APPLICATIONS OF ENZYMES IN PROCESSING CELLULOSIC TEXTILES-A REVIEW OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract

Dramatic climate changes impose the implementation of new non-polluting technologies to ensure a sustainable development. The textile industry is very polluting, with high energy and water footprints, as well as discharges of toxic emissions and high waste water amounts. Thus, new, less polluting processes have to be brought in to decrease the environmental impact of this industry. Cellulosic fibers play an important role among the raw materials of textile industry. Classical treatments of natural cellulosic fibers use many chemical reagents and a large quantity of water. The progress registered lately in enzymes’ production – regarding their preparation reproducibility and their stability as well-offer a good alternative to chemical reagents. The paper discusses the latest achievements in the application ofenzymes for natural cellulosic fibers processing. The state of the art and recommendations for the future are presented.