Enzyme Stabilization via Hydrophobic Polymer Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enzymes in liquid detergents face stability issues due to proteolytic enzymes that can inactivate other enzymes present, leading to turbidity and sedimentation problems, and the challenge of releasing enzymes at the right time during washing.

Innovation Solution

Hydrophobically modified polyvinyl alcohol polymer particles encapsulate enzymes, providing stability and controlled release, protecting enzymes from hostile compounds and ensuring they are released only when needed during washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If enzymes are added to liquid detergent formulations, then enzyme activity is provided for stain removal, but enzyme stability decreases due to proteolytic enzymes and hostile compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidproteolysis and autoproteolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enzyme formulation is segmented into discrete polymer particles that physically separate the enzyme from hostile compounds in the liquid detergent. Each particle acts as an independent compartment, dividing the formulation system to prevent harmful interactions while maintaining enzyme activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic modified polyvinyl alcohol polymer acts as an intermediary carrier that protects the enzyme from direct contact with proteolytic enzymes and other hostile compounds. The polymer matrix serves as a protective medium that allows enzyme functionality while blocking harmful interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If enzyme containing polymer particles are added to liquid formulations, then enzyme stability is improved, but the formulations become turbid due to light scattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidformulation transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The particle size parameter is optimized to balance stability and transparency. By controlling the size distribution and concentration of polymer particles, the formulation maintains sufficient stability while minimizing light scattering effects that cause turbidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If particles are used to protect enzymes, then enzyme stability is improved, but the particles have tendency to sediment in liquid formulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidformulation homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The density and surface properties of polymer particles are modified to match the liquid formulation medium. By adjusting particle density and surface hydrophobicity, the particles remain suspended uniformly without sedimenting, maintaining formulation homogeneity while protecting the enzyme.

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 enzyme-containing polymer particles effectively stabilize enzymes in liquid detergents, preventing inactivation and sedimentation, and ensuring timely enzyme release during washing, enhancing the performance and stability of detergent compositions.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer P is a hydrophobically modified polyvinyl alcohol... where the hydrophobic modifying groups are a mixture of keto-ester and butyryl groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

Hydrophobically modified polyvinyl alcohol polymer particles encapsulate enzymes, providing stability and controlled release

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer encapsulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3180429B1Detergents and compositions with enzymatic polymer particles

Publication Date: 2020.03.04 NOVOZYMES AS

AI summary

The present invention relates to an enzyme composition comprising enzyme containing polymer particles, which is useful for liquid laundry detergent compositions. In these enzyme containing particles, the particles comprise at least one enzyme, and at least one polymer, which is a hydrophobic modified polyvinyl alcohol.