Laccase Enzyme Detergent Stain Removal
Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergents often struggle to effectively remove strongly colored stains from textiles, particularly those containing anthocyanin dyes, as they lack bleaching agents and have limited washing performance with substrates like fruit and vegetable stains.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a laccase with a specific amino acid sequence, such as SEQ ID NO. 1 from the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius), into detergents to enhance washing performance by oxidizing and removing colored substrates, including anthocyanin-containing soiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional detergents are used without bleaching agents, then the detergent formulation is suitable for liquid washing agents, but the ability to remove strongly colored stains is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces laccase as a biological catalyst that mediates the oxidation of colored stains. The laccase enzyme acts as an intermediary substance that enables stain removal through oxidation without requiring traditional chemical bleaching agents, thus maintaining formulation suitability while improving stain removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the detergent by incorporating laccase enzyme and mediator compounds. This parameter change enables the detergent to oxidize and remove strongly colored stains that conventional detergents cannot eliminate, resolving the contradiction between formulation simplicity and effective stain removal
2Reliability
If laccase is added to improve washing performance on colored stains, then stain removal ability is improved, but the risk of darkening or intensifying stains increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mediator compounds that work in conjunction with laccase to control the oxidation process. These mediators facilitate the oxidation of stubborn colored stains while regulating the reaction to prevent unwanted darkening or intensification of stains, thus resolving the contradiction between effective stain removal and avoidance of harmful side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters including laccase concentration, mediator concentration, pH, and temperature to achieve effective stain removal while preventing stain darkening. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system removes colored stains without producing harmful darkening effects
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 laccase improves washing performance by effectively removing colored stains and dirt, particularly anthocyanin-containing soiling, without darkening or intensifying tea and coffee stains, as demonstrated by improved brightness measurements in textile washing tests.
Implementation Method 1
Laccases are also known as p-diphenol oxidases. In addition to diphenols, laccases oxidize many other substrates... The laccase improves washing performance by effectively removing colored stains and dirt, particularly anthocyanin-containing soiling
Implementation Method 2
Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are copper-containing, 'blue' enzymes... Laccases belong to the oxidoreductases. The catalytically active site contains four copper ions... Laccases have attracted considerable interest in industrial applications
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of specific laccases during the washing of textiles, and to detergents containing said laccases.