Olfactory Receptor Antagonism for Sulfide Odor Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively suppress malodors caused by volatile sulfur compounds from drain outlets and waste, such as kitchen garbage, using olfactory receptor antagonism, which is a specific mechanism to inhibit the recognition of unpleasant smells without introducing additional fragrances.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of olfactory receptor polypeptides, specifically OR4S2 and its variants, to identify and evaluate substances that can suppress the response to sulfide compounds like dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide by measuring the receptor's response to these compounds, thereby selecting effective odor-suppressing agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional deodorization methods using fragrance components are used, then the unpleasant smell is masked, but additional fragrances are introduced which may cause unpleasant feelings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalodor suppressionVSAvoidunpleasant feelings from aromatic agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies olfactory receptor antagonism where a test substance binds to the olfactory receptor to block the binding of sulfide compound molecules, converting the harmful malodor recognition into a beneficial suppression effect without introducing additional fragrances that cause unpleasant feelings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The olfactory receptor acts as an intermediary between the sulfide compound and the human nervous system. By introducing a test substance that competes for binding at the receptor level, the malodor signal is blocked before reaching the central nervous system, providing specific suppression without additional fragrance interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a broad-spectrum deodorizer is used, then multiple odors are suppressed, but the ability to specifically suppress sulfide compound odors is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroad odor suppression capabilityVSAvoidspecificity to sulfide compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent focuses on the specific local interaction between the test substance and the olfactory receptor that recognizes sulfide compounds. By targeting the binding site of OR4S2 specifically, the deodorizer achieves high specificity for sulfide compound odors while maintaining the ability to suppress other odors through the same mechanism, resolving the contradiction between broad applicability and specific targeting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This method allows for the efficient identification and selection of substances that can selectively suppress odors of sulfide compounds, effectively reducing malodors from waste and drain outlets through the mechanism of olfactory receptor antagonism, providing a more targeted approach compared to traditional deodorization methods.

Implementation Method 1

a smell molecule binds to an olfactory receptor (OR) on an olfactory sensory neuron present in the olfactory epithelium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOlfactory receptor binding:

Implementation Method 2

a smell molecule which activates an olfactory receptor functions as an antagonist to inhibit the activation of another olfactory receptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOlfactory receptor antagonism:

Data Source

PatentUS10585087B2Method for evaluating and selecting agent for suppressing odors of sulfide compounds

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 KAO CORP

AI summary

The present invention identifies substances which suppress odors of sulfide compounds. Provided is a method for evaluating and/or selecting an agent for suppressing odors of sulfide compounds, the method comprising: adding a test substance and a sulfide compound to at least one olfactory receptor polypeptide selected from the group consisting of OR4S2 and polypeptides having an amino acid sequence identity of at least 80% to OR4S2; and measuring the response of the olfactory receptor polypeptide to the sulfide compound.