The secret to clean laundry: biotechnology assistants that remove dirt and detergent residue and save energy while washing.
Modern stain-fighting
As is so often the case with detergents, it’s the mixture that matters. Or rather the "formulation," as the experts call it. Modern liquid detergents are based on a sophisticated formula of chemical compounds such as water softeners and surfactants, i.e. soap-like substances that can combine immiscible substances such as water and oil. When tackling particularly stubborn dirt, nothing works without the biocatalytic assistants known as enzymes.
What exactly are enzymes and how do they work?
These are proteins that can accelerate chemical reactions. Their job is to support the metabolism of living organisms by breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is precisely this ability that qualifies them as stain removers, with each enzyme having a specific role:
Proteases successfully target impurities containing proteins, such as egg, milk and blood.
Mannanases, on the other hand, target stains from guar gum and locust bean gum, which are often used as thickeners and stabilizers in processed foods. The enzymes break down the dirt in order to make the job of the detergent’s surfactants easier, which ultimately involves dissolving the stains.
Everyday helpers: enzymes preserve the environment and your clothes
As well as being highly effective, enzymes are also particularly eco-friendly. Modern enzymes, such as those developed by BASF for its Lavergy® product line, are highly concentrated and effective in the smallest doses. They also clean at washing temperatures as low as 20 degrees Celsius – ordinary detergents without enzymes require 40 degrees – which saves energy and reduces carbon emissions.
But the effectiveness of the enzymes is not limited to stubborn stains. When combined with other ingredients such as polymers, i.e. substances consisting of specifically designed macromolecules, enzyme-based detergent formulations also counteract graying. This is true for both cotton and synthetic fibers, white or colored laundry.
