Lipase Variants Reducing Odor in Laundry Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry detergents containing lipases often produce odor-generating short-chain fatty acids, which can leave residual odors on cloth, affecting cleaning efficiency and perception, and existing solutions like fragrances may not always be feasible to include.
Innovation Solution
Development of lipase variants with specific substitutions at positions 210, 255, and 256, which reduce odor production while maintaining at least 60% sequence identity to the parent enzyme, and methods for producing and using these variants in cleaning compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lipase is used in laundry detergents, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but odor development increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the lipase enzyme at specific positions (210, 255, and 256). These structural parameter changes result in altered catalytic properties that reduce the production of odor-generating short-chain fatty acids while preserving the enzyme's cleaning functionality. The specific substitution patterns create lipase variants with modified substrate specificity or reaction pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful odor-generating activity of the lipase into a beneficial property by engineering variants that maintain cleaning efficiency but produce fewer odor-causing byproducts. The modified lipases redirect the hydrolysis reaction to favor longer-chain fatty acid production or reduce overall hydrolysis activity, thereby transforming the odor problem into an acceptable or improved cleaning performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fragrances are added to mask odor, then odor perception is reduced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the source of the odor problem by removing the harmful odor-generating capability from the lipase enzyme itself through genetic modification. Instead of adding masking agents (fragrances) to cover up the odor, the invention takes out the odor-generation function from the enzyme's activity profile, leaving only the desired cleaning function. This eliminates the need for additional fragrance components in the detergent formulation.
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 lipase variants achieve a low level of odor development, enhancing cleaning efficiency and perception by minimizing odor generation without the need for additional fragrances.
Implementation Method 1
Lipase variants and polynucleotides encoding same - The present invention relates to lipase variants, comprising a substitution at positions corresponding to position 210 which is not a negatively charged amino acid
Implementation Method 2
Use of lipase may under some conditions be accompanied with development of odor. It is known that laundry detergents with lipases sometimes leave residual odors attached to cloth soiled with milk
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to lipase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.