The benefit of detergent enzymes under changing washing conditions

The influence of two commercial proteolytic enzymes, Maxatase® and PB‐92, were studied viz á viz changing phosphate content and washing conditions. (Maxatase® is a registered trademark of Gist‐Brocades N.V.; PB‐92 will be sold under the trademark MaxacalTM.) In the USA and Western Europe, detergent phosphate content is decreasing because of environmental considerations/legislation. Washing conditions are changing towards lower temperatures be‐cause of the increased use of synthetic fibers and the need to con‐serve energy. Both Maxatase and PB‐92 are shown to improve sig‐nificantly the performance of US detergents, even at temperatures as low as 70 F. This conclusion is based on Terg‐O‐Tometer tests on EMPA 116 cloth using US detergents and presoak products.