Abstract
This study provides effects of mixed activators on enzymatic activation and determines optimum mixture ratio for enzymatic treatment. Wool 80% and polyester 20% blend fabric and papain from carica papaya are used in this experiment. L-cysteine and sodium sulfite are used as activators for papain treatment process. The treatment condition is pH 7.5, $70^{\circ}$, papain concentration 10%(o.w.f), 60 minutes. L-cysteine and sodium sulfite are added in enzyme solution with various concentrations($0{\sim}50mM$). The optimum treatment condition is determined by measuring weight loss, tensile strength, whiteness, water contact angle(WCA), dyeability and surface micrographs. The results are as follow; The optimum mixture ratio of activators is L-cysteine 2mM and sodium sulfite 10mM. Mixed activators assists in improving the activation of papain. WCA of papain treated fabrics is decreased since papain treatment with activator mixture makes wool polyester blend fabrics more hydrophilic. Dyeing property of papain-treated fabrics more improves by the treatment with mixed activators than with single activator. It means that this method can save time and lower cost. After papain treatment in the presence of mixed activator, the surface of fabrics is modified. The surface of wool fiber shows to be descaled and hydrolyzed, and that of polyester fiber shows to be cracked.