Enzyme granulate formed of an enzyme-containing core and an

Abstract

An enzyme-containing granulate is prepared containing a core and a shell wherein the core and/or shell contain an enzyme and the shell contains artificial or cellulose fibers in an amount of 1.5-40%. The core may also contain the fibers in an amount of 1.5-40%. In a preferred embodiment, the core contains a primary enzyme, the fibers, a coating of a sustained release agent, and the shell contains a secondary enzyme and the fibers. The sustained release coating causes the primary enzyme to be released more slowly than the secondary enzyme in a washing solution. In another embodiment, the core contains a primary detergent additive, a coating of a protective agent, and the shell contains a secondary detergent additive and the fibers. The protective coating separates the primary and secondary detergent additives so they do not harm each other during storage. Preferably, the core and shell also contain a binder, a filler and a granulating agent. The core preferably is in an amount of 10-50% of the granulate and has an average particle size of between about 100 .mu.m and 1000 .mu.m. The fibers preferably have an average length of 50-2000 .mu.m and an average width of 5-50 .mu.m. The granulates are produced by sequentially introducing the core, the sustained release or protective agent, if present, and the components of the shell into a granulating device such as a drum granulator.