Alpha-amylase variants for cold water wash performance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current alpha-amylases used in detergents are ineffective at low temperatures, leading to suboptimal stain removal and wash performance in cold water washing cycles, which complicates the removal of difficult stains.
Innovation Solution
Development of alpha-amylase variants with specific modifications at positions 109, 1, 7, 280, 284, 320, and 323, and optionally at positions 140, 181, 182, 183, 184, 195, 206, 243, 260, 304, and 476, which maintain or enhance alpha-amylase activity and wash performance at temperatures between 5-40°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alpha-amylases are used in detergent compositions for stain removal, then wash performance is improved, but effectiveness is lost at low temperatures (5-40°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific amino acid positions (109, 1, 7, 280, 284, 320, 323) in the alpha-amylase protein structure to alter its thermal properties. These point mutations change the enzyme's temperature-activity profile, enabling it to maintain catalytic effectiveness at low temperatures (5-40°C) while preserving stability, thus resolving the contradiction between wash performance and low-temperature effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing specific modifications at particular amino acid positions within the alpha-amylase molecule rather than attempting global structural changes. By targeting specific residues (positions 109, 1, 7, 280, 284, 320, 323), the invention locally optimizes the enzyme's properties to enhance low-temperature activity while maintaining overall structural integrity and wash performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If alpha-amylase variants with multiple amino acid modifications are created, then low temperature stability is improved, but protein structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically changes specific parameters (amino acid positions) to achieve low-temperature stability. By focusing modifications on a defined set of positions (109, 1, 7, 280, 284, 320, 323) rather than random or comprehensive changes, the invention achieves the desired stability improvement while controlling the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making targeted modifications at specific amino acid positions rather than implementing global structural changes. This localized approach to protein engineering improves low-temperature stability while minimizing the overall complexity increase, as only specific residues are altered rather than the entire protein structure.
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 modified alpha-amylase variants exhibit improved wash performance and stability at low temperatures, effectively removing stains even at cold water washing conditions, surpassing the performance of parent alpha-amylases.
Implementation Method 1
Alpha-amylases (alpha-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolases, E.C. 3.2.1.1) constitute a group of enzymes, which catalyses hydrolysis of starch and other linear and branched 1,4-gluosidic oligo- and polysaccharides.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to variants of a parent alpha-amylase having an improved wash performance when compared to the parent alpha-amylase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants, nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides, and method of producing the variants of the present invention.