The interaction of detergents with photosynthetic systems was studied early by Emil Smith (l), who pointed out the utility of anionic detergents for dispersing chloroplast material. Smith obtained what appeared to be subunits of the pigment complex, and characterized these components by ultracentrifugation. Subsequently, a number of investigators have studied the enzymatic capabilities of chlor...

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are crucial biological components, mediating the transfer of material and information between cells and their environment. Many IMPs have proven to be difficult to isolate and study. High-resolution structural information on this class of proteins is limited, largely because of difficulties in generating soluble forms of such proteins that retain native folding...

As traditional detergents might destabilize or even denature membrane proteins, amphiphilic polymers have moved into the focus of membrane-protein research in recent years. Thus far, Amphipols are the best studied amphiphilic copolymers, having a hydrophilic backbone with short hydrophobic chains. However, since stabilizing as well as destabilizing effects of the Amphipol belt on the structure ...

A test procedure for evaluating the effect of adding commercial liquid hand dishwashing detergents to kitchen sponges to control microbial growth is described. Claims for this type of application are being made on dishwashing detergents throughout the world. In this evaluation, commercially available kitchen sponges were stripped of antimicrobial compounds. Sponges were then inoculated with a p...

CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:lactosylceramide alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase is tightly associated with the luminal side of the Golgi membrane as is its lipid substrate, lactosylceramide. In order to understand the kinetics, properties, and regulation of this enzyme, it is necessary to alter the amount and type of substrate in the membrane while minimizing changes in the membrane environment or in the ...

O well-established application of biotechnology is the use of enzymes in detergents. Enzymes are proteins that act as biochemical catalysts and that increase the rate of specific reactions by several orders of magnitude (usually g10). Cells cannot function without enzymes, but under controlled conditions, enzymes can work outside of the cell. This discovery led to the development of a growing n...

In some rural areas of Kenya pit latrines are the most important breeding places of Culex quinquefasciatus, but this vector is often rapidly displaced by a competitor, Culex cinereus, which then breeds prolifically in the latrines. In urban settlements, however, cesspools are the main breeding sites of C. quinquefasciatus and no such species replacement occurs. These latter habitats contain wat...

Enzymes, and particularly proteases, have become an important and indispensable part of industrial processes such as laundry detergents, pharmaceuticals and food products. Detergents such as Tide, Ariel and Biz contain proteolytic enzymes, most of them produced by members of the genus Bacillus. This paper describes the compatibility of protease produced by the thermophilic Bacillus sp, with com...

Nowadays, there is a tendency of use of low temperature in laundry cleaning for both environmental and economical reasons, which makes the use of enzymes in detergent products indispensable. Since lipases are efficient catalyst both in solution and at the water-liquid interface, they are potentially suitable for lipid stain removal applications in industrial laundry and household detergents. Th...

This chapter presents extensive and updated knowledge from scientific and technical reports on the management of agriculture pests using detergents and soaps (D + S), with emphasis on their utility in integrated pest management (IPM) schemes. It includes a review on their environmental, ecological, and toxicological impacts, and their possibilities to become important tools for pest control, es...