Detergency Using Enzymes for Fabrics Soiled with a Solid India Ink Solution

— Polyester, Cotton, and Polyester/Cotton Blended Soiled Cloth —

Abstract

A method for the removal of India ink dirt from fabrics involving the reduction of the protective colloid of the glia present in the ink was investigated. The experiment was conducted using gelatin instead of glia. The gelatin was decomposed by the enzymes trypsin, papain and uguis (nightingale feces), and the quantity of generated amino acids was measured with a conductivity meter. It was found that the decomposition was rapid, and a significant amount of decomposition occurred, indicating that a large quantity of the enzymes was present. When the mixture of enzymes was added to an India ink solution, the transmittance of trypsin and papain increased. A washing test was then conducted using these enzymes, and the results were subjected to an analysis of variance test. There was no significant difference observed for the results obtained with the different enzymes after washing (p < 0.05). The results show the detergency higher than enzyme Blank according to fabrics is as follows: uguis and trypsin for PET, uguis for cotton, and uguis and trypsin for polyester/cotton (PC). The low detergency fabrics had much protein residual volume. On the other hand, the high detergency fabrics had little protein residual volume. It was revealed that the glue was removed by washing with enzymes.