• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1121-1127
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• 2009

This study presents an eco-friendly and one-step finishing method for modifying fiber property that reduces fiber damage in wool/polyester blend fabrics. Lipase from aspergillus oryzae is used in this experiment. The enzymatic treatment condition is optimized by measuring the relative activity of lipase depending on pH level, temperature, concentration of lipase, and treatment time. The concentration of $CaCl_2$as an activator is determined by the characteristics including whiteness, water contact angle (WCA), and dyeing property. The modified properties of lipase treated fabrics are tested for pill resistance and surface morphology. The results are described as follows: the optimum condions for lipase treatment constitute a pH level of 8.0, treatment temperature of 40$^{\circ}$$_C$, concentration of lipase at 100% (o.w.f), and a treatment time of 90 minutes. $CaCl_2$helps in raising lipase activation, and the optimum concentration is 50mM. The whiteness, wet ability, and pill resistance of lipase treated fabrics improves as compared to the control. The dyeing property of lipase treated fabrics improved by 53.5% after using the one-bath dyeing method. This means that lipase treatment can save time and cost during the dyeing process since lipase treatment modifies wool and polyester fibers. The surface of lipase treated wool fibers do not exhibit any change, however voids and cracks manifest on the surface of lipase treated polyester fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2009

This study provides the optimum papain treatment method and its effect on wool/polyester blend fabrics. The enzymatic treatment condition is optimized depending on its pH level, temperature, concentration of enzyme, treatment time and concentration of activators. The characteristics of samples treated with the papain are measured using weight loss, tensile strength, whiteness, WCA, dyeing property and surface micrographs. The results are described as follows: According to measuring weight loss, tensile strength and whiteness, a pH level of 7.5, $70^{\circ}C$, 10% papain(o.w.f.) and 60minutes of treatment time are optimized for papain treatment. L-cysteine and sodium sulfite are able to activate the papain. The optimum concentrations of them are 10mM and 50mM respectively. The WCA of fabrics is decreased since papain treatment makes wool/polyester blend fabrics more hydrophilic. Scouring with papain treatment improves whiteness and dyeing property of fabrics. The dyeing property of papain-treated fabrics is enhanced simply by a single step dyeing process using a basic dye. The surface of wool treated with papain in the presence of L-cysteine shows to be descaled. The surface of wool fibers in the presence of sodium sulfite, however, shows it is hydrolyzed evenly instead of being descaled. The surface of papain treated polyester fibers shows cracks and voids.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1461-1466
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• 2008

This study provides effects of mixed activators on enzymatic activation and determines optimum mixture ratio for enzymatic treatment. Wool 80% and polyester 20% blend fabric and papain from carica papaya are used in this experiment. L-cysteine and sodium sulfite are used as activators for papain treatment process. The treatment condition is pH 7.5, $70^{\circ}$, papain concentration 10%(o.w.f), 60 minutes. L-cysteine and sodium sulfite are added in enzyme solution with various concentrations($0{\sim}50mM$). The optimum treatment condition is determined by measuring weight loss, tensile strength, whiteness, water contact angle(WCA), dyeability and surface micrographs. The results are as follow; The optimum mixture ratio of activators is L-cysteine 2mM and sodium sulfite 10mM. Mixed activators assists in improving the activation of papain. WCA of papain treated fabrics is decreased since papain treatment with activator mixture makes wool polyester blend fabrics more hydrophilic. Dyeing property of papain-treated fabrics more improves by the treatment with mixed activators than with single activator. It means that this method can save time and lower cost. After papain treatment in the presence of mixed activator, the surface of fabrics is modified. The surface of wool fiber shows to be descaled and hydrolyzed, and that of polyester fiber shows to be cracked.