Glucan fiber compositions for use in laundry care and fabric care

Abstract

An enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions is provided. The enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymers can be derivatized into α-glucan ether compounds. The α-glucan oligomers/polymers and the corresponding α-glucan ethers are cellulose and/or protease resistant, making them suitable for use in fabric care and laundry care applications. Methods for the production and use of the present compositions are also provided.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of hydrolyzing insoluble alpha-glucan, said method comprising:
 (a) contacting insoluble alpha-glucan and at least one alpha-glucanohydrolase under suitable aqueous reaction conditions to form a reaction mixture, wherein greater than 50% of the glycosidic linkages of the insoluble alpha-glucan are alpha-1,3 linkages, and wherein the alpha-glucanohydrolase hydrolyzes the insoluble alpha-glucan, whereby hydrolyzed alpha-glucan is produced; and   (b) optionally isolating the hydrolyzed alpha-glucan produced in step (a).   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein at least 75% of the glycosidic linkages of the insoluble alpha-glucan are alpha-1,3 linkages. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein at least 95% of the glycosidic linkages of the insoluble alpha-glucan are alpha-1,3 linkages. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan is linear. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan is branched. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the hydrolyzed alpha-glucan is insoluble. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the hydrolyzed alpha-glucan is soluble. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the alpha-glucanohydrolase endo-hydrolyzes the insoluble alpha-glucan. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the alpha-glucanohydrolase is a mutanase. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the mutanase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:21, 27, 29, 54, 56, or 58. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan in step (a) is provided by contacting sucrose with a glucosyltransferase under suitable aqueous reaction conditions, wherein the glucosyltransferase produces the insoluble alpha-glucan. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan is produced before step (a). 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan is produced simultaneously with step (a). 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 27 , comprising isolating the hydrolyzed alpha-glucan produced in step (a).