Technological Evaluation of Laccase Enzyme in Discharge Printing Using Natural Colours

The suitability of using eco-friendly laccase enzyme instead of the harmful reducing agents to obtain discharge printing on natural fabrics (cotton, wool and silk) coloured with different natural dyes (Henna, corcoma or leucaena) was investigated under a variety of conditions. The latter comprise, the effect of enzyme concentration, steaming time and temperature. The results obtained indicate that, increasing the concentration of laccase enzyme formula from 50 to 200 g/Kg pastes accompanied by an increase in the % decrease in the colour strength (K/S) of the printed natural fabrics. The optimum conditions to obtain colour discharge on using laccase enzyme were achieved. Samples of different attractive colour half-tone could be also achieved via changing enzymes concentration or in admixture with conventional reducing agent. Harmful reducing agents which are used in discharge printing viz. Redoxal-Z could be substituted partially or completely by laccase enzyme in order to reduce the price and environmental pollution.