Deinking and Dewatering Paper

Smaller applications of cellulase enzymes from submerged fermentation are in textile biopolishing, deinking and dewatering paper, processing of fruit juice and other beverages, baking, and alcohol production. 

Biopolishing with cellulase is analogous to the use of cellulase in household laundry detergent. The enzyme removes pills from the fabric, restoring its appearance and conditioning it for resistance to further pilling [14]. 

In the present context, biopolishing is used to denote enzymatic depilHng in an industrial context as carried out on unsewn fabric. There is a growing use of cellulase enzymes in the textiles industry. 

Many fabrics, but particularly blends of cotton and non-cotton fibers, develop a degree of hairiness during sewing or weaving. This hairiness is undesirable from the customers point of view, as it detracts from the overall appearance of the garment and the crispness of the colors. Lyocell, a blend of cotton and wood fibers, is particularly prone to pill formation. 

The preferred method of removing the pills is to treat the pilled fabric with cellulase enzymes. This is typically carried out by loading the fabric onto a cylindrical drum that is partly submerged in liquor containing cellulase. The drum rotates at 50-100 rpm, which provides shear to help dislodge pills from the fabric. Cellulase treatment is typically for 15-30 min at 40-50°C, pH 5. 

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