Bacterial Lipase in Polyester Soil Release Detergents

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The inclusion of lipase enzymes in detergent formulations causes degradation of soil release polymers, making it impossible to combine both in laundry detergents, particularly in liquid formulations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating non-fungal lipase enzymes, such as bacterial lipases derived from Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescence, or Psychromonas ingrahamii, at specific concentrations with polyester-based soil release polymers in detergent compositions, allowing for effective cleaning without degrading the soil release polymer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lipase enzymes are included in detergent formulations, then cleaning performance is improved, but soil release polymer degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidsoil release polymer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the source parameter of the lipase enzyme from fungal to non-fungal (bacterial) origin. This parameter change resolves the contradiction because non-fungal lipases do not degrade the soil release polymer while still providing effective cleaning performance, thus maintaining both productivity and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fungal lipase enzymes are used, then lipolytic cleaning is achieved, but polyester soil release polymer is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelipolytic cleaningVSAvoidpolymer degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of lipase enzymes (which typically degrade polymers) into a beneficial outcome by selecting non-fungal lipases that specifically do not degrade polyester soil release polymers. This allows the lipolytic cleaning function to be maintained while eliminating the harmful degradation effect on the polymer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If soil release polymer and lipase are combined, then cleaning effectiveness is enhanced, but formulation stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biological origin parameter of the lipase from fungal to bacterial (non-fungal). This parameter modification enables the simultaneous inclusion of both soil release polymer and lipase in the formulation without compromising stability, while maintaining enhanced cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This combination enables effective lipolytic cleaning while maintaining the integrity of the soil release polymer, enhancing the cleaning performance of laundry detergents without the negative effects of fungal lipases.

Implementation Method 1

the non-fungal lipase enzyme is a bacterial lipase enzyme derived from Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescence or Psychromonas ingrahamii

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

provide lipolytic cleaning without degradation of said polyester soil release polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3853330B1Detergent composition
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 UNILEVER GLOBAL IP LTD
  • EP3853330B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3853330B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3853330B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a detergent composition comprising: (i) from 0.1 to 10 wt.% of a soil release polymer; and (ii) from 0.0005 to 2.5 wt.% of a bacterial lipase enzyme, wherein the soil release polymer is a polyester based soil released polymer; and a method of treatment of a substrate with said composition as the use of a non-fungal lipase enzyme to provide lipolytic cleaning without degradation of said polyester soil release polymer.