Enzymatic Textile Color Modification for Low-Chemical Denim Bleaching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current textile processing methods for color modification, especially in dyed cellulosic fabrics like denim, often rely on harsh chemicals and lack efficient enzymatic solutions for achieving desired color changes such as lightening, color change, or reduction of redeposition/backstaining.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a peroxidase enzyme (EC 1.11.7) in combination with a source of hydrogen peroxide and a mediator like violuric acid to modify the color of textiles, which can be applied in various sequences or simultaneously with cellulase treatment for abrasion and desizing, allowing for effective color modification without harsh chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If harsh chemical bleaching agents are used for color modification of dyed textiles, then bleaching effect and color change are improved, but environmental harm and chemical residue increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor modification effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and chemical residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using peroxidase enzymes instead of harsh chemical bleaching agents. The enzymatic system uses hydrogen peroxide as a mild oxidizing agent in controlled concentrations (0.1-5 g/L), transforming the bleaching mechanism from aggressive chemical oxidation to controlled enzymatic oxidation, thereby achieving color modification with reduced environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces chemical mechanical bleaching systems with biological enzymatic systems. Peroxidase enzymes (EC 1.11.1.7) catalyze the oxidation of dye molecules using hydrogen peroxide, substituting the need for strong chemical oxidants like chlorine-based bleaches, thus eliminating harmful chemical residues while maintaining effective color modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple treatment steps (desizing, abrasion, bleaching) are performed separately, then each step can be optimized, but processing time and water consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment optimizationVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple treatment steps into a single integrated bath. Cellulase for abrasion and peroxidase for bleaching are applied simultaneously in one treatment liquor, allowing desizing, abrasion, and color modification to occur concurrently. This reduces the number of separate processing steps, decreases water consumption, and shortens overall processing time while maintaining effective treatment of each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If peroxidase with high peroxidase activity (EC 1.11.1.7) is used with violuric acid mediator, then color modification effectiveness is improved, but enzyme cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor modification effectivenessVSAvoidenzyme system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses violuric acid as a mediator to facilitate electron transfer between peroxidase and dye molecules. The mediator system enables the peroxidase to effectively oxidize indigo and other dyes that are not direct substrates, enhancing color modification effectiveness. The mediator acts as an electron carrier, simplifying the overall reaction mechanism while improving performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method achieves significant color modification, including bleaching, on denim fabrics by enhancing the bleaching level on the front side, providing a brighter and whiter appearance with controlled bleaching patterns, while being environmentally friendly and reducing the need for chemical bleaching agents.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a textile with a peroxidase, wherein the peroxidase exhibits peroxidase activity comprised by the enzyme classification class EC 1.11.1.7, a source of hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeroxidase catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

a peroxidase, wherein the peroxidase exhibits peroxidase activity comprised by the enzyme classification class EC 1.11.1.7, a source of hydrogen peroxide, and a mediator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2748372B1Color modification of textile

Publication Date: 2019.04.17 NOVOZYMES AS

AI summary

The use of a peroxidase, a source of hydrogen peroxide and a mediator for providing a modified color in the textile is described.