They're mainly
protein- digesting
enzymes (Proteases)
and fat-digesting
enzymes (lipases)
Because the
enzymes break down
animal and plant
matter, they are ideal
for removing stains
like food or blood.
Biological detergents
are also more
effective at working at
low temperatures
(e.g. 30 degrees c)
than other types of
detergents.
Enzymes are
used to change
foods
Carbohydrases is
used to convert
starch syrup, which
is quite cheap, into
sugar syrup, which
is more valuable.
For example as a
ingredient in sports
drinks
Isomerase is used to convert
glucose syrups into fructose
syrups. Fructose is sweeter that
glucose, so can be used in
smaller amounts, for example
slimming foods and drinks.
Protease is
used to
pre-digest
proteins during
the
manufacturing of
baby food
Advantages of
Enzymes in Industry
They're
specific, so they
only catalyse
the reaction you
want them to
Using lower
temperatures and
pressures means
lower costs as it
saves engery
Enzymes work for a long
time, so after the initial cost
of buying them, you can
continually use them
They are
biodegradable
and therefore
cause less
environmental
pollution
Disadvantages of
using Enzymes in
industry
Some
people can
develop
allergies to
the enzymes
(e.g.
biological
washing
powder)
Enzymes can be
denatured by even a
small increase in
temperature. They're
also susceptible to
poison and changes in
pH. This means the
conditions in which
they work must be
tightly controlled
Enzymes can
be expensive to
produce
Contamination of the
enzyme with other
substances can
affect the reaction