Application of enzymes and chitosan biopolymer to the antifelting finishing process

Abstract

We surveyed environmentally friendly chemicals and mild processes that could be used to avoid the high absorbable organic halogen compounds (AOX) load and damage to the environment from the waste of wool plants. In this research, we sought to achieve a new zero-AOX processing alternative to conventional processes such as chlorine/Hercosett processing and thus use environmentally friendly enzymes and chitosan as a biopolymer. We studied enzymatic, oxidative, and additive processes and various combinations of them to improve the shrink-proofing and antifelting properties of wool. We performed our experiments with enzymatic treatments using commercial protease preparations, such as Perizym AFW, Alcalase 2.5L, Savinase 16L, and papain. The oxidative agents were hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochloride, and the additive agents were based on polyurethane, polysiloxane, and silicone, as well as chitosan, a hydrophilic and natural polymer. We attempted to determine the agent or combination that best improved the shrink-proofing properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.