Evaluation of Enzyme Treatment of Linen Fabrics

Abstract

Linen fabrics were treated with three kinds of commercial enzyme mixtures under the same condition. The relative residual pectic substances on the fiber surface and the amount of pectic substances extracted from the fiber were evaluated. In addition, the change of percentage shrinkages, weight losses, tensile and tearing strength for the treated fabrics were measured. Furthermore the mechanical properties of the fabrics were also measured with KES-F evaluation system. The effects were compared with those obtained by alkaline boiling. It was revealed that Ultrazyme treatment reduced pectic substances in the fabrics efficiently, the reduction of the tearing strength by the treatment was lower than that of alkaline treatment, and the action of the enzyme mixtures on linen was weaker than that on ramie.