Enzyme-based biotechnology for textile coloration and surface pattern

Coloration is an important process in textile finishing, which is commonly used to enhance the appearance and attractiveness of a fabric. Conventional textile coloration methods and techniques employed to create surface patterning through dyeing and printing systems are known to have a negative impact on the environment due to their resource intensive production processes. The adoption of an alternative approach using enzymes (bio-catalysts) could potentially offer processes with improved environmental sustainability by eliminating the inherent drawbacks associated with chemical processes. Enzymes, laccase and protease were used in this study as innovative biotechnology-based textile design tools. Two enzymatic based processes were investigated to achieve textile coloration and or decorative surface patterning of fabric as an alternative to conventional chemical processes. The study demonstrates the ability of laccase, through controlled application, to produce innovative coloration of wool and polyamide textile materials, and the enzyme protease to selectively modify wool blended fabrics to impart innovative decorative surface effects through fibre modification and degradation. Both processes offer important advantages over conventional processing methods, which use simpler and milder operating conditions that eliminate additional chemical use and reduce energy consumption.