• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1264-1270
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• 2011

This study is to optimize the conditions for the treatment of polyamide fabrics using laccase. The pH, temperature, treatment time, and concentration were varied; their effects were evaluated by measuring the number of primary amide groups by the uptake of an acid dye measured by K/S of dyed polyamide fibers. The hydrophilicity of the fabrics was evaluated in terms of moisture regain and wettability. The effects of the mediator, ABTS, on the laccase activity were also evaluated. The optimal treatment conditions were identified as a pH of 4.5, temperature of $30^{\circ}C$, treatment time of 6 hours, and concentration of 10% of the weight of the fabric (o.w.f.). ABTS facilitated the activity of laccase on the polyamide fabrics. Voids and cracks on the surfaces of the laccase-treated polyamide fabrics were responsible for improved wettability. The results proved that laccase treatment improved the hydrophilicity of polyamide fibers without decreasing their strength.