COMPOSITION FOR THE REMOVAL OF STAINS AND MALODOUR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition, preferably a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition, comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one oxygen transfer agent, and at least one protease, wherein: the composition comprises between 20 wt. % and 50 wt. % of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and the composition comprises between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one oxygen transfer agent is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof. The invention further relates to a method of a laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine. It also relates to the use of the composition for the removal of stains, malodour removal, and preferably whiteness improvement.

Claims

1. A composition comprising: between 20 wt. % and 50 wt. % of at least one bleaching agent based on the total weight of the composition; at least one bleach activator; between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. % of at least one oxygen transfer agent based on the total weight of the composition; and at least one protease, wherein the at last one oxygen transfer agent is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. % of the at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and/or between 0.001 wt. % and 5 wt. % of the at least one protease, based on the total weight of the composition; and/or between 0.005 wt. % and 1.5 wt. % of the at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group consisting of an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises between 0.1 wt. % and 20 wt. % of the at least one bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bleach activator is selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated glycoluriles, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N-acetylated lactams, and combinations thereof.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one oxygen transfer agent comprises or consists of 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide.

7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises between 0.001 wt. % and 10 wt. % of one or more further enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the one or more further enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition.

9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein a pH of a dilution of 1:100 at 20° C. of the composition is between 9 and 12.

10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is in form of a solid or a powder.

11. A method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising: adding the composition according to claim 1 to the washing machine; and conducting a wash, wherein a wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15° C. and lower than 40°, and wherein between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.

12. A method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item, the method comprising: contacting the stain directly with the composition according to claim 1 before the laundry item is washed, or adding the composition according to claim 1 directly into a drum of a washing machine, or adding the composition according to claim 1 to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

13. A method of using the composition according to claim 1 in a laundry washing and/or fabric treatment operation.

14. A method of using the composition according to claim 1 for the removal of stains, and/or the removal of malodour from a garment.

15. A method of using the composition according to claim 1 for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and/or fungi from a garment.

16. A method of using according to claim 14 or to claim 15, wherein said garment is made of cotton, synthetic materials or a combination thereof.

17. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the composition comprises between 0.01 wt. % and 1.00 wt. % of the at least one oxygen transfer agent.

18. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the composition comprises between 0.025 and 0.75 wt. % of the at least one oxygen transfer agent.

19. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group consisting of sodium percarbonate, ε-phthalimido-peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof.

20. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises or consists of sodium percarbonate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one oxygen transfer agent, and at least one protease, wherein: [0046] the composition comprises between 20 wt. % and 50 wt. % of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and [0047] the composition comprises between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one oxygen transfer agent is selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof.

[0048] The present inventors have observed that the detergent compositions according to the invention provide a better stain removal, malodour removal and preferably also improved whiteness of fabrics than compositions not containing an oxygen transfer agent selected from the group comprising 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide, 1,2,3-Benzoxathiazine, 2,2-dioxide, and combinations thereof.

[0049] These oxygen transfer agents react in the washing liquor to produce oxaziridines, which are responsible for the improved stain removal.

[0050] Furthermore, the compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains and malodour, especially the removal of turmeric and/or curry stains, even at temperatures lower than those usually used in automatic laundry washing (30° C. or 40° C.). It is believed that by adding the oxygen transfer agent to a detergent composition comprising a bleaching agent and a bleach activator, the activation energy needed to bleach a stain is reduced; this means that, the compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains from the fabric at lower temperatures, for example, 15° C., and faster than a composition not containing the oxygen transfer agent.

[0051] In addition, the present inventors have observed a synergistic effect between all ingredients of the composition according to the invention, in particular between the oxygen transfer agent, the bleaching agent, the bleach activator, and the protease. This is evidenced by the combined removal of stains and malodour and optionally the whiteness improvement.

[0052] An effect that is obtained with the composition according to the invention, in particular in garments made of polyester, is improvement of whites or whitening. As previously discussed, the oxygen transfer agents in the compositions according to the invention produce oxaziridines, which have a hydrophobic nature and can interact with polyethylene terephthalate in polyesters textiles. This interaction allows for a better whitening of the textiles.

[0053] Preferably, said at least one oxygen transfer agent comprises or consists of 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide. The present inventors have observed that excellent results regarding stain removal, in particular removal of turmeric and/or curry stains, and malodour removal are obtained with this oxygen transfer agent.

[0054] The composition may comprise: [0055] between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. % of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and/or [0056] between 0.001 wt. % and 5 wt. % of said at least one protease, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 2.5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and/or [0057] between 0.005 wt. % and 1.5 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt. % and 1.00 wt. %, more preferably between 0.025 and 0.75 wt. %.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. % of said at least one bleaching agent, between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. % of said at least one protease, and between 0.025 wt. % and 0.75 wt. % of said at least one oxygen transfer agent, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0059] The bleaching agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-releasing bleaching agent, a chlorine-releasing bleaching agent and combinations of two or more thereof. The at least one bleaching agent may then comprise at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof; preferably selected from the group comprising sodium percarbonate, ε-phthalimido-peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof; most preferably wherein said at least one bleaching agent comprises or consist of sodium percarbonate.

[0060] The at least one bleach activator is preferably selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated glycoluriles, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N-acetylated lactams, and combinations thereof; preferably said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

[0061] The composition may comprise between 0.1 wt. % and 20 wt. % of said at least one bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.25 wt. % and 15 wt. %, more preferably between 0.5 wt. % and 10 wt. %, most preferably between 1 wt. % and 5 wt. %.

[0062] The composition according to the invention comprising at last one oxygen transfer agent and at least one protease allows for the incorporation of more enzymes, which have a synergistic effect with the other elements of the composition. For example, the composition may further comprise between 0.001 wt. % and 10 wt. % of one or more further enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 2.5 wt. %, even more preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 2 wt. %, most preferably between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. %; wherein said one or more further enzyme are preferably selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof.

[0063] The compositions of the present invention may take any form, e.g. solid, liquid, gel, powder or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the compositions will be in form of a solid or a powder.

[0064] The composition is preferably a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition, more preferably the composition is a laundry additive composition.

[0065] Preferably, the pH of a dilution of 1:100 at 20° C. of the composition is between 9 and 12, more preferably between 9.5 and 11.5, even more preferably between 10 and 11.

[0066] Preferably the composition further comprises a rheology modifier agent, a fragrance, a phase stabilizer, a dye, a softening agent, a chelating agent, an anti-bacterial agent, a transition metal compound, an anti-foaming agent, a preservative, one or more surfactants, one or more fillers, a dye-transfer inhibitor, an optical brightener, or combinations thereof.

[0067] The composition may comprise one or more non-ionic surfactants. The amount of said one or more non-ionic surfactants in the composition may be between 0.01 wt. % and 10 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.1 and 1.0 wt. %. Examples of non-ionic surfactants are ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols having the formula R.sup.1(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH; wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing between 10 and 24 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 22 carbon atoms; and n has an average value of from 1 to 10. Preferably, the one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R.sup.1(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH; wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 1 to 10.

[0068] For example, when R.sup.1 is defined as being a 012-14 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 14 carbon atoms. For example, when R.sup.1 is defined as being a C.sub.12-16 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms. For example, when R.sup.1 is defined as being a C.sub.13 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having 13 carbon atoms.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises between 0.01 wt. % and 10 wt. % of one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.1 and 1.0 wt. %; wherein said one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R.sup.1(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH; wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 3 to 6, preferably between 4 and 5.

[0070] The composition may further comprise any conventional anionic surfactant or a mixture of them used in detergent products. These include, for example, the alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials. The anionic surfactants may be present in acid form or in neutralized (e.g., salt) form. The anionic surfactants may be linear, branched, or a mixture thereof. An example of an anionic surfactant is sodium cumenesulphonate.

[0071] Examples of anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of C.sub.10-16 alkyl benzene sulphonic acids or C.sub.11-14 alkyl benzene sulphonic acids.

[0072] Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant is alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants, such as ethoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants. Such materials are also known as alkyl ether sulphates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulphates.

[0073] Alkyl ether sulphates are generally available in the form of mixtures comprising varying R′ chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures also contain some non-ethoxylated alkyl sulphate (“AS”) materials.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: [0075] between 0.01 wt. % and 10 wt. % of one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.1 and 1.0 wt. %; wherein said one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R.sup.1(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH; wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 3 to 6, preferably between 4 and 5; and [0076] between 0.01 wt. % and 10 wt. % of one or more anionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 7.5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.1 and 5 wt. %; wherein said one or more anionic surfactants preferably comprise a sodium salt o linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, an alcohol sulphate, an alfa olefin sulfonate, or combinations thereof.

[0077] The selection of non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, in, for example, this preferred embodiment, is important for the compatibility of the composition with the high amounts of the bleaching agent, but also for controlling the foaming, detergency, flowability, and other physical and chemical properties of the composition.

[0078] The composition may optionally contain a filler. Suitable fillers include bicarbonates and carbonates of metals, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Examples include sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate and sesqui-carbonates of sodium, calcium and/or magnesium. Other examples include metal carboxy glycine and metal glycine carbonate. Chlorides, such as sodium chloride; citrates; and sulfates, such as sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate, may also be employed.

[0079] Preferably the composition comprises at least one filler selected from the group comprising alkyl carbonate, alkyl sulfate and combinations thereof; more preferably selected from the group comprising sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and combinations thereof.

[0080] When a filler is present, the composition may comprise between 0.1 wt. % and 80 wt. % of said at least one filler, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 10 wt. % and 75 wt. %, more preferably between 20 wt. % and 70 wt. %.

[0081] The composition may comprise an optical brightener, preferably selected from the group comprising stilbene, benzidine, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, coumarin, pyrazoline, naphtalimide, naphtoxazole, distyryl-biphenyl, benzonitrile, benzopyrazole, including their derivatives and substituted compounds, and combinations thereof. Suitable optical brighteners include 4,4′-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin, benzoxazole, 2,2′-(1,2-ethenediyl) bis[5-methyl]including their substituted compounds, 4,4′-bis (triazine-2ylamino) stilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid, mono (azol-2-yl) stilbene and bis (azol-2y1) stilbene; styryl derivatives of benzene and biphenyl, such as 1,4-bis (styryl) benzene, 4,4′-bis (styryl) benzene, 4,4′-bis-(styryl) biphenyl, 4,4′-bis (sulphostryryl) biphenyl sodium salt; pyrazolines such as 1,3-diphenyl-2-pyrazoline; bis (benzene-2-yl) derivatives, bis (benzoxazol-2-yl) derivatives and bis (benzimidazol-2-yl) derivatives; 2-(benzofuran-2-yl) benzimidazole; coumarins such as 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-coumarin or 4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin; carbostyrils; naphthalimides; dibenzothiophene5,5-dioxide; pyrene; or pyridotriazole derivatives and combinations thereof.

[0082] When an optical brightener is present, the composition may comprise between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. % of at least one optical brightener, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt. % and 0.5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.05 wt. % and 0.25 wt. %.

[0083] The composition may further comprise a dye-transfer inhibitor. Preferred dye-transfer inhibitors (sometimes called dye anti-redisposition agents or soil suspending agents) include polyvinylalcohol, fatty amides, sodium carboxylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrollidone, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyamine N-oxide polymers and copolymers or N-vinylpyrollidone and N-vinylimidazole.

[0084] When a dye-transfer inhibitor is present, the composition may comprise between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. % of at least one dye transfer inhibitor, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt. % and 0.75 wt. %, more preferably between 0.05 wt. % and 0.50 wt. %.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the composition is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition in form of a solid or a powder; which comprises: [0086] between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. % of at least one bleaching agent, preferably comprising or consisting of sodium percarbonate; [0087] between 0.025 wt. % and 0.75 wt. % of at least one oxygen transfer agent, preferably comprising or consisting of 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide; [0088] between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. % of at least one protease; [0089] between 1 wt. % and 5 wt. % of at least one bleach activator, preferably comprising or consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED); and [0090] preferably further comprising between 0.001 wt. % and 1 wt. % or one or more further enzymes, preferably selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof; [0091] based on the total weight of the composition.

[0092] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to the first aspect to the washing machine and conducting the wash, wherein preferably the wash liquor is at a temperature lower than 40°, more preferably lower than 30° C., even more preferably lower than 25° C., most preferably lower than 20° C.; and wherein preferably between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor, more preferably between 1 g and 5 g.

[0093] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising: [0094] contacting the stain directly with a composition according to the first aspect before the laundry item is washed, or [0095] adding a composition according to the first aspect directly into the drum of washing machine, or [0096] adding a composition according to the first aspect to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

[0097] When the composition is added into the drum of the washing machine or when it is added to a bucket with water, the washing liquor may have between 0.5 g and 20 g of the composition by litre of washing liquor. For example, if the composition is added into the drum of the washing machine, the washing liquor may have between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition per litre of washing liquor, preferably between 1 g and 5 g, even more preferably between 3 g and 5 g. If the composition is added to a bucket with water, the washing liquor may have between 0.5 g and 20 g of the composition per litre of washing liquor, preferably between 1 g and 15 g, more preferably between 5 g and 15 g.

[0098] When the composition is added to a bucket with water, soaking is performed for a predetermined length of time, which may be between 30 minutes and 2 hours, preferably between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, more preferably for about one hour.

[0099] It should be noted that the temperature of the washing liquor may be between 10° C. and 60° C., preferably between 10° C. and 45° C. The present inventors have observed that the composition according to the first aspect of the invention removes stains, in particular turmeric and/or curry stains, and malodour even at lower temperatures than those usually used in washing operation, for example at 15° C.

[0100] This means that the method according to the second or third aspect allows for the removal of stains and malodour, and preferably whiteness improvement, even at temperatures of for example 15° C. If the washing temperature is reduced, then energy consumption is also reduced.

[0101] In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect in a laundry washing and/or fabric treatment operation.

[0102] In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect for the removal of stains, preferably turmeric and/or curry stains, and/or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0103] In a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and/or fungi from a garment.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment of the fifth and sixth aspect, said garment is made of cotton, synthetic materials or a combination thereof, preferably wherein said synthetic material is polyester.

[0105] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of the composition according to the first aspect for the removal of stains, preferably turmeric and/or curry stains, the removal of malodour from a garment and the reduction of elimination of bacteria, viruses and/or fungi from a garment.

[0106] The foregoing aspects may be freely combined with any of the foregoing aspects disclosed herein.

[0107] All percentages used in this disclosure are by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0108] The present invention will now be described in relation to the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES

[0109] Formulations

[0110] Formulations A-G as shown in Table 1 are comparative compositions not according to the invention.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparative compositions Formulation Ingredient A B C D E F G Sodium Carbonate 47.81 47.81 47.81 13.00 44.60 16.00 13.00 Sodium Sulphate 10.00 10.00 10.00 32.80 10.00 32.44 38.50 Sodium Percarbonate 35.00 35.00 35.00 45.00 40.00 45.00 40.00 TAED (free) 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.00 1.00 4.00 4.00 Oxygen transfer agent 0 0 0.75 0 0 0 0 Non-ionic surfactant 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.50 0.25 0.25 Anionic surfactant 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.50 2.59 0.80 2.00 Protease 0 0.25 0 0.30 0.18 0.20 0.29 Mannanase 0 0.15 0 0.20 0 0 0.15 Lipase 0 0.20 0 0.30 0 0.25 0.20 Amylase 0 0.064 0 0.10 0 0.064 0.064 Cellulase 0 0 0 0 0 0.10 0 Fragrance 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.30 0.03 0.27 0.30 Citric acid 0 0 0 0.50 0 0 0.50 Optical brightener 0 0 0 0 0.10 0.13 0 Dye transfer inhibitor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.20 Additional ingredients q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s Oxygen transfer agent = 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide. The amounts of enzymes in table 1 are the amounts of these as received from a supplier. Additional ingredients such as: thickeners and fillers.

[0111] Formulations 1-5 as shown in Table 2 are compositions according to the invention.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Formulations according to the invention Formulation Ingredient 1 2 3 4 5 Sodium Carbonate 47.81 13.00 44.42 42.20  45.00  Sodium Sulphate 10.00 32.80 14.15 15.00  16.00  Sodium Percarbonate 35.00 45.00 35.00 38.00  35.00  TAED (free) 3.50 4.00 3.10 2.04 2.00 Oxygen transfer agent 0.23 0.05 0.12 0.05 0.05 Non-ionic surfactant 0.25 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.50 Anionic surfactant 2.00 2.50 2.00 1.00 0.50 Citric acid 0 0.50 0 — — Protease 0.25 0.30 0.20 0.20 0.19 Mannanase 0.15 0 0 — — Lipase 0.20 0 0 0.10 — Amylase 0.064 0.10 0  0.064  0.064 Cellulase 0 0 0 0.10 0.10 Dye transfer inhibitor 0 0 0.25 — — Optical brightener — 0 0 0.13 0.13 Fragrance 0.03 0.3 0.03 0.25 — Additional ingredients q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Oxygen transfer agent = 3-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-1,1-dioxide. The amounts of enzymes in table 2 are the amounts of these as received from a supplier. Additional ingredients such as: thickeners and fillers.

[0112] Performance Tests

[0113] Removal of Stains in Soaking Conditions

[0114] Formulations in Table 1 and Table 2 were tested on technical stains supported on cotton and based on curry-containing recipes, which were washed in soaking conditions. The performance of the formulations and of a commercial detergent, i.e. Indian Surf Excel Quick Wash powder laundry detergent from Unilever, was observed and compared.

[0115] Each sample was tested using 60 g of the commercial detergent or 60 g of a formulation and following the same test conditions. This means that 12 g of commercial detergent or formulation were used by litre of washing liquor.

[0116] Soaking Test Conditions

[0117] Each sample was washed by soaking it in 5 L of a washing liquor containing the detergent or one of the formulations. The temperature of the washing liquor was 28° C., water hardness 28° f, and the pH of the washing liquor was of about 10.5. After 1 h soaking in the washing liquor, the samples were rinsed under tap water and dried in a tumble drier, followed by spectrophotometric instrumental evaluation.

[0118] Stain removal was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by measuring the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. A higher Y-value represents a better stain removal.

[0119] The results of these tests are shown in Table 3.

[0120] List of technical stains used to study the stain removal performance: [0121] Curry with oil—CFT CH064 [0122] Curry Chicken Bhuma—CFT CH193 [0123] Sambal Badjack—CFT CH205 [0124] Curry Vidaloo—CFT CH206 [0125] Curry Rice milk—CFT CH230 [0126] Curry Egg Masala—CFT CH261 [0127] Turmeric with oil—CFT CH208 [0128] Curry—CFT CS34 [0129] Curry— WFK 10U

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Removal of different technical stains supported on cotton Y - values Formulation Stain name Detergent A B C 1 Curry with oil 67 68 79 82 87 Curry Vidaloo 49 54 63 63 66 Curry Rice milk 76 46 84 88 89 Turmeric with oil 71 75 83 88 89 Curry - CFT CS34 74 75 78 83 85 (Each value in table 3 is the average of three measurements)

[0130] In Table 3, it is shown that a formulation according to the invention provides a better removal of turmeric and curry stains than the detergent and the comparative formulations.

[0131] Removal of Stains at Lower Temperatures in Washing Machine

[0132] Technical stains supported on cotton were washed in a laundry washing machine in a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems shown in Table 4 at 15° C. or 30° C.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Detergent systems and temperatures of washing liquor Detergent system Components Temperature Da* 35 mL Commercial detergent 30° C. Db* 35 mL Commercial detergent + 30° C. 60 g Formulation D Dc* 35 mL Commercial detergent + 15° C. 60 g Formulation D Dd 35 mL Commercial detergent + 15° C. 60 g Formulation 2 The commercial detergent in Table 4 is Ariel liquid as sold in the UK.

[0133] Washing Test Conditions

[0134] Each sample was washed in an AEG 7000 laundry washing machine at a temperature of 30° C. or 15° C. using a cotton cycle (duration 1 hour and 30 minutes), water hardness of 28° f.

[0135] Stain removal was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by measuring the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. A higher Y-value represents a better stain removal.

[0136] The results of these tests are shown in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Removal of different technical stains supported on cotton at different temperatures Y - values Detergent system Stain name Da* Db* Dc* Dd Tomato 81 83 83 83 Tea 52 64 60 64 Curry 76 80 78 81 Blueberry juice 43 70 64 67 Expresso coffee 49 66 59 64 Red wine 45 59 52 58 Grass 76 83 83 84 Make up 70 71 69 71 Gravy 79 85 81 83 Barbeque sauce 87 89 88 89 Used cooking fat 88 89 86 88 Chocolate 48 52 48 49 Egg 73 85 82 83 AVERAGE 67 75 72 74 (Each value in table 5 is the average of four measurements)

[0137] The results in table 5 demonstrate that a composition according to the invention (formulation 2) allows for the removal of stains (bleachable, greasy and enzymatic) at temperatures lower than those normally used in washing operations. In particular, it is shown that a composition according to the invention allows for the removal of curry stains.

[0138] These results show that the performance of a detergent system comprising a composition according to the invention at a temperature lower than that normally used in washing operations, i.e. lower than 30° C. or 40° C.: [0139] is better than the performance of a detergent system comprising a comparative formulation free of oxygen transfer agent at a similar temperature; [0140] is similar to the performance of a detergent system comprising a comparative formulation free of oxygen transfer agent at a higher temperature; and [0141] is better than the performance of a commercial detergent at a higher temperature.

[0142] This means that, a composition according to the invention allows for the removal of stains, while reducing the energy consumption and CO.sub.2 emissions, thanks to the lower temperatures that can be used.

[0143] Removal of Stains at Standard Temperatures in Soaking Conditions

[0144] Technical stains supported on cotton were washed in soaking conditions in a washing liquor at 30° C. and containing one of the detergent systems of Table 6.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Detergent systems and temperatures of washing liquor in soaking conditions Detergent system Components Temperature De* 120 g Commercial detergent 30° C. Df* 60 g Formulation E 30° C. Dg 60 g Formulation 3 30° C. The commercial detergent in Table 6 is Surf excel powder as sold in India.

[0145] Washing Conditions—Soaking

[0146] Each sample was washed by soaking it in 5 L of a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems of Table 6. The temperature of the washing liquor was 30° C. and water hardness 15° f. After 1 h soaking in the washing liquor, the samples were rinsed under tap water and dried in a tumble drier, followed by spectrophotometric instrumental evaluation. The amount of formulation e or 3 that was added to the washing liquor was 12 g per litre of washing liquor.

[0147] Stain removal was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by measuring the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. A higher Y-value represents a better stain removal.

[0148] The results of these tests are shown in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Removal of different technical stains supported on cotton at 30° C. in soaking conditions Y - values Detergent system Stain Code Stain name De* Df* Dg Greasy C-H064 curry with oil 39.89 51.51 78.39 stains C-H193 Curry, chicken 79.83 81.26 85.62 bhuma C-H208 Tumeric with oil 40.20 49.44 86.08 C-H230 curry, rice, milk 46.69 57.03 83.77 C-H261 curry, egg, masala 67.92 75.83 83.13 WE5BBWKC cooked beef fat 67.93 69.23 74.36 AVERAGE 57.10 64.05 81.99 Bleachable C-S-08 grass 72.61 74.72 77.99 stains C-S-15 blueberry juice 40.80 73.52 77.04 W-10U curry 61.81 67.84 84.26 WE5ECWKC coffee 65.42 82.36 86.76 WE5FSMWKC french squeeze 43.98 51.56 66.86 mustard WE5LTWKC tea 33.46 72.98 75.92 WE5RWWKC red wine 50.17 80.11 82.74 AVERAGE 52.61 71.87 78.80 Enzymatic C-S-44 chocolate drink 36.62 51.89 57.73 Stains pure WE5DASBKC sheep blood 59.56 62.28 61.09 AVERAGE 48.10 57.09 59.41 (Each value in table 8 is the average of four measurements)

[0149] The results in table 7 demonstrate that a composition according to the invention (formulation 3) allows for the removal of stains (greasy, bleachable and enzymatic), in particular the removal of turmeric and curry greasy stains.

[0150] Whitening

[0151] Standard white fabrics made of polyester, cotton or mixed polyester/cotton were washed in a laundry washing machine in a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems in a laundry washing machine containing one of the detergent systems of Table 8.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Detergent systems and temperatures of washing liquor in laundry washing machine Detergent system Components Temperature Dh* 65 g Commercial detergent 1 + 40° C. 60 g Formulation F Di 65 g Commercial detergent 1 + 40° C. 60 g Formulation 2 Dj* 35 mL Commercial detergent 2 30° C. Dk* 35 mL Commercial detergent 2 + 30° C. 60 g Formulation F Dl 35 mL Commercial detergent 2 + 30° C. 60 g Formulation 4 In table 8 commercial detergent 1 is Ariel powder and commercial detergent 2 is Ariel gel.

[0152] Washing Test Conditions

[0153] The tested fabrics were washed up to 35 cumulative cycles in a Miele Plus 6065 laundry washing machine at a temperature of 30° C. or 40° C. using a cotton cycle, water hardness of 28° f. The amount of formulation 2, 4 or F that was added to the washing machine was of between 3.5 and 5 g of formulation per litre of washing liquor.

[0154] The whiteness performance was given using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by determining the Ganz whiteness degree. A higher Ganz whiteness degree corresponds to a better whitening performance.

[0155] The results of these tests are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Whitening of fabrics at 40° C. Ganz Value Detergent After 0 After 5 After 35 system Fabric washes washes washes Dh* 100% polyester 72 — 84 Di 72 — 94

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Whitening of fabrics at 30° C. Ganz Value Detergent After 0 After 5 After 35 system Fabric washes washes washes Dj* 100% cotton 67.2 159.4 191.4 Dk* WFK 10 A 67.2 189.4 222.8 Dl 67.2 197.4 220.1 Dj* 65% polyester/35% 68.2 130.2 156.4 Dk* cotton 68.2 162.6 183.5 Dl WFK 20A 68.2 162.2 183.5 Dj* 100% polyester 67.4 72.8 74.3 Dk* WFK 30A 67.4 77.5 87.4 Dl 67.4 78.8 88.0 Dj* 100% polyester 60.9 62.1 64.2 Dk* Decathlon t-shirt 60.9 69.4 80.9 Dl 60.9 n.a. 82.4 Dj* 100% polyester 201.4 203.5 212.6 Dk* Colonia 201.4 207.7 209.5 Dl 201.4 208.8 216.6

[0156] The results in tables 9 and 10 demonstrate that compositions according to the invention (formulations 2 and 4) provide better whitening than a commercial detergent or detergent systems comprising a composition not according to the invention. This effect is particularly shown in fabrics comprising or consisting of a synthetic material, such as polyester.

[0157] Malodour Removal

[0158] Two mixtures of smelly molecules representative of body and foot smells, respectively, were produced. Few drops of each mixture were dropped on cotton (100% cotton) and polycotton (65% polyester, 35% cotton) fabrics producing smelly test swatches. The swatches were then washed. The odour removal was determined by gas chromatography by measuring the quantity of molecules responsible for the body and foot smell, respectively, in each fabric before and after washing and it is given as the percentage of odour removal, i.e. percentage of removal of smelly molecules. The odour removal represents the ability of a formulation to break down smelly molecules.

[0159] The molecules present in the initial mixtures and analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) are:

[0160] Foot smell—mixture of: [0161] n-Decanol [0162] Propyonic acid [0163] Undecanale [0164] 2-Octanone

[0165] Body smell—mixture of: [0166] Decanale [0167] 4-Ethyloctanoic acid [0168] Undecanale [0169] Iso Valerianic Acid [0170] Butyric acid [0171] Trans-2-nonenal

[0172] Fabrics with the smelly mixtures were washed either by soaking or in a laundry machine in a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems shown in Table 11.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Detergent systems and temperatures of washing liquor in soaking and in laundry washing machine Detergent system Components Temperature Dm* 35 mL Commercial detergent 30° C. Dn 60 g Formulation 1 - soaking conditions 28° C. Do* 35 mL Commercial detergent + 30° C. 60 g Formulation D Dp 35 mL Commercial detergent + 30° C. 60 g Formulation 5 Dq* 60 g Formulation D 40° C. Dr 60 g Formulation 5 40° C. The commercial detergent in Table 11 is Ariel liquid as sold in the UK.

[0173] Soaking Test Conditions

[0174] Each sample was washed by soaking it in a washing liquor (5 L of washing liquor for detergent system Du and 4 L of washing liquor for detergent systems Dq* and Dr) containing the detergent system of table 11. The temperature of the washing liquor was 28° C. or 40° C. After 1 h soaking in the washing liquor, the samples were rinsed under tap water and dried in a tumble drier, followed by instrumental evaluation by gas chromatography.

[0175] Washing Test Conditions

[0176] Each sample was washed in a laundry washing machine at a temperature of 30° C. and using a cotton cycle.

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Malodour removal from a garment Detergent % odour system Fabric Smell Condition removal Dm* Cotton Body Washing machine 94.9 Dm* Cotton Foot Washing machine 72.7 Dm* Polycotton Body Washing machine 95.7 Dm* Polycotton Foot Washing machine 92.2 Dn Cotton Body Soaking 97.5 Dn Cotton Foot Soaking 93.1 Dn Polycotton Body Soaking 98.5 Dn Polycotton Foot Soaking 98.2 Do* Cotton Foot Washing machine 92 Do* Polycotton Foot Washing machine 91 Dp Cotton Foot Washing machine 94 Dp Polycotton Foot Washing machine 96 Dq* Cotton Body Soaking 99 Dq* Polycotton Boy Soaking 96 Dr Cotton Body Soaking 98 Dr PolyCotton Body Soaking 99

[0177] The results in table 12 demonstrate that the compositions according to the invention (formulations 1 and 5) provide a better malodour removal than the commercial detergent or detergent systems comprising a composition not according to the invention.

[0178] These results show that the composition according to the invention provides: [0179] removal of stains, especially turmeric and curry greasy stains, [0180] malodour removal; and [0181] preferably also whiteness improvement in a garment.

[0182] Hence one or more objects of the present invention are achieved by the present which is further elucidated in the appended claims.