Detergent compositions containing polycarboxylates and calcium-sensitive enzymes

A detergent compositions comprising (a) from 0.5 to 65% by weight of surfactant(s), (b) 1 to 80% by weight of builder(s), and (c) an effective amount up to but less than 1% by weight of an anti-redeposition agent, wherein the anti-redeposition agent is an interpolymer that is not one of the builders of (b) and that comprises repeating units of the structure:

• ##STR30## wherein m is a mole fraction from 0.70 to 0.95;
• n is a mole fraction from 0.05 to 0.30;
• A is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono or di-carboxylic acid monomer;
• B is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono or di-carboxylic acid monomer and B is not A;
• and C is:
• ##STR31## wherein X is --H, ##STR32## or a combination thereof, R.sup.1 is --H, --CH.sub.3, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.3, or a combination thereof, and q is 1-5;
• R.sup.2 is:
• ##STR33## or R.sup.3, or a combination thereof, and R.sup.3 is a C.sub.8-C.sub.18 linear or branched alkyl chain;
• the interpolymer being prepared by polymerizing the monomers in a solvent system in which the monomers and interpolymer are soluble.

A liquid detergent composition, comprising

• (a) a builder(s) having an intrinsic calcium binding constant of less than 3.5 at an ionic strength of about 400 mmols of monovalent ion, and an intrinsic calcium binding constant of at least 5.0 at an ionic strength of about 20 mmols of monovalent ion, and wherein the builder is an interpolymer comprising repeating units of the structure:
• ##STR34## wherein m is a mole fraction from 0.70 to 0.95;
• n is a mole fraction from 0.05 to 0.30;
• A is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono or di-carboxylic acid monomer;
• B is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono or di-carboxylic acid monomer and B is not A;
• and C is:
• ##STR35## wherein X is --H, ##STR36## or a combination thereof, R.sup.1 is --H, --CH.sub.3, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.3, or a combination thereof, and q is 1-5;
• R.sup.2 is:
• ##STR37## or a combination thereof, and R.sup.3 is a C.sub.8-C.sub.18 linear or branched alkyl chain;
• the interpolymer being prepared by polymerizing the monomers in a solvent system in which the monomers and interpolymer are soluble;
• and
• (b) a calcium-sensitive enzyme(s), wherein the calcium-sensitive enzyme(s), is characterized by stability in the presence of the builder(s).