Background Art Various kinds of detergent compositions are known for the purpose of washing tableware, vegetables, fruits, or the like, in the kitchen. A kitchen detergent is primarily composed of a surfactant, a cleaning auxiliary, an effective ingredient, perfume, water, and other such substances. Among these ingredients, the surfactant, and in particular, anionic surfactant has a washing ability and foaming property for a liquid detergent. Particularly, such compositions contain a skin-protecting ingredient, an ingredient for improving removal of a greasy/oily substance or an antibiotic ingredient as effective ingredients. Korean Patent Laid Open Publication No. 2000- 18727 discloses a liquid detergent composition for tableware in a stable concentrate form in atmosphere and a process for the preparation of the same. Korean Patent No.

0148722 discloses a liquid detergent composition for use in the kitchen with improved low temperature fluidity.

However, none of these conventional kitchen detergents themselves had a germicidal effect as such. As known, a kitchen detergent comprising an antibiotic ingredient known as Nonoxynol-9 has been prepared and commercially available.

However, such a detergent did not efficiently sterilize harmful germs or viruses adhered to the tableware transmitted through food for example in the cleaning process.

Meanwhile, a detergent such as Lax, primarily used for sterilizing and cleaning, has been known to be able to sterilize about 50 kinds of bacteria. However, it was not

suitable for use as a kitchen detergent primarily for tableware or vegetables, since it has strong irritable odor and toxicity to the human body when ingested.

Therefore, the tableware should be frequently sterilized by boiling or by using a separate ultraviolet sterilizer for hygiene in the household or restaurants. Such added labor was troublesome and there was a greater possibility that a large or small food poisoning problem would be produced if such a work was neglected.

Summary of the Invention Now, the present invention is intended to provide a novel detergent composition for use in a kitchen, having sufficient cleaning power as a general kitchen detergent as well as having a potent germicidal effect, which was not accomplished in the prior detergents, by incorporating a new ingredient at a suitable ratio into the usual detergent compositions for the kitchen. In accordance with the present invention, when such a new germicidal ingredient material incorporated in the compositions is used at a suitable range of concentration, the compositions will show a good cleaning and \ germicidal effect with little toxicity on the skin of the user.

Thus, the first object of the present invention is to provide a detergent composition for use in the kitchen, which can show not only cleaning effect but also good germicidal effect.

Further, the second object of the present invention is to provide a detergent composition, which is harmless to the human body, and in particular, effectively sterilizes harmful microorganisms.

In particular, the third object of the present invention is to provide a liquid detergent composition for use in the kitchen having a good cleaning and germicidal effect.

The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a detergent composition for use in the kitchen capable of effectively sterilizing and washing harmful microorganisms on the human body and at the same time having an environmental affinity without showing toxicity to fishes and without inducing an environmental

pollution problem.

The fifth object of the present invention is to provide a detergent composition for use in the kitchen capable of effectively sterilizing germs such as bacteria and even viruses and fungi.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Hereinafter, the constitution of the present invention will be explained in detail.

A detergent composition for use in a kitchen according to the present, is characterized by further incorporating from 1 to 5 % of Chloramine-T as a germicidal ingredient based on the total weight of the composition, into the usual detergent compositions for the kitchen comprising a surfactant, a cleaning auxiliary, perfume, dye and water.

Chloramine-T is a common name referring to trihydrate of sodium para-toluene sulfone chlorimide (C7H7SO2N NaCl), present as water soluble white crystalline powders and has the following formula: It has already been known prior to the filing of the present application, that Chloramine-T has a germicidal effect on the various microorganisms including germs such as bacteria and viruses. However, it was totally unexpected from the prior art that a detergent composition for the kitchen in which Chloramine-T is used at a harmless concentration on the human body without affecting the other ingredients, and thus maintains sufficient cleaning effect while showing a significant germicidal effect can be provided.

As described above, a detergent composition capable of sterilizing almost 100 % of various microorganisms and viruses has been provided by incorporating from 1 to 5 % of Chloramine-T into the usual detergent compositions for use in the kitchen, in accordance with the present invention. It can be understood from the above that the detergent composition for use in the kitchen according to the present invention is

remarkably improved in terms of cost and effect considering that the prior detergent composition comprising up to 20 % of Nonoxynol-9 as an antibiotic ingredient scarcely showed a germicidal effect.

When the detergent composition contains below 1 % of Chloramine-T, the sufficient germicidal effect can be obtained by applying the stock solution of such composition directly to the tableware etc. However, there is some fear that the sufficient germicidal effect is not obtained when the detergent composition contains below 1 % of Chloramine-T, considering that the detergent composition is generally used as a diluted state in contact with water. On the other hand, there is no need for the detergent composition to contain more than 5 % of Chloramine-T for the sufficient germicidal effect in consideration of the economic aspect, and the skin irritancy and toxicity to fishes. Considering the reliable germicidal effect and the economy, it is particularly preferable that the composition contains from 2 to 3 % of Chloramine-T.

Although Chloramine-T may be harmful to the human body when it is ingested and in contact with the skin for a long time, it is almost harmless to the human body when used within the liquid composition at a range in the present invention. Animal toxicity test data for Chloramine-T showed that Chloramine-T has about 1,000 mg/kg of 50 % lethal dose (LDso) when orally administered to mice, it is caustic when directly contacted with the skin in a hygroscopic powder state, but it is not irritant in an 8 % solution and not irritant even on eyes in a 0.5 % solution. Thus, it can be said that the detergent composition according to the present invention formulated by incorporating Chloramine-T within a range in the present invention, is almost harmless on the human body.

It can be understood that the ecological toxicity of Chloramine-T is very low since LCso (50 % lethal concentration) for fishes is 31 mg/l for 96 hours and ECso for water fleas is 4.5 mg/1 for 48 hours. Further, Chloramine-T can be adopted as a very preferable ingredient even in consideration of an environmental pollution problem, since Chloramine-T is an easily biodegradable material and its hydrolyte, para-toluene sulfone chlorimide is also an easily biodegradable material.

Preferably, the detergent composition according to the present invention may be

in a liquid form, and an anionic surfactant can be generally used as a surfactant in this case. Examples of such anionic surfactant include alkyl sulfonate, a-olefin sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ethoxylated alcohol ether, alkyl polyglucoside and fatty acid amide. Such anionic surfactant may be included in the composition in an amount of 5 to 30 % by weight, which is freely selected among the above and is typically used. Examples of a cleaning auxiliary may include other ingredients including an amphoteric surfactant such as amine oxide and betaine, well known to those skilled in the art.

In addition to the ingredients as described above and hereto, the liquid detergent composition for use in the kitchen according to the present invention, can be prepared by selecting and adding a suitable perfume and dye in a prescribed constitution ratio which is well known when making the usual liquid detergent compositions for use in the kitchen, incorporating Chloramine-T within the constitution range as described above, and then adjusting the total weight percent to 100 % using water.

Hereinafter, the liquid detergent composition for use in the kitchen comprising a germicidal ingredient according to the present invention, is prepared in accordance with the preferable Examples. The detergent compositions comprising the known antibiotic ingredient according to the prior art and the detergent composition having no germicidal or antibiotic ingredients are also prepared in the Comparative Examples. The germicidal effects between the detergent of the invention and the detergents described in the Comparative Examples are compared.

Examples Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3: Preparation of Detergent Compositions Liquid detergent compositions comprising Chloramine-T as a germicidal ingredient according to the present invention (Examples 1 to 3), liquid detergent compositions comprising Nonoxynol-9 as a known antibiotic ingredient according to the prior art (Comparative Examples 1 and 2), and a detergent composition free of both germicidal ingredient or antibiotic ingredient as a control (Comparative Example 3) were prepared with the constitution as indicated in the following table: Example 1Example 2Example 3 Comparative Comparative Control Example 1 Example 2 Sodium dodecyl 17 % 17 % 17 % 17 % 17 % 17 % benzene sulfonate Chloramine-T 1 % 2.5 % 5 % - - - Nonoxynol-9---18% 20%- Cocamide DEA 3.6% 3. 6% 3. 5% 4% 3. 5% 3.5 % Urea 3 % 3 % 3 % 3 % 3 % 3 % Tetrasodium EDTA 0.1 % 0. 1 % 0. 1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Metylparaben 0. 1 % 0. 1 % 0. 1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Perfume 0.05 % 0. 05 % 0. 05 % 0.05 % 0. 05 % 0.05 % F&D Blue No. 1 0. 000075 % 0.000075 % 0.000075 % 0.000075 % 0.000075 % 0.000075 % Water to 100 % to 100 % to 100 % to 100 % to 100 % to 100 %

As can be seen from the above table, the liquid detergent compositions according to the present invention and the prior art have a great difference in whether they contain Chloramine-T or Nonoxynol-9 as a germicidal or antibiotic ingredient.

All have the same other ingredients except for the content ratio of some ingredients with no great differences in effect. The present detergent compositions according to Examples 1 to 3 have generally the same constitution in their entirety except for the differences in the Chloramine-T content. Also, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 have generally the same constitution in their entirety except for the differences in the Nonoxynol-9 content. Comparative Example 3 (Control) has generally the same constitution as the other ingredients of the Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 except that no germicidal ingredients or antibiotic ingredients are contained.

The germicidal effect of the detergent compositions according to the present invention and the prior art was confirmed by culturing microorganisms as the following examples, through testing and comparing the germicidal effect on them.

Example 4: Culture of Bacteria for Germicidal Test In order to test the germicidal effect of the detergent compositions, each Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes, and Pseudomonas fragi were cultured as microorganisms for sterilizing.

With respect to Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lysteria monocytogenes, 0.8 g of nutrient broth (NB culture medium) purchased from Difco at Grayson, GA, USA was dissolved in water so as to be 100 ml, and the solution was divided into 33 ml and placed into three containers and sterilized by high pressure steam.

Onto the resulting respective NB liquid culture media, the above three microorganisms were inoculated. With respect to Pseudomonas fragi, 2.75 g of Lactobacilli MRS broth (MRS culture medium) purchased from Difco was dissolved in water so as to be 50 ml and sterilized by high pressure steam. Onto the resulting MRS liquid culture medium, the Pseudomonas fragi was inoculated. All these cultures were then thermostatically cultured at 37°C for 16 hours.

After diluting the above culture solutions 10 times and then measuring the absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm using a spectrophotometer, the concentration of the cultured germs was determined. The culturing was stopped when A600 for Salmonella typhimurium is 1.34, A600 for Staphylococcus aureus is 1.47, A600 for Lysteria monocytogenes is 0.25 and A600 for Pseudomonas fragi is 5.47.

Examples 5 and 6: Test for Germicidal effect of the Detergent Compositions The germicidal efficacy of the respective detergent compositions on the above four assay subject strains was tested by the paper disc method and treatment in solution, as described below.

Example 5: Assay for Germicidal Efficacy by Paper Disc Method Paper disc method is a method for determining the germicidal efficacy of a sample comprising the wetting of the paper disc for investigating an antibiotic material with the sample to be tested, evaporating off the solvent, placing the sample on the agar plate mixed with the test subject strain previously prepared to diffuse the sample into a

culture medium and then determining the diameter of the area in which the growth of the strain is inhibited on the respective plates.

In order to determine the germicidal efficacy of the detergent compositions prepared by the Examples and the Comparative Examples through the above method, the nutrient agar culture medium and MRS agar culture medium onto which the respective strains cultured in Example 4 were inoculated were prepared first.

The nutrient agar culture medium was prepared by dissolving 1.6 g of nutrient broth purchased from Difco and 3 g of agarose in water so as to be 200 ml, then each divided into 60 ml and placed into three containers, sterilizing by high pressure steam, and, when cooled to 40 °C, mixing hereto each 1.2 ml (2 % by volume) of the three strains cultured in Example 4, i. e., the culture solutions of Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lysteria monocytogenes. Then pouring each 20 ml onto petri dishes with a diameter of 10 cm to solidify, and then storing these samples in the refrigerator at 4 °C.

For the Pseudomonas fragi cultured in Example 4, MRS agar culture medium comprising the above strain was prepared by dissolving 5.5 g of MRS broth purchased from Difco and 1.5 g of agarose in water so as to be 100 ml. This was then sterilized in the autoclave, cooled to 40 °C, adding hereto 2 ml (2 % by volume) of the culture solution of the above strain, pouring each 20 ml onto petri dishes with a diameter of 10 cm to solidify, and then stored in the refrigerator at 4 °C.

Then, 6 sheets of paper discs, used for investigating antibiotic materials with a diameter of 6 mm purchased from Schleider & Schuell at Dassel, Germany were wetted, each with 30 1 taken off the respective detergent compositions prepared by Examples 1 to 3 and the Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the solvent, i. e., firstly water was evaporated off, then these six paper discs were placed at a constant interval on each agar plate relative to which one of strains prepared by the above had been added. In the same manner, each six paper discs, onto which the respective detergent compositions, prepared by Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were absorbed, were placed on their respective agar plates onto which the remaining three strains had been inoculated. The above four agar plates, onto which each six paper discs were placed,

were left at 40 °C for about 1 hour in order to diffuse the detergent compositions absorbed on the paper discs into the agar culture medium. After further culturing at 37 °C for 17 hours, the diameter of the area in which the growth of the strain was inhibited was determined.

Results according to the above criteria are shown in the following table. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Salmonella 8.0 mm 9.0 mm 10.0 mm 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm typhimurium Staphylococcus 13.5 mm 15 mm 16.5 mm 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm aureus Lysteria 14 mm 15 mm 17 mm 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm monocytogenes Pseudomonas 10 mm 12 mm 14.5 mm 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm fragi As can be seen from the above table, the growth of germs was inhibited on the larger area compared to that of the portion on which the paper discs were placed on the culture medium comprising bacteria treated paper discs onto which the detergent compositions prepared by Examples 1 to 3 had been absorbed. Whereas the germicidal area was not recognized on the culture medium treated with the paper discs onto which the detergent compositions comprising Nonoxynol-9 according to the prior art and free of both germicidal ingredient and antibiotic ingredient had been absorbed.

Example 6: Test for Germicidal Efficacy of Detergent Compositions by Treatment in Solution The test method for the germicidal efficacy of the detergent compositions by the treatment in solution comprises of further diluting the cultured strains in a liquid state itself, adding and treating thereto a sample, smearing on a solid culture medium

and then confirming whether the strains were produced on the culture medium.

According to the above method, the solutions comprising of the respective strains cultured in Example 4 were diluted at 10 times and 50 times, added hereto 1/10 times of the respective volumes of the detergent compositions prepared according to Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3. The solutions were then treated in the shaking incubator rotating at 180 rpm at 30 °C for 10 minutes and then removed of 0.2 ml from each of these treated solutions. The solutions were then evenly plated onto the solid nutrient agar culture medium for the solutions comprising of Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lysteria monocytogenes strains whilst on the solid MRS agar culture medium the solution comprising of Pseudomonas fragi, each thermostatically cultured at 37 °C for 16 hours and then confirmed as to whether the colonies of the above germs were produced on the plates.

From the above test, no germ colony was observed on any of the medium in which the sample taken off the solutions treated for 10 minutes with the added detergent compositions, prepared by Examples 1 to 3 of the present invention, were cultured.

However, a number of colonies consisting of all kinds of microorganisms were formed on the solid medium onto which the solutions treated with the known detergent compositions prepared by Comparative Examples 1 and 2 comprising Nonoxynol-9 were applied like the medium in which the solution treated with the detergent composition of Comparative Example 3 (Control) free of both germicidal ingredient and antibiotic ingredient was cultured, and thus, the germicidal effect was not and cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, the present examples showed the result when the 1/10 times dilution of the detergent compositions was applied, and thus, it demonstrates that the present detergent compositions can show sufficient germicidal effect even in the more diluted state in contact with water.

Example 7: Test for the Cleaning Power of the Present Detergent Compositions Cleaning the tableware in which the animal fat and oil and other contaminant were stained with the present detergent compositions resulted in the fat and the

contaminant being clearly removed when using the usual kitchen detergents. Through the example, no evidence can be found that the present detergent composition has a weaker cleaning power than the prior detergent composition.

As can be seen from the above examples, the novel liquid detergent composition according to the present invention can effectively sterilize the fatal germs such as salmonella by incorporating Chloramine-T at a low concentration of 1 % based on the total weight of the composition. Whereas the prior detergent composition scarcely showed a substantial germicidal effect even when Nonoxynol-9 as an antibiotic or germicidal ingredient was used in a very high concentration; 20 % of the total weight of the composition. Thus, it can be understood that the present invention has provided a novel detergent composition for use in the kitchen cleaning, which is a remarkable improvement in terms of cost and effectiveness relative to the prior art.

Additionally, the present detergent composition according to the present invention, maintains a sufficient cleaning power as a kitchen detergent by maintaining the constitution of a usual liquid detergent composition, except that Chloramine-T is incorporated at a low concentration as described above. It was completely unexpected by those skilled in the art that a detergent composition for use in the kitchen, without affecting the cleaning power of the detergent and having almost perfect germicidal effect and safety, can be provided by incorporating Chloramine-T at a low concentration as described above.

Chloramine-T is an easily biodegradable material which is not pollutant to water and has a very low toxicity to fishes when it is incorporated into a detergent composition at a low concentration as in the present invention. Thus, the present detergent composition comprising Chloramine-T has an environmental affinity and is preferable as a promising next generation detergent composition.

Furthermore, the present detergent composition maintains the stability of the detergent composition and is preferable when cleaning tableware and vegetables since Chloramine-T is stable with a low toxicity.

Although the germicidal effect of the detergent compositions according to the present invention was confirmed for some bacteria in the above examples, it will be

fully recognized by those skilled in the art that the present detergent composition comprising Chloramine-T may have a germicidal effect on broad microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, algae, yeasts and parasites, considering that the germicidal effect of Chloramine-T is broad and the tested germs in the examples are very abundant and they are fatal and potent germs.

The examples as described above are the preferable embodiments of the invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that all such alterations, modifications or other changes be encompassed by these claims.