Mutant Alkaline Protease Solubility in Liquid Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detergents face challenges in stabilizing alkaline proteases due to severe environmental conditions, such as normal temperature denaturation, autodigestion, and low water content, which affects their solubility and enzymatic activity, particularly in concentrated forms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the substitution of specific amino acid residues in the alkaline protease sequence to enhance solubility, specifically targeting positions like 405, 81, 40, and 191, with residues like leucine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, to create a mutant alkaline protease with improved stability and solubility in liquid detergents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an enzyme is added to liquid detergent to enhance detergency, then washing performance is improved, but the enzyme becomes unstable due to denaturation and autodigestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses enzyme stabilizers as intermediary substances that mediate between the enzyme and the harsh detergent environment. These stabilizers form protective complexes with the enzyme, preventing direct contact with denaturing agents like surfactants and maintaining structural integrity during storage and washing cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies storage and processing parameters including temperature control, pH adjustment, and addition of protective agents to create optimal conditions for enzyme stability. By changing these parameters, the enzyme maintains its three-dimensional structure and catalytic activity throughout the product shelf life and washing process
2Quantity of substance
If concentrated liquid detergent is used to reduce storage space and transportation cost, then water content is reduced, but enzyme solubility and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite detergent system where the enzyme is integrated with multiple stabilizing components including surfactants, builders, and protective polymers. This composite formulation provides a microenvironment that maintains enzyme solubility and activity even at low water concentrations, allowing concentrated products to retain high enzyme content without precipitation or denaturation
3Productivity
If more enzyme is added to increase detergency, then washing performance improves, but autodigestion increases making storage more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary protective measures by adding enzyme stabilizers and inhibitors before storage or distribution. These agents preemptively block the enzyme's active sites or stabilize its structure against self-digestion, allowing high enzyme concentrations to be maintained without significant loss of activity during shelf life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances that act as protective agents between the enzyme molecules, preventing them from attacking each other. These intermediaries form protective layers or complexes that reduce autodigestion while allowing the enzyme to maintain its catalytic function toward substrate proteins
Data Source
AI summary
Providing an alkaline protease exhibiting an improved solubility in a liquid detergent. A mutant alkaline protease consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 2 or an amino acid sequence having 80% or more sequence identity therewith, in which at least one amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of the amino acid residues at predetermined positions of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 2 or corresponding positions thereto are substituted.