Woodhead Publishing Textile Processing with Enzymes (Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles)

With the increasingly-important requirement for reducing pollution in textile production, the use of enzymes in the chemical processing of fibres and textiles is rapidly gaining wider recognition because of their non-toxic and eco-friendly characteristics. They can be safely used in a wide selection of textile processes such as de-sizing, scouring, bleaching, dyeing and finishing, which would otherwise use very harsh chemicals whose disposal into the environment poses many problems. This study provides the textile technologist with an understanding of enzymes and their use with textile materials and in process engineering. It covers all aspects from the chemical make-up and properties of textiles as substrates for enzymes to the processing of these materials; from basic biochemistry and enzymology to the industrial application of these biocatalysts. Key Features: aims to provide the textile technologist with an understanding of enzymes and their use with textile materials and in process engineering; covers the relevant aspects of textile processing with enzymes, from the chemical constitution and properties of textile materials as potential substrates for enzymes, to the processing of these materials; outlines the benefits of using enzymes in the chemical processing of fibres and textiles thanks to their non-toxic and eco-friendly characteristics. Contents: Enzymes; Substrates and their structure; Catalysis and processing; Process engineering and industrial enzyme applications; Practical aspects of handling enzymes; Effluent treatment - enzymes in activated sludge.