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. Cleaning efficiency was evaluated by gravimetric analysis and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Both methods showed that lipase enhanced cleaning performance in purified water and buffer solution below 40 °C. Even small amounts of lipase in purified water or buffer increased washing efficiency or led to nearly complete oil removal, whereas lipase in tap water showed limited effectiveness. Contact angle and interfacial tension measurements show that the interaction between olive oil and lipase lowers surface tension by hydrolyzing triglycerides into amphiphilic free fatty acids (FFAs). These FFAs act as surfactants at the air/water interface, reducing interfacial tension and promoting oil droplet formation rather than oil spreading, thereby facilitating oil removal. Overall, lipase enables efficient cleaning under mild, surfactant-free conditions, demonstrating strong potential for the development of enzyme-based, environmentally sustainable washing systems based on purified water.
Tsompou et al. (Mon,) studied this question.