Application of immobilized enzyme technologies for the textile industry: a review

Abstract

A number of enzymes have applications in the textile sector, as several natural fibres (e.g. cotton, wool and flax) can be subjected to processing using such natural biocatalysts. In the latest two decades, demand for industrial enzymes has increased considerably; however, the textile industry requires highly stable enzymes, and good performance at extreme values of pH and temperature. New strategies are continuously emerging for the immobilization of enzymes with superior efficiency and usage. Enzymatic immobilization can stabilize enzymes and extend their useful life. Additionally, reduction in effluent treatment costs and improvement of efficiency is possible. This paper briefly reviews the most recent research efforts pertaining to immobilization of enzymes with potential application in the textile industry.

Keywords::

• Cotton
• effluent treatment
• enzyme immobilization
• dye
• textile
• wool

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the project GOBLUE – Biotecnology applied to textile processing financed by ADI– Agência de Inovação, S.A., and by a doctoral fellowship granted to author A. C. Queiroga (SFRH/BD/19212/2004) and a post-doctoral fellowship granted to author P. R. Moreira (SFRH/BPD/26527/2005), both fellowships were granted by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.