Effective textile printing using different enzyme systems

The possibility of using enzymes in natural and synthetic thickener systems for the printing of cotton and wool has been investigated, in particular the effect on colour and surface structure. The efficiency of different enzymes (cellulases, proteases and laccases) concerning their applicability, i.e. activity and stability within different thickener systems (polysaccharide, acrylic polymer and their mixtures), was studied. Rheological parameters (viscosity and viscoelasticity) of the printing paste were determined and the colour and/or structure effects on the fabric surfaces were assessed. The rheological investigations showed that degradation of the structure of the thickener system could occur in the case of an inappropriate combination of thickener and enzyme product leading to pseudoplasticity and decreased elasticity of the paste.