Abstract: The invention relates to gemini surfactants, optionally in combination with ingredients customary in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners, optionally with further nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, and to the use of such gemini surfactants for improving the wetting behavior and the compatibility with plastics, for the simplified preparation of solid cleaners and as foam-suppressing surfactant in rinse aid formulations.

Abstract: A process for deforming keratin fibers involving: (a) mechanically deforming the keratin to form mechanically deformed keratin fibers; and (b) contacting the keratin fibers, prior to and/or after the keratin fibers are mechanically deformed, with an aqueous composition containing: (i) from about 0.1 to 20% by weight of an alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester; and (ii) from about 0.1 to about 20% by weight of a fatty acid partial glyceride, all weights being based on the weight of the composition.

Abstract: Cleaning packets containing laundry detergents are comprised of a water-soluble container or a water-insoluble container comprising a compound of the formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 is hydrogen or methyl, R4 is a linear or branched, alkyl and/or alkenyl radical having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to 50, with the proviso that the sum of the carbon atoms in the radicals R1 and R2 is at least 6. The cleaning packets exhibit improved washing performance.

Abstract: Novel salicyl alcohol derivatives having valuable cosmetically and pharmaceutically useful properties, such as prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, corresponding to the formula (I): R1—OCH2—Ph—O—Z—(R2)n  (I), a method for producing the same and their utilization in cosmetics and pharmacy.

Abstract: Hair-colorant compositions containing (a) from 0.2 to 25% by weight of an alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester; (b) from 0.5 to 25% by weight of a fatty acid partial glyceride; and (c) from 0.1 to 15% by weight of a hair dye; wherein all percentages by weight are based on the total composition, are disclosed. Methods of reducing cloudiness in hair-colorant compositions by combining a hair dye and a mixture of an alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester and a fatty acid partial glyceride are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microcapsule having a mean diameter of from about 0.1 to about 5 mm, a membrane and a matrix containing at least one active principle wherein the microcapsule is the product of the process comprising the steps of (a) forming an aqueous matrix by heating an aqueous solution comprised of a gel former, an anionic polymer selected from the group consisting of a salt of alginic acid and an anionic chitosan derivative and active principle; (b) adding the aqueous matrix to an aqueous solution of chitosan.

Abstract: A rinse aid composition containing: (a) a hydroxy mixed ether corresponding to formula I: R1O[CH2CHR2O]x[CH2CHR3O]yCH2CH(OH)R4  (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing from about 4 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or a methyl or an ethyl group, R3 is hydrogen or a methyl or an ethyl group, R4 is an alkyl group containing from about 2 to 22 carbon atoms, x is a number up to 30, y is a number up to 30, and x+y is greater than or equal to 1; (b) an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside corresponding to formula II: R5O—[G]p  (II) wherein R5 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing from about 4 to 22 carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and p is a number from 1 to 10; and (c) a nonionic co-surfactant, and wherein (a) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 10:0.1 to 1:10.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing a surfactant mixture, the surfactant mixture containing: (a) a nonionic surfactant corresponding to formula (I): R1O(CH2CH2O)nH  (I) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon radical having from about 16 to 18 carbon atoms and n is a number from about 5 to 10, and wherein the nonionic surfactant has an iodine value of from about 20 to 50; and (b) a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of an alkyl oligoglycoside, an alkenyl oligoglycoside, an alkyl ether sulfate, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyol useful in the formation of an isocyanate casting resin or coating composition is presented involving the reaction of an essentially C18 fatty acid mixture with a monofunctional alcohol to form a fatty acid ester mixture, forming a epoxidized fatty acid ester mixture from the fatty acid ester mixture, and reacting the epoxidized mixture with an aliphatic alcohol to form a polyol. The polyol can be further reacted with an isocyanate to form a casting resin or coating composition. The fatty acid mixture contains at least 80 percent oleic acid. Polyols prepared by this method provide good color quality and improved color stability during storage when used in the production of isocyanate casting resins and coating compositions.

Abstract: Pearlescent surfactant compositions are prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 45° C. by providing an aqueous surfactant solution and then contacting the aqueous surfactant solution with a composition comprised of a pearlizing wax and a polyol ester.

Abstract: Cosmetic preparations comprising: (a) a mixture of two or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of (a1) fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, (a2) fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, and (a3) alk(en)yl oligoglycosides; and (b) one or more oil components; wherein the mixture of surfactants is present in an amount of from 50 to 80% by weight, and the one or more oil components is present in an amount of from 20 to 50% by weight, based upon a total weight of the mixture and the one or more oil components; are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition containing a surfactant system having: (a) an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside; (b) from about 5 to 35% by weight of a fatty alcohol; and (c) up to 2% by weight water, all weights being based on the weight of the surfactant system.

Abstract: Branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohol sulfates are produced by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) dimerizing unsaturated C16-22 fatty acid to form a dimer fraction and a monomer fraction comprised of branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acids and straight chain saturated fatty acids, (b) removing the monomer fraction from the dimerization step, (c) converting the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acids from step (b) into the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters, (d) hydrogenating the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters with the double bonds intact to form the corresponding branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohols and (e) sulfating and neutralizing the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol sulfates thus produced exhibit improved performance properties and greater oxidative stability than standard unsaturated fatty alcohol sulfates.

Abstract: A process for decreasing skin irritation caused by shaving involving contacting the skin with a composition containing chitosan.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of linear and/or branched fatty alcohols containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule and/or to the use of mixtures of such fatty alcohols with carboxylic acid esters as a lubricating additive in water-based drilling fluids for their use in geological exploration by drilling. The fatty-alcohol-based lubricants or lubricant systems are particularly suitable for use in water-based alkali metal silicate drilling muds which are known to be distinguished by comparatively high pH values. The additives according to the invention combine their lubricating effect with a foam-suppressing effect, i.e. prevent unwanted foaming.

Abstract: A deodorant composition and method of making and using a deodorant composition are provided. The deodorant composition contains nanoscale antimicrobial particles where the nanoscale antimicrobial particles contain one or more antimicrobial agents and have a particle diameter in the range of from 5 nanometers to 500 nanometers.

Abstract: PIT emulsions containing pesticides are comprised of: (a) from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a pesticide; (b) from about 5% to about 15% by weight of a nonionic emulsifier; (c) from about 0 to about 40% of a nonpolar solvent. These emulsions exhibit improved storage stability and higher activity compared with conventional pesticide emulsions.

Abstract: A food additive useful for lowering serum cholesterol in humans contains a sterol or stanol ester of a fatty acid or a dicarboxylic acid ester of a sterol or stanol made by reacting a sterol, stanol and a carboxylic acid in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, a calcium salt of a carboxylic acid, magnesium hydroxide and combinations thereof described herein below.

Abstract: A thickener composition containing a reaction product of a hydroxycarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid and mixtures thereof, and a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether corresponding to formula I: R1O(CH2CH2O)nH  (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is a number from 20 to 150.

Abstract: A process for making carbohydrate partial esters having a degree of esterification of from 1 to 6 involving the steps of: (a) providing a catalytically active mixture containing: (i) an alkali metal carbonate; and (ii) a fatty acid lower alkyl ester; (b) providing an emulsifier mixture containing: (iii) a glycose component having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms; and (iv) a carbohydrate partial ester; and (c) combining the catalytically active mixture with the emulsifier mixture, with vigorous stirring, to form an emulsion/dispersion containing particles having a mean diameter of from 10 to 60 &mgr;m.