Flax retting by degumming composite enzyme produced by Bacillus licheniformis HDYM-04 and effect on fiber properties

Abstract

Flax enzymatic retting with composite enzyme produced by microbes with inexpensive substrates is widely researched due to less contamination and lower cost. Bacillus licheniformis HDYM-04, isolated from a liquid sample of flax retting pool, efficiently produced degumming enzymes after 48 h of fermentation with inexpensive konjaku flour, consisted of 587.5 U/mL pectinase, 365.2 U/mL mannanase, and 140.1 U/mL xylanase. Almost half the maximum activity of three above-mentioned degumming enzymes was maintained at pH 4.0–6.0 which demonstrated its stability in pH condition of flax retting. After 120 h of retting with this composite enzyme, scanning electronic microscopy showed more significant reduction in gummy components on the fiber surface than those of water retting. The fiber strength was 182.4 ± 9.3 N, 14.3% higher than water-retted samples. The long fiber rate and fiber yield also verified higher fiber productivity. The results permitted this degumming composite enzyme an applicable potential in flax retting.

Keywords:

• Flax
• retting
• degumming enzyme
• fiber property
• Bacillus licheniformis

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China [grant number 31270534]; Distinguished Young Scholars of Heilongjiang University [grant number JCL201305]; National Nature Science Youth Foundation of China [grant number 31300355]; Post Doctorate Foundation of Heilongjiang Province [grant number LBH-Z15214].