Role of enzymes in detergents

Like other types of catalysts, an enzyme can complete its chemical reaction without being used up or destroyed, leaving the enzyme protein available for yet another reaction. This means that one enzyme protein molecule can act on many substrate molecules. Eventually, all the substrate is gone and the enzyme stops working.Also, the enzyme will eventually break down on its own.

The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can act upon, for example,
1. proteases break down protein based stains
2. amylases break down starches and other carbohydrate based stains. α-Amylase is particularly useful in dish-washing and de-starching detergents.
3. cellulase also aids the removal of soil particles from the wash by hydrolysing associated cellulose fibres
4. Lipase for degreasing in leather industry as well as in detergent industry. It breaks down the lipid based proteins.

There are, perhaps, opportunities for enzymes such as glucose oxidase, lipoxygenase and glycerol oxidase as means of generating hydrogen peroxide which may help the bleaching efficacy of detergents.

Since one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules, a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a big cleaning benefit to the consumer.

Enzymes are proteins, therefore, they are completely biodegradable. They are non-toxic to plants and animals in the environment. They are harmless if accidentally ingested by a child. However, like many other proteins, enzymes can cause respiratory allergy in some people if they are breathed in at very high concentrations, frequently, and for long periods of time. This doesn't pose a safety issue for consumers who use laundry detergents.

Author - DrSVenkatesan@gmail.com