Cellulase enzymes in wet processing of lyocell and its blends

A study was conducted to characterize the performance of various cellulase enzymes in garment processing of Tencel and its blends with cotton and line n. Tencel is the registered trademark of Acordis Fibers (Holdings) Ltd. for lyocell. The garments were treated with commercial whole and engineered co mponent cellulase enzymes derived from Trichoderma reesei. The treated garm ents were evaluated for defibrillation, degree of fibrillation after multip le launderings, fabric strength loss, and fabric hand. Results showed that there were only slight performance differences in defibrillation efficacy b etween the various enzymes. The enzymes had different specific activities b ut their effect on fibrillation removal was similar. The mechanical action from the garment processing equipment played a more significant role in rem oving the fibrillation, thus overriding the effect of enzyme action. Marked differences were observed in hand modification characteristics of conventi onal whole cellulases versus engineered component cellulases and were direc tly related to the enzyme composition.