Surfactant-Tolerant Lipase Variants for Stable Detergent Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent compositions face challenges in maintaining enzyme activity and stability of lipases in the presence of surfactants, particularly anionic surfactants like alcohol ether sulfate (AEOS) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), leading to suboptimal cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of lipase variants with specific modifications at positions E1, V2, N33, F51, E56, L69, K98, V176, H198, E210, Y220, and L227, and optionally additional modifications at D27, G38, D96, D111, G163, T231, N233, D254, and P256, which enhance lipase activity and stability in the presence of anionic and nonionic surfactants, including LAS and AEO, and optionally with chelating agents, resulting in improved wash performance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lipases are used in detergent compositions with surfactants, then the detergent composition can be formulated with standard ingredients, but the lipase activity and stability are significantly reduced in the presence of anionic surfactants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelipase activityVSAvoidsurfactant interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the lipase at specific positions (E1, V2, N33, F51, E56, L69, K98, V176, H198, E210, Y220, L227) to alter its physical and chemical properties. These modifications change the enzyme's interaction with surfactants, enabling it to maintain activity in their presence without changing the surfactant composition itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite functional system by combining the modified lipase variant with surfactants (anionic, nonionic, or cationic) in detergent compositions. The lipase variant acts as a specialized component that maintains functionality within the composite mixture, rather than requiring separation from surfactants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If lipase activity is enhanced through modification, then cleaning performance is improved, but the complexity of enzyme production and characterization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenzyme production complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lipase molecule into specific modification sites (defined amino acid positions) that can be independently targeted. This segmentation allows for systematic creation of variants by modifying only specific residues rather than the entire enzyme, simplifying the production process compared to random mutagenesis approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making targeted modifications at specific amino acid positions within the lipase sequence. Each position (E1, V2, N33, etc.) represents a localized region that can be independently optimized for surfactant resistance while maintaining overall enzyme structure and function, rather than requiring global redesign of the entire enzyme.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If high concentrations of surfactants are used to improve cleaning, then stain removal capability increases, but lipase stability is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficacyVSAvoidenzyme stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interaction between surfactants and lipase into a beneficial relationship. The modified lipase variant is specifically designed to tolerate and function in the presence of high surfactant concentrations, transforming what was previously a destabilizing condition into an acceptable operating environment for enhanced cleaning performance.

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 modified lipase variants exhibit increased activity and stability, achieving relative activities up to 25 times higher than the parent lipase, particularly in the presence of surfactants, thereby enhancing cleaning efficacy and stability in detergent compositions.

Implementation Method 1

Lipases have been employed in compositions for the removal of lipid stains by hydrolyzing triglycerides to generate fatty acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Lipases are important biocatalysts which have shown to be useful for various applications

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

The compositions comprise one or more surfactants and a lipase variant... wherein the variant has improved activity as compared to the parent lipase in the presence of the surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS12595442B2Lipase variants and compositions comprising surfactant and lipase variant

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 NOVOZYMES AS

AI summary

The present invention relates to lipase variants and compositions comprising (i) at least one surfactant and (ii) at least one lipase variant of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of using the compositions.