Enzymes
Specialty enzymes for Textiles.
Enzymes are biological polymers that act as biocatalysts. Enzymes accelerate the chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy. Enzymes differ from most other catalysts by being much more substrate-specific. Enzymes convert reactants (substrate) into the product without getting altered, so a small amount of enzyme is enough to convert a large amount of the substrate into a product. Enzymes are also used for their non-toxicity, biodegradability &easy to control characteristics.
The use of enzymes in the textile industry is one of the most rapidly growing fields in industrial enzymology. The enzymes used in the textile field are amylases, cellulase, catalase, pectinase, and laccase, which are used to removing the starch, breaking protruding cellulose fiber, degrading excess hydrogen peroxide, breaking pectin bond, and degradation of indigo dye.
Amylases are used to remove starch-based sizing from the fabric. Amylase is a hydrolytic enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of starch to short-chain dextrin and oligosaccharide and makes it easy to remove from the fabric by rinsing. Desizing enzymes can be used in cotton, viscose fiber, blended fabric, and yarn-dyed poplin. Amylase enzymes can be used over a wide pH and temperature range. The application can be carried by continuous & discontinuous process.
- Thermostable bacterial amylase
- Low-temperature alpha-amylase
In the enzymatic scouring process, the Pectinase enzyme is used in combination with textile auxiliaries at mild pH conditions to remove pectin, fat & wax components from the cotton. This process enables a better degree of polymerization, softness, absorbency, lesser TDS, and better COD & BOD as compared to the conventional alkaline bleaching process.
- Eco-friendly bio scouring for knitted fabric
- Liquid alkaline pectinase for knitted cellulosic fabric
Laccases are used for denim bleaching as an alternative to the hazardous and non-environmentally friendly chemical process. Laccase enzymes help in denim bleaching/ decolorization by faster conversion of indigo into isatin, which further decomposes to anthranilic acid as a final reaction product. The use of the laccase enzyme has several advantages over conventional denim bleaching as it is suitable for use in light-ounce fabric, prevents strength loss, no damage to lycra prevents yellowing on storage, lesser COD & BOD & reduces water usage.]
- Oxidoreductase laccase enzyme
Bio-polishing is a finishing process that enhances fabric quality by decreasing the pilling tendency and fuzziness of (cellulose) knitted & woven fabric/ garment. It can be carried out before, during, or after the dyeing process. Bio polishing can be achieved by using acid or neutral cellulase enzymes that work at room temperature or up to 55⁰C. Cellulase enzymes hydrolyze the microfibrils protruding from the fabric surface, weaken and break them easily off the main fiber, thereby yielding a fiber surface smoother than it was before.
- Neutral Cellulase in liquid form
- Acid Cellulase in liquid form
Cellulose has replaced the traditional stone washing process where the blue denim was faded by the abrasive action of pumice stones on the garment surface. Cellulase fading effect is obtained by removal of the physically attached indigo dye on the surface of the fibers by the cooperative action of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and mechanical agitation of the garment. Bio-fading improves the softness, luster, drape, texture, softness, and appearance of the fabric. Neutral or acid Cellulase is selected for use based on the intensity of the fading required on the denim.
- Neutral Cellulase in liquid form
- Acid Cellulase in liquid form
- Neutral Cellulase in powder form
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