Enzymatic textile bleaching compositions and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Described are compositions and methods for enzymatic bleaching of textiles. A perhydrolase enzyme is used in combination with an ester substrate and hydrogen peroxide to produce a peracid for textile bleaching. Textiles bleached by the exhibit increased dye uptake, decreased textile damage, and/or bulkier softer handle than textiles bleached by conventional chemical bleaching processes.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for bleaching a textile, comprising contacting the textile with an enzymatic textile bleaching composition comprising:
 (i) a perhydrolase enzyme;   (ii) an ester substrate for said perhydrolase enzyme;   (iii) a hydrogen peroxide source;   (iv) a surfactant and/or an emulsifier;   (v) a peroxide stabilizer;   (vi) a sequestering agent; and   (vii) a buffer that maintains a pH of about 6 to about 8;   for a length of time and under conditions suitable to permit measurable whitening of the textile, thereby producing a bleached textile, wherein the bleached textile comprises at least one of decreased textile damage, bulkier softer handle, and increased dye uptake when compared to a chemical textile bleaching method that comprises contacting the textile with a chemical textile bleaching composition that does not comprise a perhydrolase enzyme.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising hydrolyzing hydrogen peroxide with a catalase enzyme after the bleached textile is produced. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the liquor ratio is about 10:1. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  performed in a batch or exhaust process. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method provides any of at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50% less weight loss than a chemical bleaching composition that does not comprise a perhydrolase enzyme. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method provides a textile capable of increased dye uptake to produce a dyed textile with at least about any of at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30% increased dye depth when compared to a textile treated with a chemical bleaching composition that does not comprise a perhydrolase enzyme. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method provides a textile that exhibits reduced pilling propensity when compared to a textile treated with a chemical bleaching composition that does not comprise a perhydrolase enzyme. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the textile is contacted with the enzymatic textile bleaching composition at a bleaching temperature of about 60° to about 70° C. for a processing time of about 40 to about 60 minutes. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the temperature of the enzymatic textile bleaching composition is raised by about 3° C. per minute from a starting temperature of about 20° to about 40° C. until the bleaching temperature is reached. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the bleaching temperature is about 65° C. and the processing time is about 50 minutes. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the bleached textile is rinsed with an aqueous composition at a rinsing temperature of about 40° C. to about 60° C. to remove said enzymatic textile bleaching composition. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the rinsing temperature is about 50° C. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the rinsing comprises rinsing said bleached textile twice for about 10 minutes for each rinse. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the aqueous composition comprises a catalase enzyme to hydrolyze the hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled)