Modified Lipase Reduces Odor Emissions on Textiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lipases used in detergents and cleaning agents often exhibit insufficient catalytic performance and stability, leading to unpleasant odor emissions on textiles due to continued hydrolysis of fatty acid esters, which is not optimized for various textile types.

Innovation Solution

A lipase with specific amino acid substitutions at positions 83, 86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 113, 174, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 227, 252, 253, 256, 258, 259, 260, or 267, particularly with substitutions at positions 208 and 253, which minimizes odor emissions on cotton and elastane textiles while maintaining washing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional lipases are used in detergents, then washing performance is achieved, but unpleasant odor emissions occur on textiles due to continued hydrolysis of fatty acid esters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidodor emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the lipase enzyme at specific positions (83, 86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 113, 174, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 227, 252, 253, 256, 258, 259, 260, 264, or 267). These molecular-level parameter changes alter the enzyme's properties to reduce odor emission while preserving washing performance. The modified lipase shows reduced absorption by textiles and minimized continued hydrolysis activity that causes unpleasant odors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If lipases with broad substrate spectra are used to process inhomogeneous raw materials, then versatility is improved, but odor emission intensity varies depending on textile type

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate spectrumVSAvoidodor emission intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making specific localized modifications to the lipase molecule at particular amino acid positions while maintaining the overall enzyme structure and broad substrate spectrum. The modifications at specific positions (particularly 208 and 253) create localized changes in enzyme properties that reduce odor emission on different textile types without compromising the enzyme's ability to process various lipid substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If lipases are used to combat grease residues, then cleaning performance is improved, but the lipase is absorbed by textiles and continues to hydrolyze fatty acid esters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcontinued hydrolysis activity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting the harmful effect of continued hydrolysis activity into a beneficial outcome. The modified lipase maintains its catalytic function for effective grease removal during washing, but the amino acid modifications cause the enzyme to be less readily absorbed by textiles. This reduces the unwanted continued hydrolysis activity after washing, transforming the problem of persistent enzyme activity into a benefit of reduced odor-causing activity while preserving 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 achieves reduced odor emissions and improved washing results on lipolytic-sensitive soils, maintaining enzymatic activity and cleaning performance across various conditions, including surfactants, temperatures, and pH levels.

Implementation Method 1

A lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bonds in lipid substrates, particularly in fats and oils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Lipases are enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bonds in lipid substrates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

the lipase is absorbed by the textiles and continues to hydrolyze fatty acid esters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3433350B1Lipases for use in washing- and cleaningagents

Publication Date: 2021.10.13 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The invention is used in the field of enzyme technology. The invention relates to lipases and to the production thereof, the amino acid sequence of which has been modified in particular with regard to the use thereof in detergents and cleaning agents, all sufficiently similar lipases having a corresponding modification and nucleic acids coding for them. The invention further relates to methods and uses of said lipases and to agents containing them, in particular detergents and cleaning agents.