Abstract: Amines such as methyl amine are reacted with materials such as reducing sugars in aqueous/hydroxy solvents such as water and/or methanol to prepare N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines. Accordingly, glucose is reacted with methyl amine and the resulting adduct is hydrogenated to yield N-methylglucamine. The N-alkyl polyhydroxyamines can be subsequently reacted with fatty esters to provide polyhydroxy fatty acid amides useful as detersive surfactants. Thus, detersive surfactants are available from non-petrochemical precursors such as sugars and sugar sources such as corn syrup, and fatty acid esters derivable from various fats and oils.

Abstract: N-alkylamino polyols substantially free from nickel contamination are prepared by reacting N-alkylamines with reducing sugars in the presence of hydrogen and nickel catalysts under defined conditions of temperature and pressure. The polyols are characterized by their low odor and low color characteristics. Thus, high quality N-methyl glucamine, N-methyl fructamines and the like are secured.

Abstract: Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide materials are prepared from reactants such as N-methylglucamine and fatty acid esters in the presence of hydroxy solvents. Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide detersive surfactants are secured. By-product and color formation are minimized.

Abstract: The synthesis of polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants exemplified by the compound C.sub.11 H.sub.23 C(O)N(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 [CHOH].sub.4 CH.sub.2 OH by reacting a fatty acid ester with an N-alkyl sugar amine can result in contamination of the product surfactant by residual sources of fatty acids. These residual fatty acids may be unacceptable in high sudsing detergent compositions, such as dishwashing liquids, especially with Ca or Mg cations. The process of this invention reacts such contaminants with alkyl amines or, especially, ethanolamine, to convert them into fatty alkyl- or alkanolamides, which are quite acceptable in fully-formulated detergent compositions for home or industrial use.

Abstract: Heavy-duty liquid detergents containing anionic surfactant, fatty acid, builder, proteolytic or amylolytic enzyme, boric acid or a boron compound capable of forming boric acid in the composition, and calcium ion are disclosed. Boric acid provides improved enzyme stability in the compositions.

Abstract: Heavy-duty liquid detergents containing anionic surfactant, fatty acid, builder, proteolytic enzyme, boric acid or a boron compound capable of forming boric acid in the composition, formate, and calcium ion are disclosed. The combination of boric acid and formate provides improved protease stability in the compositions.