Method for enzymatic treatment of textiles such as wool

Abstract

The application provides a method of treating fibrous textile goods comprising treating the fibrous textile goods with an enzyme. This enzyme can be used to covalently link one or more active functional compounds to the fibres and/or to trap one or more acitve functional compound within an inter-fibre matrix and/or within an intra-fibre matrix formed by the action of the enzyme. Preferably, the enzyme is a traglutaminase, especially a calcium-dependent transglutaminase. The enzyme may be used to add primary-amine containing active agents to the textile goods and also for the addition of proteins or peptides that have functional groups linked to them.

1 . A method of treating fibrous textile goods comprising treating the fibrous textile goods with an enzyme to either covalently or non-covalently link one or more active functional compounds to the fibres and/or to trap one or more active functional compounds within an inter-fibre matrix and/or within an intra-fibre matrix formed by the action of the enzyme.  
     
     
         2 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous textile goods are derived from wool or animal hair, optionally blended with one or more cellulosic or synthetic fibres.  
     
     
         3 . A method, according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the enzyme is a transglutaminase.  
     
     
         4 . A method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the transglutaminase is a calcium-dependent transglutaminase.  
     
     
         5 . A method, according to claims  3  or  4 , wherein the transglutaminase is a tissue (type II) transglutaminase.  
     
     
         6 . A method, according to any one of  claims 3  to  5 , where the transglutaminase is a recombinant transglutaminase.  
     
     
         7 . A method, according to any one of  claims 3  to  6 , additionally comprising the step of treating the fibrous textile goods with a protease.  
     
     
         8 . A method, according to any preceding claim, wherein the active agent is first bound to a protein or protein fragment, prior to treating the fibrous textile goods.  
     
     
         9 . A method, according to any one of  claims 3  to  8 , wherein the transglutaminase is used together with a primary amine-containing compound.  
     
     
         10 . A method, according to  claim 9 , wherein the primary amine-containing compound has a chemical moiety of general formula —R′NH 2  group, wherein R′ is an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain containing between 1 to 8 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         11 . A method, according to  claim 9  or  claim 10 , wherein the primary amine-containing compound comprises at least two amine groups.  
     
     
         12 . A method, according to  claim 11 , wherein the primary amine-containing compound is putrescine.  
     
     
         13 . A method, according to claim any one of  claims 10  to  12 , wherein the —R′NH 2  group is linked to an active group which imparts further one or more functionalities to the fibres.  
     
     
         14 . A method, according to  claim 13 , wherein the further functionalities are used to bind a second active agent to the fibres.  
     
     
         15 . A method, according to any preceding claim, wherein the active agent is a perfume, insect repellent, dyeing agent, softening agent, water repellent antimicrobial agent or sunscreen.  
     
     
         16 . A method, according to  claim 15 , wherein the active agent is an intact protein, hydrolysed protein or modified hydrolysate of a protein.  
     
     
         17 . A method, according to  claim 16 , wherein the protein or hydrolysed protein is keratin, silk, casein, fibronectin or collagen.  
     
     
         18 . A method, according to any one of  claims 3  to  17 , wherein the transglutaminase is used as a level of 0.5-10.0 μg of enzyme per ml. of treatment liquor.  
     
     
         19 . A method, according to any preceding claim, wherein the textile goods are treated with a reducing or oxidated agent prior to treatment with enzyme.  
     
     
         20 . A method, according to  claim 19 , wherein the reducing agent is sodium sulphite, dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol or glutathione.  
     
     
         21 . A method of protecting fibrous textile goods derived from wool or animal hair from attack by a biological detergent comprising treating the fibrous textile goods with an enzyme to covalently cross-link one or more fibres of the fibrous textile goods.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the enzyme is a transglutaminase.  
     
     
         23 . A method of treating fibrous textile goods to improve dimensional stability and/or improved yarn strength and properties comprising treating the fibrous textile goods with a calcium-dependent transglutaminase.  
     
     
         24 . A method, according to  claim 23 , wherein the fibrous textile goods are additionally treated wilt a protease.  
     
     
         25 . Fibrous textile goods obtainable by a method according to any preceding claim.