An enzyme delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enzymes are prone to instability and degradation in aqueous solutions, leading to reduced activity and shelf life, and existing encapsulation methods result in optically visible particles that cause sedimentation and stratification issues in liquid products.
Innovation Solution
Electroblown fibers made from water-soluble polymeric resins, such as polyvinyl alcohol, encapsulate enzymes, maintaining activity and preventing sedimentation, with diameters of 25 microns or less to ensure stability and solubility in aqueous compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If enzymes are supplied in liquid formulations, then solubility and convenience in handling are improved, but enzyme stability and shelf life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by encapsulating enzymes in thin polymeric fiber matrices that provide protective shielding. The fibers act as flexible shells that maintain enzyme stability while allowing the formulation to remain in liquid form for easy handling and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining enzymes with polymeric resins to form fiber encapsulates. This composite structure integrates the stability benefits of polymers with the catalytic function of enzymes, resolving the contradiction between ease of handling and enzyme stability.
2Reliability
If enzymes are encapsulated in solid particles, then enzyme stability is improved, but sedimentation and stratification occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin polymeric fiber encapsulates that are flexible and adaptable in size. By controlling fiber diameter to be 25 microns or less, the encapsulates remain suspended in liquid formulations without settling, maintaining formulation homogeneity while providing stability protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the physical dimensions of the fiber encapsulates, specifically limiting diameter to 25 microns or less. This parameter adjustment prevents sedimentation while maintaining the protective encapsulation function, resolving the contradiction between stability and homogeneity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fiber diameter is reduced to prevent sedimentation, then formulation homogeneity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical size control methods with electroblowing technology, which uses electrical fields to directly form fibers at the desired size during the manufacturing process. This substitution simplifies the overall manufacturing system while achieving the required fiber diameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the electroblowing process to control fiber diameter. By adjusting electrical and process parameters during manufacturing, the system produces fibers of 25 microns or less without requiring complex post-processing or size reduction equipment.
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 enzyme delivery system retains high enzyme activity and minimizes leakage, ensuring stability over time and solubility at cold water temperatures, reducing energy consumption and improving product performance in detergents and cleaning compositions.
Implementation Method 1
an enzyme; wherein the enzyme is encapsulated in the electroblown fibers
Implementation Method 2
a water soluble polymeric resin; wherein at least a portion of the electroblown fibers have a diameter of 25 microns or less
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an enzyme delivery system having a plurality of solution spun fibers. The solution spun fibers made from a water soluble polymeric resin and an enzyme. The enzyme is encapsulated in the solution spun fibers and is present in an amount from 0.1 to 40 wt% based on total weight of the solution spun fibers. The percent of active enzyme after encapsulation is from 50 to 100%.