Delivery system for co-formulated enzyme and substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enzyme/substrate delivery systems face challenges in maintaining the optimal enzyme:substrate ratio and ensuring physical isolation until the reaction is desired, leading to inconvenient, costly, and error-prone formulations, especially in liquid-based applications where solid products are not suitable.
Innovation Solution
A liquid delivery system with an enzyme encapsulated in a polymeric matrix, where the substrate is in a substantially non-aqueous liquid phase, allowing the enzyme to retain catalytic potential without reacting for at least 10 days, and releasing upon addition of water to facilitate catalytic reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enzyme and substrate are packaged separately and combined at point of use, then physical isolation is achieved, but convenience deteriorates and blending errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the enzyme and substrate into separate phases within the same container: enzyme encapsulated in water-soluble polymer particles and substrate in non-aqueous liquid phase. This segmentation maintains physical isolation while allowing both components to coexist in a single convenient formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates the enzyme, protecting it from direct contact with the substrate in non-aqueous phase while allowing controlled release when water is added. This intermediary enables both isolation and convenient co-delivery.
2Manufacturing precision
If dry enzyme and dry substrate are blended, then proper enzyme-to-substrate ratio is achieved, but liquid formulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameters of both enzyme and substrate from dry solids to liquid-phase formulations. The enzyme is encapsulated in water-soluble polymer particles suspended in liquid, while the substrate is dissolved or dispersed in non-aqueous liquid phase, enabling liquid formulation while maintaining precise ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation uses composite material structures: water-soluble polymer particles containing encapsulated enzyme are dispersed in a non-aqueous liquid phase containing the substrate. This composite structure allows both components to be delivered in liquid form with controlled release characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If enzyme and substrate are combined in the same liquid formulation, then convenience is improved, but premature reaction may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the enzyme and substrate into separate phases: enzyme in water-soluble polymer particles and substrate in non-aqueous liquid phase. This segmentation prevents direct contact and premature reaction while allowing both to be in the same container, providing convenience without sacrificing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents direct contact between enzyme and substrate in the non-aqueous phase. When water is added, the polymer solubilizes and releases the enzyme, enabling controlled activation and preventing premature reaction.
4Reliability
If enzyme is encapsulated in water-soluble polymer particles, then controlled release is achieved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes of the polymer material - water-soluble polymers that are insoluble in non-aqueous phases but solubilize upon water addition. This simple parameter change (addition of water) triggers controlled release without requiring complex mechanisms or additional components.
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 approach provides a stable, convenient, and cost-effective liquid formulation that maintains the enzyme's catalytic activity, ensuring proper enzyme:substrate ratios and reducing toxicity concerns, suitable for applications like enzymatic bleaching and dyeing systems.
Implementation Method 1
After addition of water to the composition, the polymeric matrix is solubilized, releasing the enzyme
Implementation Method 2
permitting catalytic reaction with the substrate to occur
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits that include an enzyme/substrate co-delivery system. The liquid delivery system includes at least one enzyme encapsulated in a water-soluble polymeric matrix and a substrate for the enzyme in a carrier liquid in which the polymeric matrix is insoluble. When water is added, the polymeric matrix is solubilized and enzyme is released from the matrix, permitting catalytic action upon the substrate.