Abstract: Solid N-acylalanines comprising one kind or two or more kinds of compounds, each containing an acyl group having a different number of carbon atoms, which is/are selected from the compounds represented by the formula (I): wherein R is a straight chain or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, an organic amine or a basic amino acid, and salts thereof, are useful as ingredients for cleansing compositions. Such solid acylalanines and salts thereof are superior in solubility, and are free of moisture absorption or caking during preservation and agglomeration on dissolution in water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body cleansing composition that contains (A) a long chain fatty acid or a salt thereof, (B) N-acyl-?-alanine N or a salt thereof, (C) a polyhydric alcohol which is liquid at room temperature, (D) a polymer compound and (E) an inorganic salt as essential components. The present invention also provides body cleansing composition that contains (A) a long chain fatty acid or a salt thereof, (B) N-acyl-?-alanine or a salt thereof, (C) a polyhydric alcohol which is liquid at room temperature and (F) an amphoteric surfactant as essential components. The body cleansing composition of the present invention lathers quickly during cleansing, is superior in the basic performance of cleansing agents such as lather amount, lather spreading, and lather retention, is free of a residual feeling or a frictional feeling during rinsing, and can give an appropriate moist feeling and a clarifying feeling after drying.

Abstract: A granular surfactant which is obtained, for example, by simultaneous granulation and drying by spraying a solution or slurry, in which a whole or a part of a surfactant is dissolved or dispersed in water or warm water, in a fluidized bed where hot air is introduced, and then by classification of the granules obtained in the above step to remove granules having lower diameters. Typically, a weight ratio of granules having a diameter of 0.1 mm or less is 2.0 wt % or less and a median diameter is 0.17 mm or more. The granular surfactants are easily manufactured and have high water solubility, reduced powder dust, and fluidities.

Abstract: A surfactant comprising an N-long-chain acyl amino acid or a salt thereof dried by a spray dryer, which contains 280 mesh pass particles at a ratio of 3% by weight or less, and a surfactant comprising an N-long-chain acyl amino acid or a salt thereof dried by a spray dryer, which does not substantially contain 200 mesh pass particles, preferably 140 mesh pass particles. Also provided are surfactants having improved solubility and flowability, which are used for detergents and the like.