Metal Complex Detergent for Burnt Protein Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergents are ineffective in removing burnt-on protein-based soils from surfaces due to the structural changes proteins undergo during cooking or baking, which reduces the performance of proteases used to break down these soils.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition containing a metal complex of specific heterocyclic ligands, such as [Mn+]<Lm-><(Aq+)<(Xv-)<>r>, where M+ is selected from Al3+, Ti4+, Y3+, Zr4+, Ce3+, Ce4+, Sc3+, Yb3+, La3+, and Ta5+, and ligands with certain substituents, which effectively breaks down and removes cooked-, baked-, and burnt-on proteinaceous soils from surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proteases are used to break down protein-based soils, then grease-based soils can be removed effectively, but burnt-on protein-based soils remain difficult to remove due to structural changes during thermal treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical nature of the active cleaning agent from proteolytic enzymes to metal complexes with specific ligands (triazine, triazole, or tetrazole groups). These metal complexes operate through a different chemical mechanism that is effective against thermally modified proteins without being inhibited by the structural changes that render proteases ineffective.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal complex acts as an intermediary substance that mediates the cleaning action on burnt-on proteins. The complex comprises a metal ion coordinated with heterocyclic ligands containing nitrogen atoms, creating a specific chemical structure that can interact with and degrade thermally modified protein structures through coordination chemistry and oxidative mechanisms.
2Productivity
If manual rubbing effort is applied to remove cooked-, baked- and burnt-on soils, then soils can be removed, but safety and condition of the cookware/tableware are detrimentally affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical cleaning system (manual rubbing) with a chemical cleaning system based on metal complexes. The chemical action of the metal complex degrades the burnt-on protein soils in place, eliminating the need for vigorous mechanical friction that could damage the underlying surface of cookware and tableware.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal complex performs preliminary chemical degradation of the burnt-on soils before any mechanical action is required. By pre-treating the soils with the cleaning composition, the complex breaks down the cross-linked protein structures, making subsequent removal much easier and reducing the intensity of mechanical action needed.
3Ease of operation
If soaking is performed prior to mechanical action to remove cooked-, baked- and burnt-on soils, then the removal process can proceed, but the process is time-consuming and requires tremendous rubbing effort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning system by using metal complexes with specific ligands that can work effectively at shorter contact times compared to traditional protease-based systems. The complex can rapidly degrade burnt-on proteins through coordination chemistry, reducing both the soaking time required and the intensity of subsequent mechanical action.
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 detergent composition significantly enhances the removal of protein-based soils from hard and textile surfaces by effectively degrading the modified protein structures formed during thermal reactions, reducing the manual effort required and improving cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
the removal of cooked-, baked- and burnt-on soils from surfaces, especially hard surfaces... Agents of choice to break up proteins in stains are proteases; however, the thermal treatment during cooking-on or baking-on changes the structure of proteins, partially degrades proteins and forms different bonds among the protein parts
Implementation Method 2
detergent compositions... comprising metal complexes with certain heterocyclic ligands... effectively breaks down and removes cooked-, baked-, and burnt-on proteinaceous soils from surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Use of a complex of formula I for removing cooked-, baked- and burnt-on proteinaceous soils from surfaces, in which M stands for Al, or a transition metal, or a lanthanoid metal, n stands for a number in the range of 1 to 5, L stands for a ligand according to formula II, in which E is selected from O, NR 1 , and mixtures of them, w stands for a number in the range of from 0 to 2, and R 1 is selected from H, optionally substituted C 1-20-alkyl or heteroalkyl groups, optionally substituted C 2-20-alkenyl, heteroalkenyl or alkinyl groups, optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl groups, and optionally substituted C 1-20-alkylaryl or heteroaryl groups, m stands for a number in the range of from 0 to 3, A stands for an alkali metal cation and q stands for 1, an earth alkali metal cation and q stands for 2, or an ammonium cation and q stands for 1, X v- stands for an anion selected from the group of F -, CI -, Br -, I -, OH -, HSO 3 - , SO 3 2- , SO 4 2- , HSO 4 - , NO 2 - , NO 3 - , PO 4 3- , HPO 4 2- , H 2PO 4 - , BF 4 - , PF 6 - , ClO 4 -, organic anions such as acetate, citrate, formiate, glutarate, lactate, malate, malonate, oxalate, pyruvate, tartrate, methanesulfonate, methyl sulfate, tosylate, succinate and their mixtures, with v being 1, 2 or 3, respectively, and p and r, irrespective of each other, are numbers in the range of from 0 to 7, selected such that the charge of the complex according to formula I is 0.