Beautiful biology Enzymes and microorganisms that we find in nature make everyday products more sustainable. Enzymes Microbes What are enzymes? Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts. When one substance needs to be transformed into another, nature uses enzymes to speed up the process. In our stomachs for example, enzymes break down food into tiny particles to be converted into energy. Our customers use enzymes as catalysts to manufacture a variety of everyday products - like sugar, beer, bread and ethanol. They are also used directly in products such as laundry detergent, where they help remove stains and enable low-temperature washing. What are enzymes? 5,000 years of everyday transformations Our love affair with enzymes began when our Bronze Age ancestors discovered that an enzyme found in cows' stomachs could turn milk into cheese. Today, we use enzymes in everything from dairy to brewing. So next time you're enjoying a cheese pizza and a cold beer, remember to raise your glass to those Bronze Age innovators. Improving every life, every day Enzymes in your home aren't confined to your kitchen. Take a look at how enzymes improve everyday life for one family in the U.S. Enzymes in your life Fashionista? Foodie? Enzymes have you covered Enzymes make many of the products you use even better. They're good for the environment too. Enzymes can replace chemicals and minimize energy consumption. Jean genius Daily Bread In your stride Smooth operator Clearly fruity Milder stonewashing As the name suggests, the traditional way of producing stonewashed jeans is to wash them with stones. This water-intensive treatment is harsh on the jeans and the environment. It also weakens their fabric, giving them a flossy appearance. Using enzymes instead of stones eliminates the need for multiple rinses and saves water. The results? Undamaged fabric, long-lasting quality, and that same stonewashed look. Transformational power Scientific magic Enzymes are proteins made by all living organisms and are found everywhere in nature. They are biologically active proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in cells. Fast When one substance needs to be transformed into another, nature uses enzymes to speed up and control this process. That's called catalysis. Enzymes aren't part of the final substance. Green Enzymes are stable and biodegradable. They also work at low temperatures and moderate pH levels. This makes them the most environmentally-friendly catalysts. Unique Like all proteins, enzymes are made of strings of amino acids chemically bonded to one another. These bonds give each enzyme a unique structure, which determines its function. Efficient Each enzyme has a specific function - it only works when it finds the right material. This makes enzymes highly efficient, and their results highly predictable. Specific action The perfect fit An enzyme is a large molecule but only a small part of the molecule is involved in the catalysis of biochemical reactions. This is called the active site. The enzyme and substrate fit together like a key in a lock, and only substrates with the right shape are transformed by the enzyme. This is what makes enzymes specific in their action. A closer look at what's inside an enzyme Amino acids 100 to 35,000 amino acids sit like beads on a string, in a sequence unique to each enzyme. Active site One small part of the enzyme - the active site – takes part in catalysis. 3-D structure The 3-D structure, formed by folds in the string, determines the structure of the active site and function of the enzyme. Sequence is key One change in the sequence of amino acids can have a huge impact on the structure and function of the protein. Animation Deep-down cleaning Watch our lipases tackle greasy stains on textiles. Enzymes The quest for the perfect enzyme Homer made the first written reference to enzymes when he wrote about cheese production around 800 B.C. We've built up a lot of knowledge since then, and now give nature a helping hand to create the perfect enzyme. Microbes are the most effective enzyme producers. These naturally-occurring enzyme factories are at the heart of our business. Bacteria and fungi are the best microbes for the industrial production of enzymes. Our microbe collection is the first place we look for a microbe that grows quickly at mild temperatures and produces lots of the perfect enzyme. If the right microbe is not in our collection, we look for it in nature. Sometimes the right microbe for a specific job is impossible to find. With state-of-the art biotechnology, we can optimize the closest naturally-occurring match to produce the perfect enzyme. Bacteria and fungi Easy to grow Our collection Looking to nature The heart of our business Bacteria and fungi are the naturally-occurring enzyme factories at the heart of our business. Most of our enzymes are produced by Aspergillus oryzae, the same fungus that has been used for thousands of years to make soy sauce. It also has a huge capacity for producing enzymes. That’s why we love it. Arctic enzymes Russell Beard from Al Jazeera joins our scientists on the hunt for enzymes that could reduce the environmental impact of industry and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. Getting it right From search to final product Finding the right enzyme One soil sample can contain thousands of different microorganisms, and each microorganism can produce hundreds or thousands of different enzymes. Having the world's biggest toolbox of screening technologies makes our search for the right enzyme a little easier. Finding the right gene Next, we need to locate the gene that tells the microorganism to produce this enzyme. Once this gene has been isolated, our researchers can improve the enzyme in many ways. Transferring the right gene By transferring the gene to one of our production microorganisms, we get a microorganism that produces large quantities of the right enzyme and grows very quickly. Finding the right balance In our three-story fermentation tanks, the microorganism multiplies by millions - but only if we achieve the right balance of nutrients, temperature, pH and airflow. Fortunately, we have more than 70 years of experience to help us. Read more Let's collaborate HelloScience An Open Bio Innovation Network for businesses, innovators, and NGOs. Learn more Sustainability study Making more from the land we have Learn more Explore the Age of Biology Article Pure brewing with enzymes Meeting diverse needs Multi-enzyme solutions: More value for detergent Small enzymes, big impact Enzymes in laundry: Lower temperatures. Fewer chemicals Hand dishwashing Love lasagne but hate cleaning the pan? Find out how a multi-enzyme solution can help Rethink Tomorrow Contact us © 2017 Novozymes Legal Privacy X We use cookies to improve your experience of our website. By clicking accept, you agree to our use of cookies More info Accept