Enzyme Biotechnology in Textiles Novel Fibres Medical Textiles Bibliography

Biotechnology has impacted the textiles industry through the development of more efficient and more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, as well as through the design of improved textile materials. Some of biotechnology's key roles have involved the implementation, production, and modification of enzymes for the improvement of textile manufacturing processes. Biotechnology has also facilitated the production of novel and biodegradeable fibres from biomass feedstocks.

Enzyme Biotechnology in Textiles

Through biotechnology, enzymes are used to treat and modify fibres during textile manufacturing, processing, and in caring for the product afterwards. Some applications include:

De-sizing of cotton – Untreated cotton threads can break easily when being woven into fabrics. To prevent this breakage, they are coated with a jelly-like substance through a process called sizing. However, after the threads have been woven into fabrics, the agents needed to further finish the material cannot adhere to the jelly-coated fabrics. Thus, the protective sizing agents must be removed by a process called de-sizing. Amylase enzymes are widely used in de-sizing, as they do not weaken or affect cotton fibres, nor do they harm the environment.

Retting of flax – Flax plants are an important source of textile fibres. Useful flax fibres are separated from the plant's tough stems through a process called retting. Traditional retting methods consume large quantities of water and energy. Bacteria, which may be bred or genetically engineered to contain necessary enzymes, can be used to make this a more energy efficient process.

Breakdown of hydrogen peroxide – When cotton is bleached, a chemical called hydrogen peroxide, which can react with other dyes, remains on the fabric. Catalase enzymes specifically break down hydrogen peroxide and may be used to remove this reactive chemical before further dyeing.

Biostoning and Biopolishing – Instead of using abrasive tools like pumice stones to create a stonewashed effect or to remove surface fuzz, cellulase enzymes may be used to effectively stonewash and polish fabrics without abrasively damaging the fibres.

Detergents – Enzymes allows detergents to effectively clean clothes and remove stains. They can remove certain stains, such as those made by grass and sweat, more effectively than enzyme-free detergents. Without enzymes, a lot of energy would be required to create the high temperatures and vigorous shaking needed to clean clothes effectively. Enzymes used in laundry detergents must be inexpensive, stable, and safe to use. Currently, only protease and amylase enzymes are incorporated into detergents. Lipase enzymes break down too easily in washing machines to be very useful in detergents. However, their stability is being studied and further developed through methods such as genetic screening and modification.

Learn more about Enzymes in Industrial Applications

Novel Fibres

Synthetic fibres made from renewable sources of biomass are environmentally sustainable, and are becoming increasingly economically sustainable. Biodegradable synthetic polymers include novel fibres such as polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid, which are made from natural starting materials.

Not all novel fibres are synthetic; they may also be naturally derived. Some natural biological fibres come from basic materials found in nature, including:

• Chitin – a type of sugar polymer found in crustaceans
• Collagen – a type of protein found in animal connective tissue
• Alginate – a type of sugar polymer found in certain bacteria

A prime example of a synthetic biomass fibre is Polylactic Acid (PLA), which is made by fermenting cornstarch or glucose into lactic acid, and then chemically transforming it into a polymer fibre. With properties similar to other synthetic fibres, PLA based materials are durable with a silky feel, and may be blended with wool or cotton.

The Many Uses for Polylactic Acid (PLA)

PLA has potential applications in several areas, including the following:

Textiles – clothing, fashions, upholstery
Agriculture – plant mats, tree nets, soil erosion control products
Sanitation – household wipes, diaper products
Medicine – disposable garments, medical textiles

PLA minimizes environmental waste, as it may be fully biodegraded by microorganisms under appropriate conditions into carbon dioxide and water. Unlike the non-renewable petroleum resources used to make traditional synthetic fibres, the supply of renewable corn biomass needed to make PLA is expected to surpass demand in the anticipated future.

Medical Textiles

Biodegradable synthetic fibres and natural biological fibres may be used to make textiles for medical applications. Such textiles may be used in first aid, clinical, and hygienic practices. Some examples are described below:

Polymer	Use(s)
Polylactic Acid and Polyglycolic Acid	Used in sutures, absorbable wound closure products, orthopaedic repair absorbable pins, and fixation devices, as well as in tissue engineering structures
Chitin	Incorporated into wound dressings
Collagen	Uses in cell engineering structures, such as in artificial skin, or even as surgeon´s thread
Alginate	Used to protect and interact with wounds

Synthetic biomass fibres may also be used in drug delivery systems, which are designed to release drugs at a specified rate for a specified time.

Learn more about Drug Delivery Systems

Bibliography

Biopolymer Research and Development in Europe and Japan. (n.d.). Retieved December 2, 2002 from www.wws.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/byteserv.prl/~ota/disk1/1993/9313/931305.pdf

Byrne, Chris. (1995). Biotechnology in Textiles. Retrieved November 6, 2002 from www.davidrigbyassociates.co.uk/assets/Biotechnology.pdf

Enzymes Illustrated. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2002 from the Novozymes Web site: www.novozymes.com/

Enzymes in Detergents. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 3003 from www.fst.rdg.ac.uk/courses/fs560/topic1/t1a/t1a/htm

Havich, Michelle M. (1999). New Fabric Stalks A Market Share. Retrieved November 13, 2002 from www.textileindustries.com/Past_Issues.htm?CD=366&ID=1703

Lunt, James. (n.d.). Polylactic Acid Polymers from Corn Potential Applications in the Textiles Industry. Retrieved from the Cargill-Dow Web Site: 222.cargilldow.com/pdf/lunttech/pdf

Polymers and People. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2002 from www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.txt.asp?a=203

What are Biomedical Textiles. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2002 from www.hw.ac.uk/sbc/BTRC/BTRC/_private/Whatare.htm