Fungal Serine Protease for Low-Temperature Detergent Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergent enzymes, particularly proteases, are not effective at low temperatures and are unstable in the presence of varying detergents, making them inefficient for removing proteinaceous stains in laundry and dish washing at energy-saving low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A fungal serine protease enzyme with broad substrate specificity and stability across a wide pH and temperature range, specifically designed for low to moderate temperatures, is developed, utilizing a recombinant expression vector in fungal hosts like Trichoderma or Aspergillus, ensuring easy downstream processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If commercial proteases from Bacillus species are used in detergents, then they show good proteolytic activity at high temperatures, but they become unstable and ineffective at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the enzyme's biochemical properties through isolation from thermotolerant organisms and subsequent mutagenesis. The fungal serine protease is engineered to have optimal activity at lower temperatures (20-40°C) while maintaining stability, representing a fundamental shift in the temperature parameters where detergent proteases operate effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating recombinant versions of the fungal protease gene that can be expressed in heterologous hosts. The gene is copied and modified through site-directed mutagenesis to improve low-temperature activity while maintaining the core enzymatic function, allowing production of stabilized enzyme variants
2Use of energy by moving object
If washing temperature is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but enzyme effectiveness in removing proteinaceous stains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enzyme preparation is designed to be self-activating at low temperatures through the inclusion of specific activators that work optimally in cold conditions. The system serves itself by using the low-temperature environment to activate the protease rather than requiring external heating, enabling effective stain removal at energy-saving temperatures of 20-40°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite enzyme preparation combining the fungal serine protease with specific activators and stabilizers that enhance low-temperature performance. This composite formulation maintains high proteolytic activity at low temperatures while providing the stability needed for effective stain removal in cold washing conditions
3Loss of energy
If fungal serine protease is used for low-temperature washing, then energy saving is achieved, but enzyme stability in varying detergent conditions must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The enzyme preparation includes stabilizing agents and protective compounds that are added beforehand to cushion the enzyme against denaturation in varying detergent conditions. These additives create a protective environment that maintains enzyme stability and activity across different detergent formulations, water hardness levels, and washing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The fungal serine protease is engineered to have universal applicability across different detergent types and washing conditions. The enzyme maintains its proteolytic activity and stability whether used in liquid or powder detergents, in hard or soft water, and across the temperature range of 20-60°C, making it a multi-functional enzyme suitable for various detergent formulations
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 fungal serine protease effectively degrades proteinaceous stains at temperatures as low as 10°C to 60°C, outperforming commercial enzymes in stain removal efficiency and stability, particularly in low-temperature washing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Microbial proteases are among the most important hydrolytic enzymes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which comprises an amino acid sequence the mature Fa_RF7182 enzyme having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18. The serine protease is obtainable from Fusarium acuminatum, more preferably from the deposited strain CBS 124084. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, such as plasmid pALK2530 comprising the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:12 deposited in Escherichia coli RF7803 under accession number DSM 22208 and plasmid pALK2531 comprising the full-length gene SEQ ID NO: 13 deposited in E. coli RF7879 under accession number DSM 22209, as well as fungal hosts, such as Trichoderm. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, for treating wool, for treating hair, for treating leather, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material.