Lipase Odor Reduction via Peptide Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lipases used for lipid stain removal often generate unpleasant odors due to the release of free fatty acids, and existing solutions mainly rely on masking these odors with perfumes rather than reducing them.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of a peptide capable of binding to lipases to reduce odor generation, where the peptide is added to the surface after the lipase in a wash process, utilizing a peptide with a specific amino acid sequence or sequence identity to effectively neutralize the lipase's odor-causing activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lipases are used for lipid stain removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but unpleasant odor is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidunpleasant odor

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A peptide is introduced as an intermediary substance that binds to the lipase enzyme. This peptide mediator reduces the odor generated by the lipase during lipid stain removal without interfering with the enzyme's cleaning function. The peptide acts as a bridge between the lipase and the environment, mitigating the harmful odor effect while preserving the beneficial cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful odor-generating property is extracted or separated from the lipase's primary cleaning function. By adding the peptide that specifically binds to and neutralizes the odor-causing aspect of lipase activity, the invention effectively removes the unpleasant odor characteristic while maintaining the lipid stain removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If perfume is added to mask the odor, then odor perception is reduced, but the underlying odor generation remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor perceptionVSAvoidodor reduction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying perfume as a subsequent masking measure, the peptide is applied in advance to prevent odor generation at its source. The peptide binds to the lipase before or during the cleaning process, proactively neutralizing the odor-causing activity rather than reacting to it afterward. This preliminary anti-action eliminates the need for masking perfumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful odor-generating property of lipases into a beneficial situation by using the peptide to selectively inhibit only the odor-causing aspect. The lipase continues to perform its cleaning function while the harmful odor emission is transformed into a controlled and reduced state through the peptide-lipase complex.

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 peptides binding to lipases significantly reduces odor generation during the cleaning process, providing an effective alternative to odor masking techniques.

Implementation Method 1

a peptide capable of binding to the lipase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBinding: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS10336971B2Odor reduction

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 NOVOZYMES AS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for reducing odor generated by the activity of a lipase comprising a step of adding to said lipase a peptide capable of binding to the lipase.