Engineered Protease Polypeptides for Stable Detergent Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for protease enzymes that are stable in harsh detergent compositions and exhibit good washing performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of genetically engineered protease enzymes with specific amino acid sequences, such as those identified by SEQ ID NOs, which maintain high sequence identity and retain proteolytic activity, even under denaturing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If protease enzymes are used in detergent compositions, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but stability under denaturing conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidstability under denaturing conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying amino acid residues at specific positions (e.g., positions 18, 38, 78, 109, 144, 160, 182, 183, 204, 210, 218, 228, 248) in the subtilisin carlsberg sequence. These sequence variations create protease variants with altered stability parameters while maintaining catalytic activity, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and stability under denaturing detergent conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making targeted amino acid substitutions at specific local positions within the protease sequence rather than uniform modifications. Each position (e.g., 18, 38, 78) represents a local region where specific substitutions are made to enhance stability without compromising overall enzymatic function, allowing the protease to maintain both cleaning efficiency and detergent stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If protease enzymes are used in detergent compositions, then washing performance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies enzymatic parameters through amino acid substitutions that enhance the protease's catalytic efficiency and stability. These parameter changes allow the enzyme to function effectively at lower temperatures and in detergent conditions, improving washing performance while reducing the energy required for high-temperature washing cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 engineered proteases demonstrate enhanced stability and washing performance in detergent formulations, improving cleaning efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

Proteases are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing proteins. Thus, proteases have been employed in the removal of protein stains

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProteolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4624572A1Polypeptides having protease activity for use in detergent compositions

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 BASF SE

AI summary

In the present invention new protease enzymes are provided. More specifically, genetically engineered protease enzymes, compositions comprising the enzymes, and methods of making and using the enzymes or compositions comprising the enzymes are provided.