GB2432585A

GB2432585A - Multiple enzyme composition for desizing and scouring fabrics

Info

Publication number: GB2432585A
Application number: GB0518921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pramodkumar Bhagwandas Agrawal; Vincent Adriaan Nierstrasz; Marinus Maria Co Warmoeskerken; Marloes Veer Van Der
Original assignee: Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV
Current assignee: Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV
Priority date: 2005-09-16
Filing date: 2005-09-16
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Also published as: GB0518921D0

Abstract

An enzymatic composition for the combined desizing and scouring of textiles, the composition comprising i) an enzyme for the degradation of starch, preferably alpha-amylase; ii) an enzyme for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin, preferably cutinase; and iii) an enzyme for the degradation of pectin, preferably pectinase. In another aspect, a method of treating a textile with the above composition to remove size and to improve the hydrophilic properties of fibres, preferably cotton. The single step process minimises the environmental impact of toxic chemicals and ensures consistent hydrophilic properties of the treated fabric.

Description

Enzymatic Composition and Method of Textile Treatment The present

invention relates to methods of treatment of grey textile and more specifically to the enzymatic scouring and desizing of grey textile. It relates furthermore to mixtures of enzymes adapted for use in such methods particularly for use on cellulose based grey textile.

Background of the Invention

Natural fibres are well known for their use in the manufacture of textiles. Fibre producing plants are cultivated worldwide and the raw fibres are harvested and processed before being spun to provide yarn. The yarn may then be woven or knitted to form "grey" or untreated fabric. In order to produce textile goods the grey fabric must undergo a number of further treatments including desizing, scouring, bleaching, dyeing/printing, finishing and eventual fabrication into finished articles.

Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibres and the present invention is particularly directed to the treatment of cotton. Nevertheless, the same principles apply equally to other natural fibres, in particular vegetal based fibres and can also be applied to certain man made fibres. Cotton generally comprise a cell having a multi-layered cellulose structure (secondary wall) surrounded by the primary cell wall. The primary cell wall is where active growth of the fibre takes place and comprises a mixture of amorphous cellulose, esterified and non-esterified pectins, hemicelluloses, proteins and ions. The secondary wall comprises almost exclusively crystalline cellulose having a high degree of polymerisation. The cellulose in the secondary wall is made up of polymer chains of up to 11 000 carbon units in length wound in a smooth ribbon-like structure. The length of these chains gives rise to the excellent tensile strength of such fibres. In between the primary and secondary walls lies a further layer, known as the winding layer. The winding layer comprises cellulose microfibrils with higher ciystallinity than in the primary cell wall, together with hemi-celluloses and acidic * 25 and non-esterified pectins. The interconnections between these components are stabilised by Ca2 ions and are stronger than in the outer layers.

The fibre has an outer layer or cuticle that forms a protective coating around the fibre : : * protecting the cell e.g. from environmental damage and moisture loss. The cuticle is a waxy I. * * * S * S. 07054.0017.OOGBOO 2 structure containing a mixture of high molecular weight polymeric components having relatively high melting points (64 - 214 C). It is also highly water-repellent or hydrophobic.

In order to increase fibre strength and prevent thread breakage during weaving, it is customary to add size to the thread. Sizing usually takes place using a form of starch which must subsequently be removed in the desizing step in order to give the textile its original feel. In the past desizing has been carried out using hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide. More recently, enzymatic processes have been employed using amylases that degrade starch. Thermostable amylases have been developed that are active at relatively high temperatures whereby process times are reduced. Nevertheless, such high temperature processes consume considerable energy and process times are still not optimal. For a typical fabric transport speed of I rn/s a 20 minute desizing process still requires that a total of 1200 meters of cloth are in the process stage at any one time.

In order to be able to further treat the textile it is also necessary to improve their hydrophilic properties. Bleaching, dyeing, printing, coating and other finishing processes are all generally carried out in an aqueous environment. Removal of the waxy layer or cuticle is thus necessary in order to allow these processes to proceed. It is also desirable to remove non-cellulosic material from the primary cell wall. This process is known as scouring.

In the past, scouring has taken place by hot hydrolysis with boiling NaOH solution. This treatment also requires substantial volumes of chemical and careful handling of the caustic residues. Once again, considerable energy is consumed in order to maintain the required high temperatures and substantial water is used, especially in subsequent washing stages.

Alternative enzymatic treatments have been developed in order to try to reduce the * environmental impact of such procedures.

*1** Current high precision printing and finishing processes require an extremely high quality of S.,.

grey cloth with consistently good hydrophilic qualities in order to provide accurate results * *. S * .. : with minimum quantities of chemicals. The degree of hydrophilicity or wettability of a * textile is often measured in terms of the contact angle which a water droplet makes with a * * fibre. For good results, contact angles of or less are required. Another method of determining the hydrophilicity is the drop test according to the American Association of 07054.00 1 7.OOGBOO 3 Textile Colorists and Chemists (AATCC). Current conventional scouring processes achieve drop test results of 3 seconds; representing the time it takes a drop of water to be adsorbed into a textile substrate. For future processes, drop times of less than 1 second are desired.

According to WO 2004/040054, there is described a two-step procedure for treating cellulosic grey fabric. The combination of a first enzyme which degrades starch with a second enzyme that degrades a polymeric component of the primary cell wall is suggested.

The second enzyme is preferably chosen from the group of cellulose, protease and/or pectinase. According to one example, grey fabric was initially pretreated for 1 minute at 95 C with a buffer containing Optisize HT 40 (an amylase). Thereafter the fabric was subjected to a combined scouring and desizing process for a further minute at 55 C using the same buffer but with the addition of pectate lyase (a pectinase). Analysis of the resulting fabric showed that pectin residues remained indicating that not the entire primary cell wall had been removed. Furthermore, high temperature pre-treatment with amylase is still considered necessary, requiring considerable energy. The need for two separate stages also adds to the process time and complexity.

Studies conducted by Degani et al have indicated that combinations of enzymes can improve the scouring process. In an article entitled "Potential Uses of Cutinase in Enzymatic Scouring of Cotton Fiber Cuticle"; Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol 102-103, 2002, pp 277 -289 the effect of cutinase was studied alone and in co-reaction with pectin lyase. Desirable results were observed in terms of decreased wetting times and low-temperature operation (37 C). Nevertheless, incubation times of 24 hours were used for the study and no indication is given as to how such processes could be conducted at industrially viable rates. * **

There is thus a need for an improved single-step process that can reduce the energy, water 25 and time required for desizing and scouring of textiles. Such a process should minimise the *:::: environmental impact of toxic chemicals and ensure good and consistent hydrophilic properties of the resulting cloth. * * * * * ** * * S * * **

07054.001 7.OOGBOO 4

Statement of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treatment of a textile comprising: providing a quantity of sized textile comprising fibres having a primary cell wall; providing a composition of active enzymes comprising: I) an enzyme for the degradation of starch; 2) an enzyme for the degradation of cutin, in particular for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin; and 3) an enzyme for the degradation of pectin; and treating the textile with the composition to substantially remove size and non-cellulosic material from the primary cell wall to improve the hydrophilic properties of the fibres. In this manner, it has been found that by combining a number of enzymes in a single treatment step, enhanced results and reduced treatment times may be achieved. According to the method the primary cell wall may be degraded and removed substantially entirely, within a short time. In particular, drop test results of less than 3 seconds may be expected after a treatment time of only 3 minutes.

The enzyme for the degradation of starch is preferably an amylase, in particular an a-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), preferably having optimum activity at between pH 5.5 and pH 9.5, most preferably around pH 8.0. The amylase effectively hydrolyses the outer layer of starch covering the fibre whereby the underlying cuticle forming the outer surface of the primary cell wall is exposed. Reference will be made in the following to amylase, although such reference is intended to cover other starch degrading enzymes suitable for removing size.

Furthemore, although reference has been made to starch and enzymes for the degradation of starch it is understood that the invention may equally be performed on other forms of enzymatically degradeable size applied to the textile fibres. In such case, the amylase would be replaced by an appropriate enzyme active on that alternative size. * S.

: .:: The enzyme for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin is preferably an * 25 enzyme from the carboxylic ester hydrolyse group (EC 3.1.1). Most preferable is a cutinase *: :: (EC 3.1.1.74) as it has high activity to the substrate in its aggregated form and can hydrolyse *:. waxes in the absence of Ca2 ions. This is significant since the presence of such ions could be detrimental to pectinase performance. It is understood that cutinases specifically :: hydrolyse primary saturated esters composing the cutin polymer but that they may also 07054.0017.OOGBOO 5 exhibit triacyiglyceride-hydrolysing activity. Reference will be made in the following to cutinase, whereby such reference is intended to cover all cutin degrading enzymes unless otherwise specified. The cutinase preferably has optimum activity around pH 8.0 The enzyme for the degradation of pectin is preferably an alkaline pectin lyase (4.2.2), most preferably an endo pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) and most preferably having optimum activity around pH 8.0. It is understood that such enzymes operate by splitting the glycosidic bonds of the pectin chain. Reference will be made in the following to pectinase, whereby such reference is intended to cover both alkaline pectin lyase and other pectin degrading enzymes unless otherwise specified.

It is believed that prior wisdom expected that enzymatic scouring could not take place without first removing the starch/size layer that covers the fibre. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is now believed that the combined use of such a cocktail of enzymes operating simultaneously on different components of the textile fibre and its covering overcomes this limitation. In particular, by simultaneously introducing amylase and cutinase, the outer layer of size can be effectively undermined whereby desizing takes place also from the inside. Furthermore, the size no longer need be "eaten away" by the amylase. Since the starch is coated onto the outer cell wall or cuticle, once this cuticle is degraded, the remaining starch is free to fall away. In a similar manner, the combination of cutinase and pectinase is believed to have a synergistic effect. The cutinase makes initial inroads through the cuticle by enlarging existing pores. The pectinase can then commence activity on breaking the glycosidic bonds of the pectin chains in the primary cell wall. As the primary cell wall is degraded, sections of the cuticle can break free.

* According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the treatment of the textile takes place substantially at a pH of between 7.0 and 9.0, most preferably around 8.0. Cutinase and **SS pectinase of the alkaline pectin lyase form have optimum activity at around pH 8.0. By the * use of an amylase that is also close to its optimum in this pH range, the performance of the *:. combined composition may be optimised. In this aspect too it is believed that prior wisdom sought to optimise the operating conditions of each enzyme in order to reduce the process time to a minimum. According to the present invention, it is believed that the synergistic 07054.00 1 7.OOGBO0 6 effect of combining the enzymes and operating at a mutually acceptable pH outweighs the benefits of individual adapted conditions. Nevertheless, it is believed that certain advantages may be achieved by adjusting or otherwise allowing the pH to change during the process. In this way it may be possible to steer the process in favour of one or other reaction at any given moment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the treatment of the textile may take place at a temperature of between 20 C and 60 C, most preferably between 30 C and 40 C. Cutinases are generally characterised by their low temperature operation in the region of 37 C. Pectin lyase is also characterised by relatively low temperature operation in the region of 45 C. Certain amylases are operable at temperatures of up to 1000 C, it being noted that enzyme activity generally increases with temperature up to the temperature where enzyme degradation occurs. In this aspect too it is believed that prior wisdom sought to optimise the operating condition for amylase by operation at elevated temperature in order to reduce the process time to a minimum. According to the present invention, it is believed that the synergistic effect of combining the enzymes and operating at around the lowest of the individual optimum temperatures outweighs the benefits of separate reactions under individually adapted conditions. Nevertheless, it is again believed that certain advantages may be achieved by adjusting or otherwise allowing the temperature to change during the process. In this way it may be possible to steer the process in favour of one or other reaction at any given moment. In particular, it may be possible to carry out treatment in successive treatment baths each having conditions optimised to favour a different enzymatic process.

The method preferably takes place in a substantially continuous process. In this context, continuous process is understood to mean that textile is continuously provided to a treatment : . area where it is treated by the composition. The textile may be supplied from a roll and the S...

25 treatment area may comprise a bath or series of baths provided with appropriate rollers or guides. The enzyme composition may also be supplied in a continuous manner to the * treatment area. Alternatively, the enzyme composition may be supplied intermittently e.g. *: * whenever rejuvenation of the composition is required. Because of the substantially reduced * : process times that may be achieved according to the present invention, such a continuous *: . : 30 process is feasible at conventional fabric speeds of around 1 -1.5 mIs. The textile leaving 07054.001 7.OOGBOO 7 the treatment bath may be subjected to further treatment steps such as washing, rinsing, bleaching, drying etc. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the treatment of the textile takes place in an aqueous solution of the enzyme composition. The aqueous solution may further comprise additional components in order to enhance the enzyme activity or otherwise improve the process. In particular, the solution may comprise a buffer in order to maintain a substantially controlled pH during the treatment. Additionally or alternatively, the aqueous solution may further comprise a quantity of a surfactant in order to improve the wetting of the fibres by the enzyme composition. A non-ionic surfactant such as Triton X-100 has been found particularly advantageous. For textile processes where non-ionic surfactants are undesirable, anionic surfactants such as Tanaterge CSU may be used.

According to a yet further feature of the invention, after treatment with the enzyme the method may further comprise washing the fabric with an aqueous based solution containing a chelator having binding capacity with metal ions, in particular Ca2 ions. It is believed that such ions serve to cross-link acidic and non-esterified pectins lying deep in the primary cell wall, particularly in the winding layer. The use of chelators helps to bind these ions and remove additional pectin. Chelators have however shown themselves to inhibit enzymatic activity and their presence during the initial treatment stages is generally undesirable. By inclusion of chelators in a rinsing stage the effect on enzyme activity will be substantially irrelevant and the conditions of time and temperature will be favourable for action on the deep lying pectin exposed during the enzymatic treatment. It is also possible that chelators are used additionally or alternatively during the enzymatic treatment, to the extent that this is compatible with the enzymes used.

:.: The method according to the invention finds particular application on woven fabrics but is also applicable to other fabrics in which size or the like has been added in order to increase fibre strength.

* According to a particularly important feature of the present invention, the method may * * further comprise the use of shear while treating the textile with the composition. It has been ) found that such mechanical forces have an enhancing effect on the ability of the enzymes to 07054.001 7.OOGBOO 8 breakdown the respective components of the fibre coating. in particular, the use of shear is understood to facilitate the transport of the reaction products away from the site of the reaction and aid in breaking away the outer layers of the coating. A particularly desirable form of shear may be produced by exposing the textile to acoustic cavitation e.g. caused by ultrasound. Other forms of shear may also be used including but not limited to passing the textile over a sharp edge, brushing and the like.

By use of the method according to the present invention, the treatment of the textile with the composition may be completed in less than 15 minutes to produce a substantially hydrophilic fibre. In the most advantageous forms of the method, in particular in combination with the use of e.g. ultrasound, hydrophilicity may be achieved after treatment for less than 3 minutes.

While the above description has described in detail the use of the enzymatic composition according to the invention, it is clearly understood that the method may be used in combination with other additional enzymes and that other further pre and post treatment steps may be included including washing, rinsing, drying etc. The invention further relates to an enzymatic composition for the combined desizing and scouring of textiles, the composition comprising: an enzyme for the degradation of starch; an enzyme for the degradation of cutin; and an enzyme for the degradation of pectin in a format suitable for such combined scouring and desizing.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof.

44I. . . . Reference is made in the descnption to the annexed figures, in which: S.', : 25 Figure 1 indicates experimental results for enzymatic desizing of sized cotton samples; S.' Figure 2 indicates experimental results for enzymatic scouring of grey cotton using different enzymes; and S. *

SI S.

07054.0017.OOGBOO 9 Figure 3 shows a proposed process arrangement for the industrial enzymatic treatment of grey textile in combination with ultrasound.

Detailed Description

Example 1

Desizing experiments were performed in a 1 L beaker in which fabric samples of sized cotton were treated in enzyme solutions according to Table 1. The cotton was a 193 g!m2 plain weave 60/60 16/16 supplied by Unilever and the sample sizes were of 7 x 12 cm The volume of enzyme solution was about 500mL and comprised a 50mM Tris-HC1 buffer to maintain a pH of 8. The beaker was placed in a temperature controlled water bath at 300 C. After the treatment the fabric samples were rinsed in 500 mL of water at 900 C for 15 minutes, to inactivate the enzymes. Thereafter the samples were rinsed twice for 5 minutes in water at room temperature. Finally the samples were kept on a flat acrylic surface to be dried in air for at least 24 hours before evaluation.

1. Water only, for control 2. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 2mL/L 3. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L 4. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 8mL/L 5. Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, I 3U/g textile 6. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L : : _______ Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, 13U/g textile

TABLE 1 4Ie

The samples were stained with potassium iodide solution to reveal residual starch and were analysed to determine the percentage of pectin removed according to the ruthenium red dye method. According to this method, two samples are sewn together with a grey fabric sample : : (100% residual pectin) and an industrially scoured sample (0% residual pectin). The composite fabric is then treated with ruthenium red (0.2g/L) at 100 ml/g fabric in the 07054.00 1 7.OOGBOO 10 presence of Silwet L-77 and Tergitol 15-S-12 for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Thereafter rinsing takes place with demineralised water for 10 minutes at 60 C in a Linitest.

After line drying the reflectance at 540nm is measured for each sample and KIS values determined where K is the absorption coefficient and S is the measured substrate scattering.

The percentage residual pectin is calculated from the relative K/S value according to the Kubelka Munk equation.

The results of the experiment are shown in Figure 1, in which the amount of amylase per incubation of 500mL is indicated. The KI staining revealed that incubation with 4mL/L of amylase solution for 15 minutes was sufficient for removal of size such that pectinase operation can be effective. Furthermore, it can be seen that the presence of pectinase is not detrimental to the operation of amylase to degrade starch.

Example 2

Scouring experiments were performed in a 1 L beaker in which fabric samples of 5 x 12 cm were treated in enzyme solutions according to Table 1. The samples were of a plain woven 100% cotton cloth of weight 280g/m2 supplied by Ten Cate Technical Fabrics b.v. The volume of enzyme solution was about 500niL and comprised 50mM Tris-HCI buffer (pH 8).

The beaker was placed in a temperature controlled water bath at 30 C. After the treatment the fabric samples were rinsed in 500 mL of water at 90 C for 15 minutes, to inactivate the enzymes. Thereafter the samples were rinsed twice for 5 minutes in water at room temperature. Finally the samples were kept on a flat acrylic surface to be dried in air for at least 24 hours before evaluation.

The samples were then analysed to determine the percentage of pectin removed according to * the ruthenium red dye method described above.

*: i:'. 25 The results of the experiment are shown in Figure 2, whence it can be seen that the presence * of amylase has no negative influence on the operation of either pectinase or cutinase to remove the pectin layer. * a. * *q S. a. *

07054.0017.OOGBOO 11 1. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L 2. Cutinase, F. solani pisi, I OOU/g textile 3. Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, 52UIg textile 4. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, 52U/g textile 5. Cutinase, F. solani pisi, I OOU/g textile Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, 52U/g textile 6. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L Cutinase, F. solani pisi, 1 OOU/g textile 7. Amylase, (Optisize 160 from Genencore), 4mL/L Cutinase, F. solani pisi, I OOU/g textile Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 L, Novozymes, 52U/g textile

TABLE 2

Example 3

A working process arrangement for the combined enzymatic scouring and desizing of textiles is proposed according to Figure 3. As can be seen, the arrangement comprises a : supply of sized textile 20 provided on a supply roll 22. The textile is a plain woven 100% cotton cloth of weight 280g/m2. The cloth 20 is supplied at a rate of 70 metres/minute to a J-S...

tank 24 where a 5-minute buffer of cloth is retained to allow for roll change-overs. From the *:::: 10 J-tank 24, the cloth is supplied to treatment bath 26. The treatment bath 26 contains a * : * treatment composition 28 comprising the components 1-4 according to Table 1.

Alternatively, for textile that will subsequently be subjected to water-proofing, component 4 is replaced with component 5. The treatment bath 26 is maintained at a temperature of 07054.001 7.OOGBOO 12 between 30 and 350 C and pH of around 8.0 and has a capacity to retain cloth for a total treatment time of 3 minutes. A number of ultrasound units 30 are contained within the bath 26, with the textile 20 being guided through each ultrasound unit by suitable guides or rollers 32. The cloth 20 leaving the treatment bath 26 is further guided through a sequence of rinse baths 34 and wash baths 36 to a dryer 38 and is subsequently recovered onto a product roll 40. Rinse baths 34 contain water at 90 C and a suitable chelator, in this example Baysolex 21010 TM available from Bayer at a concentration of 2g/L. The wash baths 36 contain water at 90 C. Enzymes Purpose Amount Remarks Amylase, (Optisize 160 Starch 4mL/L For combined from Genencore), degradation desizing 2 Cutinase, F. solani pisi, Wax, cuticle 1 OOU/g textile Lipolytic degradation enzyme 3 Pectinase, Bioprep 3000 Pectin removal 52U/g textile Alkaline L, Novozymes pectinase 4 Triton X-100 Wetting agent I -2g IL Non-ionic surfactant Tanaterge CSU liquid Wetting agent 2-3 g/L Anionic surfactant 6 Tris-1-TCI buffer 50 mM Maintain pH 8 7 Baysolex 21010 (Bayer) Chelator 2 g/L Aid removal of *S.. . S..... (removal of acidic pectins s.. calcium ions) * S. *. S

TABLE3

: * * 10 It is expected that on the basis of the above arrangement, combined scouring and desizing S...

may take place within 3 minutes, to a degree equal to or better than conventional techniques.

S I * S.

07054.0017.OOGBOO 13 In particular, it is believed that under such conditions more than 70% pectin removal and drop test times of less than 3 seconds may be achieved.

While the above examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention it is noted that various other arrangements may also be considered which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. * S. * . S S.. * *S.. * . *S.. * . . S. * S.. * S * . S S... ** . * S S S 55

Claims

07054.0017.OOGBOO 14 Claims 1. A method of treatment of a textile

comprising: providing a quantity of sized textile comprising cellulose based fibres; providing a composition of active enzymes comprising: an enzyme for the degradation of starch; an enzyme for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin; and an enzyme for the degradation of pectin; and treating the textile with the composition to substantially remove size and to substantially improve the hydrophilic properties of the fibres.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment of the textile takes place substantially at a pH of between 7.0 and 9.0, most preferably around 8.0.

3. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment of the textile takes place at a temperature of between 300 and 600, most preferably between 300 and 400.

4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the enzyme for the degradation of pectin is an alkaline pectin lyase, preferably an endo pectate lyase, most preferably having optimum activity around pH 8.0.

5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the enzyme for the * *, degradation of starch is an a-amylase, preferably having optimum activity at between * * * pH 5.5 and pH 9.5, most preferably around pH 8.0. ****

6. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the enzyme for the hydrolysis S...

of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin is cutinase, preferably having optimum 25 activityataroundpH8.0. * . * . S SI.. S. 5

S S S **

07054.00 1 7.OOGBOO 15 7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method takes place in a substantially continuous process.

8. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment of the textile takes place in an aqueous solution.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the aqueous solution comprises a buffer in order to maintain a substantially controlled pH during the treatment.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises a quantity of a surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant.

I I. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the textile comprises a woven fabric.

12. The method according to any preceding claim, further comprising subjecting the textile to shear while treating the textile with the composition.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the shear is acoustic cavitation produced by ultrasound.

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment of the textile with the composition takes place for less than 15 minutes.

15. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein after treatment with the enzyme the method further comprises washing the fabric with an aqueous based solution containing a chelator having binding capacity with Ca2+ ions.

16. An enzymatic composition for the combined desizing and scouring of textiles, the composition comprising: :.: : an enzyme for the degradation of starch; **SS * S * an enzyme for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and *:. cutin;and *. * * * 25 an enzyme for the degradation of pectin. * * * * S *S** S. * * *.

S

07054.0017.OOGBOO 16 17. The enzymatic composition according to claim 16, wherein the enzyme for the degradation of pectin is an alkaline pectin lyase, preferably an endo pectate lyase, most preferably having optimum activity around pH 8.0.

18. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 or 17, wherein the enzyme for the degradation of starch is an a-amylase, preferably having optimum activity at between pH 7.5 and pH 9.5, most preferably around pH 8.0.

19. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the enzyme for the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of triglycerides and cutin is cutinase, preferably having optimum activity at around pH 8.0.

20. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the enzymatic composition has optimum activity in the range 20 -60 C, preferably between 30 and 40 C.

21. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the enzymatic composition is an aqueous solution.

22. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the enzymatic composition further comprises a pH buffer, preferably adapted to maintain a pH of around 8.0.

23. The enzymatic composition according to any of claims 16 to 22, wherein the enzymatic composition further comprises a surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant. * I. * * S.. * S... * S *Ss* 5S55 * S S S. 5

S * * . S *SS5 S. * S * *

S