Laccases to improve the whiteness in a conventional bleaching of cotton

This study reports for the first time on the enhancement of the bleaching effect achieved on cotton using laccase enzyme. Laccases applied in short-time batchwise or pad-dry processes prior to conventional peroxide bleaching improved the end fabric whiteness. The whiteness level reached in the combined enzymatic/peroxide process was comparable to the whiteness in two consecutive peroxide bleaches. Effect of 10 min laccase pre-treatment at 60degreesC, pH 5 on fabrics whiteness before and after a conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching.