Protein-enhanced surfactants for enzyme activation

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions containing enzymes, particularly acting at the interface between two immiscible phases where the rate of enzymatic activity is increased by addition of a blend of surfactant(s) and a mixture derived from yeast fermentation, that contain non-enzymatic exo-proteins released by yeast in response to a non-lethal stress. The enzymes include those that work at the interface between an aqueous solution and a water immiscible phase, liquid or solid, such as oil, fat, cellulose, lignin, etc. including, but not limited to the following or combinations thereof: lipases, polysaccharase, lignase, cellulase and the like, in which the substrate of an enzymatic reaction forms a phase, segregated from the aqueous solution in which the enzymes are typically operating. Disclosed herein are methods for improving a washing solution with the use of these compositions, where the enzyme-protein-surfactant solution can be used in such applications as: laundry, spot remover, pre-laundry, dishes, hard surface cleaning, wastewater treatment, cellulose breakdown as in ethanol production, lignin utilization, environmental remediation, industrial cleaning, and agricultural applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising non-enzymatic exo-proteins, a surfactant and an enzyme. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the exo-proteins are derived from yeast fermentation process. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the yeast is  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the fermentation process is aerobic. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the fermenting yeast is subject to a stress condition. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the stress is a non-lethal heat shock. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group, or combinations thereof: lipase, cellulase, lignase, polysaccharase. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the yeast extract is produced by exposing viable yeast to a temperature of between 30° C. to 70° C., or between 45° C. to 60° C., for between 2 to 48 hours, or between 3 to 5 hours and where the yeast and yeast cell debris are removed after fermentation and stressing processes. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the yeast is produced by exposing viable yeast to alcohol and temperature elevated to between 30° C. to 70° C., or between 45° C. to 60° C., for between 2 and 48 hours, or 3 to 5 hours, and where the alcohol is removed after exposure. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer preventing bacterial contamination. 
     
     
         12 . A method of accelerating the rate of lipase activity in the removal and degradation of oily contamination from a surface or solution comprising contacting the surface with a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lipase activity rate is accelerated in an application selected from: laundry, spot/stain remover, pre-laundry, dishes, hard surface cleaning, wastewater treatment, cross-flow membranes, soil or water remediation, industrial applications, enhanced oil recovery, textile processing, agricultural chemicals, de-inking of fabrics or paper, softening of cotton, glucose production from cellulosics. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the acceleration of the rate of lipase activity reduce odors. 
     
     
         15 . A method of increasing catalytic activity of an interfacial hydrolytic and/or oxidizing enzyme with substrates forming a water-immiscible segregated phase, the method comprising contacting the enzyme with a composition of  claim 1 .