Simultaneous Application of Glucose Oxidases and Peroxidases in Bleaching Processes

Abstract

AbstractPeroxidases (POD) are used in textile decoloration and bleaching processes, but these enzymes are unfortunately inactivated rapidly at high hydrogen peroxide concentrations. A new concept has therefore been developed, which is based on a simultaneous application of glucose oxidase and peroxidase. Starting with glucose as a substrate for glucose oxidase (GOD), hydrogen peroxide was generated in situ. The freshly formed substrate H2O2 was immediately used by the POD oxidizing colored compounds in dyeing baths. For example, 20 mg of the dyestuff Sirius Supra Blue®FGG 200 % could be decolorized using 125 mg glucose which corresponds to 24 mg hydrogen peroxide. These experiments show that the enzyme cascade works in principle in homogeneous decoloration processes. The enzymes were not degraded by the oxidant, because under these conditions the stationary peroxide concentration is nearly zero over the whole reaction time. Moreover, experiments were carried out to check if this combined system with GOD, glucose and POD could be used even in heterogeneous systems such as the textile bleaching of natural cotton fibers. Starting from 55, a significant higher degree of whiteness (according to Berger) up to 66 could be obtained.