Enzymatic studies for improving wool quality

The Biotechnologists are interesting in the safe biotechnological products as an alternative to chemicals in many industrial applications. One of the interesting biotechnological products is the technical enzymes which can be used in textile industry. In this study, kertainolytic protease produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MA20 is applied to improve wool fibers surface, tensile strength and water absorption. The wool straight off sheep was washing with triton X100 and hydrogen peroxide for scouring and bleaching respectively to facilitate the enzymes diffusion. Enzymatic treatment of wool fibers with keratinolytic protease was carried out at 50°C and 60°C which act as the maximum activity and stability of the enzyme. The various enzymatic treatments have been conducted with intervals time as follow: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrated smoother of wool surface in comparing with other untreated due to remove impurities. However, the tensile strength test proved increasing the tensile of wool. Water uptake techniques showed increasing in the wool water absorption and retaining after enzymatic treatment which have benefit for further application of dye on wool fibers. The best results of wool treated with keratinolytic protease produced by B. amyloliquefaciens MA20 were exhibited at 60°C and after incubation for 12 hrs. These results have important industrial applications of enzymatic wool finishing process which is environmental friendly in compared with chlorine treatment process.