Alkaline Detergent Composition With Stable Subtilisin Protease
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detergent compositions used in laundry and dishwashing, especially automatic dishwashing, face challenges in effectively removing proteinaceous stains at alkaline pHs, where protease enzymes typically perform poorly and are unstable, and struggle with bleachable stains and streak resistance.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition comprising a subtilisin variant with a specific amino acid sequence, combined with bleaches, aminocarboxylates, sulphonated polymers, and organophosphoric acids, and optionally enveloped in a water-soluble package, which maintains stability and efficacy in alkaline conditions for effective stain removal and bleachable stain performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If alkaline pH is used to optimise overall detergent performance, then cleaning performance on general stains is improved, but protease enzyme stability and activity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter of the detergent composition to alkaline conditions (pH 9-11) while simultaneously modifying the enzyme through genetic engineering to create a subtilisin variant with enhanced alkaline stability, thus resolving the contradiction between optimal cleaning performance and enzyme stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a modified copy of the natural subtilisin enzyme through site-directed mutagenesis, producing a variant with specific amino acid substitutions (Glu166Lys, Glu166Arg, Asp209Lys, Asp209Arg) that confers enhanced stability in alkaline conditions while maintaining catalytic activity
2Reliability
If specialised alkaline-stable protease enzymes are used to maintain performance at alkaline pH, then enzyme stability is improved, but performance on proteinaceous stains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a modified copy of subtilisin with specific amino acid substitutions that preserve the enzyme's natural high activity on proteinaceous stains while adding resistance to alkaline conditions, avoiding the performance loss associated with specialised alkaline enzymes
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional protease enzymes are used in alkaline detergents, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but enzyme activity and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a genetically modified subtilisin variant that can be produced through standard fermentation processes and incorporated into conventional detergent formulations, maintaining formulation simplicity while dramatically improving enzyme performance in alkaline conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively removes proteinaceous stains and inhibits filming and spotting, even in alkaline detergents, while maintaining stability and performance on bleachable stains, enhancing cleaning efficacy in automatic dishwashing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a protease enzyme in detergent compositions to be used in laundry and dishwashing processes... A detergent composition comprising a subtilisin variant having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 1
Implementation Method 2
bleaches selected from percarbonates, persulphates and organic peracids... the percarbonate and persulphate bleach comprises sodium or potassium percarbonate or persulphate
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition comprising; a subtilisin variant having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 1, and at least one additional ingredient selected from; i) bleaches selected from percarbonates, persulphates and organic peracids, ii) aminocarboxylates, or iii) sulphonated polymers, or iv) organophosphoric acids or salts thereof and mixtures thereof is provided. Also provided is a detergent composition comprising a subtilisin variant having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 1, wherein, the detergent composition is at least partially enveloped in a water soluble or water dispersible package. The compositions exhibit good performance on proteinaceous stains, even when formulated at alkaline pHs. A method of removing proteinaceous stains from surfaces comprising such stains is also provided.