Alpha-Glucan Oligomer Composition for Enzyme-Resistant Laundry Care
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new glucan polysaccharides and derivatives that are resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly cellulase, amylase, and protease activity, to be used in fabric care and laundry care applications.
Innovation Solution
A fabric care and laundry care composition comprising an α-glucan oligomer/polymer with at least 75% α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages, less than 25% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages, and a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons, which is also resistant to cellulase, amylase, and protease activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polysaccharides are used in laundry care compositions, then they may provide some fabric care benefits, but they are susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase, amylase, and protease, reducing their stability and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polysaccharide by specifying precise linkage compositions (at least 75% α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages, less than 25% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages) and molecular weight constraints (less than 5000 Daltons). These parameter changes create a polysaccharide structure that is resistant to degradation by common laundry enzymes while maintaining fabric care functionality.
2Reliability
If new glucan polysaccharides with specific structures are synthesized through enzymatic processes, then enzymatic hydrolysis resistance can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs glucosyltransferase enzymes as intermediaries to catalyze the formation of the desired polysaccharide structure from glucose monomers. This enzymatic mediation enables the synthesis of complex α-(1,3)-linked glucan structures with specific linkage distributions and molecular weights that would be difficult to achieve through conventional chemical methods, while maintaining process efficiency.
3Reliability
If the polysaccharide molecular weight is reduced to less than 5000 Daltons, then enzymatic stability is improved, but the fabric care effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to be less than 5000 Daltons while simultaneously controlling the linkage composition (at least 75% α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages). This dual parameter optimization ensures that the polysaccharide is small enough to be resistant to enzymatic degradation yet large enough to provide effective fabric care benefits such as improved fabric hand and soil deposition resistance.
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.