Isotropic Laundry Detergent Enzyme Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current isotropic laundry detergent formulations with a high fraction of anionic surfactant relative to non-ionic surfactant struggle to stabilize protease enzymes during storage, leading to inadequate stain removal performance.
Innovation Solution
Combining a protease enzyme with a specific alkyl ether carboxylic acid in an aqueous isotropic laundry liquid detergent formulation, comprising a surfactant mix of anionic and non-ionic surfactants, an alkyl ether carboxylic acid dispersant, and a subtilisin protease enzyme, which enhances cleaning and stain removal while maintaining low phosphate levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high fraction of anionic surfactant is used in isotropic laundry detergent formulations, then cleaning power is improved, but protease enzyme stability during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific non-ionic surfactant (alkyl polyglycoside with 3-7 glucose units) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the anionic surfactant and protease enzyme. This intermediary protects the protease from the harsh environment created by high anionic surfactant concentrations, allowing the formulation to maintain both high cleaning power and enzyme stability during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by specifying a particular non-ionic surfactant structure (alkyl polyglycoside with 3-7 glucose units) and its optimal concentration range (5-20 wt%). This parameter change transforms the incompatible system into a compatible one, enabling the coexistence of high anionic surfactant content with stable protease activity
2Device complexity
If conventional surfactant formulations are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but stain removal performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining anionic surfactants (C11-C15 linear alkyl benzene sulphonates) with a specific non-ionic surfactant (alkyl polyglycoside). This composite formulation leverages the synergistic effects of both surfactant types, where the non-ionic component enhances stain removal performance while the anionic component provides strong cleaning power, achieving superior overall performance without excessive formulation complexity
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 combination significantly improves stain removal efficacy, stabilizing the protease enzyme and providing enhanced cleaning performance, as demonstrated by increased ΔL values in experimental wash tests.
Implementation Method 1
the combination of a protease with specific alkyl ether carboxylic acid, provides enhanced cleaning and stain removal
Implementation Method 2
Protease enzymes are used in Isotropic Laundry detergent formulations to remove protein containing stains from fabrics
Implementation Method 3
from 10 to 40 wt% of a surfactant selected from: anionic and non-ionic surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
The present Invention provides an isotropic detergent formulation for use in domestic laundry comprising alkylether carboxylic acid, anionic surfactant, subtilisin type serine protease and optional nonionic surfactant.