Genencor International, Inc.

Gene Park

Nathaniel T Becker

Douglas A Dale

Alfred L Gaertner

A granular enzyme composition is produced having reduced tendency to form dust and leave a residue, and improved stability and delayed release characteristics. The composition has a core, optionally coated with a vinyl polymer, a layer containing an enzyme and a vinyl polymer and optionally a plasticizer or anti-agglomeration agent, and an outer coating containing a polymer and optionally a low residue pigment and/or lubricant. Preferably, the core is a salt or sugar nonpareil, the vinyl polymer coating the core is polyvinyl alcohol and most preferably partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, the vinyl polymer in the enzyme layer is polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and the polymer of the outer coating is polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol which may be partially hydrolyzed, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof such as a mixture of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol or a mixture of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. Preferably, the pigment is titanium dioxide and the lubricant is a nonionic or anionic surfactant such as a linear primary alcohol of a 9-15 carbon atom chain length alkane or alkene or an ethoxylate or ethoxysulfate derivative thereof. The enzyme can be a protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, xylanase, oxidase, peroxidase or mixtures thereof. The composition may be produced by spray coating in a fluidized bed a solution of the enzyme and vinyl polymer onto the core to form the enzyme layer, and then spray coating in a fluidized bed a solution of polymer on the enzyme layer to form the outer coating.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Gene Park