Concentrated, low-viscosity rhamnolipid compositions
A rhamnolipid composition including 30% by weight to 70% by weight, of at least one rhamnolipid and 30% by weight to 70% by weight of water, where the percentages by weight refer to the total composition, wherein the pH of the composition at 25° C. is from 5.5 to 7.0. In addition to the foregoing rhamnolipid composition, also set forth is a method to make a solution of rhamnolipids; and salt of at least one rhamnolipid.
1. A composition comprising
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight, of a rhamnolipid and
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight, of water,
where the percentages by weight refer to the total composition, wherein the pH of the composition at 25° C. is from 5.5 to 6.2
wherein the rhamnolipid is a compound of the general formula (I) and salts thereof,
where
m=2, 1 or 0,
n=1 or 0,
R 1 and R 2 =organic residues having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms
wherein the total dry mass comprises from 40% by weight to 98% by weight of the rhamnolipid,
where the percentages by weight refer to the total dry mass wherein said composition comprises
from 3% by weight to 12% by weight of diRL-C10C12:1,
from 5 to 15% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and
from 0.5% by weight to 3% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the cations of the rhamnolipid salts present are selected from the group consisting of, Li + , Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , NH 4 + , primary ammonium ions, secondary ammonium ions, tertiary ammonium ions or quaternary ammonium ions.
3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 50% by weight to 99% by weight of rhamnolipid anions,
where % by weight refers to all anions except OH − present in the composition.
4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 51% by weight to 95% by weight of diRL-C10C10,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 0.5% by weight to 9% by weight of monoRL-C10C10,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of all di-rhamnolipids present to all mono-rhamnolipids present is greater than 97:3.
7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 0.5 to 25% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and/or
from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 0% by weight to 5% by weight of diRLC10,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
10. A salt of at least one rhamnolipid according to claim 3 , wherein said salt comprises at least one cation selected from the group consisting of, Li + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , NH 4 + , primary ammonium ions, secondary ammonium ions, tertiary ammonium ions and quaternary ammonium ions.
11. The composition according to claim 1 , comprising from 35% by weight to 60% by weight, of at least one rhamnolipid and from 40% by weight to 65% by weight, of water,
where the percentages by weight refer to the total composition, wherein the pH of the composition at 25° C. is from 5.6 to 6.0.
12. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the total dry mass comprises from 60% by weight to 90% by weight, of rhamnolipids, where the percentages by weight refer to the total dry mass.
13. The composition according to claim 4 , wherein the cations of the rhamnolipid salts present are selected from the group consisting of, Li + , Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , NH 4 + , primary ammonium ions, secondary ammonium ions, tertiary ammonium ions and quaternary ammonium ions.
14. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 70% by weight to 95% by weight of rhamnolipid anions, where % by weight refers to all anions except OH − present in the composition.
15. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises
from 51% by weight to 95% by weight of diRL-C10C10,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
16. A composition comprising
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight, of a rhamnolipid and
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight, of water,
where the percentages by weight refer to the total composition, wherein the pH of the composition at 25° C. is from 5.5 to 6.2
wherein the rhamnolipid is a compound of the general formula (I) and salts thereof,
where
m=2, 1 or 0,
n=1 or 0,
R 1 and R 2 =organic residues having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms
wherein the total dry mass comprises from 40% by weight to 98% by weight of the rhamnolipid,
where the percentages by weight refer to the total dry mass wherein said composition comprises
from 5% by weight to 10% by weight of diRL-C10C12:1,
from 7% to 12% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and
from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
17. A method for preparing a solution of rhamnolipids comprising the steps of
a) providing a composition comprising
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight of a rhamnolipid, where the percentages by weight refer to the total composition, and having a pH at 25° C. of from 1.0 to 5.0, wherein the rhamnolipid is a compound of the general formula (I) and salts thereof,
where
m=2, 1 or 0,
n=1 or 0,
R 1 and R 2 =organic residues having 2 to 24 carbon atoms
b) adjusting the pH of the composition to 5.5 to 6.2 and
c) adjusting the water content of the total composition to
from 30% by weight to 70% by weight of water
and adjusting the rhamnolipid content of the total composition to from 30% by weight to 70% by weight of rhamnolipids wherein said composition comprises
from 5% by weight to 10% by weight of diRL-C10C12:1,
from 7% to 12% by weight of diRL-C10C12,
from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight of monoRL-C10C12 and
from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight of monoRL-C10C12:1,
where the percentages by weight refer to the sum total of all rhamnolipids present.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the rhamnolipid in the composition provided in method step a) is present at least partially dispersed.
19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the pH is adjusted in method step b) by adding an organic or inorganic base, in concentrated form.