USOO537081.

6A
United States Patent. 19 11 Patent Number: 5,370,816
Balzer et al. 45 Date of Patent: Dec. 6, 1994
54 DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONTAINING 5,073,293 12/1991 Deguchi......................... 252/174.17
A MIXTURE OF ALKYL POLYGLYCOSDES 5,104,585 4/1992 Fabry .................................. 252/555
5,118,440 6/1992 Cutler et al. ... 252/174.17
75) Inventors: Dieter Balzer, Haltern; Rudolf Beck;
Willi Gasber, both of Marl, all of FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Germany 0075994 4/1983 European Pat. Off. .
73 Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft, Marl, 0075995 4/1983 European Pat. Off. ... 252/174.17
Germany 0364744 9/1989 European Pat. Off. ....... 252/174.17
0474915A1 3/1992 European Pat. Off. .
21) Appl. No.: 54,829 0474915 3/1992 Germany ........................ 252/174.17
2145696 5/1990 Japan.
22 Filed: Apr. 30, 1993 8605187 7/985 WIPO ............................ 252/174.17

Related U.S. Application Data Primary Examiner-Paul Lieberman

Assistant Examiner-Kery A. Fries
63 Continuation of Ser. No. 733,845, Jul. 22, 1991, aban Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oblon, Spivak, McClelland,
doned. Maier & Neustadt
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data 57 ABSTRACT
Sep. 13, 1990 DE Germany ............................. 4029035 Low-foaming, liquid or pulverulent machine detergents
51) Int. Cl. ........................ C11D 90/00; C11D 9/26 today consist, in the surfactant portion, mainly of sur
52 U.S. Cl. ............................... 252/132; 252/174.17; factants based on petrochemicals; the biodegradability
252/174.21; 252/DIG. 1; 252/DIG. 14 and ecotoxicity frequently does not reach the level of
58 Field of Search ...................... 252/174.17, 174.21, surfactants based on natural materials. Accordingly, a
252/DIG. 1, DIG. 14, 132 surfactant combination for low-foaming machine deter
gents is proposed, which is predominantly prepared
56) References Cited from renewable raw materials; washing results and
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS biodegradability are excellent. The surfactant portion of
H171 12/1986 McDaniel ....................... 252/174.17
these machine detergents consists of fatty alcohol
3,547,828 12/1970 Mansfield et al. .................. 252/351 ethoxylates, soaps and alkyl polyglycosides which con
4.483,780 6/1983 Llenado ........... ... 252/174.17 sist at least of a mixture of alkylglycosides of varying
4,780,234 10/1987 Malik............... ... 252/174.17 chain length and varying degrees of glycosylation.
5,025,069 6/1991 Deguchi et al. ............... 252/174.17
5,043,091 6/1989 Toshi et al. .................... 252/74.7 17 Claims, No Drawings
 5,370,816
1.
DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONTAINING A R'-O-Zn (II),
MXTURE OF ALKYL POLYGLYCOSDES
in which R is a linear or branched, saturated or
The present application is a continuation of applica unsaturated alkyl radical having 12 to 18 carbon
tion Ser. No. 07/733,845, filed Jul. 22, 1991, now aban atoms or mixtures thereof and Z'n represents a
doned. glycosyl or polyglycosyl radical having an average
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
value of from 1 to 3 hexose or pentose units;
(B) 3 to 30% of one or more fatty alcohol ethoxylates;
1. Field of the Invention O (C) 5 to 30% of one or more soaps; and
The present invention relates to liquid or pulverulent (D) 0 to 5% of other surfactants.
preparations for the washing of textiles, the surfactants In a further embodiment, the present composition
of which are prepared predominantly from renewable contains at least 5% of one or more non-surfactant com
raw materials. ponents.
2. Discussion of the Background 15 The use of an alkyl polyglycoside in combination
Today, liquid detergents consist especially of anionic with either fatty alcohol ethoxylates or with anionic
surfactants, in particular alkylbenzenesulphonates, fatty surfactants is known per se. Thus German Offen
alcohol ethoxylates and soap, whereas washing pow legungsschrift 593,422 has already mentioned the deter
ders contain builders, bleaching agents and other elec gency-boosting effect of an alkyl glycoside in soaps.
trolytes in addition to surfactants (alkylbenzenesul Later publications, such as EP-A 0.075,994, 075,995,
phonates and fatty alcohol ethoxylates) as essential ac O75,996, 094,118 and 317,614 have described the use of
tive compounds. The common feature of both liquid alkyl polyglycosides in combination with anionic and
and pulverulent detergent formulations is that the sur Mor nonionic surfactants in detergents.
factants used are based on petrochemicals. However, surprisingly, it has now been found that
In view of the future raw material situation (petro 25 the formulation according to the present invention hav
leum shortage), this petrochemical base is a significant ing two different alkyl polyglycosides gives excellent
disadvantage. A further disadvantage is that the levels washing results.
of biodegradability and ecotoxicity of petroleum-based The alkyl polyglycoside used is a mixture of at least 2
surfactants frequently are far less acceptable than the components which, on the one hand, differ considera
corresponding levels shown by surfactants based on 30 bly with respect to the chain length of their alkyl groups
natural materials. and, on the other hand, are used in different concentra
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
tions. The main components of these are alkyl poly
glycosides whose alkyl groups contain 12 to 18 carbon
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to atoms; secondary components are those whose alkyl
provide a surfactant combination for low-foaming de 35 group contains 7 to 11 carbon atoms. According to the
tergents which is predominantly prepared from renew present invention, the content of the short-chain alkyl
able raw materials. polyglycoside(s) in the above-mentioned surfactant
A further object of the present invention is to provide portion is 1 to 10%, and that of the long-chain alkyl
a detergent composition giving improved washing re polyglycoside(s) is 2 to 20%.
sults. The balance of the present detergent composition
A further object of the present invention is to provide contains fatty alcohol ethoxylates and, depending on its
a detergent composition which is highly biodegradable. physical state, other components selected from further
A further object of the present invention is to provide surfactants in small amounts, sequestering agents,
a detergent composition which can be prepared in ei bleaching agents, optical brighteners, antiredeposition
ther liquid or pulverulent form. 45 agents, corrosion inhibitors, foam regulators, stabilizers,
These and other objects, which will become apparent enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, electrolytes, hydrotropic
during the following detailed description of the present substances, solubilizers, and the like.
invention, is achieved by a surfactant combination Alkyl Polyglycosides
which predominantly contains alkyl polyglycosides, Shorter-chain alkyl polyglycosides used according to
one or more fatty alcohol ethoxylates and soap. 50 the present invention satisfy the formula (I)
OETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE R-O-Z (I),
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accord with the above-described objects, the pres in which R represents a linear or branched, saturated or
ent invention relates to a low-foaming, liquid or pulver 55 unsaturated aliphatic alkyl radical having 7 to 11 carbon
ulent machine detergent containing: atoms or mixtures thereof, Zn represents a polyglycosyl
(A) 3 to 30% of a mixture of at least one alkyl poly radical or a mixture of polyglycosyl radicals, wherein
glycoside of the formula (I) Zn has an average value of from 1.0 to 3.0 hexose or
pentose units for the total shorter-chain alkyl poly
R-O-Zn (I) glycosides of formula (I) in the composition.
Preference is given to alkyl polyglycosides having
in which R represents a linear or branched, satu alkyl radicals of 8 to 11 carbon atoms and a polyglyco
rated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 7 to 11 syl radical where n is an average value of from 1.1 to 2.
carbon atoms or mixtures thereof and Zn represents Polyglucosides derived from one or more glucose units
a glycosyl or polyglycosyl radical having an aver 65 are particularly preferred.
age value of from 1 to 3 hexose or pentose units, Longer-chain alkyl polyglycosides used according to
and at least one alkyl polyglycoside of the formula the present invention satisfy the formula (II)
(II)
 3
5,370,816
4.
R'-O-Zn (II), according to the present invention is 96t3% deter
in which R represents a linear or branched, saturated or mined by means of a DOC analysis simulation model for
unsaturated aliphatic radical having 12 to 18 carbon water treatment plants. In this testing procedure (total
atoms or mixtures thereof and Zn represents a poly degradation), a degree of degradation of 270% indi
glycosyl radical or a mixture of polyglycosyl radicals, cates that the substance is highly degradable.
wherein Zn has an average value of from 1.0 to 3 hex Likewise, the acute oral toxicity LD 50 (rat) at
ose or pentose units for the total longer-chain alkyl > 10,000 mg/kg and the aquatic toxicity LC 50 (orfe) at
polyglycosides of the formula (II) in the composition. about 12 mg/1 and EC50 (daphnia) at 30 mg/l are more
Alkyl polyglycosides having fatty alkyl radicals of 12 O
favorable by a factor of 3 to 5 than the corresponding
to 16 carbon atoms and a polyglycosyl radical where n values of today's most important surfactants. The same
is an average value of from 1.1 to 2 are preferred. Poly is true of the skin and mucous membrane compatibility.
glycosides derived from one or more glucose units are Fatty alcohol ethoxylates
particularly preferred. Fatty alcohol ethoxylates are compounds of the for
The alkyl polyglycosides used according to the pres 15 mula (III)
ent invention can be prepared by known processes
based on renewable raw materials. R'-O-(CH2-CH2-OH, (III)
For example, dextrose is reacted in the presence of an
acid catalyst with n-butanol to give butyl polyglycoside in which R' is a linear or branched, saturated or unsatu
mixtures, which are transglycosylated with long-chain rated alkyl radical having 8 to 22, preferably 10 to 20,
alcohols also in the presence of an acid catalyst to give 20 carbon atoms and x is 2 to 20, preferably 3 to 15.
the desired alkyl polyglycoside mixtures. Alternatively, The compounds are in general prepared by an addi.
dextrose is reacted directly with the desired long-chain tion reaction of ethylene oxide with longer-chain alco
alcohol. hols in the presence of basic or acid catalysts. For eco
The structure of the products is variable within cer nomic reasons, alcohols which are available on a large
tain limits. The alkyl radical R or R' is determined by 25 scale from the hydrogenation of carboxylic acids or
the selection of the long-chain alcohol. For economic carboxylic acid derivatives and have 8 to 22 carbon
reasons, alcohols which are accessible on a large scale atoms are favorable. However, Ziegler alcohols or oxo
and have 7 to 18 carbon atoms are preferred, particu alcohols can also be used.
larly natural alcohols from the hydrogenation of one or 30 As is known, the alcohol ethoxylates are extremely
more carboxylic acids having from 7 to 18 carbon biodegradable; their data with respect to aquatic toxic
atoms, or derivatives thereof. Ziegler alcohols or oxo ity, skin and mucous membrane compatibility are also
alcohols of 7 to 18 carbon atoms can also be used. favorable. The detergents according to the invention
The polyglycosyl radicals Znand Zn are determined, contain 3 to 30% of fatty alcohol ethoxylates, which
on the one hand, by the selection of the carbohydrate 35 can also be mixtures. A content of 5 to 20% is preferred.
and, on the other hand, by the desired average degree of Soap
polymerization n and m, for example according to Ger Fatty acids or salts thereof according to the invention
man Offenlegungsschrift 1,943,689. In principle, carbo have the formula (IV)
hydrates such as starch, maltodextrins, dextrose, galac
tose, mannose, xylose and the like, can be used. Carbo R'COOP (IV),
hydrates which are available on a large scale are pre
ferred; for example, starch, maltodextrins, and, in par
ticular, dextrose. Since the alkyl polyglycoside synthe in which R" is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical
having 8 to 22 carbon atoms and P is hydrogen, alkali
ses of economic interest do not proceed with regio- and
stereoselectivity, the alkyl polyglycosides are always a metal,
monium.
ammonium or mono-, bis- or trialkanolam
mixture of oligomers, which in turn are mixtures of 45
various isomeric forms. They are present side by side in to The detergents according to the invention contain 5
pyranose and furanose forms which have a- and 3 cases is apreferably
30%,
mixture of
7 to 20%, of soap, which in most
various soaps.
glycosidic bonds. The linking sites between two saccha Further surfactant components
ride radicals also differ.
Alkyl polyglycosides used according to the present 50 According to the invention, up to 5% of further ani
invention can also be prepared by mixing alkyl poly can onic, nonionic, zwitterionic and ampholytic surfactants
glycosides with alkyl monoglycosides. The latter can be olefinbeSulphonates,
used. They are in particular alkanesulphonates,
alkylbenzenesulphonates, a-sulpho
obtained from or enriched with alkyl polyglycosides,
for example, according to EP-A 0,092,355, by means of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohol sulphates, fatty alcohol
polar solvents, such as acetone. 55 ether sulphates, sulphosuccinate esters, alkanol ethoxy
The degree of glycosylation is advantageously deter lates, fatty alkanolamides, amine oxides, betaines, sul
mined by means of HNMR (proton nuclear magnetic phobetaines, and the like.
resonance spectroscopy). Further non-surfactant components
The detergents according to the present invention In a preferred embodiment, further non-surfactant
contain 1 to 10% of short-chain alkyl polyglycoside, 60 components comprise at least 5% of the present compo
preferably 2-8%, and 2-20% of long-chain alkyl poly sition, preferably at least 10%, and particularly prefera
glycoside, preferably 3-15%, the ratio of short-chain to bly at least 20%.
long-chain content being 1:10 to 2:1, preferably 2:10 to Suitable non-surfactant components are predomi
1:1. nantly builders. According to the present invention,
Compared with almost all other surfactants used in 65 water-soluble builders, such as various polyphosphates,
detergents, the alkyl polyglycosides are considered phosphonates, carbonates, polycarboxylates, citrates,
extremely compatible with the environment. Thus, the polyacetates, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and/or
degree of biodegradation for the alkyl polyglycosides ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the like,
 5
5,370,816
6
or mixtures thereof, are used. These compounds are washed at 30 C., and the blended fabric and cotton
preferably used in the form of their alkali metal salts, were washed at 60° C. In the case of the Linitest labora
preferably sodium salts. Sodium sulphate, although it is tory washing machine, the concentration of active com
not a sequestering agent, also is a suitable non-surfactant pound was 1 g/1, in the case of the household washing
component. The use of water-insoluble builders, such as 5 machine, it was 5 g/1, the pH was in each case about 7,
aluminosilicates of suitable particle size (cf. EP-A the liquor ratio about 60:1 or 4:1, and the washing times
0,075,994) is also suitable, according to the present in in both cases were about 30 minutes.
vention. The concentration of the builders in the deter With the Linitest washing machine, the washing op
gent is 0 to 70%, preferably 0 to 50%. eration was repeated twice after rinsing the fabric each
Furthermore, bleaching agents, such as sodium per 10 time. The washing values, after drying of the fabrics,
borate or percarbonate, and if desired, in combination was, as is usual, measured by spectrophotometry, rela
with bleaching activators, such as tetraacetyle tive to a white standard (Datacolor, 560 nm).
thylenediamine (TAED), and the like, are used accord Liquid formulations
ing to the present invention; other bleaching agents (cf. Table 1 shows a comparison of the properties of the
K. Engel, Tenside Surfactants 25, p. 21 (1988)) are of 15 detergents according to the present invention as liquid
course also suitable. The concentration of the bleaching formulation with those of other known combinations
agents is 0 to 40%, preferably 0-30%.
If desired, standardizing agents, such as low-molecu and with a liquid commercial brand detergent, for
lar weight mono- or dihydric alcohols, alkyl ethers of which an optimized recipe can be assumed. Clearing
polyhydric alcohols, hydrotropic agents, such as alkyl- 20 point and viscosity are approximately those of the stan
benzenesulphonates having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the dard customary in the market for liquid detergent. The
alkyl radical, mono-, di-, and/or trialkanolamines or foaming power of the formulations according to the
urea, enzymes, such as, in particular, proteases and invention, without any further regulating additives, has
enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, such as alkali variable values. This is in particular true of the washing
metal silicates, optical brighteners, in particular those 25 power.
based on stilbene and pyrazoline, form regulators, an Compared with a commercial brand detergent (Ex
tiredeposition agents such as carboxymethyl-cellulose, ample 13 (C)) and even with the formulations contain
perfume oils, dyes and further ingredients customary ing alkyl polyglycosides (Example 1 (C) to 5(C)), the
for liquid or pulverulent detergents, such as water, may detergents according to the present invention are far
be used according to the present invention, in an 30 superior in their washing activity.
amount sufficient bring the total of the composition to Powder formulations:
100%. Table 2 shows a comparison of the properties of pull
The total concentration used in the machine deter verulent detergent formulations according to the pres
gents according to the present invention is preferably ent invention with those of a known combination and
0.3-20 g/l for the surfactant portion. A total concentra 35 with a commercial brand detergent. Bulk density and
tion of 0.5-10 g/l is particularly preferred. foaming power were determined by DIN methods.
Other features of the invention will become apparent The solubility could be evaluated by plotting the
in the course of the following descriptions of exemplary electric conductivity as a function of time, in which
embodiments which are given for illustration of the 80% of the average final conductivity upon dissolution
invention are not intended to be limiting thereof. of 3 g of powder in 800 ml of drinking water (13 of
EXAMPLES German hardness) was taken as the measurement value.
The measured values have an error of 5%.
The examples which follow illustrate the invention. Apart from a somewhat higher bulk density, which is
Apart from the surfactant components mentioned and typical for agglomerated washing powders compared
used according to the invention, the liquid detergent 45 with spray-dried commercial products (Example
formulations listed in Table 1 each contain 6% of trieth
anolamine, 12% of ethanol, 6% of 1,2-propylene glycol 23(C)), the powders according to the invention have a
and the balance of water, to add up to a total of 100%. very similar behavior and are far better in their washing
Apart from the surfactant components mentioned and values.It is surprising that when alkyl polyglycosides are
used according to the invention, the powders listed in 50 used, that the significantly improved washing power, in
Table 2 each contain 10% of sodium perborate, 4.5% of the case
NaMg silicate, 14% of Na2SO4, 24% of Versalite P, once againofbyblended the
fabrics in particular, is improved
formulation according to the present
3% of Sokalan CP 5, 8% of Na2CO3, 3.5% of TAED invention.
and 0.4% of an organophosphonate.
The foaming power was determined according to 55 The following abbreviations were used in the tables:
DIN 53,902, part 1. The concentration of wash-active Triton (R) BG 10-shorter-chain (C7-C11) alkyl
substance was in each case 1 g/l, and the foam volume polyglycoside from Rohm and Haas
was determined after 5 minutes. The washing power Triton (R) CG 110-shorter-chain (C7-C11) alkyl
was determined both in a Linitest laboratory washing polyglycoside from Rohm and Haas
machine (i.e. at moderate mechanical stress) and in a C12C4G1.2-C12/14-alkyl polyglycoside having a
standard household machine, in which also the foaming degree of glycosidation of 1.2
was tested, which corresponded approximately to the C12C1301.1-C12/13-alkyl polyglycoside having a
DIN values. degree of glycosidation of 1.1
The model fabrics were WFK (Waschereiforschung C12C1301.7-C12/13-alkyl polyglycoside having a
Krefeld) test swatches of 11X18 cm in size soiled with 65 degree of glycosidation of 1.7
human sebum pigment: polyester (PE), blended fabric MARLIPAL (R) 24/60-C12/14-alkenol ethoxylate
(BF) and cotton (CT), and drinking water (13 of Ger containing 6 mol of ethylene oxide per mol of al
man hardness) as water. The polyester fabric was kenol
 7
5,370,816 8
MARLIPAL (R) 24/80-C12/14-alkenol ethoxylate Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of
containing 8 mol of ethylene oxide per mol of al- the present invention are possible in light of the above
kenol teachings. The present invention may suitably com
Soap 1-coconut fatty acid neutralized with trietha- prise, consistessentially of, or consist of the components
nolamine 5 (A), (B), (C), (D), and optionally, one or more non-sur
Soap 2-90 parts of beef fat, 10 parts of coconut fatty factant components, and may be practiced in the ab
acid, both saponified with NaOH sence of any component which is not specifically de
PE-polyester scribed herein. It is therefore to be understood that
BF-blended fabric within the scope of the appended claims, the invention
CT-cotton 10 may be practiced otherwise than as specifically de
scribed herein.
TABLE 1 (a)
Liquid detergents based on an alkyl polyglycoside combination/fatty alcohol ethoylate/Soap
- Example No
Surfactants 1(C) 20) 3(C) 4(C) 5(C) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13(C)
Triton (RBG 10 15 - - - - 5 3.8 5 - - - - liquid
Triton (E) CG 110 -- 1S - - - - - - 5 3.8 3.8 5 brand
C12C14G1.2 -- O 15 -- - 10 11.2 10 - 1.2 - - are
C12C13Cl. - m - 15 - - - - 10 - 11.2 - detergent
C12C13G1.7 - - - - 15 - - - - - - 10
MARLIPAL (E 24/60 15 15 15 - 15 15 - 15 15 15 15
MARLIPAL (8) 24/80 - 15 - --- 15 - - 15 - - m
Soap 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
(C): comparative example

TABLE 1(b)
Properties and results of Examples of Table 1(a)
Example No.
Surfactants 1(C) 20) 3(C) 4(C) 5(C) 6 7 8 9 10 1. 12 13(C)
Clearing point (C) -10 - 10 -5 -3 -5 -3 -2 -5 -5 -4 -5 -2 --
Viscosity 25 C. 50 50 50 50 48 50 48 50 48 46 48 60 90
(mPa)
Foaming power 50 50 30 70 40 50 40 50 50 40 40 30 40
60° C. DIN after 30sec
Washing power
(diffuse reflection (%)
Linitest
PE 30° C. 14 11 17 18 17 19 20 19 19 21 23 21 13
BF 60 C. 23 24 27 26 28 29 29 34 30 32 30 29 17
CT 60' C. 33 33 34 34 36 37 39 40 40 39 40 39 37
Washing machine
BP 60' C. 48 53 S5 56 56 6 59 62 61 62 59 60 42
CT 60 C. S4 56 59 58 57 64 59 60 6S 64 65 63 52
(C); comparative example

TABLE 20a)
Pulverulent formulations
- Example No
Surfactants 14(C) 15(C) 16(C) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23(C)
Tritin (R) BG 10 - - - - - - 1.7 1.7 pulverulent
Tritin (R) CG 110 5 - - 1.7 1.3 l.3 2.5 - - brand
C12C14G12 - 5 - 3.3 3.7 - - 3.3 - name
C12C14G1.1 - - 5 - - 3.7 2.5 - 3.3 detergent
MARLIPAL (R) 24/60 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 S 5
Soap 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
(C): comparative examples

TABLE 20b)
Properties and results of Examples of Table2(a)
Surfactants Example No.
Results 14(C) 15(C) 16(C) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23(C)
Bulk density g/1 570 560 550 560 550 540 550 540 560 460
Solubility (min) 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1 1. 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.5
Foaming power 220 180 160 190 180 170 180 190 180 50
60 C. DIN after 30sec
Washing powder
(diffuse reflection (%)
Washing machine
BF 60° C. 53 S4 54 S4 58 59 58 60 59 45
 5,370,816
9 10
TABLE 20b)-continued
Properties and results of Examples of Table 2(a)
Surfactants Example No.
Results 14(C) 15(C) 16(C) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23(C)
CT 60 C. 59 59 60 62 63 62 61 61 61 58
(C): comparative examples

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by

Letters Patent of the United States is: 1O R'COOP (IV),
1. A low-foaming detergent composition comprising
(A) a mixture which is a bimodal distribution of in which R' is a saturated and/or unsaturated alkyl
(i) from 2 to 10% by weight of a mixture of shorter radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and P is se
chain alkyl polyglycosides of the formula (I) lected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali
metals, ammonium, and alkanolammonium.
R-O-Z on 15 10. The low-foaming detergent composition accord
ing to claim 3, wherein the nonsurfactant components
in which R is a technical mixture of linear or are selected from the group consisting of builders,
branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radicals bleaching agents, bleaching activators, standardizing
having 7 to 11 carbon atoms and Zn represents a agents, enzymes, stabilizers, antiredeposition agents,
polyglycosyl radical having an average value of 2O corrosion inhibitors, optical brighteners, dyes and per
from 1 to 3 hexose or pentose units or mixtures fume oils.
thereof, and 11. The low-foaming detergent composition accord
(ii) from 3 to 20% by weight of a mixture of longer ing to claim 1, further comprising water, wherein the
chain alkyl polyglycosides of the formula (II) 25 concentration of components (A), (B), (C) and (D) in
said water is 0.3 to 20 g/l.
R-O-Zn (II) 12. The low-foaming detergent composition of claim
1, wherein said shorter-chain alkyl polyglycosides of
in which R" is a mixture of linear or branched, the formula (I) is present in an amount from 2 to 8% by
saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 12 weight.
to 18 carbon atoms and Z'n represents a poly 30 13. The low-foaming detergent composition of claim
glycosyl radical having an average value of from 1, wherein said longer-chain alkyl polyglycosides of the
1.1 to 2 hexose or pentose units or mixtures formula (II) is present in an amount of from 3 to 15% by
thereof, weight of the composition.
(B) 3 to 30% of a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, 14. The low-foaming detergent composition of claim
(C) 5 to 30% of a soap, and 35
12, wherein said longer-chain alkyl polyglycosides of
(D) 0 to 5% of other surfactants. the formula (II) is present in an amount from 3 to 15%
2. The low-foaming detergent composition according by weight of the composition.
to claim 1, wherein the shorter-chain alkyl polyglyco 15. A low-foaming detergent composition, produced
sides of formula (I) and the longer-chain alkyl poly
glycosides of formula (II) are present in a ratio of from 40 by(A)(i)
mixing a bimodal distribution of
from 2 to 10% by weight of a technical mixture
1:10 to 2:1, respectively. of shorter-chain alkyl polyglycosides of the for
3. The low-foaming detergent composition according mula (I)
to claim 1, further comprising at least 5% by weight of
the composition of non-surfactant components. R-O-Zn (I)
4. The low-foaming detergent composition according 45
to claim3, further comprising at least 10% by weight of in which R is a linear or branched, saturated or
the composition of non-surfactant components. unsaturated alkyl radical having 7 to 11 carbon
5. The low-foaming detergent composition according atoms and Zn represents a polyglycosyl radical
to claim 4, further comprising at least 20% by weight of having an average value of from 1 to 3 hexose or
the composition of non-surfactant components. 50 pentose units or mixtures thereof, and
6. The low-foaming detergent composition according (ii) from 3 to 20% by weight of a mixture of longer
to claim 1, wherein the alkyl polyglycosides are fatty chain alkyl polyglycosides of the formula (II)
alcohol glucosides, where n and mare average values of
from 1.1 to 2. R'-O-Z" (II)
7. The low-foaming detergent composition according 55
to claim 1, wherein the fatty alcohol ethoxylate has the in which R is a linear or branched, saturated or
formula (III) unsaturated alkyl radical having 12 to 18 carbon
atoms or mixtures thereof and Z'm represents a
R'-O-(CH2-CH-OH (III), polyglycosyl radical having an average value of
from 1.1 to 2 hexose or pentose units or mixtures
in which R' is a linear or branched, saturated or unsatu thereof, with
rated alkyl radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms (B) 3 to 30% of a fatty alcohol ethoxylate,
and x is from 2 to 20. (C) 5 to 30% of a soap, and
8. The low-foaming detergent composition according (D) 0 to 5% of other surfactants.
to claim 7, wherein R' informula III represents an alkyl 65 16. The low-foaming detergent composition of claim
radical of from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is from 3 to 7, wherein said composition is liquid.
15. 17. The low-foaming detergent composition of claim
9. The low-foaming detergent composition according 7, wherein said composition is kpulverulent.
to claim 1, wherein the soap has the formula (IV) k 2k 2k sk