A comparative study of two wool enzyme treatments

Abstract

The influence of enzyme concentration and treatment time on certain wool properties has been studied according to the Box-Hunter experimental design in order to better understand the wool modification caused by two different enzymatic multi-purpose formulations (enzyme A and enzyme B). It is observed that enzyme concentration and treatment time exert an influence on wool whiteness, shrink resistance, weight loss and urea bisulphite solubility. The enzyme concentration has a decisive influence on wool modification when enzyme A is applied, and on the treatment time when enzyme B is applied. Tensile strength properties and SEMs suggest that enzyme B can attack the non-keratinic parts of wool fibre structure. No significant degradation of cortical or even cuticular cells is observed after enzyme A treatment. Accordingly, enzyme A could be applied all over the experimental zone whereas in the case of enzyme B, the enzyme concentration over 5% and treatment time over 60 min should be avoided. FTIR/ATR analysis confirms that there is no significant change in the redox state of cystine disulphide bonds at the wool surface after the enzyme treatment.