Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Worried about all the strange biological additives in your laundry liquid? Its about to get a lot weirder.
Fighting Climate Change, One Laundry Load at a Time
Experts in the study of fungi are playing a bigger role in improving laundry detergents and, by extension, leading efforts to cut energy use.
By STANLEY REEDJAN. 1, 2018
COPENHAGEN — A Danish biotechnology company is trying to fight climate change — one laundry load at a time. Its secret weapon: mushrooms like those in a dormant forest outside Copenhagen.
In the quest for a more environmentally friendly detergent, two scientists at the company, Novozymes, regularly trudge through the mud, hunting for oyster mushrooms that protrude from a fallen beech or bracken fungi that feast on tough plant fibers. They are studying the enzymes in mushrooms that speed up chemical reactions or natural processes like decay.
“There is a lot going on here, if you know what to look for,” said Mikako Sasa, one of the Novozymes scientists.
Their work is helping the company develop enzymes for laundry and dishwasher detergents that would require less water, or that would work just as effectively at lower temperatures. The energy savings could be significant. Washing machines, for instance, account for over 6 percent of household electricity use in the European Union.
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Modern detergents contain as many as eight different enzymes. In 2016, Novozymes generated about $2.2 billion in revenue and provided enzymes for detergents including Tide, Ariel and Seventh Generation.
The quantity of enzymes required in a detergent is relatively small compared with chemical alternatives, an appealing quality for customers looking for more natural ingredients. A tenth of a teaspoon of enzymes in a typical European laundry load cuts by half the amount of soap from petrochemicals or palm oil in a detergent.
Enzymes are also well suited to helping cut energy consumption. They are often found in relatively cool environments, like forests and oceans. As a result of that low natural temperature, they do not require the heat and pressure typically used in washing machines and other laundry processes.
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In 2009, Novozymes scientists teamed up with Procter & Gamble to develop an enzyme that could be used in liquid detergents for cold-water washes. Researchers started with an enzyme from soil bacteria in Turkey, and modified it through genetic engineering to make it more closely resemble a substance found in cool seawater. When they found the right formula, they called the enzyme Everest, a reference to the scale of the task accomplished.
“We knew this was something that consumers would want,” said Phil Souter, associate director of Procter & Gamble’s research and development unit in Newcastle, England. “I think this is a very tangible and practical way people can make a difference in their everyday lives.”
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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/business/energy-environment/climate-change-enzymes-laundry.html
Water shortages are surely a reason to build more reservoirs, not to cut down on family water usage.
I’m not sold on all this laundry enzyme business. I’m sure Novozymes are conscientious in their safety research efforts, but my family always uses non-bio detergent due to past allergic skin reactions to laundry enzymes. Enzymes have their place in industry and waste disposal, but the thought of placing my allergies in contact with the residue of exotic new biologicals doesn’t exactly fill me with enthusiasm.
I’m using a 1/4 of “normal” dose of any posh detergent with a spoonful of washing soda. Works perfectly all the time, and on a plus side the laundry is free from those nasty smells they put into detergents.
If I want to smell nicely, I put on some fine cologne.
Viva the Borax!
Borax is Unavailable in Europe as it is considered a dangerous chemical.
Dangerous that is to the chemical industry as it improves laundry detergent effectiveness, is an excellent mould and fugal suppressant, kills termites and ants, and is so non-toxic it is in eyewash and the like.
Good old EU keeping the kleptocracy and crony capitalists healthy!
Need to use Tri-sodium phosphate in Europe, readily available too.
RS
I’m regular reader of WUWT but don’t usually comment because most of the info is outside my expertise (chemistry, biological chemistry). However, I felt I must comment on this article about enzymes in washing powder. Whilst I can see the logic of adding proteolytic enzymes to cleaners this ignores the potential risks. Described below:-
First a little diversion with some back ground in allergy (one my areas of expertise) which I will illustrate with a description of one of the most potent allergens, house dust mite (HDM), and it’s most probable mode of action. HDM are primitive creatures which are ubiquitous to human habitation their source of food is human dead human cells, mainly epithelial cells. Their digestive tract cannot process the cells completely so HDM excrete in their faeces an enzyme referred to as DERp1. This enzyme is one of the most potent proteolytic enzymes known and rapidly breaks epithelial cell walls. All this would be fine if this only occurred on the furnishings and furniture, however HDM faeces are present everywhere including bedding for example and easily transferred to skin. Unfortunately, this brings DEPp1 into contact with the skin resulting in damage to the epithelial cells and breaking the tight junctions between cells. The result in particularly sensitive individuals is allergic (atopic) dermatitis. Genetics have some effect here so not all individuals are affected. The damage to the cells has two main effects firstly exposing the dermis to the enzyme and secondly causing the release of a ubiquitous immune signalling protein from the epithelial cells known as thymic stromal lymopoietin (TSLP). This protein is a key messenger of the innate immune system acting via dendritic cells on epitopes processed from foreign proteins macrophages. The combination of foreign epitopes and TSLP causes the antibody cascade via dendritic cells, T-cells and B-cells to produce IgE specific to DERp1 and other proteins in mite faeces ( bystander effect). IgE when bound to mast cells produces all the recognised allergic symtoms on further exposure. It’s also a vicious circle because mast cells when triggered by HDM allergens also produce TSLP reinforcing the allergic response and, of course more memory B-cells, continuing to produce HDM specific IgE for ever!
So my concern about P&G producing a more robust and stable proteolylic enzyme for washing powder to work in cold water is obvious. There were allergy problems with the previous bacterial enzymes used (pronase) in powders both in workers making the enzymes and customers. I can’t believe that these new enzymes will be any better and probably a lot worse if they are more stable. Don’t us biological washing powder
Finally as an aside. Atopic dermatitis most commonly starts in childhood of in children below 2 years where the immune system is least developed. This can result in a predisposition to allergies for life. Asthma is one of the main consequences…… about 80% of asthmatic are sensitive to house dust mites. This mechanism is also involved with other allergens which also damage epithelial cells.
For those interested there is public access monograph on TSLP from the NIH which is also published in:
The biology of thymic stromallymphopoietin (TSLP)
Ziegler et. al.
Adv Pharmacol. 2013;66: 129-155. Doi.: 10.1016/B978-0-12-404717-4.00004-4
Interesting and disturbing.
Has P&G etc. been formally warned of this potentially significant problem?
Registered letters to executives and board members can do wonders.
They remove the “I didn’t know” defense.
“rapidly breaks epithelial cell walls”
Humans don’t have cell walls, epithelial or otherwise.
If they just put the phosphorus back in our detergents, they would actually wash our stuff CLEAN, & cause no problems elsewhere.
Some random points:
Isn’t it a kinda bad idea to be adding something (enzyme) that digests cellulose and its like (old forest bits) to things that are made of cellulose and its like (clothes)
Wasn’t The Real Problem with laundry products the amount of phosphorus (Trisodium phosphate) that goes into such things – resulting in toxic algal blooms in the waterways, courses, lakes and Gulfs Of Mexicos that this stuff ultimately finishes up in.
(For which of course ‘The Farmers’ invariably catch it in the neck. Sometimes even folks who are imagined to eat a lot of meat)
If you need sodium, which you do for its surfactant properties, be really eco-friendly and use salt (as per most dishwashers) or simply just use Sodium Carbonate (Soda Crystals) in your washer.
Cheap as chips and wont grow your local pond/lake/ocean into a toxic green swamp
And not least, (see who is missing from this discussion?) Washing/Laundry Powders/detergents/soaps/smells/colours/flavours/pretty packaging/whats on telly/what her friends say etc etc..
——————This Is A Girl Thing———————-
Boys are well advised to steer well clear, only having to make some yay-or-nay acknowledgement when asked:
‘Do like this/that/the other fragrance’ or ‘Does my bum look big in this’
Some things are best left as mysteries.
Mushroom enzymes in my washing powder … hummmm? Will I start tripping when I wear my tie-dyed tee shirt? What happens if I give a double dose to my underwear … hummm?
sure is a difference in nations.
we Aussies have been using coldwater to wash in for decades to save power and hot water for more useful things like showers;-) and we dont have a problem with non white or other claimed problems, bleach works just as well in cold if you must use it
ive still got and use sometimes old wringer washers and they are THE best machines to really get whatever time you want the load agitated for and a decent tub size also, and yes the wringers dont get clthes so dry but then you can throw the semi pressed clothes into a new spinner machine if you must.in summer its NOT an issue down here;-)
washing soda some borax grated soap and eucy oil will clean just about anything rust blood oil grease and even beeswax of of work clothes.
i developed allergies and rashes from some commercial products years ago. i swapped to an american product Melaleuca brand (yes the aussie t treename did make me smile) which i still use but the home options above, is good for when i run out.
We use cold water as well, along with borax.
Thanks for the tip on eucalyptus!
Modern detergents and washers do clean better with less water and energy use.
That is good, period.
That the company must genuflect to the new climate god is annoying.
Water use and water infrastructure will always be a huge issue:
Pipes and water plants wear out.
Water use changes.
Media seems to only present us with fear and doom, and seldom with rational contextual reporting.
This article is typical if midern media’s nonsensical approach to infirmation.
Well maybe not “period”.
Non-rational thinking that has allowed climate obsession to metasticize into the destructive force it has become.
Over emphasis on climate yields solutions that create more problems than they solve.
It will be sad if even clothes washing is damaged by the climate obsession.
OMG!!! Now we have GMO laundry detergent, where will it all end (up)……
Meanwhile….
WSJ
Global sales of passenger cars and trucks likely surpassed 90 million for the first time in 2017, the latest indicator that demand for conventional automobiles remains strong even as driverless cars and ride sharing get increasing attention.
The results, based on preliminary data provided by WardsAuto.com, were fueled in part by a continued rebound in Western Europe and recovery in major emerging markets, including Brazil and Russia. Asian buyers are the main engine for sales growth with more than a quarter of the cars sold last year going to Chinese customers, up from less than 15% a decade ago.
We use a non bio own brand for all our washing and when I load the washing machine I wet every item before putting them in as if I load it to near it’s capacity with dry items there is the chance that there will be dry patches on items at the end of the wash— so much for “super water saving machine” it’s no good if you have to put everything through twice bit like those “water saving toilets” that you have to flush mutiple times to clear the pan!!
James Bull
This is really an interesting topic for me. I have been a fan of this site for a number of years. I haven’t had time to read all of the comments on enzymes, but I have been in the detergent business for the textile industry since 1976.
When the EPA first determined that Freon was causing problems, I was commissioned to find a suitable replacement for Freon used in quality control labs to determine the amount of lubricating oils had been applied to yarns in the manufacturing process.
My company, Sutherland Products, came up with a residue free detergent blend to be used with distilled water. The replacement had to be totally water soluble and extremely effective as any residue would skew the lab results. We never considered using enzymes. Our detergent blend also had to be compatible with the existing waste water treatment used by the industry. Our replacement was satisfactory and astute lab employees began to take some home for their own laundry needs. That, and the demise of US textiles industries, led us to consider entering the consumer markets. Given the origin of our products and our practice of third party testing, we have enjoyed a measure of success among discerning customers and have grown our business far beyond expectations. We now sell our Charlie’s Soap across the US and in several countries including China. Our powered detergent has been #1 on Amazon continually for the last 5 years beating all competition mentioned in the article who feel they have to use enzymes.
This hasn’t added much to the discussion of enzymes, but the fact that our products can compete without them might be of interest to sincere environmentalists.
And a [not] bad plug for your products.
[Fixed it for you. -mod]
Should be “And not a bad pug for your products”.
Not a bad plug indeed. Thank you for noticing. There is a genuine desire for reasonably priced, effective, non-irritating, truly green and safe laundry detergents. But, there is more ” green” research going into marketing and hyping various assortments of fruit salads than real laundry products. Our household liquid and powdered laundry detergents are used to clean out clogged municipal sewer lines, grease traps, and grinder pumps without harming the bacteria that is necessary for effective waste water treatment.. Now, that’s as green as you can get. Look us up. If you want flowers, go pick some.. .