Spinnability of Hemp Fibers after Ultrasonic Retting and Treatment with Laccase Enzyme

Abstract

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a plant that has been used in yarn production for thousands of years. Its natural fibers are used in the textile, paper, and bio-based composite industries. Different retting methods are used to obtain fibers from the hemp plant. The study aims to investigate yarn production possibilities not only for twine and rope but also for high-value-added textile materials. Within the scope of the research, the extracted fibers of Samsun's local hemp were retted with hydrogen peroxide in an ultrasonic environment and then treated with laccase. The resulting fibers were characterized. It was observed that the extracted fibers, which were retted at 60°C for 60 minutes with 10 g/l H2O2, 8 g/l NaOH, and 0.5 g/l stabilizer, gained spinnability after treatment with laccase. Ne12/1 open-end (82.5% cotton/17.5% hemp) yarn was spun with the fibers (mean length 14.58 cm (cut into 30 mm for spinning) and mean fineness 198.9 dtex). Their YI E313 and WI CIE were 34.42 and -66.30, respectively. The antibacterial effect of raw hemp fiber and hemp fiber of the yarn before spinning against S.aureus and E.coli was examined using the ASTM 2149 method. As a result of the trial, 33.10% and 88.00% antibacterial effects against S.aureus and 15.22% and 70.24% against E.coli were detected in raw hemp and processed hemp fiber, respectively. In conclusion, ultrasonic retting with the aid of hydrogen peroxide and after laccase treatment enabled the spinning of the yarn because laccase softens fibers. Therefore, laccase treatment of retted fibers is suggested for easy spinning of yarn.