JPH1088472A - Scouring and bleaching of natural cellulose-based fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of desizing, scouring and bleaching simultaneously natural cellulose-based fibers and/or natural cellulose-based fiber-containing fiber and their finished products by making an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent act on them simultaneously when these are treated with a enzyme composition which contains a pectic enzyme. SOLUTION: This simultaneous scouring and bleaching treatment comprises mixing a scouring liquid composed of an enzyme composition that contains a pectic enzyme, such as Erwinia sp-No.9482, with an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or hydrosulfide, immersing natural cellulose-based fibers and/or natural cellulose-based fiber-containing fiber and their finished products, such as cotton cloth, in the liquid, then deactivating the enzyme in the liquid in the simultaneous treatment of scouring and bleaching, thus simplifying the process and decreasing the quantity of chemicals used for the treatment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for scouring and bleaching natural cellulosic fibers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for scouring and bleaching cotton fibers or hemp fibers by using pectin-decomposing enzymes and hydrogen peroxide in combination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Knitted and woven fabrics of natural fibers and synthetic fibers contain primary contaminants in nature and secondary contaminants added in spinning, spinning, weaving and knitting processes. At present, these contaminants, which are unnecessary in order to utilize the characteristics of various fiber bodies, are removed by processes such as desizing, scouring, and bleaching, thereby facilitating subsequent dyeing and finishing. The method used in these steps differs depending on the type of fiber.

[0003] For example, in the cotton fiber scouring step, since the cotton fiber contains natural impurities such as pectin and cotton wax as primary impurities, it is carried out by treating it with sodium hydroxide and a surfactant at a high temperature. ing. That is, pectin is converted into water-soluble sodium pectate by boiling treatment with sodium hydroxide, or becomes low molecular weight and becomes soluble in water and removed. Further, cotton wax and fats and oils are saponified or hydrolyzed by the presence of a strong alkali, and are more effectively removed by using a surfactant in combination.

[0004] In the bleaching process, the colored matter contained in the fiber, yarn or cloth is decomposed and removed with an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent to increase whiteness.

[0005] Unlike the treatment with chemicals, a method of treating various fibers using an enzyme has been conventionally used.
For example, bacterial proteases have been used to refine silk products, proteases have been used to remove protein impurities in wool, and lipases have been studied for removing wool fat.

Recently, a method using an enzyme in a cotton scouring process has also been proposed. That is, a scouring method using an acidic pectinase and an alkali pectinase (hereinafter, referred to as pectinase), which are generally commercially available for food processing, on cotton fibers (human-friendly fibers and processing, pages 300 to 303, Textile Co., Ltd., August 1995) Monthly issue).

[0007]

The conventional method of refining fibers using chemicals such as sodium hydroxide uses a large amount of chemicals, and therefore reduces or reduces the use of these materials for environmental protection. It is hoped that it will be canceled. Therefore, the scouring method using an enzyme as described above has attracted attention as a useful method for solving environmental problems.

Further, the natural cellulosic fiber is subjected to a bleaching step as required. When a conventional chemical such as sodium hydroxide is used, the chemical is washed and removed after the scouring step, and hydrogen peroxide and the like are removed. It was necessary to separately perform a bleaching step using a bleaching agent.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In the case of scouring natural cellulosic fibers using enzymes, if the bleaching step can be carried out at the same time, the scouring and bleaching step of natural cellulosic fibers can be simplified. Accordingly, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, have found that in a method of scouring a natural cellulosic fiber using an enzyme, a bleaching step can be performed at the same time, and completed the present invention.

[0010] That is, the present invention is a method for scouring and bleaching natural cellulosic fibers, in which a method for scouring natural cellulosic fibers using an enzyme comprises simultaneously bleaching.

As the enzyme for refining natural cellulosic fibers that can be used in the present invention, the above-mentioned pectinase can also be used. More preferably, the enzyme produced by a microorganism newly screened from the soil by the present inventors has been used. Can be used.

In the present invention, various enzyme activities are measured by the following methods unless otherwise specified.

Pectin degradation activity 1 ml of 0.5% pectin aqueous solution, 0.08 ml of 100 mM EDTA solution
And 0.72 ml of 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 8). Further, 0.2 ml of the enzyme solution is added and reacted at 30 ° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction was stopped by adding 2 ml of 0.2 M acetate buffer (pH 4.5),
Measure the absorbance at nm. The amount of the enzyme that produces 1 μmole of unsaturated galacturonic acid per minute is defined as one unit. The molecular absorption coefficient of the unsaturated galacturonic acid is 4600.

Pectic acid decomposition activity 1 ml of 0.5% pectic acid aqueous solution and 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH
8) 0.7 ml and 1 ml of a 10 mM calcium chloride solution are mixed, and 0.2 ml of an enzyme solution is further added, followed by a reaction at 30 ° C. for 10 minutes. 0.2M
The reaction is stopped by adding 2 ml of an acetate buffer (pH 4.5), and the absorbance at a wavelength of 235 nm is measured. The amount of the enzyme that produces 1 μmole of unsaturated galacturonic acid per minute is defined as one unit.
The molecular absorption coefficient of the unsaturated galacturonic acid is 4600.

Fibrinolytic activity (CMCase) 1 ml of an enzyme solution is added to 4 ml of a 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose solution (pH 8.0) and reacted at 40 ° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction is stopped by adding 2 ml of somogy solution and heating at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes. After cooling, 1 ml of ammonium arsenic molybdate solution was added to dissolve cuprous oxide, and water was added to make 25 ml.
Measure the absorbance at 0 nm. The amount of an enzyme that produces reduction or the like corresponding to 1 mg of glucose per minute is defined as 100 units.

Fibrinolytic activity (C ₁ ase) The rotation speed of a monod shaking thermostat is 60 rpm and the amplitude is 7
cm, and place 5 ml of enzyme solution (pH 8.0) into an L-shaped test tube.
Leave at 0 ° C. for 5 minutes. Two pieces of 1 cm x 1 cm filter paper (Toyo Filter Paper No. 51) are placed in this, and then subjected to a shaking reaction. The time (minutes) until the two filter papers completely disintegrate is measured. 7
An average value is calculated by removing the upper and lower two results from the measurement results. The amount of enzyme that completely disintegrates the filter paper per minute is 10,000
Unit.

Next, these inventions will be described in detail. The present inventors have found that, in order to obtain a microorganism that produces an enzyme that acts on pectin, a strain isolated from soil that seeks a widespread source in nature produces a novel enzyme that acts on pectin.

With respect to the strain isolated by the present inventors, its bacteriological properties were identified with reference to the following documents.

Reference: Lelliott, RA 1974. Genus XII.
Erwinia Winslow et al. 1920,209.p332-340. In RE
Buchanan and NEGibbons (ed.), Bergey's manualof d
eterminative bacteriology, 8th ed. The Williams &
WilkinsCo., Baltimore.

Lelliott, RA and Robert S. Dickey.
1984. Genus VII. Erwinia Winslow et al. 1920,209 ^AL .
p.469-476.In NRKrieg and JGHolt (ed.), Berge
y's manual of systematic bacteriology, vol.1. TheW
illiams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore.

Goto, M., K. Matsumoto. 1987. Erwinia
carotovora subsp.wasabiae subsp.nov.Isolated fro
m diseased rhizomes and fibrous rootsof japanese h
orseradish (Eutrema wasabi Maxim.). Int. J. Syst.Ba
cteriol. 37 : 130-135.

Gallois, A. et al. 1992. Erwinia caro
tovora subsp.odorifera subsp.nov., Associated wit
h Odorous soft rot of chicory (Cichoriumintybus
L.). Int.J.Syst.Bacteriol. 42 : 582-588.

Alcorn, SM et al. 1991, Taxonomy an
d pathogenicity of Erwinia cacticida sp.nov.Int.J.
Syst. Bacteriol. 41 : 197-212. Hereinafter, the mycological properties of the bacterium will be described.

(A) Morphological properties Shape and size of cells: bacilli. 1.5 to 2.4μ × 0.5 to 0.7μ, rarely reaches 10μ in length. Cell polymorphism: None Motility: None Spores: Not formed Gram stain: Negative

(B) Cultural properties Gravy agar plate culture: round, smooth, whole edge, convex circular, translucent, translucent, colorless (normal agar medium 'Eiken') Litmus milk culture: weak acid, coagulation To make peptone, to reduce litmus, not to produce gas

(C) Physiological properties (1) Attitude to oxygen: facultative anaerobic (2) Pigment formation Pink water-soluble dye: negative Blue water-insoluble dye: negative Yellow non-water-soluble dye: negative (3) Mucoid-like growth: negative (4) Growth temperature: grows well at 20-34 ° C.
It grows weakly at 37 ° C, but not at 40 ° C. (5) Production of hydrogen sulfide from cysteine: positive (lead acetate test paper method) (6) Production of reducing substances from sucrose: positive (7) MR test: negative (8) VP test: positive (9) Urease: Negative (10) Decomposition of pectin: positive (11) Gas production from glucose: negative (12) Decomposition of casein: positive (13) Decomposition of gelatin: positive (14) Phenylalanine deaminase: negative (15) Arginine dihydrolase: negative ( 16) Lysine decarboxylase: Negative (17) Ornithine decarboxylase: Negative (18) Indole formation: Negative (19) Nitrate reducing: Positive (20) Growth in 5% sodium chloride: Positive (21) Deoxyribonuclease : Positive (22) Phosphatase: Positive (23) Lecithinase: Negative (24) Starch hydrolysis: Negative (25) Use of citrate: Positive (26) Use of malonate: Negative (27) Oxidase: Negative (28) Catalase: Positive (29) 0F test: Fermentation (30) Degradation of esculin: Positive (31) Decomposition of Tween 80: Positive

This strain is facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, fermentatively degrades sugar, does not produce gas from glucose, urease-negative, phenylalanine deaminase-negative, VP-test positive, MR-test negative, nitrate-reducing positive, growth Since the optimum temperature is not 37 ° C, it is classified into the genus Erwinia (Literature and).

The bacterial species that degrade pectin in the genus Erwinia are:
E. carotovora subsp. Carotovora , E. carotovora sub
sp. atroseptica , E. carotovora subsp . betavasculoru
m , E. carotovora subsp.odorifera , E. carotovora su
bsp.wasabiae , E. rubrifaciens , E. salicis , E. chr
ysanthemi , E. cacticida . However, this strain differs in some properties from these species, and there is no corresponding species.

[0029]

[Table 1]

A: Erwinia sp. No.9482 B: E. carotovora subsp. Carotovora (cited from literature) C: E. carotovora subsp. Atroseptica (〃, 〃) D: E. carotovora subsp. Betavasculorum (〃 〃) E: E. carotovora subsp. Wasabiae (〃 〃) F: E. carotovora subsp. Odorifera (〃 〃) G: E. rubrifaciens (〃, 〃) H: E. salicis (〃, 〃) I: E. chrysanthemi :, 〃) J: E. cacticida (〃 〃)

In Table 1, d indicates that 11 to 89% of the strains are positive, and ND indicates that there is no data.

As described above, since there is no known species among the species, the bacterium is recognized as a new species of the genus Erwinia, and Erwinia sp.
o.9482.

Incidentally, Erwinia SP No.9482 is
FERM P was added to the Institute of Biotechnology and Industrial Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Deposited as -15696.

As a method for culturing the present strain, liquid culture can be usually used. The liquid culture method can be performed, for example, as follows. The medium components are not particularly limited, and those usually used for culturing microorganisms are used.

For example, as the carbon source, glucose, sucrose, sorbitol, fructose, glycerin, dextrin, molasses, carbohydrates such as starch hydrolyzate, and organic acids such as acetic acid and fumaric acid are used.

As a nitrogen source, peptone, yeast extract,
Corn steep liquor, casein hydrolyzate, meat extract, nitrates, ammonium salts, meat extract, yeast powder, soybean hydrolysate, cottonseed powder, benton and the like.

Further, those to which inorganic salts such as potassium salts, magnesium salts, sodium salts, phosphates, manganese salts, iron salts and zinc salts have been added can be used.

The culture temperature is 10 to 50 ° C., preferably 25 to 40.
C. and pH are 3-9, preferably 5-7, and are usually cultured under aerobic conditions for about 10-30 hours. For example, a shaking culture method or an aerobic submerged culture method using a jar fermenter can be used.

A culture containing the crude enzyme can be obtained from the culture filtrate from which the cells have been removed from the obtained culture. The enzymatic activity of the obtained culture was measured.

The enzyme composition that can be used in the present invention can be used as it is as a culture solution obtained by culturing the above-mentioned microorganism.

Of course, the enzyme concentration of the main culture solution can be adjusted according to the reaction conditions when used for scouring natural cellulosic fibers. Moreover, the enzyme composition has substantially no fibrinolytic activity.

Next, a method for scouring fibers using the above-described enzyme composition will be described. The target fiber is a fiber containing pectin as its component, and is a natural cellulosic fiber and / or a fiber containing a natural cellulosic fiber and a processed product thereof. Natural cellulose fibers include cotton and hemp. Hemp includes ramie (linseed), linen (flax), hemp, jute (burlap), manila hemp, and zaizar hemp.

For example, raw natural cellulosic fibers,
Fibers containing natural cellulosic fibers, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, yarns, processed products such as cotton using these, and these are immersed in a solution of the above-described enzyme composition. Varies depending on the enzyme concentration, purity, action temperature, action pH and the like.

In particular, when an enzyme composition obtained from the above-mentioned microorganism is used, its action pH range is wide, and so on.
The amount of use can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where various conventionally known pectin-acting enzymes are used in combination. For example, the pH can be applied in the range of 6 to 11, the temperature is 20 to 60 ° C., and the time can be about 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Further, these scouring treatments may be carried out after pretreatment such as desizing, or may be carried out simultaneously.

Further, the bleaching step can be performed simultaneously with the above-mentioned scouring step. Various oxidizing agents and reducing agents can be used in the bleaching step. Commonly used oxidants are hydrogen peroxide,
Although there are peracetic acid, sodium nitrite, sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite, it is particularly preferable to use hydrogen peroxide. In addition, examples of the commonly used reducing agent include hydrosulfite, sodium sulfite, and thiourea dioxide.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples as long as the gist of the present invention is not exceeded.

[0048]

【Example】

Example 1 Erwinia SP No.9482 (FERM P-15696) was
3% pectin, 0.3% ammonium sulfate, 0.1% phosphoric acid 2
The cells were cultured for 32 hours at 500C in a medium containing potassium, 1.5% lactose, 2% peptone, 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% calcium carbonate at 28 ° C, aeration of 100L / min, and rotation speed of 200rpm for 32 hours. Cells were removed from the culture by centrifugation to obtain a crude enzyme solution. The pectic acid decomposing activity, pectin decomposing activity, fibrinolytic activity and fibrinolytic activity of this enzyme solution were measured.

As a result, the pectate degradation activity was 24 units /
The pectic acid-decomposing activity: pectin-decomposing activity: fibrinolytic activity: fibrinolytic activity was 1: 0.14: 8.3: 0. That is, pectic acid degrading activity: pectin degrading activity = 1: 0.14, and pectic acid degrading activity: fibrinolytic activity = 1: 8.3.

Example 2 1 g of a cotton cloth was mixed with 0.01% of Syntol CO-300 (surfactant) and 30%
% Hydrogen peroxide in 20 ml of a 40 mM Briton-Robinson buffer (pH 10) containing 1%, and the enzyme solution obtained in Example 1 (adding 0.08 units as pectic acid decomposing activity) was added. After a reaction for 10 minutes, the mixture was treated at 90 ° C. for 15 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. The whiteness of the cotton cloth after the reaction was measured according to the method described later. The released pectin was measured as follows, and the results are shown in Table 1. As a comparison, a sample treated with a conventional alkali agent and a sample not added with hydrogen peroxide were used.

Carbazole Sulfuric Acid Method Ethanol solution containing 0.2% carbazole in 0.25 ml sample
Add 0.25 ml and 3 ml of 84% sulfuric acid solution and stir vigorously. Another 75
After standing at 20 ° C for 20 minutes, the absorbance at a wavelength of 525 nm is measured after cooling. Separately, a calibration curve is prepared using D-α-galacturonic acid, and the amount of pectin is determined from the calibration curve.

[0052]

[Table 2]

The numbers in parentheses indicate the values when the alkali treatment is 100. As is evident from Table 2, the use of hydrogen peroxide did not affect the removal of pectin, indicating a bleaching effect.

Example 3 1 g of cotton cloth before desizing was applied to Sintol CO-300 (surfactant)
The enzyme solution (pectin) obtained in Example 1 was placed in a 20 ml solution of 40 mM Briton-Robinson buffer (pH 7) containing 0.01% of 0.01% and 30% hydrogen peroxide and 0.01% of amylase AD (manufactured by Amano Pharmaceutical). 0.08 units added as acid decomposition activity)
After reacting at 40 ° C. for 30 minutes, the mixture was treated at 90 ° C. for 15 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. The whiteness of the cotton cloth after the reaction was measured. The released pectin was measured, and the results are shown in Table 3. In addition, it was confirmed that desizing was sufficiently performed by the iodine starch reaction.

[0055]

[Table 3]

The numbers in parentheses indicate the values when the alkali treatment is 100. As is clear from Table 3,
Scouring and bleaching could be performed simultaneously.

Example 4 Hemp fiber before desizing (vertical yarn: linen 40% ramie 60%
Density 42 / inch Cotton count 9S, weft: 50% linen
Ramie 60% Density 42 / inch Cotton count 9S, plain weave) 1
g 0.2% Liponox NCI (Lion nonionic surfactant), 0.01% amylase AD (Amano Pharmaceutical) and
35% hydrogen peroxide solution containing 1, 1.5 and 2% respectively, 2
The solution was placed in 20 ml of a 0 mM sodium phosphate buffer solution (pH 8), and the enzyme solution obtained in Example 1 (0.08 unit as pectate-decomposing activity) was further added. After reacting at 40 ° C. for 30 minutes, treatment was performed at 95 ° C. for 30 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. The whiteness of the hemp fiber after drying and the residual amount of pectin were measured by the methods described later. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0058]

[Table 4]

Even when hydrogen peroxide was used, the pectin was well removed, and the whiteness visually observed showed a bleaching effect at a practical level.

Example 5 Enzyme solution obtained in Example 1, 35% hydrogen peroxide solution 8.3 ml /
L, 2 g / L of Liponox NCI (Lion's nonionic surfactant) and 0.37 g / L of sodium carbonate, 180 l of scouring bleaching solution with 2.9 u / ml pectic acid decomposition activity of the enzyme, cotton thread (40 count Yarn) was immersed in 10 kg and reacted at 40 ° C. for 20 minutes using a skein dyeing apparatus. Treatment was performed at 95 ° C. for 10 minutes to inactivate the enzyme.

Example 6 Using 5.5 ml / L of 35% hydrogen peroxide solution and 0.32 g / L of sodium carbonate, the mixture was treated at 95 ° C. for 20 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. Except for that, all the operations were performed under the same conditions as in Example 4.

Comparative Example 1 A 180% scouring bleaching solution consisting of 4.4 ml / L of a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution, 1.1 g / L of Gran-up VO-50K (a scouring aid manufactured by Sanyo Kasei), and 2 g / L of sodium hydroxide was used. The cotton yarn used in Example 5 was immersed and the skein dyeing apparatus described in Example 5 was used.
Scouring and bleaching at 300C for 30 minutes. Table 5 shows the whiteness, single yarn strength, and remaining amount of pectin of the cotton yarn scoured and bleached in Examples 5 and 6, and Comparative Example 1.

[0063]

[Table 5]

The various measurements in Table 5 were performed as follows.

The whiteness of the yarn is wound around a 6 × 6 cm ² black background yarn winding alternately in the machine direction and the transverse direction in six or more layers to prepare a sample. The sample preparation conforms to JIS L 1095 (General textile test method). The L, a, and b values of four arbitrary points on the sample surface are measured with a colorimeter CR-200 (manufactured by Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.) and averaged. From the L, a, and b values, the whiteness is determined by the following formula using the Hunter method.

[0066]

(Equation 1)

The single yarn strength measurement method is based on JIS L 1095 (single yarn tensile strength).

Amount of pectin remaining in the yarn The yarn is immersed in a 0.02% ruthenium red solution at a bath ratio of 1:40 and shaken at 30 ° C. for 10 minutes. After shaking, wash with water, 50 ℃,
After washing with shaking water for 30 minutes, dry. 6 × 6cm ²
A sample is prepared by winding the film in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction alternately in a winding of six or more times on a black wound pin. Using a Hitachi automatic spectrophotometer, the reflectance (1 fraction) of 540 nm light is measured at any four points on the sample surface. From the reflectance, the residual amount of pectin is determined by the following equation.

[0069]

(Equation 2)

Example 7 The enzyme solution obtained in Example 1 and a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution 10 ml /
L, 2 g / L of Liponox NCI (Lion's nonionic surfactant) and 0.79 g / L of sodium carbonate, and 180 L of a scouring bleaching solution having an enzyme pectic acid decomposition activity of 2.9 u / ml, and a cotton cloth (with a basis weight of 230 g / L) (LY, 20th count, plain weave), 18 kg, and after reacting at 40 ° C for 20 minutes using a liquid jet dyeing machine (manufactured by Hisaka Seisakusho), treated at 95 ° C for 20 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. .

Example 8 A 10% 35% hydrogen peroxide solution and 0.79 g / L sodium carbonate were used at 95 ° C. for 40 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. Except for that, the same conditions as in Example 7 were used.

Comparative Example 2 A 180% scouring bleaching solution comprising 8 ml / l of 35% hydrogen peroxide solution, 1.1 g / l of Granup VO-50K (a scouring aid manufactured by Sanyo Kasei) and 2 g / l of sodium hydroxide was prepared. The cotton cloth used in No. 7 was charged, and scouring and bleaching was performed at 95 ° C. for 30 minutes using the jet dyeing machine described in Example 7.

Table 6 shows the whiteness, tear, tensile strength and residual pectin of the cotton cloth scoured and bleached in Examples 7 and 8 and Comparative Example 2.

[0074]

[Table 6]

Various measurements in Tables 2, 3, 4 and 6 were performed as follows.

Whiteness of Cloth A cloth is cut into a size of 10 × 10 cm ² to prepare a sample. For any four points on the sample surface, use the colorimeter CR-200
(Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.), measure L, a, b values and average them. From the L, a, and b values, the whiteness is calculated by Equation 1 using the Hunter method.

The method for measuring the tear strength conforms to JIS L 1096 (fiber tear test method).

The tensile strength measurement method is based on JIS L 1096 (fiber tensile test method).

Amount of pectin remaining on cloth The cloth is immersed in a 0.02% ruthenium red solution at a bath ratio of 1:40 and shaken at 30 ° C. for 10 minutes. After shaking, wash with water, 50 ℃,
After washing with shaking water for 30 minutes, the sample is dried, cut into a size of 10 × 10 cm ² , and a sample is prepared. Using a Hitachi automatic spectrophotometer, the reflectance of 540 nm light (1
Fraction). From the reflectance, the residual amount of pectin was calculated using the formula 2.
Ask for.

As can be seen from Tables 5 and 6, in the method according to the present invention, bleaching can be performed simultaneously without adversely affecting pectin removal. Further, the strength of the scoured and bleached fiber hardly decreases, and the whiteness is at a practical level.

[0081]

According to the present invention, the scouring of natural cellulosic fibers and the bleaching operation of natural cellulosic fibers using enzymes can be performed simultaneously, and the process can be simplified, and at the same time, the natural cellulosic fibers can be used. Chemicals used for scouring can be reduced, and the pH of the wastewater is in the range of 6.5 to 7.5, so that wastewater treatment can be facilitated. Furthermore, the processing temperature is relatively low, and the consumption of heat energy can be reduced as compared with the conventional method. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously perform three steps of desizing, scouring and bleaching.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI D01C 1/02 D01C 1/02 B D06L 3/10 D06L 3/10 // D06M 16/00 D06M 16/00 A (72) Invention Person Yukitoshi Maeda 14-5, Shimogita-cho, Neyagawa-shi, Osaka Kurashiki Textile Co., Ltd.Technical Research Institute (72) Inventor Hideo Hayashi Nishiharu, Nishiharu-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inventor Susumu Katsuen 2-4-131 Kutaro-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Kurashiki Spinning Co., Ltd.Osaka Head Office Central Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Kokei Yoshikawa 2-4-1, Kutaro-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Kurashiki Spinning Co., Ltd. Osaka head office (72) Inventor 26 Hayashi Yoshio Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture Yashimanishi-cho, 2298

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for scouring natural cellulosic fibers and / or fibers containing natural cellulosic fibers and processed products thereof using an enzyme composition containing a pectin-degrading enzyme, wherein an oxidizing agent and / or a reducing agent simultaneously act. A method for scouring and bleaching natural cellulosic fibers and / or fibers containing natural cellulosic fibers, and processed products thereof.