Enzymes in Detergents and Cleaning Agents

Enzymes in laundry detergents and household cleaners make a significant contribution to enhancing the performance and improving the environmental properties of laundry detergents and household cleaners. They are also essential for differentiating premium brands in relation to standard and “value-for-money” products. Proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, mannanases, and pectate lyases are used in detergents. In automatic dishwashing detergents, it is proteases and amylases. In this chapter, performance characteristics of the enzymes and the typical requirements of the different enzyme classes for these products are discussed. The benefits of enzyme technology to the sustainability of washing are assessed, as are aspects of health, safety, and environmental relevance. The economic importance is touched upon and an outlook on the expected future is attempted.