Abstract: Carboxymethylcellulases 5430 and 5812 which show strong activity toward carboxymethylcellulose and lichenan, and moreover are broad in active pH range and active temperature range, stable in the presence of various surfactants and excellent in thermal stability and particularly, in alkali resistance. These enzymes can be advantageously used as formulation components for detergent compositions. The carboxymethylcellulases are isolated from Bacillus strains FERM BP-4087 and FERM BP-4088. Some of the characteristics of the enzymes include: a molecular weight of 26,000.+-.1,000 as estimated by gel filtration on Bio-Gel A 0.5 m, the ability to hydrolyze carboxymethylcellulose, two optimum pH values of about 7.7 and 9.5, and a temperature optimum at about 55.degree. C.