α-Amylase immobilization on the silica nanoparticles for cleaning performance towards starch soils in laundry detergents

In this study, α-amylase was immobilized on silica nanoparticles and immobilized α-amylase was used in formulation of detergent powder for enhancing removal of starch soils. Detergent products contain very components which may affect the free enzyme activity and stability. Also various factors such as temperature, pH and humidity reduced enzyme activity and cleaning efficiency. Therefore the effect of enzyme immobilization on the removal of starch based soil was investigated on cotton fabrics as the model soil. The effect of temperature and humidity on stability of free and immobilized enzyme was compared. It was found that the immobilized enzyme increased cleaning efficiency toward starch soil removal on cotton fabrics, whereas free enzyme imposed a small effect on the enzymatic activity towards the same soil substrates. In addition, stability immobilized enzyme against temperature and humidity was much more than free enzyme.