Lipase Polypeptides for Harsh Cleaning Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning and fabric care compositions interfere with the effectiveness of lipases in removing lipid stains, necessitating the development of lipases that can function in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
Isolated polypeptides with lipase activity, comprising a polypeptide with high sequence identity, are developed, along with methods for hydrolyzing lipids and producing these polypeptides for use in cleaning compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lipases are used in cleaning compositions, then lipid stain removal function is provided, but the active ingredients in the cleaning compositions interfere with lipase effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the lipase enzyme's molecular structure through site-directed mutagenesis. Specific amino acid residues are mutated to alter the enzyme's properties, enabling it to function effectively in the harsh chemical environment of cleaning compositions. This includes changing the enzyme's pH optimum, thermal stability, and resistance to proteolytic degradation by other ingredients in the formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of harsh cleaning composition ingredients into a benefit by engineering lipases that are specifically adapted to thrive in these conditions. The mutagenesis process selects for variants that not only tolerate but maintain high activity in the presence of surfactants, builders, and other cleaning agents that would normally inhibit conventional lipases.
2Productivity
If lipases are used to remove lipid stains, then cleaning function is achieved, but the harsh environment of cleaning compositions reduces lipase performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the lipase's physical and chemical parameters through mutagenesis to maintain high catalytic activity under harsh conditions. This includes enhancing thermal stability to prevent denaturation at elevated temperatures, adjusting pH optimum to match the alkaline environment of cleaning compositions, and improving resistance to proteolytic degradation. The mutated variants demonstrate sustained lipid hydrolysis activity where conventional lipases would be inactivated.
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 polypeptides effectively hydrolyze lipids in harsh cleaning compositions, enhancing their ability to remove lipid stains, thereby improving wash performance.
Implementation Method 1
Lipases have been employed in compositions for the removal of lipid stains by hydrolyzing triglycerides to generate fatty acids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides with lipase activity, selected from the group consisting of:(a)a polypeptide having at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4;(b)a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under low stringency conditions, medium stringency conditions, medium-high stringency conditions, high stringency conditions, or very high stringency conditions with (i) SEQ ID NO: 3or the full-length complement of (i);(c)a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3;(d)a polypeptide which is a variant of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprising a substitution, deletion, and/or insertion at one or more (e.g. several) positions; and(e)a polypeptide which is a fragment of any of the polypeptides of (a), (b), (c) or (d).The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the polypeptides.