Do enzymes only live for 8 hours

Depending on the type of enzymes, they do start being less effective after their use by date/time. It's like the carton of milk it doesn't turn bad the minute the second hand goes past it's use by date!

I'm continually amazed that so many answers to technical questions on this and other audio forums (fora?) come from people who don't have a clue what they're writing about. I don't see a statement from a knowledgeable chemist or biochemist here at all, so all that has been achieved is the exchange of uninformed misinformation.

So long as they are not subjected to heat or organic solvents (in particular),commercially-available enzymes do not loose their biological and catalytic activity.

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, 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.