10/16/2017 h2g2 - The Applications of Enzymes in Industry and Medicine

h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition Find h2g2 Entries:
search
Edited Entries Only Advanced Search

Front Page Categories Editorial Peer Review The Lounge Create The Post Sign In or Register

The Applications of Enzymes in Industry and Medicine Entry

Created Jul 29, 2003 | Updated Oct 26, 2004 2 Conversations A1125721

About Enzymes

11,399 70,990 24,500

Enzymes are extracted from living organisms such as bacteria and moulds. They are biological
catalysts capable of increasing efficiently the rate of a chemical reaction without using
excessive energy, and remain unchanged once the reaction is complete. Minute quantities can
accomplish large amounts of product at relatively low temperatures, for example approximately
30 g of pure crystalline pepsin can digest nearly 2 metric tons of egg white in a few hours.
Natural enzymes are naturally present while industrial enzymes are extracted from bacteria
or fungi and then added in specific quantities. 557 5,599 1,099
Amazon India

There are numerous applications of enzymes in industry, for example in food, beverage, textiles
and detergent processes. Infinite Improbability Drive
Read a random Edited
Entry
Use in Baking

Tweet Like 5

The wheat flour used for bread has naturally occurring enzymes that modify the starch, protein
and fibre of the flour when water is added. Yeast added to the mixture also has enzymes, which
ferment the maltose over time, to make the dough rise. In bakeries, the quality of the wheat flour Written and Edited by
varies, as a consequence of natural variation, time of year or inconsistencies in milling. To
improve consistency and efficiency, extra enzymes (like xylanase, -amylase, protease, Patron Saint of Kittens... aka Pantherlady
glucose oxidase and lipase) are used as supplements, enabling better handling of the dough THE Werepanther of h2g2 and Queen of
and the control of certain characteristics in the finished bread. The interaction between different BBNs
enzymes is complex and the wrong mixture of enzymes can be detrimental, for example, too
much enzyme usually results in the failure of the bread to rise properly. The use of enzymes in
bread making illustrates their value in quality control and efficiency of production.
References

h2g2 Entries
Use in Alcohol
Contact Lenses

Disclaimer
In the alcohol industry, fermentation depends on the action of enzymes synthesised by the
yeasts and bacteria used in the production process. Beer brewing essentially involves the yeast
h2g2 is created by h2g2's users, who
action on barley, maize, sorghum, hops or rice. The yeast cells convert simple sugars into
are members of the public. The views
alcohol and carbon dioxide. However most sugar present is in the complex polysaccharide form
such as starch and cannot readily be used. So these nutrients are "released" by malting in expressed are theirs and unless
which enzymes are released, degrading starch and protein to simple reducing sugars and specifically stated are not those of the
amino acids. The traditional malting process is an expensive inefficient way of manufacturing Not Panicking Ltd. Unlike Edited
enzymes. So nowadays industrial enzymes such as amylases, glucanases and proteases are Entries, Entries have not been checked
added to unmalted barley to produce the same products that malting would produce by more by an Editor. If you consider any Entry
controlled means. Use of enzymes in the beverage industry allow it to be more economic and to be in breach of the site's House
have consistent quality.
Rules, please register a complaint. For
any other comments, please visit the
Feedback page.
Use in Fruit Juices

Write an Entry

Enzymes are used in the processing of fruit juices to maximize the production of clear or cloudy
https://h2g2.com/entry/A1125721 1/3
10/16/2017 h2g2 - The Applications of Enzymes in Industry and Medicine
juice. Nearly all fruits contain pectin. The presence of soluble pectin in squeezed juice causes
cloudiness. The addition of pectin degrading enzymes (pectin methyl esterase, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is
polygalacturonase and pectin lyase) at the pressing stage increases the amount of juice a wholly remarkable book. It has been
produced and can reduce cloudiness. The application of enzymes in these processes is compiled and recompiled many times
cosmetic. and under many different editorships. It
contains contributions from countless
numbers of travellers and researchers."
Use in Washing Powders
Write an entry
Read more

Principally protease digests on organic stains such as grass, blood, egg and human sweat and
lipases are effective on stains resulting from fatty products and amylases are effective on
removing starchy food deposits. Some powders contain cellulase to brighten colours and soften
fabrics. Protease and amylase are also effective in dishwasher detergents, to remove food
particles. These detergents are environmentally friendly with fewer bleaching agents and
phosphates, allowing the enzymes to do more work and have beneficial effects on public and
environmental health.

Use in the Textile Industry

Enzymes are used in the leather and the textile industries in finishing processes. Proteases help
in the de-hairing of the animal hides and lipases are used for de-greasing. The correct
application of a cellulase enzyme can give a smoother, glossier brighter fabric to cellulose fibres
like cotton. This technique is known as bio-polishing. In the denim industry, cloth was
traditionally stonewashed with pumice stones to fade the fabric. A small application of cellulase
minimises damage to the garments and also to machinery. This technique is known as bio-
stoning and can ensure greater fading without high abrasive damage to fabric and accessories
(buttons, rivets). The use of enzymes in this area of industry illustrates their valuable
technological contribution.

Enzymes are also used in Contact Lense solution and in Pet Toothpaste.

Use in Medicine

Most genetic diseases are a result of a particular enzyme deficiency. Similarly certain bacteria
are more pathogenic because of an enzyme activity they have.

Uses of enzymes in medicine include:

Analytical tests: Diabetics use strips of paper impregnated with glucose oxidase to monitor
their blood sugar.

The presence of enzymes where they should not be present can also help to diagnose
disease. For example when the liver is diseased or damaged, enzymes leak into the
bloodstream. Testing the blood for these enzymes can confirm liver damage.

Therapeutic enzymes: Enzymes are sometimes used as medicines to replace enzyme

deficiencies in patients like is the use of blood clotting factors to treat haemoplilia, or the
opposite where proteases are used to degrade fibrin; to prevent the formation of dangerous
blood clots. Nuclease is a possible therapy for cystic fibrosis, but it is not clear how
commercialized and therapeutically successful this has been.

Proteases are used to clean wounds and therefore accelerate the healing process.

Drug manufacture: The chemical synthesis of complex drugs is often difficult and companies
turn to enzymes to perform chemical conversions

In a semi-therapeutic way; Enzymes are used to aid digestion, to supplement the natural
amylase, lipase and protease produced by the pancreas. People with lactose intolerance lose
the enzyme lactase. Lactase supplements help to avoid stomach upsets for these people.

https://h2g2.com/entry/A1125721 2/3
10/16/2017 h2g2 - The Applications of Enzymes in Industry and Medicine

To Conclude

Enzymes are used by industry and medicine because of their catalytic abilities, which ensure
that throughout any reaction they remain unchanged. Enzymes are useful because they can be
used in minimal quantities and keep costs down. In medicine, they are useful because they are
specific, and so avoid side effects when used on a patient. Use of enzymes in industry and
medicine is highly ethical, socially desirable and beneficial, economically efficient and
represents an advance in modern technological processes.

Bookmark on your Personal Space

Conversations About This Entry

Sign in to start a conversation
Title Latest Post
Peer Review: A1125721 - The Applications of Enzymes in I Oct 25, 2004
Writing Workshop: A1125721 - The Applications of Enzymes Oct 10, 2003

Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Help About Us Contact Us Follow Us Statistics Other Stuff

About Feedback Facebook Information Who's Online
How to Contribute Twitter Month
FAQs Solo Entries
Soapbox Coming Up

https://h2g2.com/entry/A1125721 3/3