Abstract: Particles have a hydrophilic core, for instance including an enzyme and a polymer, surrounded by a shell formed by interfacial condensation polymerisation in the presence of a polymeric stabiliser. Preferably the polymeric stabiliser is a random copolymer which will concentrate at the interface between oil and water and association by ionic interaction, condensation or otherwise is achieved between the stabiliser and one of the reactants before reaction with the other reactant. Dispersions of aqueous capsules in an aqueous medium are also disclosed.

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: A dispersion in a liquid electrolyte (such as a detergent concentrate) of particles having a core containing an enzyme or other detergent active ingredient and a shell made by interfacial condensation is stabilised by covalently reacting a stabiliser on to reactive groups on the shell.

Abstract: A solution having a high concentration of ammonium (meth)acrylate and which is substantially free of (meth)acrylonitrile is made by enzymatic hydrolysis of (meth)acrylonitrile in the presence of water using an enzyme which has Km for (meth)acrylonitrile below 500 .mu.m and Ki for ammonium (meth)acrylate above 100,000.

Abstract: A polymeric amphipathic stabilizer is formed of hydrophobic monomer units and hydrophilic monomer units which comprise carboxylic free acid or acid salt units and glycidyl or anhydride units. The glycidyl or anhydride units react onto reactive groups on polymer particles when dispersed in non-aqueous liquid and provide improved stability when the particles are subsequently dispersed in liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A dispersion is formed of aqueous polymer particles in a non-aqueous liquid and a stabiliser is covalently reacted on to the particles.

Abstract: Perfume is absorbed within organic polymer particles which have a further polymer at their exterior. The further polymer incorporates free hydroxyl groups and serves to promote deposition of the particles from a wash or rinse liquor. The further polymer may be part of an encapsulating shell, but more conveniently is used as a stabiliser during polymerisation of the particles. Highly hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol is preferred.

Abstract: A process for the production of stable fluid enzyme dispersions having a content of at least 0.5% by weight enzyme, in which the enzyme is present in the form of anhydrous particles of a diameter less than 30 .mu.m, comprising emulsifying an enzyme composition into a water immiscible liquid in the presence of a polymeric dispersion stabilizer to form a stable dispersion of aqueous enzyme particles having a dry size below 30 .mu.m dispersed in the liquid, and dehydrating the dispersed particles by azeotropic distillation, wherein before, during or after dehydrating the particles the process comprises adding an organic liquid which is less volatile than the water immiscible liquid and which is selected from surfactants and water miscible liquids to the dispersion and distilling the water immiscible liquid from the dispersion until the amount of the initial water immiscible liquid remaining in the dispersion is below 20% by weight of the liquid phase in the dispersion.

Abstract: Release of an active ingredient can be controlled and the active ingredient can be protected from the environment during storage, by distributing it throughout a matrix containing a relatively large amount of polymeric material that is soluble and swellable in aqueous alkali but less soluble and swellable at a lower pH value and which is in the form of a dried oil-in-water emulsion of the polymer or a relatively insoluble partial salt of the polymer with a volatile amine, the full salt of the polymer being relatively soluble. The composition is of particular value for the protection of detergent enzymes.