Poly Alpha-1,3-Glucan Ether for Cellulase-Stable Detergent Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The instability of cellulose-based polymers to cellulase enzymes limits their use in detergent formulations, as enzymes used in detergents often contain trace amounts of cellulase, leading to incompatibility and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, which is stable to cellulase activity, allowing for its inclusion in detergent formulations without degradation, and can modify viscosity and adsorb to fabric surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cellulose-based polymers are used in detergent formulations, then fabric care benefits and viscosity adjustment are improved, but stability to cellulase enzymes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability to cellulaseVSAvoidincompatibility with cellulase

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the polysaccharide by creating poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds with specific degrees of substitution (0.1 to 3.0) and specific organic groups. This structural modification transforms the polymer from cellulose-based (beta-1,4 linkages) to poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether (alpha-1,3 linkages), which fundamentally alters enzyme recognition and stability while maintaining functional properties like viscosity and fabric care benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system by combining poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds with cellulase enzymes in a single detergent formulation. The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether serves as a stable polymer matrix that does not interfere with cellulase activity, enabling both components to coexist and function effectively together, resolving the incompatibility issue between polymers and enzymes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If cellulase is included in detergent formulations, then color clarification and pill removal benefits are improved, but degradation of cellulosic polymers occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor clarification and pill removalVSAvoiddegradation of cellulosic polymers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the glycosidic linkage configuration from beta-1,4 (cellulose) to alpha-1,3 (poly alpha-1,3-glucan). This parameter change in bond type and stereochemistry makes the polymer invisible to cellulase enzymes that specifically recognize beta-1,4 linkages, thereby preventing degradation while allowing cellulase to maintain its color clarification and pill removal functions on actual fabric cellulose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If cellulosic polymers and cellulase are used together, then fabric care and enzyme activity are improved, but incompatibility reduces effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidincompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of polymer-cellulase incompatibility into a benefit by designing a polymer that is specifically invisible to cellulase. The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether structure with alpha-1,3 linkages mimics enough cellulose characteristics to provide fabric care benefits but differs sufficiently in linkage type to avoid enzyme recognition, thus eliminating degradation while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds in detergent compositions provides stability to cellulase, enabling their effective use together, enhancing fabric care benefits and maintaining formulation stability.

Implementation Method 1

The composition has a viscosity of at least 10 cPs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity modification:

Implementation Method 2

The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound can adsorb to the surface of the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3158043B1Compositions containing one or more poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 DUPONT IND BIOSCIENCES USA LLC

AI summary

Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with an organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.