Do enzymes only live for 8 hours

Well, I'm not a biochemist but I do have a minor in biochemistry. Yes, enzymes DO break down over time. This process is accelerated by increasing temperature. Almost all enzymes are proteins and anything that destroys proteins will destroy enzymes as well. That said, all is not black and white. Some enzymes are more fragile than others. They will also degrade more quickly once you mix them with water. But, unless you heat them, they don't tend to become inactive all at once. The efficacy will just diminish over time.

Enzymes tend to be very specific as to what they will break down but again, some are more broad-based than others. However, in general, enzymes act to break bonds at specific places (usually on other proteins). What this means for the vinylphile is that, while you might break down and wash away a lot of protein (mold, mildew, etc.) you are not likely to get it all with the enzyme treatment.

Dick

Hey Dick- kinda like this?: (http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/EnzymeKinetics.html)

Crap......... ignorance was bliss.
I just wanted a recomendation on a good cleaner,
I am gonna go back to a simple Brillo Pad and some elbow grease, it has always worked in the past.

Punkuk- A little Comet w/Clorox on that Brillo Pad will keep the mold/mildew down as well.

But the query is questionable. What should be asked is: in the absence of biological contamination on my records, what effect do enzymes have as cleaners?

The answer is very simple. None whatsoever.

Well. Duh! ;-)

Punkuk, I can highly recommend AIVS cleaning products. There are others as well, but I like AIVS very much.