Enzymatic Polishing of Jute/Cotton Blended Fabrics

Jute is a strong, stiff, natural fiber. When blended with cotton it makes a sturdy but prickly fabric due to protruding surface jute fibers. Samples of jute-cotton blended fabric were treated with commercial cellulases, xylanases and pectinases individually and in combination at various concentrations in order to smooth and soften the fabric. Enzyme treatment was carried out at 50°C in the presence of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PH 7.0), for 3 h. Enzymatic activities were evaluated by the release of reducing sugars and changes in surface appearance of the fabric. Addition of commercial cellulases alone extensively removed protruding jute and cotton fibers from the fabric, whereas addition of commercial pectinases or xylanases mainly loosened the protruding long jute fiber bundle. Combined treatment of pectinases and xylanases with reduced amounts of cellulases was equally effective as high levels of cellulases in the removal of surface protruding fibers. The amount of reducing sugar released correlated with removal of fibers from the fabric surface. Thus, the fabric surface was smoother in enzyme-treated samples compared to untreated control and treated with mixtures of enzymes were more effective than cellulase alone.