Eco-Friendly Substitution in Laundry Detergent Compositions by Enzymatic Additives

Because of the ecological problems related to the use of chemical products, the new detergents have progressed to become more eco-friendly. Accordingly, enzymes were incorporated as supplements to detergent formulations. The present investigation was related to the study of a new alkaline protease designated as SPBV produced by Bacillus velezensis strain F35, newly isolated from wastewater from a detergent company, as well as its biochemical characterization. The optimum of the protease activity of SPBV was obtained at pH 10 and at 60 °C on casein. This peptidase remains practically stable at elevated alkaline pH (8–11) for 75 min (more than 80% of its activity was retained after 6 h). Its thermo-activity and thermostability were considerably improved by calcium at 2 mM. The SPBV protease exhibited stability and remarkable compatibility with liquid and solid detergents compared to the commercial enzymes. The supplementation of SPBV enzyme to the detergent solution improved the performance of the Class liquid detergent in the sense of better discoloration of several protein stains. Consequently, the SPBV enzyme seems to meet the majority of the properties of a good protease for the detergent formulations.