The role of Trichoderma reesei cellulases in cotton finishing

Knitted and woven cotton fabrics were treated with a monocomponent Trichode rma reesei endoglucanase II (EGII) and with experimental Trichoderma cellul ase mixtures containing different cellulase profiles. The cellulase action was evaluated by measuring weight loss, pilling, and bursting strength. Of the experimental mixtures, Cellulase F, being an EGII-enriched preparation, was the best mixture to obtain the highest pilling reduction with the lowe st strength and weight losses on cotton knitted fabric. The monocomponent E GII was, however, even more efficient with respect to good depilling with m inimal negative effect on the knitted fabric. The results obtained with the different cellulases were found to depend on the fabric type. In the case of ring-spun woven fabric, purified EGII was the best enzyme in depilling w ith the lowest weight loss. Cellulase B (containing CBH1 and EGII) reduced the pilling tendency, but the weight loss was higher as compared to that ob tained with the monocomponent EGII. In the case of open end-spun woven fabr ic, Cellulase B and Cellulase E (EGII enriched, CBH1 negative) resulted in improved depilling, but at the same time they caused relatively high weight loss.