United States Patent:  6,087,403

Assignee:  Agro Industrie Recherches et Developments (A.R.D.) (Pomacle, FR)

Filed:  August 7, 1998

This composition based on polyglycosides comprises 30 to 65% by weight of at least one fatty alcohol of formula ROH, where R is a staturated or unsaturated, straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical having 1 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, the remainder being a mixture of polyglycosides containing 35 to 75% by weight, based on the polyglycosides, of polyhexosides.

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of polyglycosides and at least one fatty alcohol, the use of these compositions as emulsifying compositions, self-emulsifiable compositions for the preparation of emulsions and emulsions containing such a composition.

Emulsions are widely produced and used in industry as substances for consumption, or for application to surfaces as carriers of agents which are insoluble in water. Emulsions are found in cosmetics (lotions, creams, ointments), in cooking (sauces, creams), in pharmaceuticals (ointments, creams), in painting (low-odour paint), in the road industry (emulsified bitumen), in agrochemicals (plant protecting agents), in detergents, in rolling, iron and steel production and in the manufacture of various deposits or coatings (printing, adhesives, etc.).

In cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, for the production of hygiene or beauty products, emulsions constitute an effective means of achieving a harmonious combination of ingredients of different types and properties in a uniform presentation which is easy to use. The emulsifiers most commonly used hitherto are alkylsulphates and sulphonates, alcohols, acids, ethoxylated fatty esters, fatty esters of sorbitan, etc.

Numerous plant protection compounds are water-insoluble and, having previously been solubilised in an organic solvent, they can be emulsified in water at the time of application or formulation by a suitable choice of emulsifiers.

The majority of emulsifiers are found in liquid forms of plant protection agents. The emulsifiable concentrate which is the most common form and still most frequently used on the market today conventionally contains 250 g/l of pesticides, for example, and 50 g/l of emulsifiers. The product is used by forming a fine emulsion the stability of which has to be ensured for a number of hours irrespective of temperature or water hardness. Concentrated suspensions are a more recent development and correspond to the production of formulations which enable very low doses to be administered per hectare. This is the case, for example, with concentrated emulsions which contain, respectively, 400 to 600 g/l of pesticides and 50 to 100 g/l of emulsifiers. Unlike the two forms described above, microemulsions are thermodynamically stable systems which are therefore of great interest from the point of view of storage of the products.

The emulsifiers used in the plant protection field are essentially, in terms of anionics, calcium dodecyl benzenesulphonate, amine alkylarylsulphonates, ethoxylated phosphate esters of fatty alcohol or ethoxylated alkylphenols. In terms of non-ionics, the most frequently used are the ethoxylated alkylphenols, the alcohols and ethoxylated fatty acids.

The preparation of emulsions using non-ionic polyoxyethylenated surfactants is well known.

These emulsifying surfactants may take the form of compositions based on fatty alcohols, acids or fatty esters which have the advantage of being "self-emulsifying". The term "self-emulsifying" denotes a composition which can produce a stable emulsion simply by mixing with an aqueous phase by gentle shaking.

The polyoxyethylenated non-ionic surfactants mentioned above have the disadvantage, for applications in cosmetics, dermatology and pharmaceuticals, in particular, of being irritant in some cases and being liable to contain undesirable impurities linked with the use of ethylene oxide, such as 1,4-dioxane, for example.

Moreover, it has been found that the emulsions prepared with these self-emulsifying compositions were stable only over a relatively short period of time.

With the aim of overcoming these drawbacks, the Application WO-92/06778 proposed the use of self-emulsifying compositions based on fatty alcohols and alkyl polyglycosides or polyosides. The latter preferably contain a mixture of alkyl polyglycosides in which the fatty chains have 16 and 18 carbon atoms, as well as a mixture of fatty alcohols with the same length of fatty chain.

However, it has been found on the one hand that the use of the self-emulsifying composition according to WO-92/06778 did not always produce sufficiently stable emulsions, especially with concentrations of compositions of less than 5% by weight based on the total weight of the emulsion.

On another hand, it was found in EP Application 0628305 that the use of the self-emulsifying composition according to WO 92/06778 did not allow the production of emulsions which showed sufficient stability over time in the presence of vegetable oils which are particularly rich in linoleic acid, such as sunflower oil, wheatgerm oil, soya oil and grapeseed oil, etc.

However, this linoleic acid has a very important part to play in maintaining the lipid structures of the intercellular spaces in the stratum corneum and in the restoration of the barrier function in dry skins.

The applicants also found that silicon oils are also difficult to put into stable emulsions. However, these oils are useful because they produce emulsions with a pleasant touch, having good penetration and generally water-resistant.

The present invention therefore proposes the preparation of compositions based on polyglycosides and fatty alcohols which can be used to produce stable emulsions (i.e. those which show no phase separation after three months of ageing at 45^oC.) even using less than 5% by weight of composition based on polyglycosides according to the invention compared with the total weight of the emulsion, even in the presence of vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid or silicon oils.

The good stability of the emulsions has been achieved by the use of compositions according to the invention containing polypentosides, selected from among the polyarabinosides and the polyxylosides, in well defined proportions.

Furthermore, the applicants have found that the stability of the emulsions prepared from the composition according to the invention showed little sensitivity to the presence of salts. This means, in particular, that emulsions can be prepared containing ingredients charged with salts which hitherto it has sometimes been difficult to put into stable emulsions.

Moreover, the emulsifying compositions according to the invention consisting of polyglycosides and fatty alcohols, do not have the drawbacks of the compositions based on polyoxyethylenated compounds mentioned hereinbefore. They are not irritant, they are not toxic and they are biodegradable. In addition, the emulsifying compositions according to the invention may be used as self-emulsifying compositions.

The present invention therefore relates to an emulsifying composition based on polyglycosides, characterised in that it contains 30 to 65% by weight of at least one fatty alcohol of formula ROH, where R is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, the remainder consisting, apart from impurities, of:

(a) a mixture of polyglycosides containing 35 to 75% by weight, of at least one polyglycoside of formula:

R¹ O(H_x)_n1

wherein R¹ is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and with 12 to 22 carbon atoms, H_x is the radical of a hexose, n1 is between 1 and 5; and 25 to 65% by weight of at least one polypentoside of formula:

R² O(P_n)_n2

wherein R² is a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds, and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, P_n is the radical of a pentose selected from arabinose and xylose, n2 is between 1 and 5;

(b) or a mixture of polyglycosides of formula:

R³ O(G₁)_a (G₂)_b (G₃)_c (G₄)_d (G₅)_e

wherein R³ is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ independently of one another are residues of an ose selected from the hexoses and pentoses, the latter being selected from arabinose and xylose, the hexoses representing 35 to 75% by weight of all the residues of oses G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ and the pentoses representing 25 to 75% by weight of all the residues of oses G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ ; a, b, c, d and e being equal to 0 or 1, and the sum of a, b, c, d and e being at least 1; or (c) a mixture of (a) and (b).

Each ose residue may be in the isomer form .alpha. or .beta., in the form L or D and in the form of a furanose or pyranose. Hexoses of series D, notably D-glucose, D-galactose and D-mannose, are preferred. Of the pentoses, L-arabinose and D-xylose which are present in large amounts in the hemicelluloses of numerous plants are preferred.

Owing to the abundance of glucose on the sugar market, glucosides preferably make up at least 80% of the hexosides.

The fatty alcohols of formula ROH having 14 to 22 carbon atoms and particularly the mixtures of hexadecanol and octadecanol are particularly preferred.

Moreover, on account of their speed of manufacture, the compositions according to the invention which contain polyglycosides wherein the R¹ and R² radicals or the R³ radical are identical to the radical R of the fatty alcohol are most particularly preferred.

The present invention relates primarily to an emulsifying composition based on fatty alcohols and polyglycosides. Because of their effectiveness and ease of production, compositions containing 40 to 60% by weight of fatty alcohols based on the total weight of the composition and preferably 52 to 57% of fatty alcohol, the remainder consisting of polyglycosides, apart from any impurities, are most particularly preferred.

The compositions based on polyglycosides and fatty alcohols according to the invention can be prepared simply by mixing their components in the proportions as specified hereinbefore. The homogenisation techniques used are those currently used for mixing solid or liquid ingredients. For the solid ingredients, however, it is preferable if at all possible to mix them at a temperature above their melting points in liquid form.

However, on an industrial scale, the compositions according to the invention are prepared by one of the two methods conventionally used for synthesising alkyl polyglycosides.

The first method consists in contacting the reducing sugar and the fatty alcohol directly in the presence of an acid catalyst in order to obtain the polyglycosides.

The second method consists of carrying out glycosidation, in a first step, with a short alcohol corresponding to formula R⁴ OH, where R⁴ is a C_1-5 -alkyl radical. In a second step, transglycosidation is carried out, which consists of displacing the short alcohol of formula R⁴ OH with a fatty alcohol.

Each of these two methods may, as appropriate, be supplemented by operations of neutralisation, filtration, elimination of excess fatty alcohol and decolorisation.

Advantageously, particularly if crystallised reducing sugars are used as starting materials, it is preferable to use the first direct method which has the advantage of being quicker and easier to carry out. However, when reducing sugars are used in the form of syrups, it is preferable to use the second method which produces a more homogeneous reaction medium and consequently higher quality polyglycosides which contain no or very few breakdown products.

The term reducing sugars refers to the hexoses, pentoses and corresponding oligosaccharides which have a free anomeric hydroxyl.

In the direct glycosidation of sugars with fatty alcohol or a mixture of fatty alcohols or during transglycosidation if the grafting is carried out in two steps, the fatty alcohol is preferably used in excess (1 to 3 and preferably 1.5 to 2 molar equivalents based on the reducing sugars), so that the reaction product contains the quantities specified above of free fatty alcohol and polyglycosides.

It is also possible for the fatty alcohol or mixtures of fatty alcohols to be eliminated partly or totally at the end of the synthesis and then for a fatty alcohol or mixture of fatty alcohols different from or identical to those used in the synthesis to be added in specified proportions in order to obtain the composition according to the invention.

However, the first solution is preferred, which comprises using the fatty alcohol in an excess so that the reaction product contains the specified amounts of fatty alcohols and polyglycosicies.

In practice, there are three main ways of obtaining the compounds according to the invention from reducing sugars and fatty alcohols.

The first method consists in carrying out the glycosidation of the reducing sugars (hexoses such as glucose, galactose, mannose and the corresponding oligosaccharides, pentoses selected from arabinose and xylose and the corresponding oligosaccharides) separately by contacting with one or more fatty alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst conventionally used for reactions of glycosylation. Preferably, the fatty alcohol is used in excess (1 to 3, preferably 1.5 to 2 molar equivalents based on the reducing sugars) so that the reaction product contains the specified amounts of free fatty alcohol and polyglycosides. After neutralisation of the acid catalyst, the polyhexosides of formula:

R¹ O (H)_n1

and the polypentosides of formula:

R² O(P)_n2

are obtained. Then, 35 to 75%, advantageously 45 to 70% and preferably 50 to 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the polyglycosides, polyhexosides and 25 to 65%, advantageously 30 to 55% and preferably 35 to 50% by weight of polypentosides, based on the total weight of polyglycosides, are added to the mixture, if necessary in the presence of fatty alcohol of formula ROH, to obtain the compositions according to the invention.

The second method consists in mixing 35 to 75%, advantageously 45 to 70% and preferably 50 to 65% by weight of hexoses and/or corresponding oligosaccharides, based on the total weight of reducing sugars, with 25 to 65%, advantageously 30 to 55% and preferably 35 to 50% by weight of pentoses and/or the corresponding oligosaccharides, based on the total weight of reducing sugars, and carrying out glycosidation of the mixture of reducing sugars thus obtained. The glycosylation is carried out in the presence of a an acid catalyst with an excess (1 to 3, preferably 1.5 to 2 molar equivalents based on the reducing sugars) of fatty alcohol in such a way that, preferably, the reaction product contains the specified amounts of free fatty alcohols. The composition is neutralised and if necessary the fatty alcohol of formula ROH is added in order to arrive at the amounts specified hereinbefore.

Finally, the third method consists of using syrups of mixtures of reducing sugars derived from raw plant materials rich in starch and hemicellulose, or products or by-products of agricultural origin such as products or by-products of maize (maize bran, fibres and pomace), barley (bran) or by-products of wheat as described in Patent Application EP 0 699 472 containing hexoses and pentoses, and carrying out glycosidation of these syrups of reducing sugars with fatty alcohols in order to obtain the compositions according to the invention.

By maize products is meant the entire plant and/or its constituent parts (cobs, shucks, stalks and leaves) which can be harvested directly or be obtained from the waste after separation of the grains.

It is also possible to use maize fibre or bran. By maize fibre is meant the compounds obtained during a process of fractionation which sets out notably to produce starch.

By maize pomace is meant the by-products obtained either by alcoholic fermentation or after the production of starch under wet conditions in a starch producing plant, which consist notably of mixtures of hemicellulose and starch.

According to one particular feature of the invention, this third way is preferred, which has the advantage of using syrups of reducing sugars (consisting of hexoses and pentoses) which are less expensive than the hexoses (glucose) and pentoses in the market and thereby obtaining cheap compositions based on polyglycosides.

It is particularly preferred to use syrups of reducing sugars obtained by hydrolysis of by-products of plant origin containing in particular starch and hemicellulose.

It is most particularly preferred to use syrups of reducing sugars derived from wheat, notably wheat bran, wheat fibres as defined in the application EP 0699 472, syrups of sugars derived from the by-products of maize (maize bran, maize pomace).

According to an advantageous feature which is linked particularly to the natural origin of the composition of the sugar syrups used for preparing the polyglycosides of the compositions according to the invention, it is particularly preferred to use compositions based on polyglycosides containing 45 to 70% by weight of polyhexosides based on the polyglycosides and 30 to 55% by weight of polypentosides and notably 50 to 65% by weight of polyhexosides and 45 to 50% by weight of polypentosides.

For this reason, in the light of the previous remarks and according to a particular feature of the invention, the compositions according to the invention are preferably obtained by contacting a syrup of reducing sugars derived from the plant raw material containing starch and hemicellulose in such a way that the polyglycosides of the compositions according to the invention contain the specified amounts of polyhexosides and polypentosides, with a short alcohol of formula R⁴ OH, in the presence of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the dry content of the sugars, of an acid catalyst such as sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, a sulphonic acid such as methanesulphonic acid, hypophosphorous acid or any other acid catalyst which will cause glycosidation and mixtures thereof, at a temperature of between 50 and 110^oC.

Subsequently, transglycosidation is carried out, under reduced pressure (2 to 300 mb), at a temperature between 50 and 100^oC., using a fatty alcohol or mixture of fatty alcohols of formula ROH used in excess (1 to 3, preferably 1.5 to 2 molar equivalents based on the reducing sugars), so that the reaction product contains the quantities of fatty alcohol and polyglycosides specified hereinbefore.

The acid catalyst is then neutralised. The neutralisation is carried out, for example, using a hydrogen carbonate or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate, notably sodium hydrogen carbonate, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, notably sodium hydroxide, or an organic base such as triethanolamine. If required, some or all of the free fatty alcohol can subsequently be evaporated off and the composition can be decolorised in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, for example.

At the end of the synthesis, depending on the fatty alcohol or mixture of fatty alcohols used, the composition will be in the form of a solid wax, paste or liquid. From a solid wax it is possible to obtain powder, flakes or even beads, for subsequent ease of use. It is preferable to isolate the composition in the form of a powder which is very easy to use thereafter, especially to produce emulsions.

According to another aspect of the invention, the polyglycoside-based compositions according to the invention may be used for preparing emulsions containing at least an aqueous phase and an oily phase, characterised in that they contain:

2 to 60% by weight of at least one oil

1 to 10% by weight of the composition based on alkyl glycosides of the emulsion

optionally other emulsifying compositions such as polyoxyethylenated surfactants, mixtures of fatty alcohols and polyoxyethylenated and glycoside surfactants, waxes, etc. The remainder essentially consists of an aqueous phase.

The oily phase of the emulsion may consist of an oil selected from:

the vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, hazelnut oil, palm oil, shea tree butter, apricot kernel oil, calophyllum oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, derivatives of these oils such as the hydrogenated oils,

the plant oils rich in linoleic acid such as walnut oil, blackcurrant seed oil, wheatgerm oil, sunflower oil, maize germ oil, soya oil, cotton seed oil, alfalfa oil, barley oil, grapeseed oil, poppyseed oil, pumpkin seed oil, sesame oil, rye oil, evening primrose oil, saffron oil, passion flower oil, derivatives of these oils such as the hydrogenated oils,

oils of animal origin (tallow, fish oils etc.),

mineral oils such as paraffin oil, vaseline oil and the mineral oils obtained in particular from petroleum fractions,

synthetic oils such as the poly-.alpha.-olefins,

lanolin derivatives,

diols such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol,

alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and oleic alcohol,

polyethyleneglycols or polypropyleneglycols,

fatty esters such as alkyl myristates, especially butyl myristate, propyl myristate, alkyl palmitates such as isopropyl palmitate, alkyl stearates, especially hexadecyl stearate, alkyl oleates, particularly dodecyl oleate, alkyl laurates, particularly hexyl laurate, propyleneglycol dicaprylate, ethyl-2-hexyl cocoate, esters of lactic acid, behennic acid and isostearic acid, such as isostearyl isostearate,

the silicon oils combining the cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, .alpha.-.omega.-hydroxylated polydimethylsiloxanes, .alpha.-.omega.-trimethylsilylated polydimethylsiloxanes, polyorganosiloxanes such as the polyalkylmethylsiloxanes, polymethylphenylsiloxanes, polydiphenylsiloxanes, amino derivatives of silicones, silicone waxes, copolyether silicones (such as the oil SILBIONE 70646.RTM. sold by the company RHONE-POULENC or DC 190.RTM. sold by DOW CORNING) or mixed derivatives of silicones such as the mixed copolymers of polyalkylmethylsiloxanes/copolyether silicones.

Of course, the emulsions prepared from the composition according to the invention may also contain one or more conventional lipophilic or hydrophilic cosmetic adjuvants, particularly those which are already commonly used in the manufacture and production of emulsions. Of the conventional cosmetic adjuvants which are likely to be contained in the aqueous phase and/or fatty phase of the emulsions, the following may be mentioned in particular:

ionic or non-ionic thickeners and gelatinisers such as cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose), guar derivatives (hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar), carob derivatives, tree exsudates (gum arabic, karaya), seaweed extracts (alginates, carrageenates), exsudates from microorganisms (xanthane gum),

hydrotropic agents such as short C_2-8 -alcohols, particularly ethanol, the diols and glycols such as diethyleneglycol and propyleneglycol,

hydrating or moisturising agents for the skin such as glycerol, sorbitol, collagen, gelatine, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, urea or skin protectors such as proteins or protein hydrolysates, cationic polymers such as cationic guar derivatives (JAGUAR C13S.RTM., JAGUAR C162.RTM., HICARE 1000.RTM. sold by RHONE-POULENC),

glycolipids such as lipid sophoroses,

mineral powders or particles such as calcium carbonate, mineral oxides in powder form or colloidal form (particles which are smaller than or of the order of 1 micron, sometimes several tens of nanometers) such as titanium dioxide, silica, aluminium salts generally used as anti-perspirants, kaolin, talc, clays and derivatives thereof,

preservatives such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoate acid, sodium benzoate, GERMABEN.RTM. or any chemical agent which prevents bacterial growth or mould and which is conventionally used in cosmetic compositions are generally added to these compositions in amounts of 0.01 to 3% by weight.

Instead of these chemical agents it is sometimes possible to use agents which modify the activity of water and greatly increase osmotic pressure, such as carbohydrates or the salts thereof.

organic sun filters which are effective against UV-A and UV-B in order to protect the skin or hair from the effects of sun and UV-radiation, such as the compounds which are authorised in European Directive No. 76/768/EEC, the annexes thereto and subsequent modifications to this Directive,

photoprotective mineral monopigments such as titanium dioxide or cerium oxides in the form of powder or colloidal particles,

softeners, antioxidants, self-tanning agents such as DHA, insect repellants, vitamins, perfumes, fillers, sequestering agents, dyes, buffers,

abrasive agents such as ground apricot kernels, microbeads. . . .

According to a preferred use of the invention, the percentage by weight of the emulsifying composition based on polyglycosides constitute 2 to 6% by weight and preferably 3 to 4% of the total weight of the emulsion.

According to another preferred use of the composition according to the invention, the proportion of oil is between 10 and 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion.

Three main methods of producing the emulsions are proposed:

The first method comprises heating all the ingredients simultaneously to a temperature of between 50 and 90^oC., then homogenising the mixture with a rotary paddle stirrer rotating at 500 to 15,000 rpm, particularly 1000 to 2000 rpm, at a temperature of between 50 and 90^oC. and finally cooling the mixture, with gentle stirring (at 100 to 1000, particularly 300 to 500 rpm) to a temperature of the order of 25^oC. If the homogenisation is intense when the mixture is hot, it is not always advisable to stir the emulsion as it cools.

The second method comprises operating by phase inversion. In this case, the lipophilic and hydrophilic phases are heated separately to a temperature of between 50 and 90^oC. The lipophilic phase which contains the composition according to the invention is subjected to vigorous stirring with a rotary paddle stirrer rotating at 500 to 15,000 rpm, particularly 1000 to 2000 rpm, and the hydrophilic phase is slowly added to this phase, at a rate such that the hydrophilic phase is instantly absorbed by the lipophilic phase, until there is phase inversion characterised by an abrupt change in viscosity. The addition can then proceed more rapidly at a rate such that the hydrophilic phase stagnates above the lipophilic phase for 1 to 3 seconds if it is being added from above. The emulsion is then allowed to cool with gentle stirring (100 to 1000, particularly 300 to 500 rpm) down to a temperature of the order of 25^oC.

The third method is carried out by dispersion. In this case the lipophilic phase and the hydrophilic phase (which contains the emulsifying composition according to the invention, are heated separately to a temperature of between 50 and 90^oC. The hydrophilic phase is stirred with a rotary paddle stirrer rotating at 500 to 1500 rpm, particularly 1000 to 2000 rpm and the lipophilic phase is progressively added thereto at a rate such that the lipophilic phase is instantly absorbed by the hydrophilic phase. The emulsion is then left to cool with gentle stirring (from 100 to 1000, particularly 300 to 500 rpm) down to a temperature of the order of 25^oC.

According to another aspect of the invention, the polyglycoside-based composition can be used as a self-emulsifying base for the preparation of emulsions by hot dispersion of the compositions of the invention, for example at between 50 and 90^oC., in water or a suitable polar medium, simply by stirring, notably by mechanical stirring or sonication. If the composition is dispersed in water by stirring or sonication at a temperature close to the melting point of the emulsifying composition, dispersions rich in vesicles are obtained.

The emulsions prepared from the composition according to the invention may be used in various cosmetic or dermatological applications e.g. in the form of creams for the face, body, scalp or hair or in the form of a lotion for the body or for removing makeup or again in the form of ointments, e.g. for pharmaceutical use. These emulsions may also be used for makeup, notably in the form of foundations, after the addition of pigments. They can also be used as sun creams after the addition of UVA and/or UVB and/or DHA filters, or as after-sun creams or lotions after the addition of soothing compounds such as panthenol or shea tree butter.

The emulsions may also contain ionic or non-ionic surfactants with a washing, foaming or detergent effect, such as sodium laurylether sulphate, alkyl-betaines, APGs, etc., for producing washing emulsions such as moisturising washing creams or shaving emulsions.

The emulsions may also contain a cosmetic wax such as rice wax, candellila wax, Japanese wax, in order to improve their cosmetic qualities. The proportion of wax is generally between 0.5 and 3%, preferably between 1 and 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion.

The compositions based on polyglycosides and fatty alcohols according to the invention may also be used in formulations in which finely divided solids have to be kept suspended in water, such as formulations of agrochemical substances (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) known under the generic name of "concentrated suspensions". Apart from a dispersant surfactant the additives found in a formulation of concentrated suspension are additives such as those described in the commercial brochure "Auxiliaries for agrochemical formulations" edited by RHONE-POULENC GERONAZZO SpA. Examples include a wetting surfactant chosen from the alkyl derivatives of aryl aliphatic alcohols, the aryl sulphonated derivatives such as sodium isopropylnaphthalene sulphonate marketed under the name SUPRAGIL WP.RTM. by RHONE-POULENC GERONAZZO, the dialkylsulphosuccinates such as sodium di-ethyl-2-hexylsulphosuccinate, dispersant polymers such as polyacrylic acids and salts thereof, the maleic anhydride (or acid)/diisobutylene copolymers and salts thereof such as GEROPON T36.RTM. (RHONE-POULENC GERONAZZO), the condensed sodium methylnaphthalene sulphonates such as SUPRAGIL MNS90.RTM. (RHONE-POULENC GERONAZZO), the dispersant polymers derived from lignine such as sodium or calcium lignosulphonates or other dispersant surfactants such as the alkoxylated, optionally sulphated or phosphated derivatives of tristyryl phenols. These formulations may further contain anti-freeze additives such as propylene glycol and thickeners which modify the Theological behaviour of the suspension, such as xanthane gum, cellulose derivatives (carboxymethyl-cellulose), guar gum or derivatives thereof, clays or modified clays such as bentonite and bentones.

Among the active substances which may be formulated in this way are generally found those with a melting point above 45^oC., preferably above 60^oC., having a solubility in water of less than 10 g/l, preferably less than 1 g/l. The active plant protecting agents in question are herbicides, fungicides and insecticides such as those described in THE PESTICIDE MANUAL (9th edition, C. R. WORKLING and R. J. HANCE, editors, published by The British Crop Protection Council) and meeting the above criteria.

Claim 1 of 15 Claims

1. A composition of polyglycosides which comprises 30 to 65% by weight of at least one fatty alcohol of formula ROH, where R is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, the remainder being, apart from impurities, selected from the group consisting

(a) a mixture of polyglycosides containing 35 to 75% by weight of at least one polyhexoside of formula:

R¹ O(H_x)_n1

wherein R¹ is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and with 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and H_x is a radical of a hexose, n1 is between 1 and 5; and 25 to 65% by weight of at least one polypentoside of formula:

R² O(P_n)_n2

wherein R² is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds, and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and P_n is a radical of a pentose selected from the group consisting of arabinose and xylose, n2 is between 1 and 5;

(b) a mixture of polyglycosides of formula:

R³ (G₁)_a (G₂)_b (G₃)_c (G₄)_d (G₅)_e

wherein R³ is a straight-chained or branched aliphatic radical which is saturated or unsaturated having 0 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated bonds and having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ independently of one another are residues of an ose selected from the group consisting of hexoses and pentoses, the latter being selected from the group consisting of arabinose and xylose, the hexoses representing 35 to 75% by weight of all the residues of oses G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ and the pentoses representing 25 to 75% by weight of all the residues of oses G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ and G₅ ; a, b, c, d and e being equal to 0 or 1, and the sum of a, b, c, d and e being at least 1; and

(c) a mixture of (a) and (b).

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