Cellulase Enzyme in Bio-finishing of Cotton-Based Fabrics: Effects of Process Parameters

Cotton-based fabrics, namely loomstate cotton fabric, grey mercerized cotton fabric, loomstate cotton/polyester (50/50 and 35/65) blended fabric were bio-desized by α amylase enzymes and bio-scoured by alkaline pectinase enzymes. The obtained bio-scoured substrates were subject to bleaching with peracetic acid and proceeded for bio-polishing under a variety of conditions. Results show that the extent of bio-polishing depends on the conditions of the treatment. The loss in fabric weight exhibits values which are comparable at 50° and 60°C and substantially higher than those obtained at 40°C. Temperatures of bio-polishing, specifically 40° and 50°, decrease the whiteness index; higher temperature, i.e. 60 °C, does not cause further decrease in the whiteness index whereas the tensile strength decreases. The temperature has a positive effect on surface roughness particularly when bio-polishing is performed at 50°and 60 °C. It was also found that cellulase is more active in mercerized cotton than in either 100 % cotton or cotton/polyester blend. The scanning electron micrograph of fibers after the enzymatic treatment reveals smoothened faces. The ridges that are present in the untreated fiber samples are not found in the case of cellulase-treated fibers. Bio-polishing of cotton fabrics can offer unmatched results by optimizing the process conditions, which can be otherwise achieved with chemical finishes. Reasonably good results were obtained from all the cotton and cotton blend fabrics and show high flexibility and versatility of the treatment in the manufacturing process.