Abstract: The present invention relates to proteases of high specific activity homologous to proteases derived from Nocardiopsis, and the production thereof by the wild-type, and in recombinant host cells including transgenic plants and non-human transgenic animals. The proteases are effective in animal feed, and detergents. Characteristic structural features of relevance for the specific activity of these proteases of peptidase family S2A or S1E are disclosed.

Abstract: A machine dishwasher product comprising: a) 1 to 60% by weight of nonaqueous solvent(s), b) 0.1 to 70% by weight of copolymers of i) unsaturated carboxylic acids ii) monomers containing sulfonic acid groups iii) optionally further ionic or nonionogenic monomers c) 5 to 30% by weight of nonionic surfactant(s). Also, the machine dishwasher product, packaged in portions in a water-soluble enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mannanases comprising e.g., a sequence of amino acids 32–330 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or their homologues may be derived from e.g., Bacillus sp. I633, or may be encoded by polynucleotide molecules comprising a sequence of nucleotides 94–990 of SEQ ID NO: 1 from, polynucleotide molecules that encode a polypeptide that is at least 65% identical to the sequence of amino acids 32–330 of SEQ ID NO: 2, or degenerate nucleotide sequences thereof. The mannanases are alkaline and are useful e.g. in cleaning compositions, in a fracturing fluid useful to fracture a subterranean formation, for modifying plant material, and for treatment of cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipolytic enzyme variants with improved thermostability are obtained by substituting certain specified amino acid residues in a fungal lipolytic enzyme. The thermostable lipolytic enzyme variants are useful, e.g., for controlling pitch troubles in a process for the production of mechanical pulp or a paper-making process using mechanical pulp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel amylolytic enzyme extracted from the micro-organism Bacillus sp. A7-7 (DSM 12368), to sufficiently similar proteins having an amylolytic function, to methods for the production thereof and to diverse fields of application for these proteins. In addition, they can be further developed beyond the implemented fields of application for other, above all, technical purposes. The invention particularly relates to washing and cleaning agents containing amylolytic proteins of the aforementioned type, to methods for cleaning textiles or hard surfaces that involve the use of such amylolytic proteins or analogous agents, and to their use for cleaning textiles or hard surfaces.

Abstract: A machine cleaner tablet comprising from about 10 to about 75% of a limescale remover acid, from about 1 to about 20% of low foaming non-ionic surfactant, from about 0.5 to about 5% of a detergency enzyme and wherein the tablet has a pH measured as a 1% solution in distilled water at 20° C. in the range from about 1 to about 5. The tablet is used for cleaning the interior of automatic dishwashers, food processing machines and the like.

Abstract: Machine dishwashing detergents comprising builder(s), surfactant(s), and optionally further ingredients, and furthermore 0.1 to 50% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants which, in 80% strength by weight solution in distilled water, have a viscosity (Brookfield, spindle 31, 30 rpm, 20° C.) of less than 450 mPas.

Abstract: Machine dishwashing detergents which contain builder(s), surfactant(s), and optionally further ingredients, which comprise 0.1 to 50% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants which, at a concentration of 0.01 g/l in distilled water, have a diffusion coefficient of at least 9·10?11m2s?1.

Abstract: Liquid aqueous machine dishwasher products comprising a) 20 to 50% by weight of one or more water-soluble builder(s), b) 0.1 to 70% by weight of copolymers of i) unsaturated carboxylic acids ii) monomers containing sulfonic acid groups iii) optionally further ionic or nonionogenic monomers c) 5 to 30% by weight of nonionic surfactant(s). Also, the composition packaged in portions in a water-soluble enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alkaline cellulase variants having an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 95% homology with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said alkaline cellulase variant is mutated to include at least one substitution at (a) position 10, (b) position 16, (c) position 22, (d) position 33, (e) position 39, (f) position 76, (g) position 109, (h) position 242, (i) position 263, (j) position 308, (k) position 462, (l) position 466, (m) position 468, (n) position 552, (o) position 564, or (p) position 608 in SEQ ID NO: 2, or at a position corresponding thereto, wherein said alkaline cellulase variant has alkaline cellulase activity. The present invention also relates to a gene encoding the variant; a vector containing the gene; a transformant containing the vector; and a detergent composition containing the alkaline cellulase variant.

Abstract: Machine dishwashing detergents containing builder(s), surfactant(s), and optionally further ingredients which comprise 0.1 to 50% by weight of one or more nonionic surfactants which, at a concentration of 0.1 g/l in distilled water, have a dynamic surface tension of less than 60 mNm?1 at a frequency of 1 Hz.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include: (a) a solvent at least partially immiscible in water; and (b) a solubilizing agent having a formula: where R is (C1–C7)alkyl, substituted (C1–C7)alkyl, (C1–C7)alkoxy, substituted (C1–C7)alkoxy, (C2–C7)alkenyl, substituted (C2–C7)alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycly; and R? and R? is independently selected from hydrogen, (C1–C7)alkyl, substituted (C1–C7)alkyl, (C1–C7)alkoxy, substituted (C1–C7)alkoxy, (C2–C7)alkenyl, or substituted (C2–C7)alkenyl. Further compositions include: (a) a solvent at least partially immiscible in water; and (b) a solubilizing agent having a formula: R1—R—OH where R is (C1–C7)alkyl, substituted (C1–C7)alkyl, (C1–C7)alkoxy, substituted (C1–C7)alkoxy, (C2–C7)alkenyl, substituted (C2–C7)alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycyl and R1 is a nitrogen containing heterocycyl or a nitrogen containing hetroaryl. The compositions are useful in providing stable single phase aqueous solutions when combined with water.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymer comprising, in the form of polymerized units of at least one monomer compound bearing a quaternary ammonium (a) and at least one hydrophilic monomer (b) bearing a function of acidic nature which is copolymerizable with (a) and capable of ionizing in the application medium, the a/b molar ratio being between 50/50 and 10/90, in a method of reducing or preventing soil redeposition on kitchen- and tableware cleaned in an automatic dishwashing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic dishwashing detergent compositions and methods of using compositions comprising halogenated salts, phosphate and/or silicate in conjunction with electrolyzed water in automatic dishwashing appliances comprising an electrochemical cell and/or electrolytic device for treating tableware to improve cleaning, sanitizing and stain removal by controlling hardness, corrosion and dispersancy.

Abstract: Disclosed are detergent compositions for hand dishwashing which, by incorporating certain organic solvents, results in a liquid dishwashing detergent composition that is not only a more effective cleaning agent, but also offers improved physical and enzymatic stability and more convenient rheology and handling characteristics than typical liquid dishwashing compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like ?-amylase, comprising mutations in two, three, four, five or six regions/positions. The variants have increased stability at high temperatures (relative to the parent). The invention also relates to a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding an ?-amylase variant of the invention, a recombinant expression vector which carries a DNA construct of the invention, a cell which is transformed with a DNA construct of the invention, the use of an ?-amylase variant of the invention for washing and/or dishwashing, textile desizing, starch liquefaction, a detergent additive comprising an ?-amylase variant of the invention, a manual or automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising an ?-amylase variant of the invention, a method for generating a variant of a parent Termamyl-like ?-amylase, which variant exhibits increased.

Abstract: Solid block alkaline detergent compositions are disclosed comprising a source of alkalinity, and other detergent additives including sequestrants. The solid block detergents of the invention used a mixed inorganic and organic sequestrant composition that successfully softens service water used in manufacturing aqueous detergents from the composition, but also obtains substantially improved organic soil removal on dishware or flatware. The solid block detergents of the invention comprise large masses of the chemical ingredients having a weight of greater than about 500 grams in a solid block product format that is typically dispensed using a spray on water dispenser that creates an aqueous concentrate that is used in a washing machine.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid automatic dishwashing detergents (LADDs) that contain a detergent enzyme and have a pH value less than 7.0. Such LADDs can lack phosphate builders, chlorine bleaches, and alkali, each of which is undesirable from the perspective of human and environmental safety. In addition, the invention provides methods for cleaning tableware.

Abstract: A process is presented for cleaning fermentation or storage tanks with an enzyme-containing formulation containing one or more laccases, peroxidases, oxireductases, transferases, isomerases, lyases, and ligases or a mixture thereof. The process provides improved cleaning results, water consumption, and waste water pollution.

Abstract: The present invention provide a composition suitable for use as a foaming hand dishwashing composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer having molecular weight of at least 500 and comprising butylene oxide moieties with the proviso that the composition does not comprise greater than 5% by weight of the composition of builder.

Abstract: An alkaline protease having the following properties; a gene encoding the same; a microorganism producing the same; and washing compositions containing the same; (i) acting over a broad pH value range of 4 to 13 and achieving, at pH 6 to 12, 80% or more the activity at the optimum pH value; (ii) when treated at 40° C. for 30 minutes, being stable over a pH value range of 6 to 11; (iii) having an isoelectric point of about 8.9 to 9.1; and (iv) having casein digesting activity that is not inhibited by oleic acid. The alkaline protease of the present invention is highly stable to various surface active agents and fatty acids, and exhibits high stability to oxidizing agents, and is therefore useful as an enzyme to be used in detergents for automatic dishwashers and laundry detergents, both containing bleaching components.

Abstract: Disclosed are detergent compositions comprising organic diamines, anionic surfacants and amphoteric surfactants including amine oxide for hand dishwashing which, by incorporating certain organic solvents, results in a liquid dishwashing detergent composition that is not only a more effective cleaning agent, but also offers improved physical and enzymatic stability and more convenient rheology and handling characteristics than typical liquid dishwashing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants (mutants) of parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylases, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase.

Abstract: A composition is provided for use in a dishwashing machine and in the form of a tablet. The composition is characterized by having at least two small parts, which are placed in or on the tablet, and in which at least one functional substance is concentrated in each case thus enabling the respective small part to be released by dissolution at a determined point in time during the dishwashing cycle. The small parts are produced by using at least two different methods.

Abstract: Concentrated stock composition of capsules for incorporation into detergent or personal care composition, the stock composition comprising a high concentration of capsules comprising a hydrophobic material for forming the capsules, and a supernatant comprising water and a high HLB surfactant and/or a super-wetting agent.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of softening soil deposited on a hard surface. The method comprises contacting a hard surface having soil with a composition having a soil softening additive incorporated into the composition. The compositions may be formulated at either high or low pH and preferred soil softening additives are amylase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like a-amylase, which variant has a-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent a-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency and specific activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulase preparation comprising nonionic surfactants together with endoglucanases derived from Zygomycetes; a detergent composition comprising the above cellulase preparation with detergent components; a method of treating fabric which comprises treating cellulose-containing fabric with the above cellulase preparation so as to improve the properties of the fabric; a method of deinking waster paper which comprises a step of treating waste paper with the above cellulase preparation together with a deinking agent; and a method of improving the freeness of paper pulp which comprises a step of treating paper pulp with the above cellulase preparation.

Abstract: A process for immobilizing an enzyme includes the steps of selecting a supporting substrate, activating the supporting substrate with an activating molecule to form an activated supporting substrate; adding an enzyme and the activated supporting substrate to an organic solvent to form a mixture and obtaining an immobilized enzyme from the mixture. The organic solvent contains from about 0.01% to about 30% by weight of the organic solvent of water.

Abstract: A granule having high stability and low dust is described. The granule includes a hydrated barrier material having moderate or high water activity. Also described are methods of producing the granules.

Abstract: The invention provides sequence information of a microbial protein having lipoxy-genase activity and a method of producing the protein by recombinant DNA technology. More specifically, the inventors have isolated a gene encoding a lipoxygenase from Gaeu-mannomyces graminis, cloned it into an E. coli strain and sequenced it. A comparison shows less than 25% identity to known lipoxygenase sequences, the closest being human 15S li-poxygenase. The inventors have expressed the lipoxygenase recombinantly and found that the recombinant lipoxygenase is glycosylated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved stability and/or improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in any detergent and for some in especially liquid or solid shaped detergent compositions.

Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like &agr;-amylase, which exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent &agr;-amylase: i) improved pH stability at a pH from 8 to 10.5; and/or ii) improved Ca2+ stability at pH 8 to 10.5, and/or iii) increased specific activity at temperatures from 10 to 60° C.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is an alkaline protease wherein an amino acid residue at (a) position 65, (b) position 101, (c) position 163, (d) position 170, (e) position 171, (f) position 273, (g) position 320, (h) position 359 or (i) position 387 of SEQ. ID NO: 1 or at a position corresponding thereto has been selected from the following amino acid residues: position (a): proline, position (b): asparagine, position (c): histidine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, lysine, asparagine, serine, isoleucine, leucine, glutamine, threonine and valine, position (d): valine and leucine, position (e): alanine, glutamic acid, glycine and threonine, position (f): isoleucine, glycine and threonine, position (g): phenylalanine, valine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine and glycine, position (h): serine, leucine, valine, isoleucine and glutamine, position (i): alanine, lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, arginine and histidine.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are an alkaline cellulase variant obtained by using a cellulase having an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ. ID NO:1 and substituting the amino acid residue of the cellullase at (a) position 10, (b) position 16, (c) position 22, (d) position 33, (e) position 39, (f) position 76, (g) position 109, (h) position 242, (i) position 263, (j) position 308, (k) position 462, (l) position 466, (m) position 468, (n) position 552, (o) position 564, or (p) position 608 in SEQ. ID NO:1, or at a position corresponding thereto with another amino acid residue; a gene encoding the variant; a vector containing the gene; a transformant containing the vector; and a detergent composition containing the alkaline cellulase variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic dishwashing detergent compositions and methods of using compositions comprising halogenated salts, phosphate and/or silicate in conjunction with electrolyzed water in automatic dishwashing appliances comprising an electrochemical cell and/or electrolytic device for treating tableware to improve cleaning, sanitizing and stain removal by controlling hardness, corrosion and dispersancy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, and Termamyl-like alpha-amylases comprising mutations in two, three, four, five or six regions/positions. The variants have increased thermostability at acidic pH and/or at low Ca2+ concentrations (relative to the parent).

Abstract: The present invention relates to crosslinked protein crystals characterized by the ability to change from insoluble and stable form to soluble and active form upon a change in the environment of said crystals, said change being selected from the group consisting of change in temperature, change in pH, change in chemical composition, change from concentrate to dilute form, change in oxidation-reduction potential of the solution, change in the incident radiation, change in transition metal concentration, change in flouride concentration, change in free radical concentration, change in metal chelater concentration, change in shear force acting upon the crystals and combinations thereof. According to one embodiment of this invention, such crosslinked protein crystals are capable of releasing their protein activity at a controlled rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like a-amylase, which variant has a-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent a-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency and specific activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a subtilase variant for removal of egg stains from laundry or from hard surfaces, where the subtilase variant comprises at least one additional amino acid residue in the active site loop (b) region from position 95 to 103 (BASBPN numbering). These subtilase variants are useful exhibiting excellent or improved wash performance on egg stains when used in e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, including automatic dishwash compositions. The present invention also relates to novel subtilase variants, to isolated DNA sequences encoding the variants, expression vectors, host cells, and methods for producing and using the variants of the invention. Further, the present invention relates to cleaning and detergent compositions comprising the variants of the invention.

Abstract: Low-density enzyme-carrying granules are low dusting and/or storage-stable, and especially suitable for use in liquid detergents and cleaners, such as non-aqueous liquid laundry detergents. Preferred granules of the invention include a relatively high content of one or more low-density fillers, such as perlite or starch, to provide a desired product density. In one embodiment, the granules have a true density within a range of from about 1 to about 1.4 g/cm3. The granules can be economically produced in commercial quantities using fluidized bed technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subtilase enzymes of the I-S1 and I-S2 sub-groups having an additional amino acid in the active site loop (c) region from positions 125 to 132. The variant subtilases of the present invention exhibit improved wash performance in a detergent in comparison to its parent enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilisin proteases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutations of a subtilisin gene which result in changes in the chemical characteristics of subtilisin enzymes. Mutations at specific nucleic acids of the subtilisin gene result in amino acid substitutions and consequently, altered enzyme function. Some of these mutant enzymes exhibit physical properties advantageous to industrial applications, particularly in the detergent industry, providing subtilisin which is more stable to oxidation, possesses greater protease activity, and exhibits improved washability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipase variants having at least 90% identity to the wild-type lipase derived from Humicola lanuginosa strain DSM 4109 and having a certain distribution of electrically charged amino acids. The present invention also relates to detergents comprising such lipases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like a-amylase, which variant has a-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent a-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency and specific activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subtilase enzymes of the I-S1 and I-S2 sub-groups having an additional amino acid in the active site loop (b) region from positions 95 to 103. The variant subtilases of the present invention exhibit improved wash performance in a detergent in comparison to its parent enzyme.

Abstract: We have found an alkaline warewashing detergent composition that can contain a critical amount of a nonionic rinse agent that when used in automatic warewashing machines permits the use of a potable water rinse without the addition of a separate rinse agent. Sufficient residual nonionic surfactant from the alkaline detergent remains on the surface ware and internal machine and rack surfaces after washing to promote adequate sheeting in the rinse cycle. The residual nonionic surfactant on internal surfaces dissolves in the rinse water to create an effective aqueous rinse agent. The nonionic rinse agents can be a single nonionic for both foam reduction cleaning and sheeting or can be a blend of nonionic materials providing these functions. The detergent can be in the form of a particulate, pelletized or block solid.