Treatment of animal hair fibers with modified proteases

Abstract

A method of treating fibers of animal origin (wool from sheep, cashmere, rabbit, mohair, llama, goat, camel, among others), characterised in that it consists of bringing the fiber into contact with a solution of modified proteases, bonded or not to other substances, in order to increase its molecular weight and reduce its diffusion inside the fiber. It is intended that the cuticle of the fiber be the only accessible part to the protease attack, thus allowing an increase in the resistance to shrinkage and anti-felt finishing, in comparison with untreated material.

1 . A method of treating fibers of animal origin (wool from sheep, cashmere, rabbit, mohair, llama, goat, camel, among others), characterised in that it consists of bringing the fiber into contact with a solution of modified proteases, bonded or not to other substances, in order to increase its molecular weight and reduce its diffusion inside the fiber. It is intended that the cuticle of the fiber be the only accessible part to the protease attack, thus allowing an increase in the resistance to shrinkage and anti-felt finishing, in comparison with untreated material.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it consists of the treatment of the fibers simultaneously with a proteolytic enzyme and transglutaminase or a proteolytic enzyme and glutaraldehyde.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the proteolytic enzyme is of bacterial origin.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the proteolytic enzyme is a serine protease.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to claims  1  and  4 , characterised in that the serine protease is a Subtilisin Carslberg.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the amount of protease used per Kg of wool, fiber or hair is in the range of 1 to 1000 g.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in thta the transglutaminase is derived from  Streptoverticillium  sp.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a treatment bath with recoverable and reusable protease solution is used, thus reducing the costs of the treatment and the production of effluents, with concomitant savings in water consumption.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that soluble polymers in aqueous solutions, such as polyvinyl alcohol (and/or polymers with hydroxyl groups), are used as supports in the chemical modification of proteases, without restrictions.