Enzymes are the great unsung heroes of the natural world. These proteins have long been tapped to catalyze processes in food production. As you may already know, it’s the enzymes in yeast that allow dough to rise, by breaking down starches to produce the carbon dioxide that creates bubbles, giving bread its airy texture. Enzymes also play a central role in fermentation processes by converting the sugars in beer and wine into alcohol and introducing distinct flavor profiles.

But did you know that enzymes are used widely in cleaning solutions, mining, and recycling? Recent advances in science, computation, and the emerging field of AI are allowing us to design enzymes with exquisite specificity and stability. Thanks to the large-scale production made possible by industrial biotechnology, we are uncovering new ways to deploy these mighty proteins. In this article, we’ll tell you about five exciting new ways enzymes are changing our world. 

Mining

A new company named Maverick Biometals has designed unique enzymes that dissolve rock to allow extraction of different kinds of metals from ores. In traditional lithium mining, for example, the ore is pulled out of the ground and shipped to China, where it’s then heated up to 2012°F (1100°C) and treated with sulfuric acid, generating massive acid run-off and pollution. Maverick’s novel process involves mixing a bio-fermented enzyme solution with the extracted ore. Localized processing eliminates the need for long-distance shipping, energy-intensive heating, or toxic run-off. This new kind of bio-mining is a paradigm shift from traditional mining – simplifying extraction, reducing transportation and other costs, mitigating environmental damage, increasing worker safety, and decreasing time from mine inception to operation.

Textile Recycling

While it is possible to recycle some polymers when they are pure, mixed polymers, such as those found in fabrics, contribute to hundreds of millions of tons of unrecyclable materials. The polymer fibers in plastics are notoriously hard to break down enzymatically, however there are a few companies working to tackle this problem. Australian enviro-tech startup Samsara Eco, for example, has devised a way to use enzymes to break down the polymer fibers in recycled textiles, converting them to monomers, for an infinitely renewable nylon and polyester. They’ve announced a multi-year partnership with athletic apparel brand Lululemon to reverse apparel waste, providing more environmentally responsible alternatives to the textiles used in performance wear. “We’re creating enzymatically recycled nylon and accelerating textile-to-textile recycling toward truly circular apparel,” explains Paul Riley, CEO and founder of Samsara Eco. “This is a massive milestone as Samsara Eco achieves an environmentally friendly ability to recycle blended textiles including nylon and polyester.”

Stonewashing Jeans

The traditional method of stonewashing jeans involves mass volumes of water and large quantities of pumice stones, chemicals and energy. But with the help of enzymes, manufacturers like Novozymes have been producing distressed jeans more sustainably, without the use of stones, since the 1990s. Enzymatic denim abrasion removes indigo to give the fabric a used, vintage look. The enzymes are also deployed in the denim finishing process to offer a safe alternative to bleaching. The next time you’re in the market for jeans, look for brands that are transparent about their manufacturing practices and committed to fair labor and environmental sustainability. Chances are, enzymes are in the mix. 

Laundry Detergent

Did you know that most laundry detergent was once bursting with petroleum-based chemicals? Or that the common retail brands we all know by name were surprisingly ineffective at cleaning, let alone fighting stains? Enter enzymes, your household friend. Proteases, amylases, lipases, and cellulases have been added to laundry (and dish) detergents since the 90s. As the enzymes have been improved over time, fewer petrochemicals are needed and products are getting more effective. These enzymes are developed by companies such as Novonesis and IFF.

Let’s dive into the specifics of these powerful enzymes. Proteases break down proteins such as blood and grass stains into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids, which are soluble and washed away. Amylases break starch into sugars, making them effective at fighting starchy stains. Lipases and cellulases are both digestive enzymes that degrade fats and lipids, with visible upsides: no more gray “dingies” in socks or whites, and brighter colors all around. These naturally generated substances are now being used to partially replace chemicals in cleaning products. They’re far better than petro chemicals at treating the organic compounds in dirt. The best part? They’re biodegradable.

Beverage Manufacturing

Glucose oxidase is an enzyme found in molds such as Penicillium indicum and honey. As a food additive, it’s widely used in preservation and packaging to remove oxygen and extend shelf life. In the beverage industry, glucose oxidase is used for deoxygenation of citrus beverages, beer, white wine, and other products to prevent discoloration or spoilage, and to preserve flavor. Who uses it? Just about every beverage processing plant. Check the labels in your refrigerator for your new friend glucose oxidase. 

The future of enzymes in biotech: AI and more

Enzymes are revolutionizing industries beyond food production. From sustainable mining and textile recycling to laundry detergent and improved beverages, these versatile biocatalysts are paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future. As scientific advancements like artificial intelligence accelerate enzyme discovery and optimization, we can expect even more groundbreaking applications to emerge. We’re keeping an eye on enzymes to help build a brighter future.