Laundry Detergent Protease Stabilization via Alkyl Ether Carboxylic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry detergent formulations with a high fraction of anionic surfactant relative to non-ionic surfactant struggle to stabilize protease enzymes during storage and achieve effective stain removal.
Innovation Solution
A non-phosphate laundry detergent composition combining a protease enzyme with a specific alkyl ether carboxylic acid dispersant, optimizing the weight fraction of non-ionic to anionic surfactants and incorporating a subtilase type serine protease, enhances stain removal by stabilizing the protease and improving protein stain removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high fraction of anionic surfactant relative to non-ionic surfactant is used in laundry detergent formulations, then cost and cleaning power are improved, but protease enzyme stability during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific non-ionic surfactant (alkyl polyglucoside with 8-12 glucose units) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the anionic surfactant environment and the protease enzyme. This intermediary protects the enzyme from degradation by high concentrations of anionic surfactant while maintaining the formulation's overall cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by specifying a particular non-ionic surfactant type (alkyl polyglucoside) with defined molecular characteristics (8-12 glucose units). This parameter change creates a more favorable chemical environment for protease stability without compromising the high anionic surfactant content needed for cost-effectiveness and cleaning power.
2Productivity
If conventional surfactant systems are used in formulations with high anionic surfactant content, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but stain removal effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the non-ionic surfactant (alkyl polyglucoside with 8-12 glucose units, 1-10 wt%) to optimize stain removal performance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves enhanced protein stain removal while maintaining a relatively simple two-surfactant system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining anionic surfactants (for cost and general cleaning) with a specific non-ionic surfactant (alkyl polyglucoside with enhanced protein stain removal). This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of both surfactant types to achieve superior overall performance.
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 protease and alkyl ether carboxylic acid significantly enhances stain removal, particularly for protein or peptide-containing stains, as demonstrated by increased L* values in experimental wash tests, indicating improved cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the combination of a protease with specific alkyl ether carboxylic acid, provides enhanced stain removal
Implementation Method 2
Protease enzymes are used in laundry detergent formulations to remove protein containing stains from fabrics
Data Source
AI summary
The present Invention provides and enzymatic and dispersant formulation for use in domestic laundry comprising alkyl ether carboxylic acid, protease, anionic surfactant and optional nonionic surfactant.