Esterase Enzyme Detergent for Sebum Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergents are ineffective in removing sebum stains from fabrics, particularly due to the inability of existing enzymes to degrade all components of sebum, which are difficult to remove as they solidify at ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a specific esterase enzyme with high sequence identity to enzymes from Thermogutta terrifontis or Archaeoglobus fulgidus into detergent compositions, along with surfactants, soil release polymers, and additional enzymes, to enhance sebum removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current commercial enzymes (cutinase, lipase) are used in detergent compositions, then the detergent can remove some sebum components, but the enzymes cannot degrade all components of sebum effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-enzyme system where each enzyme targets specific sebum components: esterase for wax esters and cholesterol esters, lipase for triglycerides, and protease for protein-containing sebum components. This multi-functional enzyme combination enables comprehensive degradation of all major sebum constituents, resolving the limitation of single-enzyme approaches
2Use of energy by moving object
If washing temperature is reduced to encourage energy efficiency, then energy consumption decreases, but the ability to remove solidified sebum becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs enzymes with optimized catalytic parameters that maintain high activity at low temperatures. The esterase enzyme specifically exhibits peak activity in the 20-40°C range, enabling effective sebum degradation at energy-efficient washing temperatures. The enzyme's kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) are optimized to function effectively under mild thermal conditions
3Reliability
If sebum is present on fabric at ambient temperature, then the sebum solidifies and becomes difficult to remove, but heating to melt the sebum increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal approach (heating to melt sebum) with a biochemical approach (enzymatic degradation). The esterase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of wax esters and cholesterol esters directly at ambient temperatures, converting solidified sebum components into soluble fatty acids and alcohols that can be removed without thermal energy input
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 use of the esterase enzyme significantly improves sebum stain removal from fabrics, outperforming commercial enzymes like cutinase and lipase in wash studies, demonstrating enhanced cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the incorporation of a specific esterase enzyme in detergent compositions improve the sebum removal from fabrics
Implementation Method 2
EP 0 399 681 A2 are both concerned with the removal of sebum soil on fabrics by using a detergent composition comprising an esterase
Implementation Method 3
a detergent composition comprising: (i) from 1 to 60 wt.% of a surfactant
Implementation Method 4
a detergent composition comprises from 0.1 to 10 wt.% of a soil release polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a detergent composition comprising: (i) from 1 to 60 wt.% of a surfactant; and, (ii) from 0.0005 to 5 wt.% of an esterase enzyme of enzyme class EC 3.1.1.1, having at least 60% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 4; to a method using the enzyme and to the use of the enzyme to improve cleaning of sebum stains on fabric.