ABSTRACT
Enzymes are proteins that are used as biocatalysts to reduce or replace the use of chemicals in a variety of processes (1). As catalysts, enzymes are able to participate in multiple, repeated processes, making them efficient ingredients in a variety of industries, including cleaning, food processing, animal feed, fuel alcohol, textile, paper, and pharmaceuticals. Proteolytic enzymes were first introduced commercially in Europe in the 1940s as part of an application for soaking and washing soiled linen (2). In 1967, the first enzyme to be introduced commercially in the United States and England was Alcalase1. This enzyme, isolated from Bacillus subtilis through a submerged fermentation process, was used in soap detergents. Within three years, 80% of all soap detergents sold in the United States contained enzymes (3,4). Shortly thereafter, Flindt and Pepys et al. (5,6) reported the first cases of respiratory symptoms in detergent workers after inhalation exposure to Bacillus subtilis-derived powdered enzymes, Alcalase and Maxatase1. Out of 25 workers manifesting respiratory symptoms 20 elicited positive wheal and flare skin test responses to skin test reagents prepared from the enzymatic material and Bacillus subtilis spore extracts (5). These index cases were strong indicators that enzymes were highly allergenic materials and that susceptible workers exposed to these agents were at increased risk of becoming sensitized and developing asthma.
