Treating Cotton with Cellulases and Pectinases: Effects on Cuticle and Fiber Properties

Cellulases and pectinases are used to treat raw cotton fibers and unscoured cotton fabrics. The structural changes in the surfaces of cotton caused by the enzymatic treat ments and resulting properties are the main focus of this study. Both staining tests and microscopy observations confirm that the cuticle is removed by the pectinases and cellulases. All evidence of fiber weight loss and fabric water absorbency shows that significant changes in cotton fiber and fabric properties occur with mild treatment conditions. Physical changes in the cotton surfaces are clearly revealed by scanning electron micrographs. All fiber weight loss values stemming from the enzymatic treat ments are smaller than or near the cotton cuticle weight. Sufficient water absorbency for textile processing is obtained with mild enzymatic treatments, corresponding to a small but statistically significant fiber weight loss.