Lipase Variants Reducing Odor in Detergent Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lipases used in detergents often generate undesirable odors due to the release of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyric acid, which can persist on textiles, particularly those soiled with milk, leading to residual odor issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase variants with specific amino acid alterations, such as at positions T231, N233, and others, which reduce odor generation while maintaining or improving wash performance, as measured by reduced butyric acid release and enhanced Benefit Risk factor (BR) scores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lipase is used to remove lipid stains, then wash performance is improved, but odor generation increases due to butyric acid release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying amino acid residues at specific positions (T231, N233, and others) in the lipase protein sequence. These molecular-level parameter changes alter the enzyme's catalytic properties to reduce butyric acid release while maintaining lipolytic activity, directly resolving the contradiction between wash performance and odor generation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by making targeted modifications at specific local regions (amino acid positions 231, 233, and other specific sites) of the lipase molecule rather than altering the entire protein structure. This localized approach allows optimization of odor reduction while preserving overall enzyme function and wash performance
2Object-generated harmful factors
If amino acid alterations are introduced to reduce odor, then Risk performance odor decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies specific parameters (amino acid identities at positions T231, N233, and others) in the lipase sequence to reduce odor generation. This targeted parameter approach achieves odor reduction with minimal changes to the overall protein structure, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates modified versions (copies) of the parent lipase enzyme with specific amino acid substitutions. These copied variants maintain the overall structure and function of the original enzyme while incorporating localized changes to reduce butyric acid release, simplifying the manufacturing approach compared to developing entirely new enzymes
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 reduced odor generation and improved wash performance, demonstrated by lower Risk performance odor (R) and increased Benefit Risk factor (BR) compared to standard lipases, indicating better performance 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
Implementation Method 2
one unit of LU (1 LU) is defined as the amount of enzyme capable of releasing 1 micro mol of butyric acid per minute
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides polypeptides obtained by introducing mutations in one or more regions identified in a parent lipase. The polypeptides of the present invention have surprisingly been found to have a low specific activity towards short chain fatty acids leading to a reduced odor generation and an increased BR over the lipases known in the art.