Application of Ultrasound for Enzymatic Bio-Processing of Cotton

Authors: Yachmenev, Valeriy; Blanchard, Eugene

Submitted to: Textile Technology International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Yachmenev, V., Blanchard, E.J. 2003. Application of Ultrasound for Enzymatic Bio-Processing of Cotton. Textile Technology International. 40-42.

Interpretive Summary: Utilization of various highly specific enzymes for bio-finishing/bio-preparation processing of cellulosic fibers is becoming increasingly popular. The use of enzymes is environmentally advantageous because it enables the textile industry to replace harsh organic/inorganic chemicals, and it sharply decreases the quantity and toxicity of wastewater effluents. However, enzymatic processing of cotton has several important shortcomings, such as expensive processing costs and slow reaction rates. Our laboratory scale studies showed that introduction of ultrasonic energy during enzymatic treatment of cotton textiles offers significant advantages such as less consumption of expensive enzymes, shorter processing time, less fiber damage, and notable decrease in the amount and toxicity of textile wastewater. Groups benefiting from this development include the textile industry, industrial and academic textile scientists and the consumer.

Technical Abstract: Application of highly specific enzymes for wet processing of cotton textiles is becoming increasingly popular because of their ability to replace harsh organic/inorganic chemcials currently used by the textile industry. Consequently, a significant decrease in the amount and toxicity of textile wastewater effluents is achievable. It was established that ultrasound does not inactivate the complex structures of enzyme molecules. As a consequence, there was significant improvements in the performance of both cellulase and pectinase enzymes. The experimental data indicate that the maximum benefit provided by sonication occurs at relatively low enxyme concentrations. Introduction of ultrasonic energy significantly enhanced enzymatic activity on various types of cotton fabrics, but it did not constribute to a decrease int ensile strength. The combined enzyme/sonication treatment of cellulosic textiles offers significant advantages such as less consumption of enzymes, shorter processing time, less fiber damage and better uniformity of treatment.