WO2011111078A1

WO2011111078A1 - Formulation for removing, reducing and/or preventing the formation of inorganic compounds and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2011111078A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elena Roda; Lucio Panizza
Original assignee: Archimede R&D S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2011-09-15

Abstract

A formulation for removing, reducing and/or preventing the formation of inorganic compounds and the like, compounds that can be present in a fluid and/or deposited on surfaces, comprising a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, to reduce the energy required for activation of the reaction and to accelerate the development of the reaction, the catalyst being an enzyme selected preferably from the group of lyases, the group of hydrolases and the group of oxidoreductases.

Description

FORMULATION FOR REMOVING, REDUCING AND/OR PREVENTING THE FORMATION OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND THE LIKE

Technical field

The present invention relates to a formulation for removing, reducing and/or preventing the formation of inorganic compounds and the like, and for preventing their deposition on the surfaces of any object and/or apparatus and/or earthy environments.

Background art

The presence in water of calcium carbonate, i.e., of one of the inorganic salts of calcium, often causes the deposition in solid form of residues (normally known as scale), thus constituting a problem that currently is very strongly felt in several fields of application.

In greater detail, as is known, the water that flows through the pipes of sewage systems and is therefore intended to be used for the most disparate purposes, including the supply of electrical household appliances, contains in various concentrations metallic ions such as the calcium ion, the magnesium ion, and/or the ferrous ion. These ions are generally present in solution in water (in variable quantities) in the form of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates; however, as a consequence of particular environmental conditions, they can precipitate and, in the case of calcium carbonates but also of other mineral salts which are in any case insoluble, indeed form scale incrustations.

Therefore, as the hardness of the water and/or of another fluid (caused indeed by the concentration of ions of calcium and magnesium in the form of salts of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates), the risk increases that the surfaces touched thereby might be affected progressively by the formation of scale deposits of increasingly greater size.

The incrustations that thus form on objects such as for example the walls of pipes, heaters, exchangers, et cetera cause very high load losses, with consequent reductions in efficiency, reliability, and even substantial economic damage; moreover, the reduction of the passage diameter in the pipes, caused by scale, can cause blockages and permanent failures of the structures involved.

For example, the formation of scale along the piping of an electrical household appliance induces an early aging thereof, at the same time increasing the required energy consumption by as much as 30% or more.

In the case of heating systems also, the consequences of incrustations (which form in the hydraulic hot water circuits) are such as to force higher energy consumption.

Moreover, it should be noted that calcium salts, as well as magnesium salts, produce gelatinous precipitates when they come into contact with detergents, and thus limit their degreasing effectiveness.

It is thus necessary to resort to a higher quantity of detergent (particularly for detergents rich in surfactants) to obtain the same results that can be achieved with water that has a lower hardness, with consequent environmental damage and cost increase.

It should also be noted that scale does not damage only the surfaces of pipes and other infrastructures: when scale concentrates in soil, in fact, such soil becomes calcareous soil, which is substantially toxic for many plant organisms. Moreover, plant leaves are often withered and lack in vitality if they are watered constantly with scale-rich water.

For this field of application also, therefore, the need arises to remove scale from water or more generally from the fluid in which it is present (and/ or to prevent its formation), in order to water and irrigate leaves and soils with water having a low hardness value.

In order to obviate these drawbacks, many products that have a descaling action (to eliminate scale and/or prevent its formation) are commercially widespread and are based mainly on the use of chemical substances that act either by chelation of the calcium and magnesium ions, in order to avoid precipitation of carbonates, or by a chemical reaction of the acid-base type, in order to break down the formed deposits at the molecular level.

However, these solutions are not free from drawbacks.

The products described above in fact very often turn out to be highly aggressive against delicate surfaces, such as marble and/or ceramics, household and/or industrial appliances; further, they are often noxious, toxic or irritant for man and the environment and therefore have strict limitations to their use.

Moreover, there are additional types of products that can perform a descaling action by means of physical-mechanical treatments of the water of the water mains; among these, mention is made of reverse osmosis softeners, magnetic accelerators, ion-exchange resins, activated carbon filters and polyphosphates.

However, even these products have several drawbacks, since they often cause pollution and corrosion phenomena in addition to causing an increase in the content of other ions that can be harmful to human health. Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a formulation that is capable of reducing the concentration of inorganic compounds and the like, preferably in a fluid.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a formulation that can perform effectively an action of removal and/or reduction of inorganic compounds and the like, or can hinder their formation, without causing noxious effects for man and the environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation that is suitable for use on any type of surface and material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a formulation that ensures high reliability in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation that ensures durable and correct operation of electrical and/or electronic apparatuses that use water and/or other fluids, both as an element for their operation and as a fluid for their cleaning and/or maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation that can be used in limited quantities so as to avoid needless waste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation that can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and has low risks of toxicity for man and/or the environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation that has low costs and is safe in application.

This aim and these objects, as well as others that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a formulation for removing, reducing and/or preventing the formation of inorganic compounds and the like, compounds present in a fluid and/or deposited on surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, to reduce the energy required for activation of the reaction and to accelerate its development, said catalyst being an enzyme selected preferably from the group of lyases, the group of hydrolases and the group of oxidoreductases. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the formulation according to the invention.

The formulation according to the invention is capable of removing and/or reducing the quantity of inorganic compounds and the like that are present in a fluid and/or deposited on surfaces, and of preventing their formation and deposition on such surfaces, which can belong to any object and/or apparatus and/or earthy environment. It should be specified from the outset that according to the preferred but not exclusive application the fluid is constituted by water, but the formulation according to the invention might also be used with different fluids as a function of the specific requirements of application.

The inorganic compounds are preferably constituted by oxide salts with a generic formula of the type M_W(XO_Z)_Y, where M is selected between a metallic ion (for example the calcium ion, Ca²⁺ the magnesium ion, Mg²⁺ or the ferrous ion, Fe²⁺) and/or a cationic entity. Again with reference to the generic formula cited above, X is an element selected preferably from carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, phosphorus, boron, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine and hydrogen. Finally, W, Y and Z are charges that give the salt a neutral or balanced charge.

By way of example, the possibility is therefore mentioned that the inorganic compounds on which the formulation acts to remove them and/or prevent their formation and/or deposition might be inorganic salts such as salts of carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, magnesium nitrates, calcium, strontium, or inorganic salts of chlorine, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, potassium, bromine, carbon, strontium, boron, silicon, fluorine, argon, nitrogen and/or a mixture of these compounds.

In detail, with further reference to the preferred application, the inorganic compounds are constituted by carbonates of calcium and/or magnesium, capable of precipitating and forming deposits, incrustations, until they constitute layers of a material known as scale.

It is therefore specified that the removal of scale (and/or the prevention of its formation) constitutes a preferred application of the formulation according to the invention, and therefore constant reference will be made to it in the continuation of the present description, but the possibility is not excluded to use the formulation for different purposes (some of which will be described at least briefly in the sections that follow), which are in any case within the protective scope claimed herein.

According to the invention, the formulation comprises a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, which is capable of reducing the quantity of energy required to activate such reaction and of accelerating its development; such catalyst is an enzyme selected preferably from the group of lyases, the group of hydrolases, and the group of oxidoreductases.

In particular, the enzyme, of the lyase group, belongs to the subgroup of carbon anhydrases (which are present abundantly in the tissues of mammals but also in plants, algae and bacteria). Carbon anhydrases have a high turnover number, which in chemistry is defined as the number of substrate molecules processed by a molecule of enzyme in the unit time (in the case of carbon anhydrase, indeed, this turnover number assumes values on the order of 10⁵-10⁶ processed molecules per second).

Carbon anhydrase is, as is known, capable of catalyzing the rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide and water into protons and bicarbonate ions, according to the chemical equation given hereafter:

HC0₃ ^" + H⁺ H₂0 + C0₂

It is therefore possible, as mentioned, to obtain the conversion of salts into carbon dioxide, achieving in practice the intended aim.

Conveniently, the formulation comprises the enzyme in a percentage comprised between 0.00001% and 30%, the percentages being referred to the weight of the enzyme with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

More particularly, the formulation comprises the enzyme in a percentage comprised preferably between 0.00001% and 5%, the percentages being referred to the weight of the enzyme with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

Even more particularly, the formulation comprises the enzyme in a percentage comprised preferably between 0.00001% and 0.01%, where the percentages refer to the weight of the enzyme with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

According to an embodiment of considerable practical interest, which is mentioned by way of non-limiting example, the formulation according to the invention comprises a buffer element. The choice to resort to a buffer element allows, in known manners, to adjust the pH of the environment in which the formulation is intended to act. This allows to keep the value of the pH equal to (or in any case close to) a predefined value, which therefore can be chosen as the value at which the activity of the enzyme, as a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, is greatest.

With reference to the preferred embodiment, the buffer element is preferably selected among a borate, a phosphate, an acetate, a citrate, a sulfate.

According to a first possible embodiment, the formulation is in the solid state, with a form selected preferably among a tablet, a pellet and a powder, optionally encapsulated.

If the formulation is in the solid state, the enzyme is contained therein in a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/g and 50,000 U/g, the values being referred to the total weight of the formulation; more particularly, the enzyme has a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/g and 2500 U/g; even more particularly, the formulation according to the invention comprises the enzyme in a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/g and 125 U/g.

The formulation in the solid state can be, for example, released into the water and/or fluid to be treated, in order to obtain the decalcification effect, and can also be introduced in the piping or in any case in the areas affected by the flow of water and in general of fluids, and can also be spread on the surfaces that are subject to the risk of formation of scale deposits.

However, other methods of use of the tablets, pellets, powder, et cetera that comprises the formulation according to the invention are not excluded, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

According to a different embodiment, the formulation is in the liquid state, for example of the type of a cream, a gel or a liquid with any value of density and viscosity.

In the case proposed above of a formulation in the liquid state, the enzyme is contained therein in a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/ml and 50,000 U/ml, and the values are referred to the total quantity of formulation; more particularly, the enzyme is comprised in the formulation according to the invention at a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/ml and 2500 U/ml and even more particularly the concentration is comprised between 0.05 U/ml and 125 U/ml.

In a manner similar to what is observed for formulation in the solid state, in the case of a formulation in the liquid state as well, the methods of use provided are many, and all are within the protective scope claimed herein. Among these, by way of non-limiting example, the possibility is mentioned of adding the liquid formulation to the water to be treated, or of spreading a gel containing the formulation on the surfaces to be protected.

According to a further embodiment, the formulation has a state of the aerosol type and also according to this embodiment there are many methods of use thereof, all of which are within the protective scope claimed herein (likewise for additional methods according to which the formulation appears in a form that is different from the ones proposed in the preceding sections).

According to a further embodiment, the formulation comprises at least one surfactant in order to give such formulation also a detergent function.

Use of the formulation according to the invention as a decalcifier remover for water and/or other fluids is therefore provided.

Use of the formulation as a component of a product intended to remove scale deposits on objects and/or surfaces preferably (but not exclusively) of the type of ceramic, marble, metallic, polymeric, composite and other surfaces is also provided.

For example, the product that contains the formulation according to the invention can be used to treat surfaces (such as contact surfaces) of sanitary fixtures, electrical household appliances, piping, pipe fittings and the like, indeed in order to eliminate incrustations such as scale. The formulation can also be used as a component of a product designed to lower the hardness of drinking water, hardness being understood as content of calcium and magnesium ions (in the form of salts of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates) in water.

Further, the formulation can be used as a component of a product for reducing the hardness of water intended for non-food use, and as noted in the preceding section the hardness is understood as the content of calcium and/or magnesium ions (in the form of salts of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates) in water.

In greater detail, the hardness of the water can be correlated directly to the presence of salts of carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates and nitrates (on which the formulation according to the invention indeed acts).

It must be noted that the enzyme, differently from known types of formulation, can reduce hardness gradually, at the same time keeping in solution a percentage of salts that are useful for example for human and plant health, thus complying with applicable statutory provisions that recommend for water intended for living organisms a minimum hardness value of 15 French degrees.

For example, water treated with the formulation according to the invention can be used to water plants or for water intended to circulate within electrical or electronic apparatuses and devices of various kinds.

Use of the formulation as an additive in fabric detergents for hand washing or machine washing (for example detergents based on surfactants) is further provided: the detergent thus has, simultaneously with the degreasing and/or cleaning effect for the surfaces, the capacity to reduce the hardness of the washing water (and thus prevent any gelatinous precipitates from reducing the degreasing effect).

It is useful to specify that use of the formulation on its own is also provided for processes for washing fabrics by hand or in a washing machine (domestic or industrial), in order to reduce the hardness of the water used for washing, with the consequence of a lower quantity of surfactants and/or detergents to be iised to obtain the desired cleaning.

Use of the formulation is also provided as an additive in detergent products of various types, such as those intended for cleaning kitchenware, detergent products which can also be used in industrial and/or domestic dishwashers.

Further, detergent products that have received the addition of the formulation according to the invention can also be aimed at cleaning other electrical household appliances, electrical or electronic devices, or other objects that are subject to the deposition of scale, ensuring in any case the removal of incrustations and therefore a longer life of the objects (and a more effective and efficient operation over time).

Finally, use of the formulation as a component of a product which in turn can be added to water intended for watering soil and plants is provided. This allows to reduce the concentration of any carbonate salts that might be present in the water and therefore to avoid the danger of causing noxious effects for the watered plants.

The use of the formulation according to one of the uses listed above (or according to other uses, depending on the specific requirements, which are in any case within the protective scope claimed herein) thus allows to remove scale deposits (or prevent their formation) by means of an element (the enzyme) that is natural, easy to handle (also to introduce it in various types of formulation), is biodegradable and completely biocompatible. The enzyme is actively capable of converting into gaseous carbon dioxide the salts (in particular the carbonate salts) that are present in the water (or other fluid) and/or as deposits on any surface.

This allows to achieve the intended aim of reduction of the concentration of inorganic compounds and the like, preferably in a fluid, or in any case where these compounds have caused the formation of inorganic deposits. This result is further obtained, as observed in this section, without causing noxious effects for man and for the environment (since indeed the enzyme is biodegradable and is constituted by a single natural protein molecule).

The products that contain the formulation according to the invention therefore do not contain (or contain in amounts that are significantly lower than those of known products) components or elements that are noxious or toxic for man or for the environment.

Further, as is known, enzymes have a high specificity, since they are capable of converting only the molecules of that specific type of substrate whose steric hindrance is such as to make them easily accessible to the cavity (also known as active site) formed by the protein envelope of the enzyme. This aspect avoids the danger that the formulation according to the invention might attack and corrode also the products and objects from which it has to remove the scale incrustations (as occurs with known scale removing solutions).

For example, therefore, the formulation according to the invention can be used effectively also in contact with delicate surfaces such as those made of marble or ceramic, for which traditional scale removing formulations are not recommended indeed due to the risk of corrosion.

It should also be noted that the high catalytic efficiency of enzymes allows to keep their concentration low within the formulation and therefore positively to contain the costs required for its production and marketing, thus obtaining a solution that is highly competitive also from an economic standpoint. Moreover, since the enzyme remains unchanged at the end of the reaction that it catalyzes, it is possible to reuse it for a very large number of catalytic cycles within a single moment of use, with further economic advantages.

Finally, it should be noted that the use of the enzyme, and therefore the reduction of the activation energy needed for the decarboxylation reaction (as well as the acceleration of its development) allows to make such reaction occur in weaker conditions and in a shorter time.

In the continuation of the present description, some examples of application (which are non-limiting illustrations of the application of the invention) are provided which show the effectiveness of the formulation according to the invention as a scale remover and for the reduction of water hardness.

First of all, therefore, in the sections that follow some examples of possible compositions of the formulation according to the invention (specifically intended, as mentioned, for different fields of application) will be proposed; then a possible testing method for measuring the effectiveness of such formulations will be presented; and finally, with reference to some of these examples and the proposed methods, the experimental results achieved will be highlighted.

Example 1.

The formulation (which can be used as decalcifier for plants) has the following components:

Enzyme→ 0.8333% w/w

pH 6.8 buffer→ l% w/w

Distilled water→ 98.167% w/w

In the case of enzyme with a purity of 600 U/mg, the quantity of enzyme in a 10-ml product formulation is equal to 4999.8 U/ml.

Example 2.

The following formulation can be used for example within an iron as a scale remover for the iron itself.

Enzyme→ 2.0833% w/w

Potassium phosphate→ 0.485% w/w

Sodium phosphate→ 0.515% w/w

Distilled water→ 96.9167% w/w

In the case of enzyme with a purity of 600 U/mg, the quantity of enzyme in a 10-ml product formulation is equal to 12499.8 U/ml.

Example 3.

A formulation that can be used, preferably in the liquid state, as a detergent product for washing fabrics (by hand and/or in a washing machine):

Enzyme→ 0.0042% w/w

Potassium phosphate→ 0.485% w/w

Sodium phosphate→ 0.515% w/w

Fragrances→ 0.01% w/w

Sodium alkyl sulfate→ 20% w/w

Sodium sulfate→ 18% w/w

Carboxymethylcellulose→ 2% w/w

Glycerol→ 3% w/w

Sodium aluminum silicate→ 5% w/w

Distilled water→ 46.99% w/w

Alkyl polyglycoxide→ 3% w/w

In the case of enzyme with a purity of 600 U/mg, the quantity of enzyme in a 500-ml product formulation is equal to 24.996 U/ml.

Example 4.

A formulation usable as a scale remover product for washing machines.

Enzyme→ 3.47% w/w

Potassium phosphate→ 2.44% w/w

Sodium phosphate→ 2.56% w/w

Distilled water→ 91.52% w/w

Fragrance→ 0.01% w/w

Color→ 0.005% w/w

In the case of enzyme with a purity of 600 U/mg, the quantity of enzyme in a 6-g product formulation is equal to 20833 U/g. Example 5.

Formulation usable as a brightener tablet for dishwashers.

Enzyme→ 1.74% w/w

Potassium phosphate→ 2.44% w/w

Sodium phosphate→ 2.56% w/w

Starch→ 57.25% w/w

Non-ionic surfactants→ 3% w/w

Aluminum hydroxide→ 20% w/w

Stearic acid→ 4% w/w

Carboxymethylcellulose→ 10% w/w

Fragrances→ 0.01% w/w

Limonene→ 0.005% w/w

In the case of enzyme with a purity of 600 U/mg, the quantity of enzyme in a 6-g product formulation is equal to 10417 U/g.

Example 6.

Formulation usable as scale removing gel.

Enzyme→ 0.0042% w/w

Potassium phosphate→ 0.485% w/w

Sodium phosphate→ 0.515% w/w

Distilled water→ 68.48% w/w

Monopropylene glycol→ 30% w/w

Xanthan gum→ 0.5% w/w

Fragrance→ 0.01% w/w

Color→ 0.005% w/w

Testing method.

The effectiveness of the formulation was tested by performing laboratory tests using a kit for simplified titration of the substances (or compounds of multiple substances) that are responsible for water hardness.

As is known, titration in general is a set of experimental operations aimed at the quantitative determination of a substance (or of a compound) in a specific matrix context. In greater detail, the calcium and magnesium ions, as moreover most transition metals, react more or less quantitatively with chemical species that are rich in pairs of valency electrons that are not involved in bonds, species known as ligands. Among the various ligands, some organic molecules are particularly suitable for analyses of the complexometric type: these are substances known as polydentate, i.e., which form multiple bonds with the same metal. Of these, ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA generally referenced as Y^4"), certainly has an important role. This is a tetraprotic acid, i.e., it has four ionizable acid groups. Thus, the reaction of interest in complexometric titration is:

Ca²⁺ (Mg²⁺) + Na₂H₂ Y→ CaY^2' + 2H⁺ + 2Na⁺

In other words, the metallic ion is bonded quantitatively to the EDTA ligand.

The indicator commonly proposed for these titrations is eriochrome black T (NET), an organic molecule with an acid nature that has bonding capacities (the SO^3" group and the two OH^' groups): it is clear that the complexing capacity of this indicator, as well as of the EDTA ligand, depends strictly on the pH of the medium, since these substances are weak proton donors or acceptors.

The species H₂In^' is red in color, and so is the color of the NET complexed with most metals. Therefore, the pH of the medium must be higher than 7, so that the blue color of NET (Hln² ) predominates in order to be able to then distinguish it from the red color of the NET bonded to the metal.

Analysis of the values of complexing constants shows that at pH 10 the Ca-EDTA complex is more stable than the Mg-EDTA complexes, and therefore Ca-NET is the first to form. Magnesium begins to complex only when calcium has disappeared in the solution.

In practice, the addition of the indicator to the solution to be titered yields a red/pink coloring, which remains as such until, by the addition of titration agent (EDTA), all the calcium and magnesium ions that are present have been complexed. In the final point of the reaction, the only free species in solution is HIn^2", which is blue, and this is the experimental observation that all the calcium and magnesium have been titered by the EDTA.

Upon color change it is therefore possible to read on the appropriately provided titration syringe provided by the kit the corresponding hardness value expressed in French degrees.

Results.

The formulation having the composition of Example 1 was tested as a decalcifier for plants at a final concentration for use of the enzyme equal to 0.01 mg/ml. The reduction of water hardness was as follows:

The formulation having the composition of Example 2 was tested at a final concentration of use of the enzyme equal to 0.05 mg/ml. The reduction in water hardness was as follows:

TIME (min) HARDNESS (°f) % reduction

0 33 — TIME (min) HARDNESS (°f) % reduction

5 · 30 -9.09

18 28 -15.15

88 28 -15.15

153 29 -12.12

243 28 -15.15

398 26 -21.21

The formulation having the composition of Example 3 was tested at a final concentration of use of the enzyme equal to 0.01 mg/ml. Water hardness reduction was as follows:

The formulation having the composition of Example 5 was tested as a brightener for dishwashers at a final concentration of use of the enzyme equal to 0.0025 mg/m. The reduction in water hardness was as follows:

TIME (min) HARDNESS (°f) % reduction

0 31 0

5 28 -9.7

10 28 -9.7

15 28 -9.7

30 28 -9.7

120 28 -9.7 TIME (min) HARDNESS (°f) % reduction

180 · 26 -16.1

240 28 -9.7

360 26 -16.1

The formulation having the composition of Example 6 was tested as a scale remover in gel form at a final concentration of use of the enzyme equal to 0.01 mg/ml. The reduction in water hardness was as follows:

In practice it has been found that the formulation according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since the choice to resort to a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, selected from the group of lyases, hydrolases and oxidoreductases, allows such formulation to perform effectively an action of reduction of the concentration of inorganic compounds and the like.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

Moreover,^' it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

Claims

1. A formulation for removing, reducing and/or preventing the formation of inorganic compounds and the like, compounds present in a fluid and/or deposited on surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a catalyst of the decarboxylation reaction, to reduce the energy required for activation of the reaction and to accelerate the development of said reaction, said catalyst being an enzyme selected preferably from the group of lyases, the group of hydrolases and the group of oxidoreductases.

2. The formulation according to claim 1, characterized in that said enzyme, of the lyases group, belongs to the subgroup of carbon anhydrases.

3. The formulation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme in a percentage comprised between 0.00001% and 30%, said percentages being referred to the weight of said enzyme with respect to the total weight.

4. The formulation according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme in a percentage preferably comprised between 0.00001% and 5%, said percentages being referred to the weight of said enzyme with respect to the total weight.

5. The formulation according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme in a percentage comprised preferably between

0.00001% and 0.01%, said percentages being referred to the weight of said enzyme with respect to the total weight.

6. The formulation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a buffer element for adjusting the pH of the environment in which it is used and to keep its value equal to a predefined value.

7. The formulation according to claim 6, characterized in that said buffer element is preferably selected among a borate, a phosphate, an acetate, a citrate and a sulfate.

8. The formulation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the solid state, with a form preferably selected among a tablet, a pellet and a powder, optionally encapsulated.

9. The formulation according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.5 U/g and 50,000 U/g, said values being referred to the total weight of said formulation.

10. The formulation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/g and 2500 U/g, said values being referred to the total weight of said formulation.

1 1. The formulation according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/g and 125 U/g, said values being referred to the total weight of said formulation.

12. The formulation according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is in the liquid state, such as a cream, a gel, a liquid with any value of density and viscosity.

13. The formulation according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.5 U/ml and 50,000 U/ml, said values being referred to the total quantity of said formulation.

14. The formulation according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/ml and 2500 U/ml, said values being referred to the total quantity of said formulation.

15. The formulation according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises said enzyme at a concentration comprised between 0.05 U/ml and

125 U/ml, said values being referred to the total quantity of said formulation.

16. The formulation according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is in an aerosol-type state.

17. The formulation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one surfactant for a detergent function.

18. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of the preceding claims, as decalcifier for water and other fluids.

19. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as a component of a product intended to remove scale deposits on surfaces preferably of the type of ceramic, marble, metal, polymeric and composite surfaces.

20. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as a component of a product intended to lower the hardness of drinking water, hardness being understood as the content in the water of calcium and/or magnesium ions, in the form of salts of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates.

21. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as a component of a product for reducing the hardness of water intended for non-food use, hardness being understood as content in the water of calcium and/or magnesium ions, in the form of salts of sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, carbonates or hydrogen carbonates.

22. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as an additive in detergent products of fabrics, for reducing the hardness of washing water.

23. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as an additive in detergent products for kitchenware, also usable in industrial and/or domestic dishwashers.

24. Use of the formulation, formulated according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as a component of a product that can be added to water intended for watering soil and plants, in order to reduce the concentration of any carbonate salts that might be present in the water.