Optimisation of application of Acid Protease and Transglutaminase on wool to achieve machine washable care claim

Abstract

Acid Protease and Transglutaminase enzymes were used to impart anti-felting properties to wool with minimal loss in tensile strength. Statistical optimisation of the application conditions using Box Behnken design of experiment was employed to achieve less than 3% total warp shrinkage as specified in Woolmark Specification AW-1 for machine washable care claim. During optimisation of protease treatment, the total warp shrinkage was reduced from 7.66% to 2.77% but was accompanied with 9.95% loss in warp tensile strength. Subsequently, optimisation of transglutaminase enzyme was carried out on protease treated wool. This resulted in marginal reduction of total warp shrinkage to 2.64% with 7.92% recovery in warp tensile strength giving a net loss of 2.82% in warp tensile strength.