A biological detergent is a laundry detergent that contains enzymes harvested from micro-organisms such as bacteria adapted to live in hot springs. The description is commonly used in the United Kingdom, where other washing detergents are described as "non-biological" (or bio and "non-bio"). Most manufacturers of biological detergents also produce non-biological ones.
Video Biological detergent
Function
Biological detergents clean in the same way as non-biological ones with additional effects from the enzymes, whose purpose is to break down protein, starches and fat in dirt and stains on clothing to be laundered, for example food stains, sweat and mud. Tests by the Consumers' Association in the UK published in their Which? magazine rated the cleaning performance of washing powders based on stain removal, whiteness, and colour fading. It was found that the performance of various makes of biological powders ranged from 58% to 81%, and non-biological powders scored from 41% to 70%. The enzymes in biological detergents enable effective cleaning at lower temperatures than required by normal detergents, but are denatured at higher temperatures--about 40°C is recommended. Indeed, Hoover's 'New Wave' front loading automatics of the 1990s, specifically held the water temperature at 40°C and was called the 'Enzyme Plateau'. This was to allow the enzymes to work properly before the temperature was raised further still, for example, on a 60°C programme.
A biological detergent can contain a cocktail of enzymes: ?-amylase - to break down starch based stains; cellulase - to clean cotton by removing pilling fibres; protease - to break down protein stains, such as blood and gravy; lipase - which attacks oil and grease stains, for example, sebum and olive oil. Additional enzymes may be added to the formulation: pectate lyase - to break down fruit stains which contain pectin; mannanase - to remove stains caused by gum thickeners, such as locust bean gum, which is found in some yoghurts and other foodstuffs.
Maps Biological detergent
Controversy
It has been said that some people may be allergic to the enzymes which can be transferred to the skin when wet clothes that have just been cleaned with biological detergents are touched. The enzymes then restart the breakdown reaction on the skin--particularly protease. A study by a manufacturer found that "The biological products did not produce more irritation than the non-biological products, confirming that the addition of enzymes to a detergent formulation does not result in an increase in the skin irritation caused byprofile [sic] of the detergent." A study by hospital dermatologists published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that "ultimately, the balance of all the enzymes in laundry detergents are not a cause of either skin irritation or skin allergy ... the supposed adverse effects of enzymes on the skin seem to be a consequence of mythology". Three of the authors of the paper had conflicts of interest relating to Unilever, which they declared.
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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