| Enzymes have found wide application in the textile industry for improving production methods and fabric finishing. One of the oldest applications in this industry is the use of amylases to remove starch size. The warp (longitudinal) threads of fabrics are often coated with starch in order to prevent them from breaking during weaving. Scouring is the process of cleaning fabrics by removing impurities such as waxes, pectins, hemicelluloses, and mineral salts from the native cellulosic fibers. Research has shown that pectin acts like glue between the fibre core and the waxes, but can be destroyed by an alkaline pectinase. An increase in wettability can thus be obtained. Cellulases have become the tool for fabric finishing. Their success started in denim finishing when it was discovered that cellulases could achieve the fashionable stonewashed look traditionally achieved through the abrasive action of pumice stones. Cellulases are also used to prevent pilling and improve the smoothness and colour brightness of cotton fabrics. In addition, a softer handle is obtained. Catalases are used for degrading residual hydrogen peroxide after the bleaching of cotton. Hydrogen peroxide has to be removed before dyeing. Proteases are used for wool treatment and the degumming of raw silk. |