Variant Lipolytic Enzymes for Polyester Hydrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for lipolytic enzymes with improved stability and hydrolytic activity for effectively degrading polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, which are commonly found in textiles and plastics, to address ecological concerns and industrial applications like laundry detergents.

Innovation Solution

Variant lipolytic enzymes with specific amino acid substitutions, such as T064V-T117L-T177N/R-I178L-F180P-Y182A-R190L-S205G-S212D-F226L-Y239I-L249P-S252I-L258F, and additional substitutions like V014S or G059Y, are developed to enhance stability and activity, enabling efficient hydrolysis of polyesters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lipolytic enzymes are used, then polyester degradation can occur, but the enzyme stability and hydrolytic activity are insufficient for effective industrial application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenzyme stabilityVSAvoidhydrolytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying amino acid residues at specific positions in the lipolytic enzyme sequence. Multiple substitutions are introduced at positions including 64, 117, 177, 178, 180, 182, 190, 205, 212, 226, 239, 249, and 252, along with additional substitutions at positions 14, 40, 59, 61, 66, 70, 161, 175, 207, 210, 227, 236, 244, 254, and 256. These parameter changes in the enzyme's primary structure resolve the contradiction by simultaneously improving both stability and hydrolytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If enzyme concentration is increased to improve degradation efficiency, then polyester hydrolysis rate increases, but cost and complexity of the composition increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyester degradation rateVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameters of the enzyme itself rather than increasing quantity. The modified enzyme achieves higher specific activity and stability, allowing effective polyester degradation at lower enzyme concentrations. This reduces composition complexity and cost while maintaining or improving degradation efficiency.

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

These variant enzymes demonstrate improved esterase activity on polyesters, facilitating their degradation and surface modification, thus enhancing the treatment of polyester-containing materials and improving textile processing and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

catalyse the hydrolysis of a variety of polymers, including polyesters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the variant has esterase activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEsterase activity: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20240294888A1Variant enzymes and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2024.09.05 DANISCO US INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to variant lipolytic enzymes, more particularly variant lipolytic enzymes that have improved stability and/or improved hydrolytic activity on a polyester. Such variant lipolytic enzymes find use in the degradation of polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate. Also provided are compositions and methods related to such variant lipolytic enzymes.