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.