Proteinase K hybrid nanoflowers (P-hNFs) as a novel nanobiocatalytic detergent additive

In this study, enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers were synthesized using proteinase K and Cu2+ ions. The synthesized proteinase K-Cu2+ hybrid nanoflowers (P-hNFs) were characterized by their morphology and chemical point of view by using different techniques such as SEM, FTIR, EDX, and XRD. The proteolytic activities and some important characteristics such as optimum pH and temperature of the P-hNFs were also evaluated by comparison with free proteinase K. Optimum pH values of free proteinase K and P-hNFs were determined as pH 10 and pH 11, respectively. Optimum temperatures recorded for both free proteinase K (at pH 10) and P-hNFs (at pH 11) were 40 °C. In our study, for the first time, using some commercial detergents and surfactants, the utility of the P-hNFs as a detergent additive was also systematically evaluated. In these studies, the P-hNFs exhibited better activity than free proteinase K in the presence of all surfactants (CHAPS, DOC, SDS, Triton X-100 and Tergitol) except for Tween 80. Importantly, the P-hNFs was more stable and compatible with all tested solid laundry detergents. The findings demonstrated that the P-hNFs could potentially be used as an additive in detergent formulations.