Abstract

The textile materials used for healthcare products should be hygiene, free from impurities and chemical content. In order to reduce the hazards caused by the chemical effluents, use of enzymes in the pretreatment of textiles is the only alternative method. In this research, the effect of mode of treatment of xylanase enzyme and its process conditions such as enzyme concentration (1.5, 2 and 2.5g/l), temperature (40, 50 and 60?C) and time (60, 90 and 120 min) on the combined de sizing and scouring of cotton fabric were studied. The cotton fabric was assessed by measuring the weight loss and water absorbency. It was found from the results that the fabric treated with xylanase enzyme, buffer and acetic acid has shown optimum weight loss and absorbency. The fabric sample treated at 1.5g/l, 50°C, and 90 min has shown better absorbency levels.

Keywords

Xylanase, Scouring, De-sizing, Absorbency, Weight loss, Natural fibers, Cotton, Textile processing, Eco-friendly, Enzyme, Environmental impact, Fabric, Conventional preparatory process, Absorbency, Agitation