Immobilized Oxidoreductase Enzyme Cleaning Agent for Mixed Laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods often result in color bleeding and soil re-deposition during the washing of mixed laundry loads, leading to the greying of white fabrics and deterioration of colored fabrics, as well as malodour and bacterial growth, due to the transfer of dyes and soils between fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning agent comprising an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized on a supporting substrate via a covalent bond, which decolorizes dyes and prevents soil re-deposition and malodour by oxidizing substances in the wash liquor rather than on the fabric surfaces, using a mediator to facilitate electron transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxidoreductase enzyme is used to remove dyes and soils from fabrics, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but color deterioration and fabric damage occur due to direct oxidation on fabric surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mediator substance that transfers electrons from the oxidoreductase enzyme to the dyes and soils in the wash liquor, preventing direct contact between the enzyme and fabric. The mediator acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers oxidizing power to contaminants while protecting fabric from direct oxidation damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate functional components: the oxidoreductase enzyme is immobilized on a solid support substrate, the mediator is released into the wash liquor, and the fabric to be cleaned is separated from the enzyme source. This segmentation allows the oxidizing action to occur in the bulk solution rather than on the fabric surface.
2Productivity
If bleach is used to remove stains and maintain white fabrics in mixed laundry loads, then cleaning performance is improved, but color fading of colored fabrics occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator substance serves as an intermediate that carries oxidizing capability from the enzyme to stains and soils without requiring direct enzyme-fabric contact. This indirect mechanism provides controlled oxidation that removes stains while being less aggressive toward fabric dyes compared to conventional bleach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxidation mechanism from direct chemical oxidation (bleach) to enzyme-catalyzed oxidation with mediator. This parameter change in the oxidation process provides milder, more selective oxidizing action that maintains fabric colors while still effective against stains.
3Productivity
If enzymes are released into wash liquor to clean fabrics, then cleaning action is improved, but soil re-deposition occurs on fabric surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oxidoreductase enzyme from direct contact with fabrics by immobilizing it on a solid support substrate. The enzyme remains in the support structure while the mediator is released into the wash liquor to perform cleaning actions, preventing re-deposition by maintaining enzymes away from fabric surfaces throughout the wash cycle.
4Reliability
If oxidoreductase enzyme is immobilized on supporting substrate, then enzyme stability and reusability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid support substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for enzyme immobilization, acts as a carrier for the mediator release, and functions as a filter to keep enzyme particles from contacting fabrics. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the immobilization requirement.
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 solution effectively prevents color transfer and soil re-deposition, maintaining the color and cleanliness of fabrics while reducing bacterial growth, by ensuring that the oxidizing process occurs in the wash liquor rather than on the fabric surfaces, thus protecting the fabric from chemical aggression.
Implementation Method 1
the oxidizing process occurs in the wash liquor rather than on the fabric surfaces
Implementation Method 2
using a mediator to facilitate electron transfer
Implementation Method 3
an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized on a supporting substrate via a covalent bond
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning agent comprising a supporting substrate with an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized thereon wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme is selected from oxidoreductase enzymes having an enzyme classification number selected from the group consisting of E.C. 1.1 - 1.10 and E.C. 1.12 - 1.99.