Enzyme and silicone treatments on jute fibre. Part I: Effect on textile-related properties

The present study relates to broad-based assessment of softening of raw jute and selectively pretreated jute fibres under the action of mixed enzymes (cellulase, xylanase and pectinase) and a textile grade aminosilicone softener and to further assess how such selective treatments finally contribute in enhancing some textile-related properties. Application of 4% mixed enzyme on jute fibre at 55 degrees C for 2 h at pH 4.8 offers much finer, softer, cleaner and brighter jute fibre with some lowering of bundle tenacity. However, pretreatment of jute fibre under combined oxidative action of 3% H2O2 and 0.75% K2S2O8 for 2 h at 30 degrees C (pH 11) followed by subsequent treatment with 1% mixed enzyme offers a better balance of textile-related properties covering moisture regain, fineness, bundle tenacity, flexural rigidity, surface reflectance, whiteness index, yellowness index and brightness index. Treatments of jute fibre with 0.5-1% aminosilicone softener under a specified condition also make jute fibre much softer, smoother, brighter and cause noticable reduction in coefficient of friction without much change in bundle tenacity. However, keeping all textile-related properties in view, a preatment of conventional 3% H2O2 bleaching for 2 h at 85 degrees C (pH 11) or an oxidative treatment under combined action of 3% H2O2 and 0.75% K2S2O8 for 2 h at 30 degrees C (pH 11) prior to 1% aminosilicone treatment of jute fibre were found to be much useful for textile purpose.