Protease

• Derived from: Plants
• Pronunciation: (\ˈprō-tē-ˌās\)
• Type: Naturally-derived

What Is Protease?

Protease is a naturally-occurring enzyme that helps plants grow and develop by acting as a defense mechanism against disease and pests.[1] It also helps to break down proteins into smaller molecules.[2]

It's important to note that there are different varieties of proteases which occur in plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.[3] However, Puracy only utilizes plant-based proteases in its products.

Where Does Protease Come From?

Protease occurs throughout the natural world, but the primary commercial method involves extracting it from plants and animals is the primary method of obtaining protease commercially.

To produce bacterial and fungal proteases, fermentation occurs either by submerging enzyme-secreting microbes (usually organisms in the genus Bacillus) in a fermentation broth or via solid-state fermentation.[4] Proteases are then purified and homogenized[5,6].

Protease Uses

Protease in skin care is often used as a skin conditioner to remove dry skin flakes. This is a major reason for why it's often found in products like facial cleansers and makeup removers).[7] It is also a common ingredient in laundry detergents and presoak products.

Why Puracy Uses the Protease Enzyme

Puracy uses protease because it is an excellent enzymatic cleaner that helps to remove protein stains like food, grass, blood, meat, egg, urine, feces, and blood.
Is Protease Safe?

The FDA has deemed the ingredient generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food. [8] Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its cleaning product quality standards.[9]

Several studies also show that enzymes such as protease in detergents do not result in contact skin sensitization.[10,11,12,13]

Certifications

Sources

[1]Healthline
[2] American Cleaning Institute
[3] American Society for Microbiology
[4] De Souza PM, Bittencourt ML de A, Caprara CC, et al. A biotechnology perspective of fungal proteases. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 2015;46(2):337-346. doi:10.1590/S1517-838246220140359.
[5] Molecular and Biotechnological Aspects of Microbial Proteases
[6] Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology
[7] European Commission
[8] Food and Drug Administration
[9] Whole Foods Market
[10] Bannan, E.A., Griffith, J.F., Nusair, T.L. 1992. "Skin testing of laundered fabrics in the dermal safety assessment of enzyme-containing detergents." Journal of Toxicology—Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 11 (4): 327–339
[11] Griffith, J.F., Weaver, J.E., Whitehouse, H.S., Poole, R.L., Newmann, E.A., and Nixon, G.A. 1969. "Safety evaluation of enzyme detergents: Oral and cutaneous toxicity, irritancy and skin sensitization studies." Food and Cosmetic Toxicology 7: 581–593
[12] Rodriguez, C., Calvin, G., Lally, C., and LaChapelle, J.M. 1994. "Skin effects associated with wearing fabrics washed with commercial laundry detergents." Journal of Toxicology—Cutaneous & Ocular Toxicology 13(1): 39–45
[13] Sarlo, K., Cormier, E., MacKenzie, D., and Scott, L. 1996. "Lack of Type 1 sensitization to laundry enzymes among consumers in the Philippines." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 97: 749–777