ENZYMES What do they do? Enzymes can perform two main roles in A laundry detergent: effect stain removal provide colour and fabric care How do they work? Enzymes break down large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats into smaller segments. These smaller segments are either water-soluble, or are of size and polarity compatible with surfactants meaning that they can be suspended in solution. Enzymes are catalysts. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without themselves becoming consumed in the process. So, only a small amount of an enzyme is required in the laundry detergent formulation because the enzyme can work over and over again. However this does not mean that the same detergent solution can be used again and again for many washes - although enzymes may remain active, the finite amounts of other key ingredients limit the amount of soil that can be suspended in solution by each detergent dose. Most enzymes are destroyed by high temperatures, i.e. above 60