Stable liquid enzyme compositions with enhanced activity

• US 20030087787A1
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Man, Victor Fuk-Pong, Lentsch, Steven Eugene, Tilleskjor, Jaclyn
• Granted Patent: US 7,553,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/392
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/046 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38663 Stabilised liquid enzyme compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid enzyme cleaning composition in which the enzyme is stable at alkaline pH and: at high concentration of boric acid salt; in the absence of sodium ion; and/or in the presence of water at concentrations of at least about 60 weight percent. The present enzyme cleaning composition typically yields superior soil (especially protein soil) removal properties. In an embodiment, the composition of the invention stabilizes the enzyme with potassium and/or alkanolamine borate.

Claims

1. A liquid enzyme cleaning composition comprising surfactant, detersive enzyme, and about 10 to about 35 wt-% alkanol amine borate;

wherein the liquid enzyme cleaning composition is formulated to provide detersive enzyme that retains about 80% of its initial activity at ambient temperature for at least about 11 months after forming the composition.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the boric acid salt comprises monoethanolammonium borate, diethanolammonium borate, triethanolammonium borate, or a combination thereof.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a solution.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the detersive enzyme retains at least about 80% of its initial activity at 100°

F. for at least about 70 days after forming the composition.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the detersive enzyme retains at least about 40% of its initial activity at 120°

F. for at least about 25 days after forming the composition.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the detersive enzyme comprises protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, peroxidase, gluconase, or a combination thereof.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the detersive enzyme comprises alkaline protease, lipase, amylase, or a combination thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises amphoteric surfactant.

9. The composition of claim 1, further comprising source of calcium ions, polyol, builder, dye, or a combination thereof.

10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a pH in the range of about 9 to about 10.5.

11. A liquid enzyme cleaning composition comprising surfactant, detersive enzyme, and about 10 to about 35 wt-% borate salt;

the composition being substantially free of sodium ion;

wherein the liquid enzyme cleaning composition is formulated to provide detersive enzyme that retains about 80% of its initial activity at ambient temperature for at least about 11 months after forming the composition.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the boric acid salt comprises an alkali metal boric acid salt, an alkanol amine boric acid salt, or a combination thereof.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the boric acid salt comprises monoethanolammonium borate, diethanolammonium borate, triethanolammonium borate, or a combination thereof.

14. The composition of claim 12, wherein the boric acid salt comprises potassium borate.

15. The composition of claim 11, wherein the potassium borate comprises a combination of potassium hydroxide and boric acid.

16. The composition of claim 11, wherein the composition is a solution.

17. The composition of claim 11, wherein the detersive enzyme retains about 100% of its initial activity at ambient temperature for at least about 11 months after forming the composition.

18. The composition of claim 11, wherein the detersive enzyme retains at least about 80% of its initial activity at 100°

F. for at least about 70 days after forming the composition.

19. The composition of claim 11, wherein the detersive enzyme retains at least about 40% of its initial activity at 120°

F. for at least about 25 days after forming the composition.

20. The composition of claim 11, wherein the detersive enzyme comprises protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, peroxidase, gluconase, or a combination thereof.

21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the detersive enzyme comprises alkaline protease, lipase, amylase, or a combination thereof.

22. The composition of claim 11, wherein the surfactant comprises amphoteric surfactant.

23. The composition of claim 11, further comprising a pH in the range of about 9 to about 10.5.

24. A method of providing a cleaning composition comprising:

mixing at a retail store cleaning concentrate and diluent to form a cleaning composition;

providing the cleaning composition to a customer.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein mixing further comprises mixing fragrance, dye, enzyme, or combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

taking customer input for mixing fragrance, dye, enzyme, or combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising dispensing the cleaning composition into a store-provided container.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising labeling the container with customer specific label.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the retail store comprises grocery store, discount house, convenience store, or hardware store.