Applications of enzymes in cotton yarn and fabric preparation processes

Abstract

Cotton plain and twill weave fabrics, cotton jersey knits and cotton yarn were treated under enzymatic and conventional preparation processes. Samples desized with amylase enzyme show complete sizes removal. Samples scoured with pectinase enzyme provide good absorbency and obtain lower weight loss than conventional scoured samples. Both scouring methods give almost comparable capability of pectin removal with a little higher efficiency in enzymatic scouring. Plain weave fabric and yarn increase in strength after pectinase scouring while twill weave fabric and jersey knits decrease. Scoured jersey knits lose strength twice higher from conventional scouring than from pectinase scouring. Samples bleached with glucose oxidase enzyme obtain whiteness index nearly 20 degree improvement with 3-13% strength loss.