Papain was modified using succinic anhydride, and the modified papain so obtained was compared with the native papain for its activity and stability in detergents. This study was done using commercial enzyme detergents as references. It was found that modified papain retained activity comparable to the commercial enzyme detergents. Chemically modified papain may prove to be an inexpensive alternative to alkaline proteases that are used in detergents. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.