Introduction to Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins composed of hundreds and thousands of amino acids which act as a catalyst. Catalysts will accelerate any kind of biochemical reaction. Enzymes that act on the molecule is known as substrate and further those substrates are converted into products.
A German scientist Kuhne first coined the word enzyme in the year 1878. Everything related to the enzymes like their catalyst, types, functions, mechanism, and other activities related to the enzymes and their terminologies can be studied in biochemistry.
Involvement of Enzymes
Enzymes are mainly involved in various bio-reaction processes (like all the metabolic processes of the cell need enzyme catalysis) in the human body, therefore it is also referred to as the biological catalyst. Some of the important functions where the presence of the enzymes is required are, the production of energy in the cells, the process of digestion, the production of hormones, and so on.
Types of Enzymes
Enzymes are mainly divided into six types based on their function.
Lyases
Ligases
Isomerases
Hydrolases
Transferases
Oxidoreductases
Functions of Enzymes
Some of the important functions of the enzymes are:
It plays a crucial role in performing various body functions, including biological processes like absorption of nutrients, digestion, breathing, excretion, reproduction, liver functions and also kidney function, etc.
Application of Enzymes
There are nearly 1300 varieties of enzymes found in the human cell, that includes amylase, pepsin, trypsin, pancreatic lipase, ribonuclease, and deoxyribonuclease. All of the enzymes mentioned are involved in different chemical processes such as breaking large starch molecules, proteins, fats, and other nucleic acids.
In the Food Industry
In this type of industry, enzymes are used in food processing, which is a very old practice and has been used by our ancestors and these processes are very simple. They are used in food industries to process raw materials for the production of several common products like bakery items, dairy products, meat products, fruit products, beer, and wine.
They are broadly used in the production of alcoholic beverages and certain food products. It is not only used in the production of food but it is also used to improve the quality of foods like the quality of food, taste, flavour, colour, etc. Some of the application of the enzymes include:
To improve the quality of food α-Amylase and glucoamylase enzymes are added.
To improve the colour and nutritional quality of the food peroxidase enzyme is added.
To improve the flavour of food lipase, xylanase, and glucose oxidase enzymes are used.
Nowadays, the biotechnology enzymes, which are used in the food industry are directly extracted from plants and animal sources and they can also be obtained from microbial fermentation.
In Pharmaceutical Industries
With the development of new technologies, the unique characteristics of enzymes and different types of enzymes are used as drugs. They specially bind to their target and also they have incomparable potential and advantages compared to other ordinary small molecular drugs.
Some of the important application of the therapeutic enzymes are, they are widely used in the production of drugs to treat various dreadful diseases and also other infectious diseases, including allergies, food and cyanide poisoning, heart attack, inflammation, leukaemia, viral and bacterial infections, plague formations, skin ulcers, thrombosis and many more.
In Textile Processing and Fabric Finishing Industries
In textile and fabric finishing industries, enzymes play a very important role to remove impurities and providing a stonewashed effect. And it is used in ethanol production to break down the starch and cellulose into fermentable sugars.
Other Applications of Enzymes Include:
It is a natural tool of nature and it is very essential to all forms of life existing on planet earth.
The application of enzymes in food industry helps to improve everyday consumers and commercial products as well.
They are one of the most powerful tools, which helps to clean the environment in several ways by producing environmentally friendly products.
It is also used in several technical applications in laundry to remove stains and to increase the life of the fabric, in recycling paper and paper products to remove ink, and in the production of dishwashing soaps and detergents.
It is used to produce various food products, beverage processing, animal nutrition, textile industries, household goods, biofuels, and other fuels for automobiles, cleaning products, and also in energy generation plants.
Facts About Enzymes
Enzymes are a type of biological catalyst, which accelerates and changes the state of a chemical reaction.
Enzymes are involved in the various metabolic processes within the cells, which helps to increase the metabolic activities to sustain life.
The type of enzymes created during the process of metabolism determines the type of metabolic pathways that occurs within the cells.
Enzymes are used to produce environmentally friendly products, which are manufactured using less energy, water, and raw material and also generate less waste.
In plants, the process of photosynthesis would not have been possible without enzymes. And in animals, especially in herbivores, cellulose enzymes in the stomach help to break down the plant cellulose into smaller and easily absorbable nutrients to produce energy for their further metabolic process.
FAQs on Applications of Enzymes
1. What is an enzyme and what are its main applications as per the CBSE syllabus?
An enzyme is a biological catalyst, typically a protein, that speeds up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process. According to the CBSE curriculum for the 2025-26 session, their main applications are in industrial processes (like food and textiles), medicine (for diagnostics and therapy), and biotechnology (in genetic engineering).
2. What are the major industrial applications of enzymes?
Enzymes are widely used across various industries for their efficiency and specificity. Key applications include:
- Food Industry: Amylases and proteases are used in baking and brewing; pectinases clarify fruit juices.
- Detergent Industry: Proteases and lipases are added to detergents to remove protein and fat stains.
- Textile Industry: Amylases are used for desizing fabrics, and cellulases for 'stone washing' denim.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Enzymes are used in manufacturing antibiotics and in diagnostic kits.
3. How are enzymes specifically used in the food and beverage industry?
In the food and beverage industry, enzymes enhance product quality, flavour, and shelf-life. Amylases break down starch in flour, improving the quality of bread. Proteases are used to tenderise meat. In beverage production, pectinases and cellulases are used to clarify fruit juices and wine by breaking down plant cell walls, leading to a higher juice yield.
4. How does the 'induced-fit model' explain the specificity of enzyme action?
The induced-fit model states that an enzyme's active site is not a rigid structure. Instead, when a substrate approaches, the active site dynamically changes its shape to bind the substrate more precisely. This interaction, like a hand fitting into a glove, ensures a perfect orientation for the reaction to occur, which explains the high specificity of enzyme-catalysed reactions.
5. What is the significance of enzymes in modern biotechnology and medical diagnostics?
Enzymes are crucial tools in biotechnology and diagnostics. In genetic engineering, restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific sites, while DNA ligase joins DNA fragments. In medical diagnostics, enzymes like peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase are fundamental to tests like the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), used to detect diseases by identifying specific antigens or antibodies.
6. Why are enzymes considered more efficient and environmentally friendly than chemical catalysts in industries?
Enzymes are preferred over chemical catalysts for several reasons:
- High Specificity: They act on specific substrates, which minimises unwanted by-products and increases yield.
- Mild Conditions: They function efficiently at moderate temperatures and neutral pH, reducing energy consumption and the need for corrosive chemicals.
- Biodegradability: Being proteins, enzymes are completely biodegradable, which prevents environmental pollution caused by chemical waste.
7. Which types of enzymes are used in modern detergents and what is their function?
Modern biological detergents commonly contain a mixture of enzymes to remove tough stains. The key enzymes include:
- Proteases: These break down protein-based stains like blood, grass, and egg.
- Lipases: These are effective at breaking down oil and grease-based stains.
- Amylases: These target and digest starch-based stains from foods like pasta and potato.
8. Do all enzymes require the same conditions to function optimally? Explain with examples.
No, all enzymes do not function optimally under the same conditions. Each enzyme has a specific optimal pH and temperature at which its catalytic activity is highest. For instance, pepsin, an enzyme in the human stomach, works best in a highly acidic environment (pH 1.5-2.5). In contrast, trypsin, found in the small intestine, functions optimally in an alkaline environment (pH 7.5-8.5). Deviating from these optimal conditions can cause the enzyme to denature and lose its function.
