Laundry detergent enzymes are produced in the same way as B-group vitamins, amino acids as food supplements and pharmaceutical active agents – by biotechnological processes in closed systems. This is referred to as white biotechnology.

Living mini-factories
In the world of white biotechnology, biotechnologists use microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi to produce substances that are not accessible using traditional chemical syntheses. Like mini-factories, the microorganisms – also referred to as production strains – perform tasks that are beyond the capabilities of chemists. The living factories contain the blueprint for the desired substances in their genes, either as a gift from Mother Nature or as a result of targeted programming by biotechnologists. The experts cultivate these microorganisms in a process known as fermentation, and finally isolate the reaction products.

The art of fermentation
Sandoz and Henkel have set up Biozym GmbH, a joint venture, to produce their own laundry detergent enzymes at a site in Kundl, Austria. Biotechnologists cultivate the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis as a production strain in industrial fermenters with a volume of several thousand liters. Setting the conditions so that the bacteria produce the maximum possible amount of the desired enzymes is an art in itself. A fermentation process runs for several days before it finishes. During this time the experts closely monitor the temperature and the oxygen and nutrient content in the fermenter.