New Environment-Friendly Possibilities of Scouring and Bleaching Cotton for Sanitary Products

Cotton gauze used for sanitary material was treated with enzymes pectinase and alkali scoured with sodium hydroxide. After enzymatic and alkali scouring the samples were bleached with peroxiacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. By measuring the degree of whiteness, absorbency, loss of mass and damage of fibres treated by various processes, the adequacy of process for treating sanitary material was estimated. The properties of fibres treated by one-stage process with enzymes and peroxiacetic acid were compared. The process, which includes alkali scouring and/or peroxide bleaching, gives higher degree of whiteness and better absorptive capacity than the process, which includes bioscouring and/or bleaching with PAA. However, scouring with enzymes and bleaching with peroxiacetic acid is performed at 50 to 60 degrees C and at pH between 7 and 8 and the damages of fibres are negligible, so this process is an interesting alternative for conventional treatment.