Which type of proteins do detergents solubilize?
Some laundry detergents have enzymes to help in removal of biological stains (eg. grass or blood), often enzymes produced by the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. The content of enzymes can reach up to 0.75%. These are known as biological detergents or ‘biologic powder’ . The biological powder is supposed to contain an enzyme which ‘removes difficult stains like egg, gravy and blood’. These contain proteins. If this is a true claim, we would expect to find the gelatine (a protein) dissolved away under the ‘biological’ washing powder, but not under the ordinary powder. The agar (not a protein) should not be dissolved by either. The jelly might soften a little for many reasons, but do not be misled by this. Look for a great hole in the jelly. Try this experiment and see what you find. If there is a hole in the gelatine under the biological washing powder, but not one under the ordinary washing powder, then the claims of the manufacturer are true. Dissolve equal amoun
