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.