Identification of Environmentally Friendly Alternative for Laundry Detergent Packaging

Purpose: The objective of the study was to analyse and evaluate two alternative liquid detergent packaging systems from the point of view of their overall environmental impact. Using the LCA method, we have come to the conclusion that cardboard packaging is an alternative with a lower negative impact on the environment than an HDPE bottle. Methodology/Approach: The study is based on the LCA method implemented through the software openLCA, including available databases. Findings: The environmentally friendlier alternative of the detergent packaging is identified. The decisions about individual stages during LCA must be made with caution and well documented to ensure credibility of the results. Research Limitation/Implication: The findings of the presented study are limited by the available data used for the environmental impact assessment. The inventory analysis was performed for the conditions of the central European region. Originality/Value of paper: This study applies LCA methodology to present the details of a decision process involved in selecting better environmental alternative of the product. The information generated by the study is directly applicable in the industry.

An Alkalothermophilic Amylopullulanase from the Yeast Clavispora lusitaniae ABS7: Purification, Characterization and Potential Application in Laundry Detergent

In the present study, α-amylase and pullulanase from Clavispora lusitaniae ABS7 isolated from wheat seeds were studied. The gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography revealed the presence of α-amylase and pullulanase activities in the same fraction with yields of 23.88% and 21.11%, respectively. SDS-PAGE showed a single band (75 kDa), which had both α-amylase (independent of Ca2+) and pullulanase (a calcium metalloenzyme) activities. The products of the enzymatic reaction on pullulan were glucose, maltose, and maltotriose, whereas the conversion of starch produced glucose and maltose. The α-amylase and pullulanase had pH optima at 9 and temperature optima at 75 and 80 °C, respectively. After heat treatment at 100 °C for 180 min, the pullulanase retained 42% of its initial activity, while α-amylase maintained only 38.6%. The cations Zn2+, Cu2+, Na+, and Mn2+ increased the α-amylase activity. Other cations Hg2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ were stimulators of pullulanase. Urea and Tween 80 inhibited both enzymes, whereas EDTA only inhibited pullulanase. In addition, the amylopullulanase retained its activity in the presence of various commercial laundry detergents. The performance of the alcalothermostable enzyme of Clavispora lusitaniae ABS7 qualified it for the industrial use, particularly in detergents, since it had demonstrated an excellent stability and compatibility with the commercial laundry detergents.

Performance enhancements in select industrial applications using surfactants, surfactant additives, and thermostable enzymes

Household detergents have undergone many formulation updates to improve the cleaning power of surfactants and to adapt formulations to specific applications. This paper focuses on more recent developments in the use of surfactants for household as well as industrial use. Specific examples include the use of enzymes derived from moderately thermophilic bacteria as laundry detergent additives, the use of surfactants and surfactant additives in the manufacture of warm mix asphalt, and the use of foaming agents in chemical enhanced oil recovery.

An Uncharacterized Protein from the Metagenome with no Obvious Homology to known Lipases Shows Excellent Alkaline Lipase Properties and Potential Applications in the Detergent Industry

A novel lipase, Lip486, which has no obvious homology with known lipases, was discovered using functional metagenomics technology. Phylogenetic tree analysis suggested that the enzyme belongs to a new subfamily called lipolytic enzyme family II. To explore the enzymatic properties, lip486 was expressed heterologously and efficiently in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme displayed the highest activity on the substrate p-nitrophenyl caprate with a carbon chain length of 10, and its optimum temperature and pH were 53 °C and 8.0, respectively. The recombinant Lip486 showed good activity and stability in strong alkaline and medium-low -temperature environments. The results of compatibility and soaking tests showed that the enzyme had good compatibility with 4 kinds of commercial detergents, and an appropriate soaking time could further improve the enzyme activity. Oil stain removal test results for a cotton cloth indicated that the washing performance of commercial laundry detergent supplemented with Lip486 was further improved. In addition, as one of the smallest lipases found to date, Lip486 also has the advantages of high yield, good stability and easy molecular modification. These characteristics reflect the good application prospects for Lip486 in the detergent and other industries in the future.

The Role of Laundry Detergents in the Elements of Skin Pathogen

Background: The Corona pandemic fuelled up skin pathogen challenges in young and adults, the antimicrobial efficacy of laundry detergents could be considered particularly. However, no available data focusing on the form of laundry detergent, additives and conditions affect the antimicrobial efficacy. This study simulated washing procedures to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of laundry detergents.Methods and Results: Mimic laundry procedures were performed to treat Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungus, colony counting and propidium iodide staining were used to assess the antimicrobial activity. Powder detergent A, NaBO3*4H2O with the tetraacetylethylenediamine, 2Na2co3.3H2O with tetraacetylethylenediamine could achieve a > 5-log10 reduction of three microbial colony generation. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate (SDBS) group had the strongest fluorescence intensity in three microbial propidium iodide staining.Conclusions: Powder form laundry detergents are superior to liquid form, peroxide-based bleaches and bleach activator in solid form, the solid surfactants with matched PH and alkyl chain length showed a considerable antimicrobial effect.

Metal leaching from antimicrobial cloth face masks intended to slow the spread of COVID-19

Global health organizations recommend the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Seemingly overnight, companies whose primary business is in no way related to healthcare or personal protective equipment—from mattresses manufacturers to big box stores—transitioned into the “mask business.” Many companies advertise antimicrobial masks containing silver, copper, or other antimicrobials. Often, the techniques used to load such antimicrobials onto mask fibers are undisclosed, and the potential for metal leaching from these masks is yet unknown. We exposed nine so-called “antimicrobial” face masks (and one 100% cotton control mask) to deionized water, laundry detergent, and artificial saliva to quantify the leachable silver and copper that may occur during mask washing and wearing. Leaching varied widely across manufacturer, metal, and leaching solution, but in some cases was as high as 100% of the metals contained in the as-received mask after 1 h of exposure.

Human identification from washed blood stains

Background Among the physical evidence, bloodstain is one of the most common biological pieces of evidence at the crime scene, especially in violent crimes. Bloodstains are frequently seen at the crime scene and can be easily detected due to their color and structure. Because blood and bloodstains can potentially be evidence of a crime, offenders often tend to clean or wash them to get rid of relevant evidence. Some researchers think that washed bloodstains cannot obtain enough quality DNA for DNA profiling. However, some studies have shown that bloodstains on a piece of fabric can be used for DNA profiling even after washing. This study, it is aimed to determine whether a sufficient amount of DNA can be obtained for DNA profiling used for forensic purposes from blood-stained nylon and cotton fabrics washed at different temperatures such as 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C. Results In this study, bloodstains were created on cotton and nylon fabrics in a representative crime scene. After washing with laundry detergent at 40 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C was performed, studies were conducted in order to make bloodstains visible and obtain DNA for genetic profiling. The result is that more DNA is lost due to easy exposure to external factors in the non-absorbent nylon fabric type compared to the absorbent cotton fabric. Moreover, the rates of obtaining DNA from bloodstains on different types of fabrics washed at several temperatures are shown in this study. Conclusions It was determined that while a sufficient amount of DNA for the forensic genetic profiling can be obtained from cotton and nylon fabrics washed at 40 and 60 °C, a sufficient amount could not be obtained from the ones washed at 90 °C. And that shows even if bloodstained fabrics are washed at 60 °C, the fabrics still can be considered as physical evidence of the crime and can be associated with the scene, perpetrator and victim triangle.

A new approach to the assessment of changes in air permeability, waterproofness, surface, and thermal properties of polyamide 6.6 fabric with polyurethane coating after washing

The research aim was to analyse the changes in the air permeability, waterproofness, surface, mechanical and thermal properties of the polyamide 6.6 fabric with a polyurethane coating before and after 1, 5, and 10 washes in the same conditions using specialized (V1) and universal (V2) laundry detergent. A new approach based on SEM and DSC techniques and assessment of surface free energy combined with standard methods was proposed to explain the nature of observed changes in waterproof and breathable material after washing treatment. SEM analysis indicated that after 10 washes the porosity of the polyurethane coating increased from 8.94% to 14.56% and 18.75% for V1 and V2, respectively. The air permeability increased from 0.747 mm/s for the reference sample to 0.766 mm/s and 0.774 mm/s after 10 washes for V1 and V2, respectively. The waterproofness of the reference sample of 992 mbar decreased with the increasing number of washes to 246 mbar and 122 mbar for V1 and V2, respectively. After 10 washes the surface free energy (γS) decreased by 18.8% and 24.3% for V1 and V2, respectively. The average tensile strength amounted to 833 N and decreased by 13.5% for V1 and by 20% for V2 after 10 washes. The glass transition temperature of the reference fabric was 47.6°C. After 10 washes it increased by 7.2°C and 8.8°C for V1 and V2, respectively. The temperatures of thermal degradation increased by 24.6°C and 22.2°C and the heat of thermal decomposition decreased by 23.6% and 15.8% after 10 washes for V1 and V2, respectively.