Early enzyme laundry products were mostly pre-soakers
Since long contact time improves results, giving the "germs" more time to digest whatever substance they were meant to be attacking.
By the time P&G, Henkel, Lever Bros, etc.. began moving enzymes into detergents something must have changed.
Average wash cycle time for a North American top loader (with central beater)is 10-15 minutes. European washing machines have an average wash cycle range of 30 to 40 minutes. Industrial washers including tunnel systems range from 4 to 8 minutes.
Since there are laundry detergents on offer with enzymes we must assume that makers have optimized products for their target market. But this would likely be for a specific range of soiling. Heavily stained laundry likely will require longer contact time to give better results.
If you read packets and or laundry manuals, websites, and or other media aimed at the North American market (with the presumption user has a top loader with central beater), you find it is advised to soak moderately to heavy soiled laundry with an enzyme product for several hours/over night.
OTOH European domestic washing machines with their long wash cycle times rarely see this sort of advice. Indeed over the years were pre-wash was once de facto included with "Cottons/Linens/Normal", it now is an option. Modern enzyme detergents like Persil or Ariel are just that good, especially coupled with a long profile wash that goes from cold to 40c or 60c. Some washers (like my AEG/Lavamat) have an option that will extend wash cycle by holding the "warm" heating part in order to give enzymes more time to work before going on to hot or boil wash temps.
By and large commercial laundries go with chemicals to remove soils/stains as it is faster and more efficient than relying upon enzymes. High wash temps coupled with high pH will remove blood, especially if load has been flushed/sluiced in cold water first, then pre-washed in warm water with perhaps a bit of suds and alkali.
Thing to also remember about North American laundry habits is the still heavy reliance/use of chlorine bleach. Even with enzyme detergents people still add bleach to wash loads. This not only kills off the enzymes but chlorine bleach will break down protein. This means even in a "short" top loading or even Laundromat front loader wash cycle results can be skewed.
In the old says packets of enzyme detergents sold in USA had directions to wait several minutes after wash started before adding chlorine bleach. Presumably that was to give enzymes time to work.
Bringing this on home; no, don't find much benefit in using enzyme detergents in short wash cycles. I don't bother with them in wringer washer unless am going to allow load to soak. Stains/soils that come out easily in my Miele or AEG using enzyme detergents largely remain (or show traces) when done at laundromat using the SQ front loaders.
If you "washed" laundry in a top loader for forty minutes of being thrashed about, you'd soon have rags. OTOH drum type washers give a more gentle wash action so even one hour of being "washed" won't cause as much wear.
