materials) is prepared, and the slurry is then
20 spray dried to form spray dried particles.
(2) A method in which spray dried particles containing a portion of the detergent
raw materials are combined with the remaining detergent raw materials, and the resulting
mixture is then granulated using a kneading-extrusion granulation method (kneading,
extrusion, grinding), an agitation granulation method, or a rolling granulation method or
25 the like, thus forming granules.
54
(3) A method in which particles containing mutually different detergent raw
materials (such as powdered raw materials, spray dried particles or granules) are mixed
together mechanically (powder mixing).
[0081]
When producing the base particles, in the method (1) described above, the α-sulf5 o
fatty acid alkyl ester salt may be added to the slurry used for performing spray drying. In
the method (2) described above, the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt may be mixed with
the spray dried particles during granulation. Further, in the method (3) described above,
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt in powder form may be subjected to powder mixing
10 with other particles that do not contain the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
When the method (3) is used to perform powder mixing of the particles of the α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt with other particles, the effects of the odors derived from
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt tend to appear most strongly in the obtained
detergent composition (1). Accordingly, because the usefulness of the present invention
15 is greatest in this method, the method for producing the base particles is preferably a
method such as that described above in (3), in which the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt
in powder form is subjected to powder mixing with other particles that do not contain the
α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
One example of a preferred method for producing the base particles is a method
20 that includes performing powder mixing of spray dried particles, obtained by preparing a
slurry by uniformly mixing some or all of the detergent raw materials besides the α-sulfo
fatty acid alkyl ester salt with water and then spray drying this slurry, the powdered α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, and any remaining detergent raw materials (in powdered
form, in those cases where only some of the detergent raw materials besides the α-sulfo
25 fatty acid alkyl ester salt are added to the slurry). Examples of the detergent raw
55
materials besides the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt include the optional components
described above. In particular, the inclusion of surfactants, detergency builders, water,
polymers and fluorescent brighteners is preferred, and form the viewpoint of stabilizing
the slurry dispersion, the inclusion of one or more polymers is particularly desirable.
The slurry is preferably formed by mixing some or all of the detergent ra5 w
materials besides the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt with water at 40 to 80°C for a
period of 20 minutes to 2 hours. In the spray drying, the obtained slurry is preferably
dried at 200 to 400°C so that the moisture content of the particles becomes 2 to 10% by
mass. The average particle size of the obtained spray dried particles is preferably from
10 200 to 600 μm, and more preferably from 300 to 500 μm.
In the case of powder mixing, the mixing is performed using a mixer such as a
trommel. The powder mixing is preferably performed at 10 to 50°C. The average
particle size of the powdered α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is preferably from 200 to
600 μm, and more preferably from 300 to 500 μm. The average particle size of the
15 remaining detergent raw materials is preferably from 200 to 1,000 μm, and more
preferably from 300 to 500 μm. The average particle size of the obtained base particles
is preferably from 200 to 1,000 μm, and more preferably from 300 to 500 μm. The
average particle size can be measured using sieves.
The amount (pure fraction) of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt within the
20 powdered α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt used in the powder mixing, relative to the
total mass of the powder, is preferably from 50 to 90% by mass, and more preferably
from 60 to 90% by mass. Provided the amount is at least 60% by mass, aggregation and
clumping of the powder during storage can be suppressed, and provided the amount is
not more than 90% by mass, the solubility in water is excellent.
56
The powdered α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt may include impurities formed
during the production process, or assistants (such as zeolites) used during granulation or
grinding.
[0082]
The method used for spraying the fragrance composition onto the base particles i5 s
preferably a method in which a sprayer is used to spray 1 to 10 g of the fragrance
composition onto 500 to 1,000 g of the base particles at a temperature of 10 to 30°C.
[0083]
<>
10 A detergent composition of the second aspect of the present invention (hereafter
also referred to as the detergent composition (2)) contains an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester
salt and a fragrance composition.
[0084]
<α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt>
15 The α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is the same as described above.
The detergent composition (2) may contain a single α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester
salt or two or more α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts.
The amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt within the detergent
composition (2), relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (2), is typically
20 from 1 to 30% by mass, preferably from 4 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 8 to
30% by mass, and still more preferably from 8 to 20% by mass.
Provided that the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is at least 1% by
mass, the effect of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt in improving the detergency
performance can be enhanced, and provided the amount is not more than 30% by mass,
25 the effects of the invention (for example, the suppression effect on the unpleasantness
57
resulting from odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, and the
suppression effect on any inhibition by the aforementioned odors on the development of
the fragrance aroma) are more effective.
[0085]

The fragrance composition contains the fragrance (A). The fragrance (A) is the
same as described above.
The fragrance composition may also contain other fragrance components besides
the fragrance (A) and solvents and the like as required. Examples of these fragrance
10 components besides the fragrance (A) and solvents are the same as those mentioned
above.
In particular, the fragrance composition preferably contains the fragrance (B) as a
fragrance component besides the fragrance (A). The fragrance (B) is the same as
described above.
15 [0086]
The amount of the fragrance (A) within the fragrance composition, relative to the
total mass of the fragrance composition, is typically at least 20% by mass, preferably at
least 30% by mass, and more preferably 50% by mass or greater. More specifically, the
amount is preferably from 70 to 90% by mass, and more preferably from 80 to 90% by
20 mass.
Further, the amount of the fragrance composition in the detergent composition (2),
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition (2), is typically from 0.25 to 1%
by mass, preferably from 0.25 to 0.7% by mass, and more preferably from 0.25 to 0.5%
by mass.
58
Provided that the amount of the fragrance composition in the detergent
composition (2) is at least 0.25% by mass, and the amount of the fragrance (A) within the
fragrance composition is at least 20% by mass, any deterioration in the product aroma
due to odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is suppressed. Further,
when the fragrance composition also contains the fragrance (B), inhibition of th5 e
development of the aroma from the fragrance (B) due to the aforementioned odors is also
suppressed. As a result, the aroma of the product is favorable.
[0087]
There are no particular limitations on the upper limit for the amount of the
10 fragrance (A) within the fragrance composition, which may be set appropriately in
accordance with the amounts of any other fragrance components or solvents or the like
that may be added according to need.
When the fragrance composition also contains the fragrance (B), the amount of
the fragrance (B) within the fragrance composition is an amount that results in a mass
15 ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by A/B, that is at least
1 but not more than 10.
In other words, the amount of the fragrance (B) relative to 100 parts by mass of
the fragrance (A) is at least 10 parts by mass but not more than 100 parts by mass. A/B
is preferably at least 1 but not more than 9, and more preferably at least 1 but not more
20 than 7.
The value of A/B in the fragrance composition is the same as the value of A/B in
the detergent composition (2).
[0088]

59
The detergent composition (2) may, if required, include other components besides
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and the fragrance composition. Examples of these
other components include surfactants other than α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts,
detergency builders, colorants, fluorescent brighteners, bleaching agents, bleach
activators, bleach activation catalysts, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, polymers, cakin5 g
inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, reducing agents, metal ion scavengers, clay minerals,
fiber-treating silicone compounds, ultraviolet absorbers, pH modifiers, antioxidants and
preservatives. Further, if necessary the detergent composition may also include liquid
media such as water or solvents. Specific examples of these optional components
10 include the same components as those mentioned above in relation to the detergent
composition (1). The amounts of these components may also satisfy the same ranges as
those described above in relation to the detergent composition (1).
[0089]

15 The detergent composition (2) may be in either solid or liquid form.
The term "solid detergent" is a generic term that includes detergents prepared in a
variety of forms such as granular detergents (powdered or granular), tablet detergents,
briquette detergents, bar-shaped detergents, and wrapped detergents in which a granular
detergent or a paste-like detergent is wrapped in single doses in a water-soluble film or
20 sheet or the like.
In terms of the usability of the present invention, the detergent composition (2) is
preferably in solid form, and a granular composition is particularly preferred.
[0090]
In the detergent composition (2), the amount of alkyl methyl ketones, measured
25 using the measurement method described below, is preferably not more than 5.3 ng, and
60
more preferably 4.0 ng or less. The smaller this amount of alkyl methyl ketones, the
better the suppression of any deterioration in the aroma of the product, or inhibition of
the development of the aroma from the fragrance (B), caused by the odors derived from
the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, resulting in an improved aroma for the product.
(Method for measuring amount of alkyl methyl ketones5 )
Three grams of the detergent composition is weighed accurately and placed in a
sealable container (such as a vial) with a capacity of 20 mL, the container is sealed, and
following standing for 30 minutes in a 40°C thermostatic chamber, an SPME fiber is
exposed for one hour at 40°C within the head space portion inside the container, thereby
10 extracting the alkyl methyl ketones having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8
from the head space portion. Following this extraction, the SPME fiber is analyzed using
a GC-MS apparatus, the total amount (ng) of the aforementioned alkyl methyl ketones
extracted from the head space portion is determined, and that value is deemed the amount
of alkyl methyl ketones.
15 More detailed analysis conditions are described below in the "Examples" section.
[0091]

There are no particular limitations on the method used for producing the detergent
composition (2), and in a similar manner to the detergent composition (1), production can
20 be performed by normal methods in accordance with the formulation of the detergent
composition that is to be produced.
For example, when the detergent composition is granular, the targeted detergent
composition can be produced in the manner described above, by spraying the fragrance
composition onto particles (base particles) containing the components other than the
25 fragrance.
61
[0092]
<>
In the present invention, by including at least a specific amount of the fragrance
(A) in the detergent composition, the effects of odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid
alkyl ester salt on the aroma of the product can be suppressed5 .
For example, the effect where the odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl
ester salt cause a deterioration in the product aroma that causes the user some
unpleasantness can be suppressed. Further, when the fragrance (B) is also included in
order to provide the product with a distinctive aroma, any inhibition of the development
10 of the aroma from the fragrance (B) by the aforementioned odors is also suppressed,
meaning the aroma of the fragrance (B) can fully develop, resulting in an improved
product aroma.
For example, in the case where the detergent composition (1) or (2) is a detergent
product that is stored inside a sealed container, when the user opens the container in
15 order to use the detergent composition (1) or (2), thus releasing the air in the head space
portion, the user feels no unpleasantness, and can fully appreciate the product aroma
provided by the fragrance (B).
[0093]
The fragrance (A) has a comparatively weak aroma as a fragrance component,
20 and it is thought that the effects described above are the result of an action other than
mere masking.
Based on investigations performed by the inventors of the present invention, it
appears that when a detergent composition containing an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt
is stored in a container, lactones are released as odorous components and accumulate in
25 the head space. In addition to these lactones, methyl ketones, aldehydes, and fatty acids
62
and the like also accumulate in the head space portion. Each of these components is a
mixture of compounds having an alkyl chain length distribution. For example, in the
case of the methyl ketones, the component is a mixture of methyl alkyl ketones having an
alkyl chain length with a carbon number of about 4 to 12. It is thought that the amount
of these alkyl methyl ketones is a useful indicator for evaluating the effect of th5 e
invention in suppressing the odors derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt.
As illustrated in the examples described below, if at least a certain amount of the
fragrance (A) is added to a detergent composition, then the amount of alkyl methyl
ketones having an alkyl group carbon number of 4 to 8 within the head space can be
10 reduced. Based on this observation, it is thought that the fragrance (A) is able to reduce
the amount of odorous components derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt
within the head space, thus providing the effects described above.
[0094]
The odorous components derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt vary
15 depending on the raw materials for the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and the
conditions used in the production process (such as the reaction rate and the bleaching
rate), and the amount of odorous components varies even among commercially available
MES products. As a result, conventionally, a problem has arisen in that even if the
composition of a detergent composition is the same, the product aroma can vary
20 depending on the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt being used.
In contrast, in the present invention, because the effects of these odorous
components derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt on the aroma of the
product can be suppressed, even if the amount of odorous components derived from the
α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt fluctuates, the aroma of the fragrance (B) can still
25 develop in a stable manner. As a result, in the present invention, even when a detergent
63
composition is produced industrially on a large scale, the composition is unaffected by
any fluctuations in the amount of odorous components derived from the α-sulfo fatty acid
alkyl ester salt, meaning a detergent composition with a stable fragrance can be obtained.
[0095]
One aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains an 5 α-
sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) containing at least one
10 fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0096]
15 Another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains an
α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) containing at least one
20 fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0097]
64
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) containing at least on5 e
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool,
verdox and vertenex, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
10 [0098]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
15 the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and
20 the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0099]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
65
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragranc5 e
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and
10 tricyclodecenyl propionate, and the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and
habanolide is 1:1, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
15 [0100]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
20 the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and
vertenex, and
66
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0101]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherei5 n
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
10 acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, and at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and
vertenex,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and
15 tricyclodecenyl propionate, and the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is 1:1, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0102]
20 Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
25 fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
67
amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[01035 ]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
10 the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component
selected from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
15 group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and
habanolide, and the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting
of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is 1:1, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
20 [0104]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
68
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selecte5 d
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex,
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0105]
10 Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
15 combination selected from the group consisting of a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate,
verdox, vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and
habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of amyl salicylate,
20 vertenex and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
lilial and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-
25 hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
69
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination o5 f
verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl
propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and
10 habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of
lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl
acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a
15 combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate;
a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination
of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of
20 amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl acetate
and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
25 combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination of
70
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, lilial and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and Iso E
Super; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of isoborny5 l
acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
10 cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, vertenex and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, vertenex and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and amyl
salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and Iso E Super; a combination of
15 dihydromyrcenol, lilial and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic
20 aldehyde and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
and verdox; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and verdox; a
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and vertenex; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
71
vertenex and Iso E Super; or a combination of dihydromyrcenol, vertenex and habanolide,
and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[01065 ]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
10 the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
15 from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and
tricyclodecenyl propionate, the at least one fragrance component selected from the group
consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide,
20 and the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of lilial,
tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is 1:1:1, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0107]
72
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least on5 e
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
10 from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
15 patchouli oil, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0108]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
20 an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
25 acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
73
component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, 5 β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
10 group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and
tricyclodecenyl propionate, the at least one fragrance component selected from the group
consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide,
and the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of lilial,
tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is 1:1:1, and
15 the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0109]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
20 the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
25 component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
74
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile5 ,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil,
the mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by
(mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more than 10, and
10 the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0110]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
15 the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
fragrance component selected from the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl
acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and tricyclodecenyl propionate, at least one fragrance
20 component selected from the group consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl
salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide, and at least one fragrance component selected
from the group consisting of lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex, and
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
25 naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
75
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil,
the mass ratio between the at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate and
tricyclodecenyl propionate, the at least one fragrance component selected from the grou5 p
consisting of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, Iso E Super and habanolide,
and the at least one fragrance component selected from the group consisting of lilial,
tetrahydrolinalool, verdox and vertenex is 1:1:1,
the mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by
10 (mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more than 10, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
[0111]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
15 an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance composition, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
combination selected from the group consisting of a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
20 isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate,
verdox, vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and
habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of amyl salicylate,
vertenex and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
25 lilial and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
76
tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl propionate; 5 a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of
10 verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl
propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and
habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
15 propionate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of
lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl
acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl
20 acetate; a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate;
a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination
of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of
amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of verdox,
25 tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl acetate
77
and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of isoborny5 l
acetate, lilial and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and Iso E
Super; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl
10 acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
15 vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, vertenex and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, vertenex and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and amyl
salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, lilial and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
20 cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic
aldehyde and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
25 and verdox; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and verdox; a
78
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and vertenex; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
vertenex and Iso E Super; or a combination of dihydromyrcenol, vertenex and habanolide,
an5 d
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
10 patchouli oil,
the mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by
(mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more than 10, and
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition.
15 [0112]
Yet another aspect of the detergent composition of the present invention contains
an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt, a fragrance composition, water, a surfactant, and a
detergency builder, wherein
the amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
20 relative to the total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition contains a fragrance (A) composed of at least one
combination selected from the group consisting of a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate,
verdox, vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and
25 habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and habanolide; a combination of
79
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of amyl salicylate,
vertenex and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
lilial and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lilial and
tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; 5 a
combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
10 combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a
combination of amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of
verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
15 verdox and tricyclodecenyl propionate; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl
propionate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl propionate and
habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and tricyclodecenyl
propionate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl propionate and habanolide; a combination of
20 lilial, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl
acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of lilial, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a
combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, tetrahydrolinalool and tricyclodecenyl
acetate; a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate and tricyclodecenyl acetate;
a combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
25 combination of tetrahydrolinalool, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination
80
of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of
amyl salicylate, verdox and tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of verdox,
tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a combination of verdox, tricyclodecenyl acetate
and habanolide; a combination of α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, vertenex and
tricyclodecenyl acetate; a combination of amyl salicylate, vertenex and tricyclodeceny5 l
acetate; a combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and Iso E Super; a
combination of vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, lilial and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and Iso E
10 Super; a combination of isobornyl acetate, lilial and habanolide; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of isobornyl
acetate, tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
15 verdox; a combination of isobornyl acetate, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, verdox and habanolide; a combination of isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, amyl salicylate and
vertenex; a combination of isobornyl acetate, vertenex and Iso E Super; a combination of
isobornyl acetate, vertenex and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
20 cinnamic aldehyde and lilial; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and amyl
salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, lilial and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, lilial and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl
cinnamic aldehyde and tetrahydrolinalool; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
tetrahydrolinalool and amyl salicylate; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
25 tetrahydrolinalool and Iso E Super; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
81
tetrahydrolinalool and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic
aldehyde and habanolide; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
and verdox; a combination of dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and verdox; a
combination of dihydromyrcenol, verdox and Iso E Super; a combination of
dihydromyrcenol, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde and vertenex; a combination o5 f
dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate and vertenex; a combination of dihydromyrcenol,
vertenex and Iso E Super; or a combination of dihydromyrcenol, vertenex and habanolide,
and
a fragrance (B) composed of at least one fragrance component selected from the
10 group consisting of allyl cyclohexyl propionate, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-
naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile, menthone, citronellal, triplal, dodecane nitrile,
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate and
patchouli oil,
the mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by
15 (mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more than 10,
the amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to the total
mass of the detergent composition, and
the amount of water is from 2 to 10% by mass relative to the total mass of the
detergent composition.
20
EXAMPLES
[0113]
The present invention is described below in further detail using a series of
examples. However, the present invention is in no way limited by these examples.
82
In the following description, unless specifically stated otherwise, the units "%"
refer to "% by mass".
The raw materials used in each of the following examples are listed below.
[0114]

MES particles: powder of sodium α-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester (MES-Na)
(MES-Na purity: 75%, zeolite: 15%, other impurities: 10%, carbon number of MES-Na
fatty acid chain: C16/C18 = 85/15 (mass ratio), product name: MIZULAN P82,
manufactured by Lion Eco Chemicals Sdn. Bhd.).
10 LAS-Na: sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (carbon umber of linear alkyl
group: 11 to 14), manufactured by Lion Corporation.
STPP: sodium tripolyphosphate, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Zeolite: A-type zeolite, manufactured by Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals, Ltd.
Polymer (TL500): acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer, product name: AQUALIC
15 TL500, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Silicate: sodium silicate, manufactured by Nippon Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.
Soda Ash: sodium carbonate, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation.
T-CBS: biphenyl-type fluorescent brightener, product name: Tinopal CBS,
manufactured by BASF Corporation.
20 T-DMAX (conc): stilbene-type fluorescent brightener, product name: Tinopal
DMAX, manufactured by BASF Corporation.
CaCO3: calcium carbonate, manufactured by Asahi Kohmatsu Co., Ltd.
Na2SO4: sodium sulfate, manufactured by Nippon Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.
Enzyme granules: protease, product name: Deozyme, manufactured by
25 Novozymes Japan Ltd.
83
[0115]
[Preparation of base detergents]
The detergent raw materials shown in Table 1 were mixed to prepare a detergent
slurry having a solid content of 60% and a temperature of about 70°C. There were no
particular restrictions on the order in which each of the detergent raw materials wa5 s
added. Following addition of all of the detergent raw materials, the slurry was mixed at
70°C for about 2 hours, and then a counter-current spray drying tower was used to dry
the slurry at a hot air temperature of 260°C until the moisture content fell to about 5.5%
by mass, thus obtaining spray dried particles. In Table 1, the term "Bal" represents the
10 amount added to bring the total mass to a 100% (namely, the balance).
A base detergent (base particles) was obtained by powder mixing 100 parts by
mass of the prepared spray dried particles, 10 parts by mass of the MES particles, and 0.5
parts by mass of the enzyme granules.
[0116]
15 [Table 1]
Detergent raw material Blend amount within spray dried particles (%)
LAS-Na 18
STPP 16
Zeolite 2
Polymer (TL500) 1
Silicate 8
Soda ash 10
T-CBS 0.02
T-DMAX (conc) 0.02
CaCO3 5
Na2SO4 Bal
water 5.5
[0117]
84
[Preparation of fragrances]
Fragrances (A-1) to (A-6) were prepared as the fragrance (A) by mixing fragrance
components in the mass ratios (units: parts by mass) shown in Table 2.
Fragrances (B-1) to (B-6) were prepared as the fragrance (B) by mixing fragrance
components in the mass ratios (units: parts by mass) shown in Table 3 and Table 45 .
Table 3 and Table 4 represent a single continuous table that has been split in two for the
sake of convenience, and the fragrance components used in preparing the fragrances (B-
1) to (B-6) are indicated by the respective totals of all the fragrance components shown
in Table 3 and Table 4.
10 [0118]
[Table 2]
Fragrance (A)
A-1 A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6
dihydromyrcenol 10 10 5
isobornyl acetate 10 10
α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde 10 10
lilial 10 10
tetrahydrolinalool 10 10
amyl salicylate 10 10
verdox 10 10
vertenex 10 10
tricyclodecenyl acetate 10 10
tricyclodecenyl propionate 10 10
Iso E Super 10 10
habanolide 10 10
units: parts by mass
[0119]
15 [Table 3]
Fragrance (B)
85
B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 B-5 B-6
allyl cyclohexyl propionate 10
1,8-cineole 10 10 10
camphor 10 10 10
diphenyl oxide 10
β-naphthol methyl ether 10
citronellyl nitrile 10 10 10 10
menthone 10 10 10
citronellal 10
triplal 10 10
dodecane nitrile 10
3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile 10
ethyl 2-methylbutyrate 10 10 10
ethyl 2-methylvalerate 10 10
patchouli oil 10
n-heptanal 10
n-octanal 10
n-nonanal 10
1-decanal 10
undecanal 10
dodecanal 10
2-methylundecanal 10
10-undecenal 10
terpineol-4 10
menthol 10
styralyl acetate 10
butyl acetate 10
isoamyl acetate 10
prenyl acetate 10
hexyl acetate 10
cis-3-hexenyl acetate 10
allyl amyl glycolate 10
cis-3-hexenol 10
ethyl 2-cyclohexyl propionate 10
fruitate 10
allyl hexanoate 10
86
allyl heptanoate 10
ethyl hexanoate 10
ethyl heptanoate 10
[0120]
[Table 4]
(Table 3 continued) B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 B-5 B-6
isomenthone 10
isocyclocitral 10
octyl isobutyrate 10
benzaldehyde 10
anisaldehyde 10
1,4-cineole 10
allyl ionone 10
floropal 10
linalool oxide 10
rose oxide 10
cyclogalbanate 10
α-dynascone 10
α-damascone 10
β-damascone 10
γ-damascone 10
δ-damascone 10 10
β-damascenone 10
methyl heptenone 10
L-carvone 10
geranial 10
neral 10
4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol 10
methyl pamplemousse 10
3-methyl-1-isobutylbutyl acetate 10
ethyl butyrate 10
cashmeran 10
karanal 10
cedrol methyl ether 10
87
2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl-3-hexanol 10
methyl naphthyl ketone 10
methyl anthranilate 10
spirogalbanone pure 10
javanol 10
units: parts by mass
[0121]
[Preparation of granular detergent compositions]
In Comparative Example 1, the base detergent described above was used without
any further modification as a granular detergent composition5 .
In Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 2, granular detergent compositions
were prepared using the procedure described below.
The fragrance (A), the fragrance (B) and ethanol were mixed together in the blend
compositions shown in Table 5 to prepare a series of fragrance compositions. The
10 fragrance (A-1) was used as the fragrance (A), and the fragrance (B-1) was used as the
fragrance (B).
Each of the thus obtained fragrance compositions was sprayed onto the base
detergent described above to obtain a granular detergent composition.
Table 5 shows the blend amounts (%) of the spray dried particles, the MES
15 particles, the enzyme granules, the fragrance (A), the fragrance (B), and ethanol (the
solvent) in each example.
Each of the obtained granular detergent compositions was subjected to the
evaluations described below. The results are shown in Table 5.
[0122]
20 [Evaluation of product aroma]
88
Forty grams of each prepared granular detergent composition was placed in a
glass vial with a capacity of 120 mL and used as an evaluation sample. The aroma of the
evaluation sample was evaluated by a sensory evaluation performed by specialist
panelists.
In the sensory evaluation, first, the freshly prepared evaluation sample wa5 s
evaluated by the specialist panelists for its "sense of freshness as a detergent" against the
5-point scale described below, with a score of 4 points or more being deemed a pass.
5 points: a sense of freshness as a detergent is detected.
4 points: some sense of freshness as a detergent is detected.
10 3 points: a slight sense of freshness as a detergent is detected.
2 points: almost no sense of freshness as a detergent is detected.
1 point: no sense of freshness as a detergent is detected.
[0123]
Further, a prepared evaluation sample was stored for 2 weeks in a 50°C
15 thermostatic chamber, the aroma after storage was compared with that prior to storage,
and the "lack of unpleasant odors" was evaluated by the specialist panelists against the 5-
point scale described below, with a score of 4 points or more being deemed a pass.
5 points: absolutely no unpleasant odors.
4 points: almost no unpleasant odors.
20 3 points: slight unpleasant odors detected.
2 points: considerable unpleasant odors detected.
1 point: extremely unpleasant odors detected.
[0124]
[Table 5]
89
Comparative Example Example
1 2 1 2 3 4
Sample No.
fragrance-free
sample
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5
Fragrance (A) No. – A-1 A-1 A-1 A-1 A-1
Blend
composition
(% by mass)
spray dried particles 90.50 90.08 90.08 90.08 90.09 90.08
MES particles 9.05 9.01 9.01 9.01 9.01 9.01
enzyme granules 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
fragrance (A) 0 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.23 0.32
fragrance (B) 0 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
ethanol (solvent) 0 0.36 0.32 0.27 0.18 0.09
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
1 3 4 4 4 4
lack of unpleasant odors 1 3 4 4 5 5
[0125]
As is evident from the above results, compared with the granular detergent
composition of Comparative Example 1 which used the base detergent (fragrance-free
sample) without further modification, the granular detergent compositions of Examples 5 1
to 4 prepared by adding a fragrance composition containing the fragrances (A) and (B) to
the base detergent each had a product aroma that produced a satisfactory sense of
freshness as a detergent, and also exhibited almost no change in the aroma following
storage.
10 In contrast, the product aroma of the granular detergent composition of
Comparative Example 2 which contained only 0.05% by mass of the fragrance (A)
exhibited an inferior sense of freshness as a detergent compared with Examples 1 to 4,
despite containing the same amount of the fragrance (B) that imparts the sense of
freshness as a detergent. The change in the aroma after storage was also greater than that
15 observed in Examples 1 to 4.
90
These results confirmed that by adding at least the prescribed amount of the
fragrance (A), deterioration in the product aroma caused by odors derived from the MES,
and inhibition of the development of the aroma of the fragrance (B) could be suppressed.
[0126]

The fragrance (A), the fragrance (B) and ethanol were mixed together in the blend
compositions shown in Tables 6 to 10 to prepare a series of fragrance compositions. For
the fragrance (A), the fragrances shown in Tables 6 to 10 were used, and for the
fragrance (B), the fragrances (B-1) to (B-3) were used. In Tables 6 to 9, the fragrance
10 (B-1) was used as the fragrance (B).
Each of the thus obtained fragrance compositions was sprayed onto the base
detergent described above to obtain a granular detergent composition.
Tables 6 to 10 show the blend amounts (%) of the spray dried particles, the MES
particles, the enzyme granules, the fragrance (A), the fragrance (B), and ethanol (the
15 solvent) in each example.
Each of the obtained granular detergent compositions was evaluated for product
aroma using the same procedure as that described above. The results are shown in
Tables 6 to 10.
[0127]
20 [Table 6]
Example Comparative
Example
5 6 7 8 3
Sample No. No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 No. 9 No. 10
Fragrance (A) No. A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6
Blend
composition
spray dried particles 90.08 90.08 90.08 90.08 90.09
MES particles 9.01 9.01 9.01 9.01 9.01
91
(% by mass) enzyme granules 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
fragrance (A) 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.02
fragrance (B) 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
ethanol (solvent) 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.38
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
4 4 4 4 3
lack of unpleasant odors 4 4 4 4 3
[0128]
[Table 7]
Example Comparative
Example
9 10 11 12 4
Sample No. No. 11 No. 12 No. 13 No. 14 No. 15
Fragrance (A) No. A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6
Blend
composition
(% by mass)
spray dried particles 90.29 90.29 90.29 90.29 90.30
MES particles 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.03
enzyme granules 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
fragrance (A) 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.01
fragrance (B) 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
ethanol (solvent) 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.19
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
4 4 4 4 2
lack of unpleasant odors 4 4 4 4 2
[01295 ]
[Table 8]
Example Comparative
Example
13 14 15 16 5
Sample No. No. 16 No. 17 No. 18 No. 19 No. 20
Fragrance (A) No. A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6
Blend
composition
(% by mass)
spray dried particles 89.68 89.68 89.68 89.68 89.69
MES particles 8.97 8.97 8.97 8.97 8.97
enzyme granules 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45
92
fragrance (A) 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.04
fragrance (B) 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09
ethanol (solvent) 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.76
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
4 4 4 4 3
lack of unpleasant odors 5 5 5 5 3
[0130]
[Table 9]
Example
17 18 19 20 21
Sample No. No. 21 No. 22 No. 23 No. 24 No. 25
Fragrance (A) No. A-2 A-2 A-2 A-2 A-3
Blend
composition
(% by mass)
spray dried particles 98.04 86.21 82.65 90.09 90.08
MES particles 0.98 12.93 16.53 9.01 9.01
enzyme granules 0.49 0.43 0.41 0.45 0.45
fragrance (A) 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.20 0.27
fragrance (B) 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05
ethanol (solvent) 0.29 0.26 0.25 0.20 0.14
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
5 4 4 5 5
lack of unpleasant odors 5 4 4 5 5
[01315 ]
[Table 10]
Example
22 23
Sample No. No. 26 No. 27
Fragrance (A) No. A-2 A-3
Fragrance (B) No. B-3 B-2
Blend
composition
(% by mass)
spray dried particles 98.04 90.09
MES particles 0.98 9.01
enzyme granules 0.49 0.45
fragrance (A) 0.15 0.27
93
fragrance (B) 0.05 0.05
ethanol (solvent) 0.29 0.14
Evaluation
results
sense of freshness as
detergent
5 5
lack of unpleasant odors 5 5
[0132]
As is evident from the above results, the granular detergent compositions of
Examples 5 to 23, in which the base detergent was imparted with an aroma using a
fragrance composition containing the fragrance (A) and the fragrance (B), each had 5 a
product aroma that produced a satisfactory sense of freshness as a detergent, and also
exhibited almost no change in the aroma following storage, in a similar manner to that
observed for the aforementioned Examples 1 to 4.
In contrast, the product aroma of the granular detergent composition of
10 Comparative Example 3 which contained only 0.02% by mass of the fragrance (A)
exhibited an inferior sense of freshness as a detergent compared with Examples 5 to 8,
despite containing the same amount of the fragrance (B) that imparts the sense of
freshness as a detergent. The change in the aroma after storage was also greater than that
observed in Examples 5 to 8.
15 Similarly, the product aroma of the granular detergent composition of
Comparative Example 4 which contained only 0.01% by mass of the fragrance (A)
exhibited an inferior sense of freshness as a detergent compared with Examples 9 to 12,
despite containing the same amount of the fragrance (B), and also exhibited a greater
change in the aroma after storage.
20 Further, the product aroma of the granular detergent composition of Comparative
Example 5 which contained 0.04% by mass of the fragrance (A) exhibited an inferior
94
sense of freshness as a detergent compared with Examples 13 to 16, despite containing
the same amount of the fragrance (B), and also exhibited a greater change in the aroma
after storage.
[0133]

For each of the granular detergent compositions obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and
Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the granular detergent composition was stored in a
container, and the components that existed in the head space portion of the container
were analyzed using the procedure described below.
10 Three grams of the granular detergent composition was weighed accurately and
placed in a vial with a capacity of 20 mL, the vial was sealed, and following standing for
30 minutes in a 40°C thermostatic chamber, the components contained within the head
space portion were extracted for one hour at 40°C into a solid-phase microextraction
fiber (SPME fiber, manufactured by Supelco Inc., film thickness: 65 μm, PDMS/DVB
15 (divinylbenzene-dispersed polydimethylsiloxane)).
Following the extraction, the SPME fiber was analyzed using a GC-MS
manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc. (Agilent 7890/5975C) and an HPINNOWax
column (length: 30 m, inner diameter: 0.25 mm, film thickness: 0.25 μm),
under conditions including a measurement temperature that was held at 35°C for 3
20 minutes, subsequently increased to 205°C at a rate of 4°C/minute, and then further
increased to 250°C at 10°C/minute, helium as the carrier gas, an injection temperature of
250°C, an interface temperature of 250°C, and a splitless injection method.
Based on the results of the above analysis, the amounts extracted of alkyl methyl
ketones having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8 (namely, CH3-C(=O)-R
95
wherein the carbon number of R is from 4 to 8) were measured, and the amount (ng) of
each alkyl methyl ketone extracted from the head space portion was determined.
Further, based on these results, a total extraction amount (C4 to C8 total) was
calculated for the combination of all of the alkyl methyl ketones having an alkyl group
with a carbon number of 4 to 8. Furthermore, with the extraction amount of each alky5 l
methyl ketone in Comparative Example 1 deemed to be 1, the ratio (relative to the
fragrance-free sample) of the alkyl methyl ketone extraction amount relative to this value
of 1 was calculated for each of Comparative Example 2 and Examples 1 to 4. The results
are shown in Table 11.
10 [0134]
[Table 11]
Comparative Example Example
1 2 1 2 3 4
Sample No.
fragrance-free
sample
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5
Fragrance (A) No. – A-1 A-1 A-1 A-1 A-1
Amount of fragrance (A) (% by mass) 0 0.05 0.09 0.14 0.23 0.32
Alkyl methyl ketone
SPME fiber
extraction amount
(ng)
C4 2.19 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.08
C5 3.60 0.39 0.36 0.27 0.26 0.25
C6 3.91 1.03 0.91 0.71 0.64 0.57
C7 3.84 2.26 1.98 1.63 1.43 1.29
C8 2.73 2.04 1.84 1.63 1.52 1.39
C4 to C8 total 16.26 5.86 5.20 4.33 3.94 3.58
Alkyl methyl ketone
ratio relative to
fragrance-free sample
C4 1.00 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04
C5 1.00 0.11 0.10 0.07 0.07 0.07
C6 1.00 0.26 0.23 0.18 0.16 0.15
C7 1.00 0.59 0.52 0.43 0.37 0.34
C8 1.00 0.75 0.67 0.60 0.56 0.51
[0135]
96
The above results confirmed that, by adding the fragrance (A), the amount of
alkyl methyl ketones having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8 extracted
from the head space decreased, with the rate of that decrease more dramatic for ketones
having an alkyl group with a smaller carbon number.
Further, based on the above results and the results shown in Table 5, it wa5 s
evident that the larger the amount added of the fragrance (A), the more the evaluation
results for the product aroma improved, and the greater the tendency was for the
measured amounts of alkyl methyl ketones to decrease. Accordingly, it is thought that
the amount of these alkyl methyl ketones is useful as an indicator for evaluating the
10 effect of the invention in suppressing the odors derived from the MES.
[0136]

Fragrances 1 to 60 were prepared as the fragrance (A) by mixing fragrance
components in the mass ratios (units: parts by mass) shown in Tables 12 to 14.
15 With the exception of then using each of the fragrances 1 to 60 instead of the
fragrance (A-1), granular detergent compositions were prepared in the same manner as
Example 3. In a similar manner to that observed for the granular detergent composition
of Example 3, each of the obtained granular detergent compositions had a product aroma
that produced a satisfactory sense of freshness as a detergent, and also exhibited almost
20 no change in the aroma following storage.
97
[0137]
[Table 12]
Fragrance (A)
Fragrance No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
dihydromyrcenol
isobornyl acetate
α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde 10 10 10 10 10
lilial 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
tetrahydrolinalool 10 10 10 10 10 10
amyl salicylate 10 10 10 10 10
verdox 10 10 10 10
vertenex 10 10 10
tricyclodecenyl acetate 10 10 10 10 10
tricyclodecenyl propionate 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Iso E Super 10 10 10 10 10
habanolide 10 10 10 10 10
units: parts by mass
5
98
[0138]
[Table 13]
Fragrance (A)
Fragrance No. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
dihydromyrcenol
isobornyl acetate 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde 10 10 10 10 10
lilial 10 10 10 10
tetrahydrolinalool 10 10 10 10 10
amyl salicylate 10 10 10 10 10
verdox 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
vertenex 10 10 10 10
tricyclodecenyl acetate 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
tricyclodecenyl propionate
Iso E Super 10 10 10 10 10
habanolide 10 10 10 10 10
units: parts by mass
5
99
[0139]
[Table 14]
Fragrance (A)
Fragrance No. 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
dihydromyrcenol 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
isobornyl acetate 10 10 10 10 10
α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde 10 10 10 10 10
lilial 10 10 10 10
tetrahydrolinalool 10 10 10 10
amyl salicylate 10 10 10 10 10
verdox 10 10 10 10
vertenex 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
tricyclodecenyl acetate
tricyclodecenyl propionate
Iso E Super 10 10 10 10 10
habanolide 10 10 10 10 10
units: parts by mass
100
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0140]
The present invention is able to provide a detergent composition with a favorable
aroma in which the effects of odors derived from α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salts ar5 e
suppressed.

CLAIMS
1. A detergent comprising an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a fragrance
composition, wherein
an amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mas5 s
relative to a total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition comprises a fragrance (A) described below,
an amount of the fragrance (A) is from 0.07 to 0.5% by mass relative to a total
mass of the detergent composition, and
10 the fragrance (A) is composed of at least one fragrance component selected from
the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate,
tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super and habanolide.
15 2. A detergent composition comprising an α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt and a
fragrance composition, wherein
an amount of the α-sulfo fatty acid alkyl ester salt is from 1 to 30% by mass
relative to a total mass of the detergent composition,
the fragrance composition comprises a fragrance (A) described below,
20 an amount of the fragrance composition is from 0.25 to 1% by mass relative to a
total mass of the detergent composition, and an amount of the fragrance (A) within the
fragrance composition is at least 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the fragrance
composition, and
the fragrance (A) is composed of at least one fragrance component selected from
25 the group consisting of dihydromyrcenol, isobornyl acetate, α-hexyl cinnamic aldehyde,
102
lilial, tetrahydrolinalool, amyl salicylate, verdox, vertenex, tricyclodecenyl acetate,
tricyclodecenyl propionate, Iso E Super, and habanolide.
3. The detergent composition according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein
the fragrance composition also comprises a fragrance (B) described below5 ,
a mass ratio of the fragrance (A) relative to the fragrance (B), represented by
(mass of fragrance (A))/(mass of fragrance (B)), is at least 1 but not more than 10, and
the fragrance (B) is composed of at least one fragrance component selected from
the group consisting of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-nonadienenitrile, allyl cyclohexyl propionate,
10 triplal, 1,8-cineole, camphor, diphenyl oxide, β-naphthol methyl ether, citronellyl nitrile,
dodecane nitrile, menthone, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl 2-methylvalerate, citronellal,
patchouli oil, n-heptanal, n-octanal, n-nonanal, 1-decanal, undecanal, dodecanal, 2-
methylundecanal, 10-undecenal, terpineol-4, menthol, styralyl acetate, butyl acetate,
isoamyl acetate, prenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, allyl amyl glycolate,
15 cis-3-hexenol, ethyl 2-cyclohexyl propionate, fruitate, allyl hexanoate, allyl heptanoate,
ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, isomenthone, isocyclocitral, octyl isobutyrate,
benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, 1,4-cineole, allyl ionone, floropal, linalool oxide, rose oxide,
cyclogalbanate, α-dynascone, α-damascone, β-damascone, γ-damascone, δ-damascone,
β-damascenone, methyl heptenone, L-carvone, geranial, neral, 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol,
20 methyl pamplemousse, 3-methyl-1-isobutylbutyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, cashmeran,
karanal, cedrol methyl ether, 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl-3-hexanol, methyl naphthyl
ketone, methyl anthranilate, spirogalbanone pure, and javanol.
4. The detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the
25 fragrance (A) is composed of at least three fragrance components.
103
5. The detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein an
amount of alkyl methyl ketones measured by a measurement method described below is
not more than 5.3 ng,
the measurement method comprising: accurately weighing 3 g of the detergen5 t
composition, placing the detergent composition in a sealable container with a capacity of
20 mL, sealing the container, and following standing for 30 minutes in a 40°C
thermostatic chamber, exposing a solid-phase microextraction fiber for one hour at 40°C
within a head space portion inside the container, thereby extracting alkyl methyl ketones
10 having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 to 8 from the head space portion, and
following this extraction, analyzing the solid-phase microextraction fiber using a gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry apparatus, determining a total amount (ng) of the
alkyl methyl ketones extracted from the head space portion, and using the total amount as
the amount of alkyl methyl ketones.