Advantages of a two-step enzymatic process for cotton-polyester blends

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Textile Processing
• Enzymology

Background:

• Cotton fabric modification is crucial for improving material properties.
• Enzymatic hydrolysis offers a sustainable approach to textile treatment.
• Trichoderma reesei cellulase is a potent enzyme complex for biomass degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a two-step enzymatic hydrolysis procedure for cotton fabric.
• To compare the results of the two-step method with a conventional one-step batch hydrolysis.
• To analyze the impact of pre-treatment on weight loss and hydrolysis rate.

Main Methods:

• Cotton fabric samples were subjected to a two-step treatment with crude Trichoderma reesei cellulase.
• Step 1 involved low liquor ratio padding at controlled temperatures (21°C and 55°C) for 12 hours.
• Step 2 utilized a high liquor ratio (1:25) with intensive agitation at 55°C.

Main Results:

• The two-step procedure resulted in an overall weight loss of 25-28% (w/w).
• This is a notable increase compared to 22% (w/w) weight loss observed in one-step batch hydrolysis.
• Pre-treatment significantly influenced weight loss, hydrolysis rate, and protein concentration in the second step liquor.

Conclusions:

• The two-step enzymatic hydrolysis of cotton fabric using Trichoderma reesei cellulase is more effective than one-step methods.
• This optimized procedure offers a promising route for enhanced cotton fabric modification.
• Further research can explore enzyme optimization and process scaling for industrial applications.