Enzymatic Treatment of Pigment Prints

Abstract

Extending from our previous work on applications of biotechnology in textile wet processing, this article reports the impact of post-biopolishing on the performance properties of pigment-printed cellulosic fabrics. The data demonstrate that the extent of enzymatic attack is determined by the nature of the cellulase enzyme, the depth of pigment prints, the nature of the cellulosic substrate, the fabric structure, and the finishing formulation contents. Furthermore, the loss in weight, the decrease in the depth of shade, and the improvement in softness degree of the biopolished pigment prints follow the descending orders: Acid cellulases > Acid cellulases/softener > Neutral cellulase > None, None > Neutral cellulase > Acid cellulases/softener > Acid cellulases, and Acid cellulases/softener > Acid cellulases > Neutral cellulase >> None, respectively. The effect of enzymatic treatment on the fastness properties of the treated pigment prints were also investigated.