ABSTRACT
Amylases are one of the most important enzymes used in industries. These hydrolases are responsible for the complete breakdown of starch and share 25% of the global enzyme market. Commercially, α-, β-, and γ-amylases are used extensively in detergents, textile desizing, and the pulp and paper industries. Amylases are produced by various sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. However, microbial sources are most preferred for large-scale production. With the advent of technology, various production methods such as SSF and SmF are used for the production of these enzymes. The biggest advantage that enzyme-based detergents offer over enzyme-free detergents is their mild nature. α-amylases are the most extensively used in detergents designed for automatic washing machines. This chapter focuses on the fungal amylases and their application in the detergent industry.
