[Application of neutral-alkaline pectate lyases to cotton fabric boil off]

Commercial and pilot pectate lyase preparations (EC 4.2.2.2) have been compared. They differ in their effect on pectins with different esterification degrees (ED). The activity of the pilot preparation with respect to a substrate with ED = 70% is tenfold lower than with respect to unesterified polygalacturonic acid. For commercial preparations, this activity ratio ranged within 1.5-2. At equal pectate lyase activities, the commercial preparations better remove pectin from crude cotton fabric during its boil off. The laboratory preparation is more efficient for improving the capillarity (wettability) of the fabric owing to the cooperative effect of the pectate lyase, cellulase, and hemicellulase present in the preparation.