BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

This invention relates to the provision of potent and long acting deodorant compositions containing, as an active ingredient, isolates from theaceae plants. More particularly, it relates to deodorant compositions containing isolates which are obtained by dry-distillation mainly from leaves of the theaceae plant, which isolates are refined to the extent to exhibiting fixed properties.

It has been known that leaves and the other parts of theaceae plants such as Thea sinensis, Camellia japonica, Cleyera ochnaceae and Eurya japonica have a deodorant effect and one of the present inventors and his collaborators disclosed in Japanese Non-examined Patent Publication Gazette No. 66434/1978 deodorant compositions containing as an active ingredient a crude and colored substance extracted from theaceae plants; however, little was disclosed in said Japanese publication relating to physical and chemical properties of the active ingredient.

Further, because this process was carried out by extracting raw materials with solvents such as water, alcohols, ketones and isopropanol under reflux, the extracts were not as effective for deodorization as the active ingredient of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides an extract effective for deodorization by subjecting theaceae plants or portions thereof to dry-distillation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with this invention, the dry-distillation can be conducted at a reduced pressure of 20 mm/Hg and effluents having the boiling point between 180.degree.-200.degree. C. are collected. The effluents are pale yellow or pale brown and are aromatic liquids, which instantly become viscous on exposure to air. Thus, it is recommended to deposit them in an inert solvent such as propylene glycol. If the distillation temperature exceeds 200.degree. C. at a reduced pressure of 20 mm/Hg, it is likely to cause decomposition of the active ingredient.

The present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following specific embodiments:

EXAMPLE

25 kilograms of raw leaves of a Chinese tea tree, Thea sinensis, were subjected to dry-distillation under a reduced pressure of 20 mm/Hg in a dry-distillation oven and the effluents having the boiling point between 180.degree.-200.degree. C. were collected in propylene glycol. The yield of the thus prepared distillates was 50 grams, and the distillation was a pale yellow liquid.

The active ingredient of this invention is a pale yellow or pale brown, oily and aromatic liquid and has slightly sweet taste. It is soluble in water and other polar solvents such as alcohols and organic acetates and is insoluble in benzene, toluene and xylene.

Physical properties of the active ingredient of this invention has been determined as follows:

Boiling point: 180.degree.-200.degree. C. (at 20 mm/Hg)

Refractive index: n.sub.D.sup.20 =1.418.+-.0.02 (in 20 w/w% propylene glycol solution)

Angle of optical rotation: .alpha..sub.D.sup.20 =+0.007.degree..+-.0.002.degree. (in 20 w/w% propylene glycol solution)

Specific gravity: d.sub.20.sup.20 =1.025.+-.0.02 (in 20 w/w% propylene glycol solution)

The 1.000 times by weight water solution of the active ingredient in 20 w/w% propylene glycol exhibits an ultraviolet absorption spectrum maximum peak at 276.+-.2 m.mu..

The constituents of the active ingredient of this invention have not been definitely clarified, however, they are presumed to consist of flavanols, flavonols and other organic higher molecules. Their deodorant effectiveness may be due to a complex mechanism consisting of clathrating, addition and neutralization reactions with the active ingredient of malodorous sources in addition to biological reactions in human beings, such as inhibition of olfactory receptors.

An example of the deodorant effect of the active ingredient of this invention is indicated by a following experiment:

Malodorous substance:

28% Ammonia

Trimethylamine

Hydrogen sulfide

Methylmercaptan

Standard solution:

20 w/w% propylene glycol solution of the active ingredient.

Method:

Each of the malodorous substances is adjusted to a fixed concentration into a closed vessel (5.000/ml.) together with one gram of the standard solution, and the vessel is kept at a room temperature. After every 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 minutes, the free gas remaining in the vessel is removed and the total weight of the free gas is quantitatively determined through a neutralization by titration method with acid or alkali depending on the type of gas, with the exception of hydrogen sulfide which is quantitatively determined by an iodometry titration of sodium hydroxide solution.

Result:

    ______________________________________
    % of Reduced Weight of Free Gas
               Concentration
    Malodorous (ppm)        Minutes
    substance  at Beginning 1     3   5    10   20
    ______________________________________
    28% Ammonia
               3000         84    98  100  100  100
    Trimethylamine
               1898         66    90  98   100  100
    Hydrogen    861         12    23  31   47   100
    sulfide
    Methylmer-  50          23    38  64   75    86
    captan
    ______________________________________