Application of Microbial Transglutaminases in Anti-Crease Finish of Silk Fabric

Abstract

In this paper, microbial transglutaminase (MTG) was applied to process silk fabric for improving its crease resistance under the prerequisite of maintaining other performances. Not only was the effect of MTG on silk fabric investigated through the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FR), but analysis was also undertaken in the microcosmic structure of fibroin through the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Solo MTG treatment as well as compound treatments of MTG followed by hydrogen peroxide, protease and ultrasonic, all showed that MTG can improve the crease resistance of silk fabric. It also enhanced its tensile breaking strength or amended damage in the tensile breaking strength caused by pretreatments.

Simultaneously, comparison with other treatments showed that compound treatment of MTG followed by ultrasonic exerted a better coordinated effect and conferred better performances, which made the wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) increase by 17.4% and tensile breaking strength improve by 11.2% respectively. At the same time, other performances were still maintained well.

Citation

Tian, X., Geo, W., Wang, H. and Deng, B. (2008), "Application of Microbial Transglutaminases in Anti-Crease Finish of Silk Fabric", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-12-01-2008-B005