Liquid Enzyme Pre-Wash Composition - 2

Enzymes containing prewash compositions containing two distinct enzyme stabilizers provide excellent performance and shelf-life characteristics, even at elevated temperatures. The first enzyme stabilizer appears to stably suspend the enzymes by causing them to preferably partition to the oily or hydrophobic phase characterized by the less soluble of the nonionic surfactants. By contrast, the second enzyme stabilizer may engage in a non-suspending role with one or more enzymes of the enzyme system or may extrinsically function as a reducing agent to scavenge deleterious entities from the enzyme environment that could otherwise destabilize, denature or degrade the enzyme and thus result in impaired performance of the enzyme system. Oxidants include peroxide and hypochlorite.

The invention provides a high water liquid enzyme prewash composition combining: a hydrolase enzyme stabilized with a first enzyme stabilizer, a more hydrophilic, first nonionic surfactant having an hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of greater than about 11; a more hydrophobic, second nonionic surfactant having an HLB of less than or equal to about 11; and at least about 80-99% water. The first enzyme stabilizer is a soluble alkaline earth salt.

The nonionic surfactants have a difference in HLB of at least 2, and interact with water to form an opalescent, structured liquid which suspends the hydrolase and protects it against deactivation by water. The first and the second nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated alcohols or alkoxylated alkylphenols. The inventive compositions may also contain a second hydrolase enzyme and a second enzyme stabilizer selected from the group consisting essentially of boron compounds, antioxidants, short-chain organic or inorganic acids, and mixtures thereof. Suitable adjuncts, such as mildewstats, bacteriostats, fragrances and dyes may also be included.

The compositions are essentially free of hydrotropes, solvents, dispersants and surfactants, other than nonionic surfactants. Excellent performance and shelf-life characteristics can be achieved even at elevated temperatures.

Girish Nallur, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer
Competitive Technologies, Inc.
This email address is protected, Javascript must be enabled to view it
Tel: 203.368.6044