Ex situ Coloration of Laccase-Entrapped Bacterial Cellulose with Natural Phenolic Dyes

Abstract

This study aimed to ex situ colorize laccase-entrapped bacterial cellulose (BC) with natural phenolic dyes, namely,madder, turmeric, and cochineal, and to determine the effect of laccase entrapment on the dyeability of BC using color strength (K/S) analysis. Results showed that laccase entrapment improved the dyeability of BC and that pre-entrapment was the most effective method, compared with meta-entrapment and post-entrapment methods. In addition, surface characterizations confirmed the successful entrapment of laccase inside the BC nanostructure and retention of the cellulosic and crystalline structures of BC. The washing durability test confirmed that the K/S value of BC had improved after laccase entrapment. Furthermore, laccase-entrapped BC colorized with cochineal dye had the highest washing durability due to the high molecular weight of cochineal dyerelative to the other dyes. This study suggests a novel method for enhancing the dyeability and washing durability of BC colorized ex situ with natural phenolic dyes by laccase entrapment.