Enzyme Stabilization via Organic Solvent Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting proteins and enzymes fail to maintain or enhance their biological activity under unfavorable conditions, necessitating a more effective stabilization and protection system.

Innovation Solution

A method involving immobilization of a functional constituent on a solid carrier, followed by the formation of a protective layer and re-suspension in an organic solvent to enhance enzymatic activity, which includes steps of providing a suspension of a solid carrier, immobilizing the functional constituent, forming a protective layer, isolating the carrier, re-suspending in an organic solvent, and isolating the protected carrier from the solvent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective layer is formed on immobilized enzymes to protect them against unfavorable influences, then the stability and resistance to stresses are improved, but the enzymatic activity is reduced or lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of immobilized enzymesVSAvoidenzymatic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by treating the immobilized enzymes with organic solvents (such as acetone, ethanol, or isopropanol) at controlled temperatures and durations. This chemical treatment modifies the protective layer's properties, creating a balance between protection and activity. The organic solvent treatment changes the physical-chemical parameters of the protective coating, allowing it to maintain structural integrity while permitting substrate access to the enzyme active sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure consisting of the solid carrier, the immobilized enzyme, and the organic solvent-treated protective layer. This composite material combines the mechanical support of the carrier, the catalytic function of the enzyme, and the protective function of the modified coating. The organic solvent treatment creates a composite protective layer that has both protective and catalytically permissive properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing protection methods are used to stabilize proteins, then protection against unfavorable influences is achieved, but the biological activity is not maintained or enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of functional constituentVSAvoidbiological activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating the immobilized enzymes with organic solvents before actual use. This pre-treatment step modifies the protective layer in advance to optimize both protection and activity. The organic solvent treatment is performed during the preparation phase, creating a pre-optimized enzyme preparation that maintains high activity during subsequent storage and use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the protective layer through organic solvent treatment. This includes modifying the layer's porosity, hydrophobicity, and molecular structure. These parameter changes create a protective layer that is more permeable to substrates while maintaining protection against denaturation and stress, thereby preserving biological activity.

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

This method significantly increases the activity of immobilized enzymes by forming a protective layer that maintains or enhances their biological activity even under stressful conditions.

Implementation Method 1

forming a protective layer on the surface of the solid carrier to protect the functional constituent immobilized on the solid carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective layer formation:

Implementation Method 2

re-suspending the solid carrier comprising the functional constituent protected by the protective layer in an organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRe-suspension in organic solvent:

Data Source

PatentUS20230159964A1Method to produce biocatalytical compositions
Publication Date: 2023.05.25 INOFEA GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of producing a composition, the composition comprising a solid carrier, a functional constituent and a protective layer to protect the functional constituent.