Effects of Atmospheric Plasma Pretreatments on Pectinase Efficiency in Bioscouring of Linen Fabrics

Pectinase enzyme treatment subsequent to atmospheric air- or argon-plasma surface modification was applied in linen fabric preparation. Wettability by water drop test, wickability by thin layer wicking experiment, residual pectin content and colour of the fabrics were characterized. Results clearly proved that the efficiency of pectinase in improving linen water absorbency can be significantly enhanced by plasma pretreatment. Argon-plasma pretreatment followed by a Beisol PRO enzyme treatment reduced the wetting time considerably and resulted in a fabric surface that has been characterized by the lowest water contact angle (86.6A degrees). All the applied treatments increased the energy of the fibre surface. The alkaline scoured, the argon-plasma treated and the argon-plasma-pectinase treated samples have been characterized by the highest gamma(total)(S) values. Plasma treatment significantly decreased the whiteness and increased the yellowness of the raw fabrics. However, the enzyme treatment applied after the plasma treatment has overcome the colour differences.