Applications of Enzymes By: Dr.V. Venkata Rao

What is an enzyme? An enzyme is an biological catalyst made from proteins. Did You Know? A catalyst is a substance used to speed up a reaction. Did You Know? Proteins are made from a single unit called amino acid.

Enzymes in industry There are many uses of enzymes in industry. Examples of these are: Clothes/dishwashing detergents Baby food Starch(HFCs) Glucose(Fructose-Slimming Aid) Medical Diagnosis Diabetes Control Curing Disease

Enzymes in Clothes/Dishwasher Detergents People use biological detergents to remove stains. Biological washing powders contain proteases and lipases. These enzymes break down proteins and fats in the stain. Disadvantages If water too hot, enzymes become denatured. Advantages Enzymes give you a cleaner wash. Work at lower temperatures-this means you use less electricity.

Enzymes in baby food Proteases are used to make baby food. Proteases ‘pre-digest’ some of the protein in the food. Advantages Treating food with protease enzymes make it easier for a baby’s digestive system to cope with it.

Protease Capsules Provides therapeutic benefits Consume between meals Enhance circulatory and immune systems Quicker healing Better stamina Consume between meals The practise is increasing in popularity They will also relieve migraines and high energy levels The practise of eating capsules are increasing as more research is being done on it.

Starch(hfcs) Carbohydrases are used to convert starch into sugar (glucose) syrup. Did You Know? HFC stands for High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Enzymes In Slimming Aids The enzyme, isomerase, is used to change glucose syrup to fructose syrup. Glucose and fructose contain exactly the same amount of energy. Fortunately fructose is sweeter than glucose . Much smaller amounts are needed to make food taste sweet. Fructose is widely used in slimming foods. This is because the food tastes sweet but contains fewer calories.

Enzymes To Diagnose Disease To detect that you have a damage or diseased liver is not working properly, doctors can test one’s blood for liver enzymes. This is because enzymes may leak into one’s bloodstream.

Enzymes To Diagnose and Control Disease A common test for sugar in the urine relies on a colour change on a test strip. The test strip contains a chemical indicator and an enzyme. Did You Know? The enzyme catalyses the breakdown of glucose found in the urine. The strip changes colour if the products of this reaction are present. This shows that glucose was present in the original sample.

Diagnosing Doctors measure the amount and type of an enzyme to determine any diseases Ex. Damaged liver If a person has a damaged liver then the enzymes normally found in the liver may leak into the blood stream. If this happens then a blood test could be done to see if there are unwanted enzymes thus allowing the doctor to conclude if there is liver damage.

Enzymes to cure disease If you have a heart attack. An enzyme called streptokinase will be injcted into your blood as soon as possible. Did You Know? If tour pancreas is damages or diseased it cannot make enzymes.