Consumer Guide

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins. Like other proteins, enzymes consist of long chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. They are present in all living cells, where they perform a vital function by controlling the metabolic processes whereby nutrients are converted into energy and fresh cell material.

Both the usable products and the waste of most enzymatic reactions are non-toxic and readily broken down.. Enzymes are at work in our bodies; - Just eat something. One enzyme is already at work in your mouth while you chew; Amylases break down starch into smaller sugars - dextrins and maltose. Typical starchy foods are potatoes, pasta and rice.

Enzymes in nature

The biological carbon cycle in nature involves the uptake of carbon dioxide into plants, its fixation by photosynthesis, and the various ways in which it is returned to the atmosphere. Enzymes play an important role in all the biological processes of this cycle.

All our food, whether plant or animal, contains enzymes. All living organisms produce their own enzymes to provide the nutrients they need. Just as our bodies produce enzymes. Why use Enzymes? Enzymes can be used to replace harsh conditions and harsh chemicals, thus saving energy and preventing pollution.

They are also highly specific, which means fewer unwanted side-effects and by-products in the production process. Enzymes themselves are biodegradable, so they are readily absorbed back into nature.

The conformation of an enzyme is maintained by interactions between the various amino acids that compose it, and this conformation is sensitive to changes in the enzyme's environment. Two important influences are pH and temperature. When an enzyme's conformation is significantly altered because of pH or temperature variation, the enzyme may no longer catalyze reactions. An enzyme is said to be denatured when it loses its functional shape.