Use of poly alpha-1,3-glucan ethers as viscosity modifiers
A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound is disclosed having a viscosity of at least about 10 centipoise (cPs). The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound in these compositions has a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous composition using a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound.
1. A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound represented by the structure:
wherein
(i) n is at least 6,
(ii) each R is independently an H or an organic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyl alkyl, and
(iii) the compound has a degree of substitution up to about 3.0,
wherein the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution is in contact with fabric in a washing machine.
2. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein at least one organic group is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxypropyl, and hydroxyethyl.
3. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the compound contains one type of organic group.
4. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the compound contains two or more types of organic group.
5. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the degree of substitution is about 0.2 to about 2.0.
6. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , further comprising at least one surfactant.
7. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , further comprising at least one enzyme.
8. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 7 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, cellulase, hemicellulase, peroxidase, xylanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, perhydrolase, cutinase, pectinase, pectate lyase, mannanase, keratinase, reductase, oxidase, phenoloxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, pentosanase, malanase, beta-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, metalloproteinase, amadoriase, glucoamylase, arabinofuranosidase, phytase, isomerase, transferase, and amylase.
9. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution is comprised in a fabric care composition.
10. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 9 , wherein the fabric care composition is a laundry detergent or fabric softener.
11. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , which is an aqueous solution.
12. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the glycosidic linkages of the poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound are alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages.
13. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises natural fiber.
14. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 13 , wherein the natural fiber comprises cellulosic fiber.
15. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 14 , wherein the cellulosic fiber comprises cotton.
16. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises synthetic fiber.
17. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 16 , wherein the synthetic fiber comprises polyester.
18. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises semi-synthetic fiber.
19. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 18 , wherein the semi-synthetic fiber comprises rayon.
20. A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound represented by the structure:
wherein
(i) n is at least 6,
(ii) each R is independently an H or an organic group, wherein the organic group is not carboxy alkyl, and
(iii) the compound has a degree of substitution up to about 3.0,
wherein the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution is in contact with fabric in a washing machine.
21. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein the compound contains one type of organic group.
22. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein the compound contains two or more types of organic group.
23. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , further comprising at least one surfactant.
24. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , further comprising at least one enzyme.
25. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 24 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, cellulase, hemicellulase, peroxidase, xylanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, perhydrolase, cutinase, pectinase, pectate lyase, mannanase, keratinase, reductase, oxidase, phenoloxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, pentosanase, malanase, beta-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, metalloproteinase, amadoriase, glucoamylase, arabinofuranosidase, phytase, isomerase, transferase, and amylase.
26. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution is comprised in a laundry detergent or fabric softener.
27. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , which is an aqueous solution.
28. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein at least 90% of the glycosidic linkages of the poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound are alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages.
29. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein the fabric comprises natural fiber.
30. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 29 , wherein the natural fiber comprises cellulosic fiber.
31. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 20 , wherein the fabric comprises synthetic fiber.
32. The hydrocolloid or aqueous solution of claim 31 , wherein the synthetic fiber comprises polyester.