New Development for Combined Bioscouring and Bleaching of Cotton-Based Fabrics

A thorough investigation into conditions appropriate for effecting combined eco-friendly scouring and bleaching of cotton based fabrics was undertaken. Loomstate cotton and blend fabrics were desized by α-amylase enzyme. Fabrics were the target for bioscouring using alkaline pectinase enzyme, bleaching by in-situ formed peracetic acid using TAED and H²O² as well as concurrent bioscouring and bleaching which is considered by all means a new development. Also, practiced were the conventional scouring using NaOH followed by bleaching using H²O² and other bleaching processes vis-à-vis the new current development. The comparison reveals unequivocally that the environmentally sound technology brought about by current development is by far the best. The new development involves a single-stage process for proper purification / preparation of cotton and blend fabrics . through removal of noncellulosic impurities and colouring matters . by padding the fabrics in a bath containing alkaline pectinase enzyme, TAED, H²O², nonionic wetting agent and sodium silicate. In addition to the advantages related to major technical fabric properties, the new development is eco-friendly and reproducible, which advocates the new development for mill trials.