Textile Biotechnology Research Articles

Optimisation of the Production and Bleaching Process for a New Laccase from Madurella mycetomatis, Expressed in Pichia pastoris: from Secretion to Yielding Prominent.

Laccases are polyphenol oxidoreductases used in a number of industrial applications. Due to the increasing demand for these "green catalysis" enzymes, the identification and biochemical characterisation of their novel properties is essential. In our study, cloned Madurella mycetomatis laccase (mmlac) genes were heterologously expressed in the methylotrophic yeast host Pichia pastoris. The high yield of the active recombinant protein in P. pastoris demonstrates the efficiency of a reliably constructed plasmid to express the laccase gene. The optimal biochemical conditions for the successfully expressed MmLac enzyme were identified. Detailed structural properties of the recombinant laccase were determined, and its utility in decolourisation and textile bleaching applications was examined. MmLac demonstrates good activity in an acidic pH range (4.0-6.0); is stable in the presence of cationic metals, organic solvents and under high temperatures (50-60°C); and is stable for long-term storage at - 20°C and - 80°C for up to eight weeks. The structural analysis revealed that the catalytic residues are partially similar to other laccases. MmLac resulted in an increase in whiteness, whilst demonstrating high efficiency and stability and requiring the input of fewer chemicals. The performance of this enzyme makes it worthy of investigation for use in textile biotechnology applications, as well as within environmental and food technologies.

ChemInform Abstract: Enzymatic Processing of Natural Fibres: White Biotechnology for Sustainable Development

AbstractReview: 289 refs.

Textile Biotech

AbstractCover illustration: Textile Biotech. Biotechnology now provides new tools such as metabolic engineering, genomics/proteomics/metabolomics and bioinformatics, which allow to improve textile quality, but also to protect the environment in reducing waste output. This special issue on Textile Biotech has been edited by Prof. Cavaco Paolo (University of Minho, Portugal) and is based on selected contributions from participants to the 4th International Conference on Textile Biotechnology (South Korea, June 2006). Hot air balloons © Sue Ashe – FOTOLIA

Meeting report: The 4th International Conference on Textile Biotechnology

Meeting report: The 4th International Conference on Textile Biotechnology

Next issue (March 2007): Textile biotechnology

AbstractEdited by Prof. Cavaco‐Paolo (Lisbon, Portugal).Highlight articles:– Catalases for cleaner bleaching– Natural retting agents– Decolorization of reactive azo dyes– Wax removal for accelerated cotton scouring– Enzymatic cotton scouring products– Photochemical immobilization on polyethylene– Nitrilases for the surface modification of acrylic fibers– PET hydrolysis by Fusarium esterases– PVA‐degrading enzymes in cotton fabric desizing... and much more: Read the next issue of BTJ!

Research and application of biotechnology in textile industries in China

Textile industry is a conventional and pillar industry in China, which possesses a considerable proportion of the national economy. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the application of biotechnology in textile industries in China. As an interdiscipline between natural science and engineering science, textile biotechnology has much effect on China's textile industry. This paper summarizes current developments and highlights those areas where biotechnology might play an increasingly important role in China's textile industry as follows: (1) Development of new types of textile fibers and polymers, such as Bt cotton naturally colored cotton, colored silk and silk gene-sequence, spider silk non-wovens, chitin fiber and chitosan derivatives, etc. (2) Application of enzyme technology in textile wet processing, such as alkaline pectinase, PVA-degrading enzyme, cutinase and catalase used for cotton preparation, neutral cellulase for denim washing, transglutaminase for wool modification, protease for silk degumming as well as pectinase and hemicellulases for retting of bast fibers. (3) Treatment of textile effluents with biotechnology.

The state of the art in textile biotechnology

A summary of the main technical research and industrial applications of enzymes in textile chemistry processes developed over recent years is presented. Discussion is focused on cotton, wool and silk fibers. Different aspects to be considered, in the author's opinion, in the future development of these promising applications of biotechnology in the textile chemistry field are finally pointed out.