Influence of pretreatment of cotton yarns prior to biopolishing

Cellulase is one of the enzymes most commonly used in the textile industry for the biopolishing process. The appropriate choice of pretreatment is a possible route to promoting enzymatic attack in situations in which this is not favored due to the effects of packing. In order to evaluate the influence of pretreatment the yarn was maintained in water for 24 h before biopolishing to promote greater spacing between the chains. In the tensile testing the pretreated Combed 13/1 yarn showed a greater percentage reduction in the maximum breaking force following biopolishing, evidencing a stronger enzymatic attack. Also, the Combed 13/1 and OE 14/1 yarns without pretreatment had an approximately 22% reduction in the shrinkage and after pretreatment the Carded 13/1 yarn had the best shrinkage reduction values (18%). These data demonstrate that the introduction of the pretreatment promotes a change in the access of the enzyme to the fiber.

► A pretreatment on the accessibility of the yarn to the enzyme during biopolishing was studied. ► The pretreatment promotes enzymatic attack in situations where this is not favored. ► Pretreatment with water for 24 h is important for inducing the enzymatic attack. ► After the biopolishing the yarns showed less shrinkage. ► Pretreated before biopolishing promotes greater spacing between the chairs.