Aqueous liquid laundry formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous liquid laundry formulations containing enzymes, particularly cellulases, suffer from enzyme instability due to factors like unfolding, solvent interaction, microbial attack, electrolytes, and extreme pH, leading to significant loss of enzymatic activity during storage, especially at varying temperatures, which limits their use in the liquid detergent industry.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous liquid laundry formulation comprising a liquid carrier, cellulase, and a protectant polymer with specific structural unit compositions that enhance enzyme stability, using 25 to 65 wt% of structural units of formula I and 35 to 75 wt% of structural units of formula II, along with optional additives like cleaning surfactants and pH adjusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enzymes are added to liquid laundry formulations to enhance cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but enzyme stability deteriorates during storage leading to loss of enzymatic activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protectant polymer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the enzyme and the destabilizing environment. The polymer forms a protective complex with the enzyme, shielding it from denaturation and degradation during storage, thereby maintaining enzyme stability while preserving cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation creates a composite system combining the enzyme, protectant polymer, and liquid detergent components. This composite structure allows the polymer to provide structural support and stability to the enzyme within the complex liquid formulation environment, enabling both cleaning performance and storage stability
2Productivity
If excess enzymes are added to compensate for storage-related activity loss, then cleaning performance is maintained, but formulation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protectant polymer is incorporated into the formulation beforehand to prevent enzyme degradation before it occurs. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for excess enzyme addition, as the polymer pre-shields the enzyme from storage-related damage, maintaining activity with standard enzyme quantities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive strategy of adding excess enzymes with a more economical approach using a relatively inexpensive protectant polymer. The polymer acts as a sacrificial protective layer that can be used in smaller quantities compared to the cost of compensating for enzyme loss through over-addition
3Duration of action of stationary object
If liquid laundry formulations are stored at elevated temperatures for extended periods, then product availability is improved, but enzymatic activity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protectant polymer provides beforehand cushioning protection to the enzyme against thermal stress. By incorporating the polymer into the formulation before storage, it creates a protective environment that cushions the enzyme from temperature-induced denaturation, enabling stable storage at elevated temperatures for extended periods while maintaining enzymatic activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the formulation environment by introducing the protectant polymer, which alters the thermal stability characteristics. This parameter change allows the formulation to withstand elevated storage temperatures without the usual degradation of enzyme activity, extending the acceptable storage temperature range
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 formulation exhibits enhanced anti-redeposition performance on cotton fabrics after extended storage at elevated temperatures, maintaining enzymatic activity and improving cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
the protectant polymer comprises: 25 to 65 wt%, based on weight of the protectant polymer, of structural units of formula I wherein each R1 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a —CH3 group; and 35 to 75 wt%, based on weight of the protectant polymer, of structural units of formula II wherein each R2 is independently selected from a —C2-3 alkyl group and wherein each R3 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a methyl group
Implementation Method 2
a cellulase
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous liquid laundry formulation is provided, comprising: a liquid carrier; a cellulase; and a protectant polymer, wherein the protectant polymer comprises: 25 to 65 wt %, based on weight of the protectant polymer, of structural units of formula Iwherein each R1 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a —CH3 group; and 35 to 75 wt %, based on weight of the protectant polymer, of structural units of formula IIwherein each R2 is independently selected from a —C2-3 alkyl group and wherein each R3 is independently selected from a hydrogen and a methyl group. Also provided is a method of renewing a soiled cotton containing fabric using aqueous liquid laundry formulation.