Alkali Pectinases Used in Cotton Scouring

Abstract

Environmental considerations and constant urge to rationalise production have initiated the development of new technologies in textile finishing. Alkalis in wet finishing of cotton, present for centuries, will soon be abandoned and enzymes introduced wherever possible: in scouring, bleaching and other processes. Scouring cotton employing conventional technology with NaOH and new processes with isolated alkali pectinase are compared, the pectinase being used to decompose pectin in impurities present in cotton. Pectin substances are described, polysaccharides by chemical composition, the structure of which has not been investigated in detail as yet. A survey of pectinase enzymes is given, used until now in the preparation of fruit juices only. Newly isolated types have yielded excellent results in decomposing pectin present in cotton. Comparison of the effects, costs and environmental factors of both methods indicate considerable advantages on the part of enzymatic as compared to conventional scouring.