Enzymatic Pot and Pan Detergent With Enzyme-Compatible Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions struggle to effectively remove proteinaceous, starchy, and fatty soils without using phosphate-containing components, which are environmentally harmful, and surfactants like linear alkylbenzene sulfonate negatively impact enzyme performance.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic combination of surfactants, including sodium olefin sulfonate, sodium laurel ether sulfate, amine oxide, and cocamidopropyl betaine, is used with protease and amylase enzymes to optimize cleaning performance, avoiding surfactants that deleteriously interact with enzymes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If phosphate-containing components (trisodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate) are used to remove proteinaceous, starchy, and fatty soils, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by completely eliminating phosphate-containing components (trisodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate) from the formulation. Instead, it uses alternative surfactant systems (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric surfactants) combined with enzymes (proteases, amylases, lipases) to achieve effective cleaning of proteinaceous, starchy, and fatty soils without environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite cleaning system that combines multiple surfactant types (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric) with various enzyme classes (proteases, amylases, lipases) and builder chemicals (zeolites, citrates, gluconates). This composite formulation achieves the cleaning performance previously provided by phosphates while maintaining environmental safety.
2Productivity
If linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant is used for cleaning, then cleaning ability is improved, but enzyme performance deteriorates due to deleterious interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant from the formulation because it has been shown to deleteriously interact with enzymes and reduce their cleaning effectiveness. The formulation instead uses alternative surfactants that are compatible with or enhance enzyme performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compatible surfactants (anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, nonionic surfactants like alcohol ethoxylates, and amphoteric surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine) that act as intermediaries to work synergistically with enzymes. These surfactants do not inhibit enzyme activity but rather enhance soil removal while maintaining enzyme reliability.
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 synergistic surfactant-enzyme combinations enhance the removal of protein and starchy soils, providing superior cleaning efficacy while being environmentally safe and compatible with various surfaces, including plastics.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water by adsorbing at the liquid-gas interface
Implementation Method 2
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water by adsorbing at the liquid-gas interface
Implementation Method 3
They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the liquid-liquid interface
Implementation Method 4
They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the liquid-liquid interface
Implementation Method 5
Each surfactant molecule has a hydrophilic head that is attracted to water molecules and a hydrophobic tail that repels water and simultaneously attaches itself to oil and grease in soil
Implementation Method 6
Enzymes used in such formulations comprise proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, mannosidases as well as other enzymes or mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Detergent compositions are disclosed which provide superior cleaning and removal of proteinaceous and starchy soils. Applicants have discovered a surfactant package which acts to enhance and improve the performance of enzymes such as proteases and/or amylases. Compositions for pot and pan warewash detergents and soaks are disclosed, as well as their use in manual or dish machine cleaning.