Compositions containing one or more poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of cellulosic polymers towards cellulase enzymes limits their use in detergent formulations, as enzymes used in detergents often contain trace amounts of cellulase, leading to incompatibility and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, which is stable to cellulase activity, is used to enhance the viscosity and rheological properties of aqueous solutions, allowing for their use in detergents without degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cellulosic polymers are used in detergent formulations, then viscosity and fabric care benefits are improved, but stability against cellulase degradation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by using poly alpha-1,3-glucan instead of traditional cellulosic polymers (beta-1,4-linked). This structural parameter change makes the polymer resistant to cellulase degradation while maintaining the desired rheological properties and fabric care benefits in detergent formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining poly alpha-1,3-glucan with cellulase enzymes in a detergent formulation. The unique alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkage structure of poly alpha-1,3-glucan provides resistance to cellulase attack, allowing the polymer and enzyme to coexist stably without mutual degradation.
2Reliability
If cellulase is included in detergent formulations, then color clarification and pill removal benefits are improved, but degradation of cellulosic polymers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the glycosidic linkage parameter from beta-1,4 (cellulosic) to alpha-1,3 (poly alpha-1,3-glucan), which fundamentally alters the polymer's susceptibility to cellulase. This parameter change allows cellulase to remain active for its beneficial effects without causing polymer degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cellulosic polymers and cellulase are used together in detergent formulations, then multiple benefits are achieved, but incompatibility between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the polymer to poly alpha-1,3-glucan with alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages, which are not recognized substrates for cellulase enzymes. This structural parameter change resolves the incompatibility issue, allowing both components to coexist stably while providing multiple detergent benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with an organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.