The most widely used detergent enzymes are hydrolases, which remove soils formed from proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides. Cellulase is a type of hydrolase that provides fabric care through selective reactions not previously possible when washing clothes. Looking to the future, research is currently being carried out into the possibility of extending the types of enzymes used in detergents. Each of the major classes of detergent enzymes-proteases, lipases, amylases, mannanases and cellulases-provides specific benefits for laundering and proteases and amylases for automatic dishwashing. Historically, proteases were the first to be used extensively in laundering. Today, they have been joined by lipases, amylases and mannanases in increasing the effectiveness of detergents, especially in household laundering at lower temperatures and in industrial cleaning operations, at lower pH.
As market leader, we are constantly expected to bring new innovations to market, which is very demanding of our talented research and development team. Our solutions are developed by combining technical expertise with in-depth consumer insight to stay on top of the trends and continue to offer highly relevant solutions. Some advantages of these detergents are:
- A higher degree of stain removal, whiteness (color) and fabric care than traditional chemical ingredients.
- Replaces traditional chemical ingredients like surfactants and builders with low-volume, bio-based and readily biodegradable enzymes for a more environmentally friendly detergent.
- A consumer-friendly detergent that cleans well at cold wash temperatures.
- A more compact detergent with no compromise on performance.
Enzyme-based detergent vs Zeolite-based detergents
Enzymes are catalysts, that help make chemical reactions happen more quickly or easily. Generally, they’re added to detergents to make them more effective at tackling tricky forms of dirt that ordinary detergents struggle with. They also help lower the environmental impact of detergents by reducing the need for surfactants. They are widely used in industries. They have specific cleaning action and can also be used at lower temperatures. They produce effluents with lower COD and non-corrosive nature. Enzyme-based cleaners are becoming increasingly popular in the food industry as compared to caustic or acid cleaning regimes.
The enzyme based detergents have better cleaning properties as compared to synthetic detergents. They are active at low washing temperatures and does not lose their activity after removing stain. The enzyme containing detergents also improve the fabric quality and keeps color bright. They are used in small quantity as compared to synthetic chemicals and are biodegradable.
A Zeolite based detergent can also be enzymatic. The challenges faced by detergent formulators to come out with a high performing formulation and at the same time having the product to be environment friendly, can be addressed by incorporating enzymes. With growing ban on Phosphate -based detergent, the introduction of builders are more environment friendly, but not efficient as the wash performance becomes much more dependent on the surfactant levels, choice of surfactant , co builders etc. This can to a large extent, be addressed by introduction of multi-enzyme solutions.
Laundry detergents
Apart from the microbial enzymes proteases, amylases and lipases, the cellulases have also been recently employed in the detergent industry with an added dimension. The proteases hydrolyse the proteinaceous residues of blood, egg, grass and sweat to form soluble peptides which are subsequently easily removed by detergent suds. The amylases degrade the residues of starchy foods like porridge, potatoes, gravies, custard, chocolate, etc. to dextrins, while the lipases cataly
se the hydrolysis of salad oil, sauces, lipstick, etc. The cellulases in the detergents degrade mainly the microfibrils which are generated during continuous use and repeated washings of the garment and also help in restoring the original shine and colour of the garment.
