Biotreatment of desized cotton fabric by commercial cellulase and xylanase enzymes

Desized cotton fabric was subjected to biotreatment with seven commercial cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes in non-agitated and agitated systems at 50 degreesC for 0.5-4 h. The enzymes performed better in agitated bath than in non-agitated ones. All enzymes at 1 g/l concentration in 2 h caused weight loss less than 6%. Those three enzymes (Celluclast 1.5, Cellusoft L and Cellulase (EBT)) which exhibited the highest filter paper activity (FPA) showed the most aggressive action on cotton in agitated system at 1 g/l concentration when time of treatment exceeded 2 h. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.