Abstract: The present invention provides novel phenol oxidizing enzymes naturally-produced by strains of the species Pleurotus ostreatus which possess a pH optima in the alkaline range and which are useful in modifying the color associated with dyes and colored compounds at alkaline pH.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition comprises a cellulase having a ratio of tensile strength loss to antipilling properties of less than 1. A method of laundering cotton-containing fabrics with the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer enzyme granule for use in liquid detergents and cleaners is produced, comprising a seed or carrier particle; an outer coating; and, between the particle and the coating layer, a low-density filler and an enzyme, wherein the granule has a density of less than 1.4 g/cm3. Also disclosed are methods for making such enzyme-containing granules including using fluidized bed technology.

Abstract: Lipases having improved washing performance for use in detergents to improve the removal of fatty soiling, and having activity throughout a temperature range of 1 to 65° C., including an activity at 1° C. which is at least 20% the activity at 30° C., activity over a pH range of 8-12, and activity at high concentration of anionic surfactant and in the presence of bleach.

Abstract: Rinsing dyed or white fabrics in a chelator-containing rinse bath restores color and brightness. Rinse added compositions comprising chelators such as diethylenetriaminepentaacetate or ethylenediamine disuccinate are used to restore the appearance of colored and white fabrics whose drab appearance has been caused by interactions with metal ions, especially copper and nickel. Compositions comprising the chelators in combination with fabric care auxiliaries such as fabric softeners, cellulase enzymes and chlorine scavengers are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing non-aqueous, particulate-containing liquid laundry detergent compositions which are in the form of a suspension of particulate material, preferably including peroxygen bleaching agent and an organic detergent builder, dispersed in a liquid phase structured alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant-containing powder. The compositions so prepared provide especially desirable cleaning and bleaching of fabrics laundered therewith and also exhibit especially desirable pourability and chemical and phase stability.

Abstract: There is provided a bleaching enzyme capable of generating a bleaching chemical and having a high binding affinity for non-colored compounds present in stains on fabrics, said non-colored compounds having a molecular weight of at least 100, preferably of at least 1,000 and more preferably of at least 5,000. Furthermore, there is provided an enzymatic bleaching composition comprising said bleaching enzyme and a surfactant and a process for bleaching stains present of fabrics.

Abstract: A blood removing cleaning composition which may take the form of a detergent builder, detergent additive, or detergent pre-spotter, generally including an amount of amine compound effective to remove blood from fabric; and, optionally, an effective soil degrading amount of enzyme, wherein the composition is generally free of any neutral salt. In other preferred forms, the compositions disclosed herein may comprise surfactants, sources of alkalinity, and sequestrants, among other adjuvants.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enzyme containing granular composition comprising: a) an enzyme containing core and b) a protective substantially continuous layer or coating encapsulating the core comprising at least 60% of a water soluble compound, having a molecular weight below 500 grams per mole, a pH below 11 and a constant humidity at 20° C. of more than 81%. The invention provides an improved stability of enzymes upon storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases which have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having improved stability.

Abstract: During the desizing and enzymatic stonewashing of denim fabric and/or garments, redeposition of blue color often occurs back onto the surfaces of the denim. The invention relates to a redepositing or backstain inhibiting composition and a method requiring the inclusion of an added protease prior to, during or subsequent to the stonewashing process which reduces the redeposition of the blue dye and hence improves the stonewashing process when using redepositing or backstaining cellulases to give an appearance closer to that when using stones alone or nonredepositing cellulases in the stonewashing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions, including laundry, fabric care, dishwashing, and hard surface cleaner compositions, comprising an oxygenase directed to body soils, which provide effective and efficient cleaning of everyday body stains and/or soils and provide sanitisation of the treated surfaces. Furthermore, the detergent compositions of the present invention provide substantive fabric realistic items cleaning and whitening performance when formulated as a laundry detergent composition.

Abstract: A liquid detergent concentrate has an outer liquid detergent phase and enzyme containing particles dispersed in the liquid phase. The particles have a polymer shell formed from a condensation polymer which is permeable to water and low molecular weight components of the outer liquid phase and the core comprises the enzyme, an inner liquid detergent phase in substantially equilibrium with the outer phase and a core polymer which causes stretching as a result of osmosis when the concentrate is diluted in water. Encapsulated precipitated enzymes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of mutated protease of the subtilisin type which carries at least one mutation in its amino acid sequence, leading to a reduced positive charge or an increased negative charge in the substrate binding region of the molecule, in liquid to gel-form laundry detergents. This protease shows increased stability above all in detergents such as these.

Abstract: A method for antimicrobial treatment of microorganisms and/or viruses which involves treating the microorganisms and/or viruses with an effective amount of a fungal laccase and one or more enhancers in the presence of oxygen, the enhancers having the formula: wherein A, B and C are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention is a process for enhancing the activity of an oxidorecudtase by adding to the enzyme, certain specific compounds which are capable of enhancing the activity of said oxidoreductase enzyme. A second aspect of the invention is an enzymatic bleach composition comprising an oxidoreductase and enhancing compounds.

Abstract: Low cost, highly aqueous, thickened heavy duty liquid laundry detergent compositions are provided. Such compositions contain relatively low levels of surfactant materials, certain viscosity-enhancing agents, and very large amounts of water. Only minimal amounts of other detergent composition adjuvants are permitted in such compositions.

Abstract: A dispersion of polymer particles in a liquid detergent concentrate is stabilized by covalent reaction of a stabilizer on to reactive groups on the polymer particles.

Abstract: There is provided a bleaching enzyme capable of generating a bleaching chemical and having a high binding affinity for stains present on fabrics. Furthermore, there is provided an enzymatic bleaching composition comprising the bleaching enzyme and a surfactant and a process for bleaching stains present of fabrics.

Abstract: Novel &agr;-amylase enzymes are disclosed having a substution equivalent to G475R in Bacillus licheniformis. The disclosed &agr;-amylase enzymes show improved specific activity and starch hydrolysis performance. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, expression vectors including such polynucleotides, host cells transformed with such expression vectors, and the use of such enzymes in detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, including laundry, dishwashing, hard surface cleaner, oral/dental cleaning compositions, comprising a proteinic substrate based oxygenase, which provide effective and efficient cleaning of proteic based stains and/or soils such as protein containing food stains/soils and everyday body soils and provide sanitisation of the treated surfaces. Furthermore, the cleaning compositions of the present invention provide fabric realistic items cleaning and whitening performance when formulated as a laundry detergent composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detergent composition which is excellent in enzyme stability and exhibits excellent detergency particularly to protein-related dirt of socks and other items even under laundering conditions at a lower temperature. That is, the present invention provides a detergent composition comprising specific proportions of (a) an anionic surfactant, (b) a chlorine scavenger, (c) a protease whose &agr;-keratin-hydrolyzing activity at 10° C. is not less than 0.09×10−3 &mgr;g/mPU·min and (d) a protease whose &agr;-keratin-hydrolyzing activity at 10° C. is less than 0.09×10−3 &mgr;g/mPU·min.

Abstract: Compositions for use as soil removing agents in the food processing industry are disclosed. Food soiled surfaces in food manufacturing and preparation areas can be cleaned. The compositions are manufactured in the form of a concentrate which is diluted with water and used. The cleaning materials are made in a two part system which are diluted with a diluent source and mixed prior to use. The products contain high quality cleaning compositions and use a variety of active ingredients. The preferred materials, in a two part system contain detergent compositions, enzymes that degrade food compositions, surfactants, low alkaline builders, water conditioning (softening) agents, and optionally a variety of formulary adjuvants depending on product form.

Abstract: Fabrics are laundered in detergent compositions containing a mixture of &agr;-amylase enzymes to remove malodorous materials.

Abstract: Cost effective stain and soil removal aqueous heavy duty liquid laundry detergent compositions are provided. Such compositions comprise relatively low levels of selected aromatic surfactant materials, certain viscosity-enhancing agents, and very large amounts of water. Only minimal amounts of other detergent composition adjuvants are permitted in such compositions.

Abstract: A stabilized liquid enzyme preparation containing a cleaning-active enzyme, a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizer comprising a basic nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)-dodecyl amine, a salt of N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)-dodecyl amine, and mixtures thereof. Also, a method of cleaning an article by diluting the stabilized liquid enzyme preparation with water in a weight ratio of enzyme preparation to water of 1:500 to 1:5000 to form a cleaning solution, adding to the cleaning solution 0.01% to 0.2% by weight, based on the weight of cleaning solution, of a buffer concentrate to adjust the pH of the cleaning solution to 7 to 10; and contacting the article with a portion of the cleaning solution to effect cleaning thereof.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid detergent compositions are described which comprise a proteolytic enzyme wherein the proteolytic activity is reversibly inhibited by a peptide protease inhibitor.

Abstract: Detergent compositions containing protopectinase whose optimum pH for the reaction is 7.0 or higher when protopectin or polygalacturonic acid is used as a substrate. The detergent compositions are endowed with remarkable detergency against mud soil.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid detergent compositions are described which comprising a proteolytic enzyme wherein the proteolytic activity is reversibly inhibited by a protease inhibitor selected from the group consisting of aldehydes and trifluoromethyl ketones.

Abstract: The use of alkaline bacillus proteases in commercial laundry methods and compositions containing these proteases for commercial laundering are described.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid detergent compositions are described which comprise a proteolytic enzyme wherein the proteolytic activity is reversibly inhibited by a peptide protease inhibitor selected from the group consisting of aldehydes and trifluoromethyl ketones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase and a surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio is from 1:1 to 5:1, preferably from 1:1 to 3:1. Such compositions provide improved cleaning and stain removal performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase and a protease at a level from 0.0001% to 0.5%, preferably from 0.001% to 0.2%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.1% pure protease enzyme by weight of total composition. Such compositions provide improved cleaning and stains removal performances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an enzyme that increases the water-solubility of fatty acid-containing stains/soils, especially an acid-thiolligase, a desaturase enzyme and/or a glutathione S-transferase. These detergent compositions provide cleaning performance on body soils and/or oily/greasy soils and stains.

Abstract: The invention concerns detergent compositions comprising lipase variant D96L of the native lipase derived from Humicola lanuginosa present at a level of from 50 LU to 8500 LU per liter wash solution.Using these levels of lipase delivers an improved whiteness maintenance on fabrics.

Abstract: A laundry sheet is disclosed which is a substrate having a detergent composition applied thereto. The detergent composition contains a water insoluble silica gel to produce a laundry sheet having a dry hand. The laundry sheet provides a total laundering process that cleans and softens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions or components thereof containing a detersive enzyme and one or more cationic surfactants of the formula:R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-in which R.sup.1 is a hydroxyalkyl group having no greater than 6 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-11 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing a cellulose textile bearing oxidized vat dye comprising contacting the cellulose textile with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide containing an amount of a hydrogen peroxide catalyst sufficient to oxidize vat dye in the fabric until the dye is decolorized by oxidation. Then the cellulose textile is separated from the aqueous solution. The hydrogen peroxide catalyst can be a water-soluble lower alkyl quaternary amine salt such as a dihydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, chlorohydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide or epoxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, or it can be a transition metal ion such as a cupric or stannous metal ion present in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 ppm. The process is suitable for decolorizing denim bearing vat dyes such as indigo, and is particularly suitable for decolorizing denim scrap.

Abstract: A storable, high-viscosity liquid detergent having high washing power and pronounced foaming comprising water, and from about 2% to about 10% by weight of a fatty alcohol sulfate, from about 5% to 25% by weight of an alkyl polyglycoside; from about 0.1% to about 9% by weight of a soap; and from about 3% to 8% by weight of a lower alcohol, wherein said detergent has a viscosity of from about 500 mPa's to about 3000 mPa's.

Abstract: A stabilized aqueous enzyme composition comprising water, from about 0.1% to about 75% by weight of a detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants or anionic surfactants and one or more non-anionic detergent actives, from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight proteolytic enzyme, and an effective amount of an enzyme stabilizer having the formula:X--O--(C.sub.n H.sub.2n O).sub.a --H [I]wherein "X" is an organic radical having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms, "a" is an integer from 10 to 26, and "n" is an integer from 2 to 4, and provided that "X" has a hydrophobicity similar to a linear alkyl group having from 14 to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising a pectinesterase, including dishwashing, hard surface cleaning, and laundry compositions. The compositions are useful for significant overall cleaning performance and stain/soil removal benefits. In particular, the compositions are useful for removal of body, plant, fruit juice, and vegetable juice soils and stains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable liquid aqueous cleaning compositions having a pH above 8, and comprising a zwitterionic surfactant, a peroxygen bleach, a radical scavenger, a chelating agent, a pH buffer, an antimicrobial essential oil, and a solvent.

Abstract: This invention is a protease mutant wherein said mutant substitutes the naturally occurring tyrosine amino acids for other amino acids at positions 91, 167, 171, 192, 209, 214, and 263. The protease mutants are used in detergent compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are cellulase compositions containing one or more endoglucanase components and less than about 5 weight percent of CBH I type components. When incorporated into detergent compositions and used in acidic, neutral, or alkaline washing media, such cellulase compositions impart color retention/restoration properties as well as improved softening properties to cotton-containing fabrics. Additionally, such compositions impart reduced strength loss to cotton-containing fabrics as compared to cellulase compositions containing greater amounts of CBH I type components.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid detergent composition is substantially transparent in the absence of opacifier contains a sunscreen together less than 5 wt. % of detergency builder and/or comprises a water-miscible polar organic solvent. The solvent and fluorescer or ultraviolet absorbing agent are mixed together as a premix prior to incorporation in the composition as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protease variants, stabilized towards the inactivation caused by peroxidase systems, in which protease variants a naturally occurring tyrosine residue has been deleted or substituted with a different amino acid residue at one or more positions. The invention also relates to a method of stabilizing a protease towards the inactivation caused by peroxidase systems, and detergent compositions comprising a protease variant of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising a cellulase termination composition and cellulase in order to prevent potential tensile strength loss related to the hydrolytic activity of cellulase on cellulose substrates while maintaining the desired benefits from the use of cellulase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the treatment of fabrics. More specifically the invention relates to a process for the treatment of fabrics, which process comprises treating the fabric at elevated temperatures with an effective amount of a thermostable lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fabric cleaning solutions such as clothing pre-spotters. The solutions have a mildly acidic pH and contain an amphoteric surfactant. They can be used many hours, or even a few days, before laundering in standard base detergent conditions. The solutions provide the equivalent of a "bucketless soak.

Abstract: A cleaning composition containing: (a) from about 1 to about 60% by weight of a surfactant component consisting essentially of: (i) a fatty alkyl ether sulfate; (ii) a linear alcohol ethoxylate; and (iii) a nonionic sugar surfactant, having a ratio by-weight of (i):(ii):(iii) in a range of about 0.5 to 1.0:1.5 to 2.5:0.5 to 1.5; and (b) from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of an enzyme component selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof, all weights being based on the weight of the composition.