Laccases to Improve the Whiteness in a Conventional Bleaching of Cotton

Abstract This study reports for the first time on the enhancement of the bleaching effect achieved on cotton using laccase enzyme. Laccases applied in short‐time batchwise or pad‐dry processes prior to conventional peroxide bleaching, improved the end fabric whiteness. The whiteness level reached in the combined enzymatic/peroxide process was comparable to the whiteness in two consecutive peroxide bleaches. Effect of 10 min laccase pre‐treatment at 60 °C, pH 5 on fabrics whiteness before and after a conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching. magnified image Effect of 10 min laccase pre‐treatment at 60 °C, pH 5 on fabrics whiteness before and after a conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching.