Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a Family 7 cellulase comprising one or more mutations of the amino acid sequence of the cellulase in which each mutation is independently a substitution of an amino acid residue with another amino acid or an insertion of at least one amino acid residues, wherein the variant has a modified H-bonding potential and hydrophobic interaction relative to the cellulase. The present invention also relates to the use of the cellulase variants in detergent compositions, especially for soil removal or color clarification or preventing backstaining; in fabric softeners; for bio-polishing of textiles; for drainage improvement of paper pulp; for deinking of old paper; for plant degradation.

Abstract: The present invention provides variants of a parent cellulase, such as, e.g., a cellulase classified in family 45 such as a Humicola insolens 43 kD endoglucanase, comprising a cellulose binding domain (CBD), a catalytically active domain (CAD), and a region linking the CBD and CAD (the linking region), wherein one or more amino acid residues of the CBD, CAD, or linking region is deleted or substituted by one or more amino acid residues and/or one or more amino acids are added to the linking region and/or another CBD is added at the opposite end of the CAD. Such variants have improved properties as regards, e.g., alkaline activity, compatibility with detergent composition ingredients, particular soil removal, color clarification, defuzzing, depilling, harshness reduction, and sensitivity to anionic surfactants. Such variants are useful, e.g., in detergent compositions, for textile treatment, in paper pulp processing, for animal feed, and for stone-washing of jeans.

Abstract: A method for lowering the extractable protein content in a natural rubber latex to below 30 parts per million (ppm) comprises the steps of treating by washing a rubber article, such as a rubber glove, with an aqueous solution containing a soluble silicate and, optionally, a protease. The methods claimed effectively reduce the allergenicity of the articles so treated.

Abstract: An enzyme preparation comprising a modified enzyme selected from the group consisting of an amylase, lipase, oxidorcductase, pectinace or hemicellulase, the modified enzyme having an improved performance due to an alkaline pI and/or increased surface activity obtained by chemical modification or amino acid substitution, is useful e.g., in detergents, in baking flour, in animal feed, in the manufacture of cellulosic fabrics and for the treatment of lignocellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A cellulase variant of a parent cellulase, e.g. a cellulase classified in family 45 such as a Humicola insolens 43 kD endoglucanase, comprising a cellulose binding domain (CBD), a catalytically active domain (CAD) and a region linking the cellulose binding domain and catalytically active domain (the linking region), wherein one more amino acid residues of the CBD, CAD or linking region is deleted or substituted by one or more amino acid residues and/or one or more amino acids are added to the linking region and/or another CBD is added at the opposite end of the catalytically active domain, has improved properties as regards e.g. alkaline activity, compatibility with detergent composition ingredients, particulate soil removal, color clarification, defuzzing, depilling, harshness reduction, and sensitivity to anionic surfactants and peroxidase bleaching systems and is useful e.g. in detergent compositions, for textile treatment, in paper pulp processing, for animal feed and for stone washing of jeans.