Protease stabilization by carboxylic acid salts: Relative efficiencies and mechanisms

Abstracts Kinetic studies are presented on the inhibition of proteolysis by carboxylic acid salts on the synthetic substrate succinyl ala‐ala‐pro‐phe‐para nitroanilide. The inhibition of proteolysis/autodigestion is shown to be the major factor in the stabilization of a detergent protease [i.e., Maxatase (subtilisin Carlsberg)] in an unbuilt, liquid, heavy duty laundry formulation. The inhibition of autodigestion by a carboxylic acid salt as a function of pH parallels the protease stability increase during accelerated aging. Relative inhibition of proteolysis and protease stabilization by various carboxylic acid salts are compared.