MICHAELA D. STANESCU¹, MAGDALENA S. FOGORASI²*
*Corresponding author
1. Department of Organic Chemistry, POLITEHNICA University, Bucharest, Romania
2. Faculty of Engineering, AUREL VLAICU University, Arad, Romania

Abstract

The review aims to pull together a wide range of examples from various sources of information concerning the potential of biotechnologies to replace chemical polluting processes in cotton preparation and finishing.

INTRODUCTION

The textile industry was compelled by the current environmental legislation to look for environmentally friendly solutions for building new processes and materials (1).

Over the past decades, the scientific literature contains information regarding the use of biocatalysts in various wet textile pre-treatment and finishing processes (2). Nowadays the application of biotechnology to textile materials considers emerging fields as detailed in Figure 1. (3).

Use of biotechnology for processing of textile fibres, to modify the physical and chemical surface properties, is a reliable tool to fulfil the expected requirements in terms of quality and environmental impact. 

This paper presents the state of art of biotechnology in cotton preparation and finishing with enzymes through a different approach, emphasizing on the recent achievements and limitations of the large scale applications. The choice of natural fibers was based on the current EU position to diminish the fossil-based economy.

ENZYMATIC TREATMENTS FOR COTTON PROCESSING
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