Survey and Recent Report on Enzymatic Processing of Bast Fibers

SUMMARY

In reference to previous presentations during meetings of Working Group 2 (WG2): “Bioprocessing of Bast Fibres,” acting within the COST Action 847 Project “Textile Quality and Biotechnology,” a further update of current world knowledge on biological processing of fiber plants and textiles was prepared. This survey covers the research on utilization of particular groups of enzymes in these processes. Main areas of enzyme application in bast fiber textile industry, according to literature from 2001-2004 are: degumming of bast fibers and scouring in textile industry (before and after bleaching).

The report also covers the results of studies on enzymatic processing of fiber plants carried out at the INF, in which the work is continued on application of enzymes in: degumming of flax straw, modifying of the short technical flax fibers, linen and hemp fabrics modification, and bonding of lignocellulosic composites.

Key Words:

• Bast fibers
• retting
• enzymes
• enzymatic treatment
• degumming
• scouring
• “cottonization”
• bleaching
• bonding lignocellulosic composites