SUMMARY
A novel application of laccase for Indigo Carmine transformation with possible applications in enzymatic re-coloration of denim fabric is described. Indigo is used for dyeing denim fabric (“blue jeans”). For a fashionable “stone-washed” look, dyestuff is partially removed from dyed fabric mechanically with plim stones or enzymatically using cellulase-laccase cocktails. Laccases degrade indigo to isatin and anthranilic acid. However, upon systematic variation of pH, dye concentration, and enzyme activity we found that under appropriate reaction conditions a different reaction pathway leads to an intensively red coloured, stable reaction product of higher molecular weight. This reaction could be used to generate a wide variety of different new colour hues directly on the fabric.