Processing techniques for improving enzyme-retting of flax

Information is needed to optimize enzymatic-retting of flax (Linum usitatis smum L.) based on a pectinase-rich mixture and chelators. Seed flax straw f rom North Dakota in 1998, 'Natasja' fiber flax straw from South Carolina in 1993, 'Ariane' fiber flax straw field-aged and dried from South Carolina i n 1999,'Ariane' fiber flax straw shed-dried from South Carolina in 1999, an d Canadian seed flax straw in 1997 comprised diverse samples that were subj ected to various tests to improve absorption of enzyme formulation by stems or to evaluate clean fiber yield. Mechanical disruption by crimping stems through fluted rollers at about 80 Newtons gave optimum fiber yield in conj unction with enzymatic-retting and was, therefore, used in further tests to evaluate enzyme absorption. Enzyme absorption was increased significantly for uncrimped flax stems with increased pressure of about 310 kPa or with a vacuum around 88 kPa. Increased pressure was effective more than the vacuu m treatment. Samples with minimal post harvest handling were affected more by pressure alterations than samples that had considerable disruptions, suc h as seed Bar straw or field-aged straw. Crimped stems showed little increa se in enzyme absorption with alterations in applied pressure. Mechanical tr eatment of stems by crimping gave the largest increase in enzyme absorption and increased significantly the fiber yields. Based on a variety of sample types, the results suggest that normal atmospheric conditions are satisfac tory for penetration of enzyme formulation into crimped stems, and that ext raordinary measures are not required to expedite the enzyme-retting process . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.