TREATMENT OF COTTON FABRICS WITH PURIFIED TRICHODERMA-REESEI CELLULASES

Two different types of cotton fabrics, i.e. cotton twill and cotton po plin, were treated with purified Trichoderma reesei cellulases. Method s used to evaluate the enzyme effects included weight loss, tear stren gth, bending hysteresis, wrinkle recovery and pilling tendencies. When the different fabric properties at the same weight loss level were co mpared, it was apparent that cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) and endogluca nases had different effects on cotton fabrics. Endoglucanases caused m ore strength loss than CBH I but had also positive effects on the bend ing behaviour and pilling properties. The two endoglucanases tested di ffered in their action. At low hydrolysis levels practically no streng th loss was obtained with these endoglucanases whereas at higher dosag es EG II caused significantly higher strength losses as compared to EG I. A positive result in the pilling was, however, also obtained with these low enzyme levels, indicating practically no strength loss.