Use of bacterial lipase for scouring of cotton fabrics

Abstract

Attempt has been made to analyse the efficiency of bacterial lipase as a scouring agent for raw cotton fabrics to remove the natural hydrophobic substances present in the fibre. Improvement in the drop absorbency is observed to significant extent in the lipase scoured fabric samples and the lowest absorbency time of the treated sample is observed at 2 s, though the extractable impurities are at higher levels (2.14%). FTIR results show reduction in the band intensities related to hydroxyl stretch, and symmetric and asymmetric stretching of alkyl groups attributable to the waxy substances present in the raw cotton fibres.