Development of the biological utilisation of textile wastes. I. Scaling upof the biodegradation process

The research work presented is a continuation of studies concerning the pos sibility of using cellulolytic enzymes for degradation of cellulose in wast es from fibrous polyester-cellulose blends. The aims were perfection of pre -treatment methods for raw, materials, elaboration of a continuous utilisat ion process and scaling-up of the process. Fabric waste blends of 67% polye ster fibres and 33% cotton fibres were used as raw material. Cellulolytic e nzymes originating from the Trichoderma reesei strain were used for enzymat ic degradation. Cellulose pre-hydrolysis was carried out using the xylanase enzyme. For the optimisation of cellulose degradation xylanase concentrati on, pH, temperature, and reaction time were examined. The biodegradation pr ocess was also conducted with the use of a xylanase and cellulase mixture. A method of continuous utilisation of the blends was elaborated. A glass re actor of 6 l capacity was used in the scaling-up of the process. As result of the biodegradation of cellulose a polyester component with a small amoun t of strong degraded cellulose fibres was isolated from the blend. Studies concerned the possibility of a repeated application of polyester obtained i n the biodegradation process of PET/cellulose blends will be presented in a next article.