Acidic cleaning composition comprising an acidic protease I

Acidic detergent composition comprising (a) protease I obtainable from Aspergillus aculeatus and having a pH optimum of 3 to 6 and (b) at least one nonionic surfactant and methods for using the composition for cleaning or washing a hard surface or laundry.

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What is claimed is:

1. A method for cleaning or washing a hard surface, comprising contacting the hard surface with a composition which comprises (a) an Aspergillus aculeatus protease I having apH optimum in the range of 3 to 6 and (b) at least one nonionic surfactant, dissolved in an aqueous solution in an amount sufficient for providing a cleaning effect, wherein the hard surface is industrial process equipment, household process equipment,health care equipment or animal care equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of glycolipids, alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenolethoxylates, glucamides and alkylpolyglucosides.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a sequestering agent.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequestering agent is capable of binding calcium ions at acidic pH.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequestering agent is selected from the group consisting of methylglycinediacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, oligo and polymeric (poly)carboxylic acid derived from polymer sugars, dextrin andprotein hydrolysates.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a component that enhances the detergency of the composition, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of amylase, beta-glucanase, cellulase, laccase, lipase,pectinase, peroxidase, softening agent, xylanase, enhancing agent for the peroxidase/laccase, buffer and mixtures thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the protease is present in the aqueous solution in a range from 500-3000 HUT/L.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the protease is present in the aqueous solution in a range from 500-1500 HUT/L.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the protease is present in the aqueous solution in a range from 750-1250 HUT/L.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the protease is present in the aqueous solution at 1000 HUT/L.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard surface is industrial process equipment.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the industrial process equipment is selected from the group consisting of heat exchangers, tanks, pipes, centrifuges, evaporators, filters, extruders, meat choppers, cooking jars, beer and wine fermentors,beer and wine filters, spent filter aids, coolers, storage tanks, sieves, hydrocyclones, ultrafiltration units, nanofiltration units, hyperfiltration units, microfiltration units, ion exchanger columns, gel filtration columns and milking machines.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard surface is household process equipment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the household process equipment is selected from the group consisting of eating utensils, plates, cups, beakers, glasses, pots, pans, electric appliances, toilet bowls, lavatories and tiles.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is a cleaning in place (CIP) method.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the household process equipment is cleaned in an automatic dish washing machine.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard surface is health care or animal care equipment.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the health care or animal care equipment is selected from the group consisting of diagnostic, analytical, processing and surgical equipment.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of the composition is between 4-5.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the composition is between 10-65.degree. C.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the temperature is between 30-50.degree. C.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the temperature is 40.degree. C.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is cleaned for a time period between 2 minutes and 20 hours.