Mannanase Variants for Detergent Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mannanases used in industrial applications face challenges due to the poor solubility and high water binding capacity of mannans, leading to viscosity issues in various industries, and existing enzymes are unstable in different storage and use conditions, making them unsuitable for large-scale industrial use.

Innovation Solution

Development of mannanase variants with specific amino acid substitutions at positions 123, 158, 180, 272, 307, or 316, which are stable and maintain mannan-degrading activity, even in detergents and high temperatures, and are produced using recombinant host cells for improved stability and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wild type mannanase is used in industrial applications, then initial enzyme performance is good, but stability in storage and use conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidmannan degrading activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying amino acid residues at specific positions (123, 158, 180, 272, 307, 316) in the mannanase protein sequence. These targeted changes alter the enzyme's physical and chemical properties to improve stability in detergent formulations and at high temperatures while preserving mannan degrading activity. The specific substitutions are designed to enhance structural stability without compromising catalytic function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making specific localized modifications at six defined positions in the enzyme sequence rather than global changes. Each position (123, 158, 180, 272, 307, 316) is targeted for amino acid substitution to improve stability while maintaining the overall enzyme structure and function. This localized approach allows precise control over stability enhancement while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If mannanase is used to degrade mannan in laundry applications, then mannan degradation efficiency is improved, but enzyme stability in detergent conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemannan degradation efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme stability in detergent
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies enzyme parameters by substituting amino acids at positions 123, 158, 180, 272, 307, and 316 to enhance stability in detergent formulations. These changes allow the enzyme to withstand harsh detergent conditions (high temperature, alkaline pH, presence of surfactants and preservatives) while maintaining sufficient mannan degradation efficiency for stain removal applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality modifications at specific positions in the enzyme sequence to improve detergent stability. By targeting six specific amino acid positions, the patent locally enhances the enzyme's resistance to detergent conditions while preserving the catalytic sites and overall structure necessary for mannan degradation activity in laundry applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If mannanase is used at high temperature, then industrial process efficiency is improved, but enzyme stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindustrial process efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme stability at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying amino acid residues at positions 123, 158, 180, 272, 307, and 316 to enhance thermal stability. These substitutions are designed to maintain enzyme structure and function at elevated temperatures typical of industrial processes, allowing efficient mannan degradation while preventing denaturation or loss of activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 variants exhibit enhanced stability and activity, improving the efficiency of mannan degradation in industrial processes, such as laundry and animal feed, while maintaining performance in detergents and high temperatures, thus addressing the stability and viscosity issues of previous enzymes.

Implementation Method 1

Mannanase increases average daily gain, feed efficiency, weight uniformity and livability in all monogastric animals. For laundry and cleaning applications enzyme compositions comprising mannanase can be used to degrade mannan.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3409768B1Mannanase variants
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 AB ENZYMES OY
  • EP3409768B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3409768B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3409768B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present description is related to variants of mannanase, compositions comprising said variants, to methods for their production and to methods of using said variants to degrade and modify mannan containing material.