Cleaning Composition Enzymes for Microbial Soil Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current detergent compositions struggle to effectively remove sticky microbial soils from surfaces like textiles, which tend to adhere body and particulate soils, leading to incomplete cleaning, especially on areas like collars and cuffs.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning composition comprising an amylase enzyme and a glycoside hydrolase enzyme from the endo-alpha-1,4-polygalactosminidase class (EC 3.2.1.109), with specific variants, combined with a surfactant system, is used to enhance soil and stain removal and reduce malodor, particularly for body soil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional detergent compositions are used, then general cleaning is provided, but sticky microbial soils and body soils cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsticky microbial soil adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specific enzymatic parameters (glycoside hydrolase activity, amylase activity) to change the chemical breakdown capability of the detergent, enabling effective removal of sticky microbial soils that conventional detergents cannot handle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical cleaning action with biochemical action by incorporating enzymes (glycoside hydrolases and amylases) that chemically break down soil components, providing reliable cleaning where mechanical/detergent-based approaches fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If enzymes are added to improve cleaning, then soil removal is enhanced, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil removal efficiencyVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses enzymes with broad substrate specificity (glycoside hydrolases that act on multiple glycosidic bonds, amylases that tackle starch-based soils) to achieve multiple cleaning functions with a single enzymatic system, minimizing composition complexity while maximizing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines enzymes that work synergistically (glycoside hydrolases for glycosidic bonds and amylases for starch) into a unified cleaning system, where the combined action provides enhanced soil removal without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition effectively removes sticky microbial soils and stains, reducing malodor and improving cleaning efficiency on textiles by utilizing the enzymatic activity to break down glycosidic bonds and enhance surfactant performance.

Implementation Method 1

Glycosyl hydrolases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the glycosyl bond to release smaller sugars

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The cleaning composition comprises an amylase enzyme and an enzyme having glycoside hydrolase activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

The cleaning composition comprises an amylase enzyme and an enzyme having glycoside hydrolase activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 4

comprises an amylase enzyme and an enzyme having glycoside hydrolase activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 5

The composition comprises from 1 to 80 wt% of a surfactant system, preferably comprising an anionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP4001389A1Cleaning compositions including enzymes

Publication Date: 2022.05.25 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Cleaning compositions that include an amylase enzyme and a glycosyl hydrolase enzyme. Methods of making and using cleaning compositions that include a glycosyl hydrolase enzyme. Use of a glycosyl hydrolase enzyme.