4.1.1 Detergent Formulation
Over years of studies and evaluations, the chemical composition of detergents
reached at its peak, and it had been difficult to further improve their washing
performance. Detergents that are available in the market were formulated with
related ingredients which clean dirt based on similar mechanisms. Later, studies
on enzymes as detergent additives revealed their great potential in boosting the
washing performance of detergents [61]. This has brought the emergence of enzyme
applications in detergent formulation, a new game that improves not only the
washing performance but also reduces the wash cycles, wash duration, and energy
consumption. Trypsin was the first enzyme introduced to the detergent world.
Although the washing performance of detergents supplemented with trypsin was
better than the cleaning power of the enzyme-free detergent, the enzyme was
unstable due to the detergent alkalinity. This triggered the search for enzymes that
are more compatible with detergents and the washing process. Since alkaline active
enzymes are more operationally stable in alkaline conditions, the search has been
focused on this type of enzymes. This led to an extensive screening of alkaliphiles
for production of alkaline active enzymes which are amenable for detergent applications. Today, heavy-duty powder and automatic dishwasher detergents are often
formulated with alkaline active enzyme(s). Alkaline active proteases, amylases,
cellulases, mannanases, lipases, etc. are used in the formulation of heavy-duty
laundry and dishwashing detergents, and these applications absorb the lion share
of the world industrial enzymes market.
In addition to improving the total washing performance, enzymes effectively
remove stains and allow effective low-temperature (30–40
C) washing. The use of
alkaline active enzymes of psychrophiles which are optimally active at low temperature may even allow to achieve efficient washing performance at room temperature
or below. Reduction in washing temperature and cycles is expected to have positive
impact on the environment by reducing the energy and water consumption
[62, 63]. Moreover, low water consumption infers to low discharge volume from
washing process. The reduction of the washing effluent volume can substantially cut
down the amount of detergent containing effluent discharged to the aquatic bodies.
Studies made by [63] indicated that a 3% reduction in CO 2 emissions and energy
consumption can be achieved for every 25% increase in consumer cold-water
washing in the United States. The authors draw a conclusion that a shift to
low-temperature washing, use of energy saving-washing machines, and elimination
of mechanical drying can reduce the release of 105 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide and save 142,000 GWh electricity which is almost equal to removing about
16 million passenger cars or 23 coal power plants. Moreover, it can reduce up to 60%
of the country water consumption.
Most detergent enzymes degrade the component of dirt and facilitate its removal.
Alkaline active proteases degrade proteinaceous stains like those of blood, egg,
gravy, milk, sweat, etc. into small readily soluble fragments which can be easily
removed from the surface of the object subjected to cleaning. However, not all
Alkaliphiles: The Versatile Tools in Biotechnology
11
Over years of studies and evaluations, the chemical composition of detergents
reached at its peak, and it had been difficult to further improve their washing
performance. Detergents that are available in the market were formulated with
related ingredients which clean dirt based on similar mechanisms. Later, studies
on enzymes as detergent additives revealed their great potential in boosting the
washing performance of detergents [61]. This has brought the emergence of enzyme
applications in detergent formulation, a new game that improves not only the
washing performance but also reduces the wash cycles, wash duration, and energy
consumption. Trypsin was the first enzyme introduced to the detergent world.
Although the washing performance of detergents supplemented with trypsin was
better than the cleaning power of the enzyme-free detergent, the enzyme was
unstable due to the detergent alkalinity. This triggered the search for enzymes that
are more compatible with detergents and the washing process. Since alkaline active
enzymes are more operationally stable in alkaline conditions, the search has been
focused on this type of enzymes. This led to an extensive screening of alkaliphiles
for production of alkaline active enzymes which are amenable for detergent applications. Today, heavy-duty powder and automatic dishwasher detergents are often
formulated with alkaline active enzyme(s). Alkaline active proteases, amylases,
cellulases, mannanases, lipases, etc. are used in the formulation of heavy-duty
laundry and dishwashing detergents, and these applications absorb the lion share
of the world industrial enzymes market.
In addition to improving the total washing performance, enzymes effectively
remove stains and allow effective low-temperature (30–40
C) washing. The use of
alkaline active enzymes of psychrophiles which are optimally active at low temperature may even allow to achieve efficient washing performance at room temperature
or below. Reduction in washing temperature and cycles is expected to have positive
impact on the environment by reducing the energy and water consumption
[62, 63]. Moreover, low water consumption infers to low discharge volume from
washing process. The reduction of the washing effluent volume can substantially cut
down the amount of detergent containing effluent discharged to the aquatic bodies.
Studies made by [63] indicated that a 3% reduction in CO 2 emissions and energy
consumption can be achieved for every 25% increase in consumer cold-water
washing in the United States. The authors draw a conclusion that a shift to
low-temperature washing, use of energy saving-washing machines, and elimination
of mechanical drying can reduce the release of 105 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide and save 142,000 GWh electricity which is almost equal to removing about
16 million passenger cars or 23 coal power plants. Moreover, it can reduce up to 60%
of the country water consumption.
Most detergent enzymes degrade the component of dirt and facilitate its removal.
Alkaline active proteases degrade proteinaceous stains like those of blood, egg,
gravy, milk, sweat, etc. into small readily soluble fragments which can be easily
removed from the surface of the object subjected to cleaning. However, not all
Alkaliphiles: The Versatile Tools in Biotechnology
11