"Television commercials for washing powder often promote the "boosting power" of enzymes. Since then, people have been experimenting with ways to use the power of enzymes to clean clothing for a long time; in fact, the first patent was in 1913. Because stains are made of different types of molecules, a range of enzymes are needed to break them down. Proteases break down proteins, so are good for blood, egg, gravy, and other protein stains. Amylases break down starches, and lipases break down fats and grease. Washing powders usually only contain one type of enzyme, though some have two or all three.
The National Centre for Biotechnology Education at the University of Reading in the UK supplies a range of different digestive enzymes that can be used for experiments. The enzymes they use are: savinase and alcalase (both proteases), termamyl (amylase), lipolase (lipase), and celluzyme (cellulase).
One can get protease activity from natural products like kiwifruit and pineapple by crushing the fruits in a buffer and then strain them to remove the fruit pulp. The filtered solution will contain a range of cellular molecules, including some proteases. Another natural source of digestive enzymes is the pancreas, which can be collected from an abattoir and blended with buffer." Source for further reading.
"Manufacturers recommended that commercial washer installations set their machine controls to keep water temperatures at 120 to 140 degrees F in the hot water cycle and cold water at not less than 35 degrees F. Since this is just a guideline temperatures many vary widely from washer to washer."
The Average Hot Wash Temperature in a Commercial Clothes Washer.
From my understanding enzymes are destroyed at temperature above 118°F and by approximately 122°F degrees, all enzymatic activity has ceased. As a result, enzymes in washing powder may probably lose its enzymatic power and functionality if a hot water cycle is used.
©Joy Madden, October 2012
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