Modifying Dew-Retted Flax Fibers by Means of an Air-Atomized Enzyme Treatment

Abstract

The use of atomization or an aerosol formation is investigated as a vehicle for enzyme treatment of dew-retted flax fibers. A cellulase/endoglucanase from Trichoderma reesei is applied by atomization to dew-retted fibers at concentrations of 0. 50, and 100 U. Enzyme activity post-atomization is verified by GLC analyses of sugars hydrolyzed from the treated fibers. Cellulase treatment results in the release of glucose and galactose moieties in a dose response manner. Fiber strength determination also demonstrates a dose response effect in relation to treatment with 50 and 100 U of enzyme, yielding strength decreases of 17 and 56%, respectively. Visualization of treated flax fibers by polarized light microscopy reveal the presence of structural aberrations previously identified as nodes, and treatment with the atomized enzyme coincides with fiber disruption at these regions. Mid-IR attenuated total reflectance spectra of fiber mats show a reduction in bound water and loss of acetylated components at the fiber surface resulting from enzyme treatment. Collectively. these results demonstrate the effectiveness of atomization as a means of applying enzymes for fiber modification, and the results also have implications for the flax fiber structure.