Peroxidase-Catalyzed Coloration for Fabric Design with Color Patterns

Objective Biotechnology using enzymes has been explored in textile wet processing for the potential of reducing energy and water consumption, due to the use of the highly specific biocatalysts that can operate under mild temperature and neutral pH conditions. The current research study contributes to an understanding of the use of the enzyme peroxidase for textile coloration of wool fabrics as an alternative coloration method to using conventional dyestuffs. Peroxidases, belonging to the enzyme group of oxidoreductases, can catalyze oxidation of a wide range of colorless simple aromatic compounds as precursors to form polymeric colorants. This enzymatic coloration can be successfully applied to in-situ dyeing of wool fabrics at a low temperature through peroxidase catalysis of various precursors over a broad range of pH values to achieve a diverse color palette. To explore the potential of enzymatic coloration for fabric design, a woven wool base fabric was embroidered using computer-controlled embroidery machines with embroidery yarns of different fiber types and subsequently enzymatically dyed to create color patterns. Peroxidase-catalyzed coloration has the potential not only as an alternative coloration process to create design patterns of fabrics, but also for saving energy and preventing fiber damage during the dyeing process.