Enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
They are extensively used in industry and the home. Examples include lipases, cellulases and proteases in washing detergents, which help to remove stains. Amylases are used in the food processing industry to modify starch products. Enzymes are used because they make the process better, cheaper or less polluting. More than sixty enzymes are used by industry and many more than sixty enzymes are sold for other purposes such as scientific research.