Chemometric approach to optimize cellulase treatment of cotton knits

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Enzymatic treatment of the cotton knit fabrics with cellulase enzyme Denifade has been carried out according to Box and Behnken response surface design with three independent variables, viz. enzyme concentration, duration of treatment and treatment temperature, at three levels of each variable. Enzymatic treatment results in weight and strength loss of the fabrics. However, the treated fabrics show less stiffness and improved wettability as well as higher dye uptake. The scanning electron micrographs show that the surface fibres are removed on enzyme treatment. The treatment conditions have been optimized with respect to enzyme concentration, duration of treatment and temperature of treatment. A comparative study with Cellosoft cellulase enzyme has also been carried out.</span>