Lipase Variants Reducing Odor in Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lipase variants used in detergents often generate odor-generating short-chain fatty acids, leading to residual odors on clothes, particularly those soiled with milk, and do not provide optimal wash performance.
Innovation Solution
Introducing specific mutations in certain regions of a lipase, such as S58N+V60S+I86V+A150G+L227G+T231R+N233R+P256K, to enhance its activity and reduce odor generation, while maintaining at least 80% identity to a parent lipase sequence, thereby improving wash performance and reducing odor risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lipase variants are used in detergents, then wash performance is achieved, but odor-generating short-chain fatty acids are formed leading to residual odors on clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid substitutions at defined positions (S58N, V60S, I86V, A150G, L227G, T231R, N233R, P256K) in the lipase protein sequence. These parameter changes in the enzyme's molecular structure modify its catalytic properties to reduce the formation of odor-generating short-chain fatty acids while maintaining wash performance, directly resolving the contradiction between effective cleaning and odor generation.
2Productivity
If lipase activity is enhanced to improve wash performance, then detergent efficacy increases, but formation of odor-generating short-chain fatty acids increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making targeted modifications at specific locations within the lipase protein structure rather than global changes. The amino acid substitutions are positioned at specific sites (S58, V60, I86, A150, L227, T231, N233, P256) where local structural and functional changes occur, allowing enhanced catalytic activity at the active site while modifying substrate specificity to reduce harmful byproducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to modify the enzyme's kinetic parameters and catalytic properties through specific amino acid substitutions. These changes alter the enzyme's activity profile to enhance detergent efficacy while simultaneously reducing the formation of odor-generating short-chain fatty acids, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factor generation.
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 modified lipase variants exhibit improved wash performance and reduced odor generation, as evidenced by higher relative performance scores and lower butyric acid release, indicating better detergent efficacy with reduced odor impact.
Implementation Method 1
Lipases are useful, e.g., as detergent enzymes to remove lipid or fatty stains from clothes and other textiles
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides variant lipases, preferably, variants with reduced tendency to odor generation obtained by introducing mutations in one or more regions identified in a parent lipase.