Cleaning agent containing amylases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automatic dishwashing agents exhibit inadequate cleaning performance on stubborn soiling, particularly at lower temperatures, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and increased water and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning agent comprising a combination of α-amylase from Bacillus sp. No. 707 and AA560 α-amylase from Bacillus sp., which are used in an automatic dishwasher to enhance cleaning performance on enzyme-sensitive soiling, including burnt-on food, at temperatures below 60°C.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If low-temperature washing programs are used to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but cleaning performance on stubborn soiling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcleaning performance on stubborn soiling
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning system by introducing a specific enzyme combination (α-amylase from Bacillus sp. No. 707 and AA560 α-amylase from Bacillus sp.) that maintains effective cleaning activity at lower temperatures. This allows the washing process to operate at reduced temperatures while preserving cleaning performance on stubborn soiling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite enzymatic system combining two different amylase enzymes with complementary properties. The first amylase (from Bacillus sp. No. 707) provides activity at lower temperatures, while the second amylase (AA560 from Bacillus sp.) enhances overall effectiveness on starch-based soiling. This composite approach allows effective cleaning at low temperatures without sacrificing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If conventional single-enzyme formulations are used to simplify the product, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning performance on enzyme-sensitive soiling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation complexityVSAvoidcleaning performance on enzyme-sensitive soiling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different amylase enzymes into a single cleaning agent formulation. The first amylase (α-amylase from Bacillus sp. No. 707) and the second amylase (AA560 α-amylase from Bacillus sp.) work synergistically to provide enhanced cleaning performance on enzyme-sensitive soiling, including burnt-on food and starch-based residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-enzyme formulation provides multi-functional cleaning capability, effectively addressing multiple types of enzyme-sensitive soiling (starch-based, burnt-on, protein-based) with a single product. This universal approach maintains good cleaning performance across various soiling types without requiring multiple specialized products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 combination of amylases significantly improves cleaning performance on stubborn soiling, such as burnt-on food, even at lower temperatures, maintaining effective cleaning without reducing performance on other types of soiling.

Implementation Method 1

The cleaning agent comprises at least one first amylase, wherein the first amylase is an α-amylase from Bacillus sp. No. 707 or a functional fragment or a variant thereof, and at least one second amylase, wherein the second amylase is an AA560 α-amylase from Bacillus sp. or a functional fragment or a variant thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS10323216B2Cleaning agent containing amylases
Publication Date: 2019.06.18 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

A cleaning agent for hard surfaces and methods for cleaning are provided herein. In one embodiment, the cleaning agent includes at least one first amylase, wherein the first amylase is an α-amylase from Bacillus sp. No. 707 or a functional fragment or a variant thereof. The cleaning agent further includes at least one second amylase, wherein the second amylase is an AA560 α-amylase from Bacillus sp. or a functional fragment or a variant thereof. In another embodiment, the method includes dispensing the cleaning agent into the interior of an automatic dishwasher while a dishwashing program is being executed, before the main washing cycle begins, or in the course of the main washing cycle.