Textile Enzymes

Textile enzymes are biological catalysts that perform specific wet-processingnjobs u2014 breaking down starch size, smoothing cellulosic fibers, or destroying leftovernbleach u2014 at mill temperatures and near-neutral pH. Three do most of the work in antextile plant: amylase, cellulase, and catalase. Each acts on one substrate and leaves thenrest of the fabric alone, which is why they replaced harsher chemical and mechanicalnmethods.

Amylase hydrolyzes starch size so it rinses off cleanly before dyeing, and catalasendecomposes the hydrogen peroxide left after bleaching so it cannot interfere with reactivendyes. Both run in narrow windows; an amylase optimized near 60-70°C and pH 6 losesnactivity outside that band. Specify the enzyme grade to your bath temperature and pH rathernthan dosing more product to compensate for a poor match.

Cellulase drives biopolishing and denim bio-stoning. It shaves the protruding fibrilsnthat cause pilling, smooths the surface, and replaces pumice stones in garment laundries.nHere is the real trade-off: the same activity that smooths the surface also removes fabric,nso an over-dose costs you tensile strength and weight along with the fuzz. Control dose,ntime, and temperature, and deactivate the enzyme on schedule.

• Enzymatic desizing of starch-sized cotton and blends before dyeing
• Biopolishing to reduce pilling and improve surface smoothness on cellulosics
• Denim bio-stoning and abrasion finishing in garment laundries
• Catalase peroxide kill before reactive dyeing to prevent shade variation
• Lower-temperature surface preparation as an alternative to harsh alkali routes

• Amylase enzyme u2014 PubChem
• Cellulase enzyme u2014 PubChem
• Catalase enzyme u2014 PubChem