Detergent composition for treating cotton-containing fabrics containing a surfactant and a cellulase composition containing endolucanase III from trichoderma ssp

• US 5,290,474 A
• Filed: 05/30/1991
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Genencor International Incorporated (International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Genencor International Incorporated (International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated)
• Inventors: Clarkson, Katheen A., Larenas, Edmund, Weiss, Geoffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Naff, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meller, Michael V.
• Application Number:
  US07/707,647
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 435/209, 435/945, 435/263, 252/174.12
• US Class Current: 510/320
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38645 containing cellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/80 for fungi
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2437 Cellulases (3.2.1.4; 3.2.1.74; 3.2.1.91; 3.2.1.150)
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01004 Cellulase (3.2.1.4), i.e. endo-1,4-beta-glucanase
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/003 with enzymes or microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 2200/50 Modified hand or grip properties; Softening compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/945 Trichoderma

Abstract

Disclosed are detergent compositions containing a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants and from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of substantially pure EG III cellulase. Preferably, the detergent composition contains no more than about 5 weight percent of CBH I type components based on the total weight of cellulase proteins. When employed in aqueous wash media, the detergent compositions impart color retention/restoration properties as well as improved softening and feel properties to cotton-containing fabrics.

Claims

1. A detergent composition suitable for use with cotton-containing fabrics which comprises;

a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants suitable for preparing an alkaline wash medium having a pH of from above 7 to about 9; and

from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of a cellulase composition comprising at least 40 weight percent of endoglucanase III based on the total weight of exo-cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase and β

-glucosidase proteins in the cellulase compositionwherein said endoglucanse III is an endoglucanase component derived from any strain of Trichoderma ssp. which produces endoglucanase III and having a pH optimum of about 5.5 to 6.0, an isoelectric point of from about 7.2 to 8.0, and a molecular weight of about 23 to 28 Kdaltons.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said cellulase composition comprises from about 0.05 to about 2 weight percent of said detergent vcomposition.

3. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said cellulase composition is free of exo-cellobiohydrase I component.

4. A detergent composition according to claim 3 wherein said cellulase composition is also free of exo-cellobiohydrolase II component.

5. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said cellulase composition is derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatm.

6. A dterrgent composition according to claim 1 wherein said cellulase composition is derived from Trichoderma viride.

7. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants is suitable for preparing an alkaline wash medium having pH of from above 7 to about 8.