Liquid Enzyme Pre-Wash Composition - 1

A detergent composition formulated for pretreatment of particularly problematic fabric stains, including oily, particulate or enzyme-sensitive stains. This highly inexpensive, less complex, stain removal system comprises a novel, pH stabilized, pre-wash composition containing enzymes stably suspended in a structured liquid matrix. The enzymes are further protected against deactivation by free water, and the composition is essentially free of hydrotropes, solvents and dispersants other than nonionic surfactants.

A first nonionic surfactant forms a first, continuous phase with the water in the composition and a second nonionic surfactant forms a dispersed, lamellar phase in said first phase which together form a structured liquid that stably suspends and protects the enzyme in the aqueous medium against deactivation. The composition includes a sufficient amount of soluble alkaline earth salt to maintain the enzyme suspended in the structured liquid.

Previous compositions were limited in purpose - required pretreatment of stains by direct, mechanical application to the fabric, primarily attacked only oily stains, contained high amounts of organic solvents, etc. Previous solutions of enzyme-containing compositions resulted in complex, expensive systems containing relatively large amounts of insoluble polyether polyol and hydrocarbon solvents to stabilize the enzyme, driving down the total amount of water. The stable pre-wash compositions showed that substantial activity was retained by the enzyme over an extended period of time and the formulation significantly outperformed all of the comparative examples. The enzymes can be safely stored without loss of activity at low pH's. Standard, add-ons, in small amounts, such as fragrance, dye, and mildewstat/bacteristat can be included to provide desirable attributes.

This is one of a family of patented technologies describing detergent formulations.

Girish Nallur, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Competitive Technologies, Inc.
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