Enzymatic Modification of Cotton/ Wool and Viscose/ Wool Blended Fabrics

ABSTRACT

Con/wool and viscose/wool blended fabrics samples were biotreated with acid cellulases, neutral cellulase and/or protease enzymes for enhancing their performance properties. The experimental data indicate that: the extent of loss in weight is governed by the type of enzyme, i.e. Acid cellulases > Neutral cellulase > Protease > none, as well as nature of substrate, i.e., viscose/wool > cotton/wool; 2) incorporation of H₂O₂ in enzymatic formulation results in an improvement in fabric whiteness as well as its hydrophilicity; 3) bio-treatment of the used blends results in an improvement in dyeability with anionic dyes, and the extent of improvement is governed by type of enzyme, nature of the substrate, as well as class of dyestuff; 4) two-steps enzymatic treatments gives better performance properties, and bio-treatment efficiency follows the descending order: (Acid cellulases Proteases) > Acid cellulases > Protease > none; and 5) subsequent soft finish of enzymatic – treated fabric samples gives rise to an improvement in fabrics resiliency and softness.

KEYWORDS:

• Cellulose/wool blend
• enzymes
• biotreatments
• performance properties