Alpha-Glucan Compositions Enzymatic Resistance Laundry Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new structural polysaccharides that are biodegradable and economically sourced for use in fabric and laundry care applications, particularly those that can resist enzymatic degradation and provide benefits such as improved fabric hand and soil resistance.
Innovation Solution
Development of α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions with specific glycosidic linkages, molecular weights, and solubility characteristics, along with their ether derivatives, which can be used in fabric and laundry care formulations to provide surface substantivity and resistance to cellulase, amylase, and protease activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polysaccharides are used in fabric care, then fabric treatment benefits are achieved, but enzymatic degradation occurs reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the glycosidic linkage configuration of polysaccharides. Specifically, it uses non-conventional linkages such as α-1,2 and α-1,3 glycosidic bonds instead of the common β-1,4 linkages found in cellulose. This structural parameter change renders the polysaccharides resistant to degradation by common laundry enzymes like cellulases, amylases, and proteases, while maintaining fabric care benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite material structures by combining polysaccharides with specific glycosidic linkage patterns (α-1,2 and α-1,3) that exhibit both fabric care properties and enzymatic resistance. These composite carbohydrate structures integrate multiple functional characteristics: solubility, fabric affinity, and stability against biological degradation in a single material system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable polysaccharides are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the glycosidic linkage parameters to α-1,2 and α-1,3 configurations. These modified parameters maintain the biodegradable and environmentally friendly nature of polysaccharides while simultaneously providing resistance to common laundry enzymes. The selective enzymatic resistance is achieved through structural modification rather than complete synthetic replacement, preserving environmental compatibility.
3Reliability
If new structural polysaccharides with specific linkages are synthesized, then enzymatic resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing enzymatic synthesis methods where biological systems (enzymes and microorganisms) automatically catalyze the formation of complex glycosidic linkages. Rather than requiring complex chemical synthesis procedures, the process leverages nature's own enzymatic machinery to produce the desired α-1,2 and α-1,3 linked polysaccharides, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural complexity and enzymatic resistance.
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 α-glucan compositions effectively improve fabric properties like hand and resistance to soil deposition while maintaining stability against enzymatic hydrolysis, making them suitable for various care applications.
Implementation Method 1
Development of new glucan polysaccharides and derivatives thereof is desirable given their potential utility in various applications. It is also desirable to identify glucosyltransferase enzymes that can synthesize new glucan polysaccharides, especially those with mixed glycosidic linkages
Implementation Method 2
an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising: i. 10% to 30% α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages; ii. 65% to 87% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages
Implementation Method 3
the materials would be attractive for use in fabric care and laundry care applications to alter rheology, act as a structuring agent, provide a benefit (preferably a surface substantive effect) to a treated fabric, textile and/or article of clothing... the glucan polysaccharides are preferably resistant to cellulase, amylase, and/or protease activity
Data Source
AI summary
An enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions is provided. The enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymers can be derivatized into α-glucan ether compounds. The α-glucan oligomers/polymers and the corresponding α-glucan ethers are cellulose and/or protease resistant, making them suitable for use in fabric care and laundry care applications. Methods for the production and use of the present compositions are also provided.