Biochemical technology for producing cottonized flax fiber using enzyme compositions based on pectinases

The classical technology of alkaline decoction followed by bleaching, used in the textile industry for the chemical cottonization of flax fiber, has a number of disadvantages. It includes the environmental impact of aggressive chemicals, high energy and water consumption, and negative environmental impacts. Using production facilities of Orsha Linen Mill, bioscouring of cottonized flax fiber was carried out by introducing various enzyme compositions based on pectinases. The biochemical method for producing bleached cottonized fiber includes the operations of biochemical and oxidative pulping. The produced scoured fiber had a smaller mass length, its decrease was more evident, and the diameter was 6.5 % smaller in comparison with the fiber produced by the traditional method. The pretreated with enzymes and bleached flax fiber showed a comparable diameter value with the fiber obtained as a result of alkaline scouring. The content of cellulolytic activity in the composition increased the content of short fibers, but contributed to a decrease in the average diameter by more than 35 %. It has been proven that pre - enzymatic treatment makes it possible to produce fine cottonized flax fiber suitable for the production of yarn with improved quality indicators.