Alkaline-Stable Beta-Glucanases for Detergent Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beta-glucanases are not effective in degrading beta-glucans found in oat and barley stains under alkaline conditions, such as those encountered in high-pH detergents, and lose activity quickly at pH levels above 7.5, making them unsuitable for effective use in cleaning and laundry applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of polypeptides with beta-glucanase activity from the glycoside hydrolyase family 16 (GH16), specifically licheninases (EC 3.2.1.73), that are highly active and stable at alkaline pH levels, including pH 7.5 and above, and do not have endo-cellulase activity on β-1,4 linkages, allowing for effective degradation of beta-D-glucans without damaging textile fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing beta-glucanases are used in high-pH detergents, then they can degrade beta-glucans in cereal stains, but they lose activity quickly at pH levels above 7.5
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the pH optimization point of beta-glucanases from neutral pH to alkaline pH ranges (pH 9-11). This is achieved through protein engineering approaches including directed evolution and rational design, which alter the enzyme's active site properties and overall structure to enhance stability and catalytic efficiency under alkaline conditions typical of detergent formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs copying by creating mutant variants of existing beta-glucanase genes through directed evolution processes. These mutants are copied and propagated in host organisms to produce enzymes with improved alkaline stability while maintaining or enhancing beta-glucan degradation activity, effectively copying and improving upon natural enzyme functions.
2Productivity
If licheninases are used instead of cellulases for stain removal, then beta-glucan degradation is improved, but the risk of textile fiber damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by selectively removing cellulase activity from the enzyme composition while retaining beta-glucanase activity. This is achieved by using highly specific licheninases that target beta-1,4-glucosidic linkages in beta-glucans without attacking the beta-1,4-linkages in cellulose textile fibers, thus extracting the desired stain removal function while eliminating the harmful fiber degradation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating enzymes with highly specific substrate recognition properties. The licheninases are engineered to have precise active site geometries and chemical properties that match beta-glucan substrates while being sterically or chemically incompatible with cellulose fiber structures, allowing selective action on stains without affecting textile integrity.
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 novel beta-glucanases exhibit improved performance and stability under alkaline conditions, providing enhanced stain removal and wash performance in cleaning and laundry processes, even at high pH levels, while maintaining textile integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose requires the use of endo beta-glucanases
Implementation Method 2
polypeptides exhibiting beta-glucanase activity... highly active in degrading different types of beta-glucans
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to polypeptides having beta-glucanase activity, catalytic domains, beta-glucan binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or beta-glucan binding domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or beta-glucan binding domains. The invention further relates to cleaning or detergent compositions comprising polypeptides exhibiting beta-glucanase activity and one or more amylases and/or one or more proteases and uses thereof in cleaning or detergent applications and processes such as cleaning hard-surfaces, dish wash and laundering.