Overnight incubation of flax straw in a weakly acidic (pH 2) solution decreases the amount of enzyme needed for virtually complete retting by two to three orders of magnitude, as judged by a modified Fried test. This effect is probably based on removal of Ca2+ crosslinking pectin chains in the middle lamella. Washing the enzyme-retted fibers in ethanol and then in acetone or in 0.1 M KOH reduces their stickiness and matting, thus apparently eliminating dry-back. The methods show potential usefulness for the development of a commercial enzyme retting process.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Akin, D.E., Dodd, R.B., Perkins. W., Henriksson, G., and Eriksson, K.-E.L. , Spray Enzyme Retting: New Method for Processing Flax Fibers, Textile Res. J.70, 486-494 (2000).
2.
Akin, D.E., Foulk, J.A., Dodd, R.B., and McAlister, D.D. III., Enzyme-retting of Flax and Characterization of Processed Fibers , J. Biotechnol. 89(2, 3), 193-203 (2001).
3.
Akin, D.E., Henriksson, G., Slomczynski, D., and Eriksson, K.-E.L. , Retting of Flax with Endopolygalactouronase from Rhizopus Species, 218th ACS National Meeting , New Orleans, LA, August 22-26, Abstract #63, 1999.
4.
ASTM, D. 1448-90, Standard Test Method for Micronaire Reading of Cotton Fibers, Annual Book of Standards, Sec. 7, Textiles, ASTM , West Conshonocken, PA, 1997.
5.
ASTM, D. 1445-95, Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Cotton Fibers (Flat Bundle Method), Annual Book of Standards, Sec. 7, Textiles , ASTM, West Conshonocken, PA, 1997.
6.
Hamilton, I.T. , Linen, Textiles15, 30-34 (1986).
7.
Henriksson, G. , Akin, D.E., Hanlin , R.T., Rodriguez, C., Archibald, D.D., Rigsby, L.L., and Eriksson , K.-E.L., Identification and Retting Efficiencies of Fungi Isolated from Dew-retted Flax in the United States and Europe, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. V63( 10), 3950-3956 (1997 ).
8.
Henriksson, G., Akin, D.A., Rigsby , L.L., Patel, N., and Eriksson, K.-E.L., Influence of Chelating Agents and Mechanical Pretreatment on Enzymatic Retting of Flax , Textile Res. J.67(11), 829-836 ( 1997)..
9.
Henriksson, G., Eriksson, K.-E.L., Kimmel, L. and Akin, D.E., Chemical/Physical Retting of Flax Using Detergent and Oxalic Acid at High pH, Textile Res. J.68(12), 942-947 ( 1998 ).
10.
Jaskowski, C.M., Method for Degumming and Bleaching Decorticted Plant Bast Fibers, U.S. patent 4 617 383, 1986.
11.
Rognes, H., Gellerstedt, G., and Henriksson, G., Optimization of Flax Fiber Separation by Leaching, Cellul. Chem. Technol.34, 331-340 (2000).
12.
Sharma, H.S.S. , Chemical Retting of Flax Using Chelating Compounds , Ann. Appl. Biol.113, 159-165 (1988).
13.
Sharma, H.S.S. , and Van Somere, C.F., Enzyme Treatment of Flax, Genet. Eng. Biotechnol.12, 19-23 (1992).
14.
Van Sumere, C.F., Retting of Flax with Special Reference to Enzyme Retting, pp 157-198 in The Biology and Processing of Flax, H. S. S. Sharma and C. F. Van Sumere, Eds., M Publications. Belfast Northern Ireland, 1992.
15.
Wurster, J. , and Daul, D., Flax ,An Ancient Cultivated Plant Made Modem by Research, Melliand Textilber.69, E425-E428 ( 1988).
16.
Zhang, J., Henriksson, G., and Johansson. G., Polygalacturonase Is the Key Composent in Enzymatic Retting of Flax , J. Biotechnol.81, 85-89 (2000).,
