Cellulase Treatment of Cellulosic Fabrics

Inhibitory Effect of Ionic Dyes in Treating Solution

Abstract

Inhibitory effects of Congo Red and Orange II, which were present in treatment solution, on the cellulase catalytic reaction for viscose rayon substrate was investigated. Congo Red showed much more remarkable inhibitory action for the cellulase catalytic reaction than Orange II did. Visible absorption of Congo Red shifted appreciably to longer wavelength in the presence of cellulase in the solution, indicating that there may be specific interactions between the dye and the enzyme, whereas slight red shift, in contrast, was observed with Orange II. The inhibitory action of Congo Red in the treatment solution was interpreted in terms of the formation of the dyecellulase complex in the solution, whose enzymatic activity was less than that of free cellulase.