Application and Molecular Modification of Enzyme in Textile Degumming

This review comprehensively examines the application and molecular modification of enzymes in the textile degumming of plant-based natural fibers. Traditional chemical and physical degumming methods are energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental, having negative impact on fibers' mechanical properties and performance. In contrast, enzymatic degumming, utilizing biocatalysts such as pectinases, xylanases, mannanases, and laccases, offers a promising eco-friendly solution due to its specificity, mild conditions, and minimal fiber damage. However, the widespread industrial adoption of enzymatic degumming is hindered by inherent limitations of native enzymes, including poor thermal stability, narrow pH adaptability, and low tolerance to industrial process conditions. To address these challenges, enzyme molecular modification has emerged as a transformative strategy. This review outlines the structure and gum composition of representative bast fibers and details the types, mechanisms, and synergistic actions of key degumming enzymes. It provides an in-depth analysis of advanced enzyme engineering technologies, including directed evolution, rational and semi-rational design, computational-aided methods, and AI-driven approaches, with specific case studies on their application to optimize these enzymes. For instance, engineered pectate lyase V52A showed significantly improved activity and thermostability, while the xylanase Q130K/E195K showed a 9.40‑fold longer pH half‑life and a 2.55‑fold higher specific activity than the wild type. Despite significant progress, current challenges persist, such as insufficient multi-factorial industrial adaptability of engineered enzymes, the complexity of fiber-specific gum structures, high production costs, and underdeveloped industrial application systems. Future prospects lie in integrating multi-technological approaches for precise enzyme engineering, in-depth exploration of gum-enzyme interactions, optimization of fermentation processes, and the development of intelligent, integrated degumming systems. This work aims to provide theoretical support and technical references to advance the industrialization of enzymatic degumming for sustainable textile processing.