Treatment of cotton fabrics with purified Trichoderma Reesei cellulases

Abstract

Two different types of cotton fabrics, i.e. cotton twill and cotton poplin, were treated with purified Trichoderma reesei cellulases. Methods used to evaluate the enzyme effects included weight loss, tear strength, bending hysteresis, wrinkle recovery and pilling tendencies. When the different fabric properties at the same weight loss level were compared, it was apparent that cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) and endoglucanases had different effects on cotton fabrics. Endoglucanases caused more strength loss than CBH I but had also positive effects on the bending behaviour and pilling properties. The two endoglucanases tested differed in their action. At low hydrolysis levels practically no strength loss was obtained with these endoglucanases whereas at higher dosages EG II caused significantly higher strength losses as compared to EG I. A positive result in the pilling was, however, also obtained with these low enzyme levels, indicating practically no strength loss.