Enzymatic function on jute fiber with various commercial enzymes

Abstract

Jute fibers are aggregated of single cells consisting of α -cellulose, which are cemented by lignin and hemicellulose. The surface features and the tensile strength of jute fibers hydrolyzed with commercial enzymes which are contained some of pectinase, hemicellulase, xylanase, laccase and cellulase were investigated using a polarized optical microscope, a fluorescent optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope and an Instron tensile tester to reveal the enzymatically modified surface topology and tensile characteristics. Ultrazyme, and Viscozyme removed the noncellulosic constituent such as lignin and hemicellulose existing on the surface of the fiber. The action of these mixed enzymes was limited only the fiber surface, with little changes observed on the yarn strength. The delignified fiber surfaces are not clean and smooth due to remain a part of the gummy matters. However, the treated yarns, after one-hour hydrolysis, had lost 15-25% breaking strength, suggesting that Denilite hydrolyzed the lignin in a layer called the middle lamella. On the other hand, Cellusoft L caused gradual deterioration the tensile strength of yarn with increasing the enzymatic treatment time. It was assumed with the observation of the changed surface topology that cellulase acted not only on the ultimate cells but on the gummy matters on the fiber surface, although not as much as Ultrazyme and Viscozyme did, and the cementing gummy matters in the middle lamella.