Sequential enzymatic treatment of cotton

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and kits for treating cotton and converting waste cotton into mature and fine cotton.

1 . A method of treating cotton, the method comprising:
 contacting untreated cotton with a pectinolytic composition comprising at least one pectinolytic enzyme to provide a first intermediate cotton;   contacting the first intermediate cotton with a cellulolytic composition comprising at least one cellulolytic enzyme to provide a second intermediate cotton; and   contacting the second intermediate cotton with a lignolytic composition comprising at least one lignolytic enzyme to provide treated cotton;   wherein:
 contacting with the pectinolytic composition occurs before contacting with the cellulolytic composition; and 
 contacting with the cellulolytic composition occurs before contacting with the lignolytic composition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pectinolytic enzyme is one or more of pectinase, protopectinase, polygalacturonase, pectate lyase, pectin lyase and pectin esterase. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulolytic enzyme is one or more of cellulase, endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase, beta-1,4-glucanase, beta-1,4-endoglucan hydrolase, celluase A, cellulosin AP, endoglucanase D, alkali cellulase, cellulase A 3, celludextrinase, 9.5 cellulase, avicelase, pancellase SS and 1,4-(1,3, 1,4)-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lignolytic enzyme is one or more of laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and multicopper oxidase. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pectinolytic composition further comprises hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are present in a concentration of about 2 μg/ml to about 11 μg/ml. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulolytic composition further comprises hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are present in a concentration of about 2 μg/ml to about 12 μg/ml. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lignolytic composition further comprises copper oxide nanoparticles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the copper oxide particles are in a concentration of about 0.05 mM to about 0.25 mM. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the contacting steps is performed at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 70° C. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the contacting steps is performed at a pH of about 7 to about 10. 
     
     
         15 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a percent maturity value of about 50% to about 90%. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a micronaire value of about 3.8 to about 4.5. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a fineness value of about 85 mtex to about 100 mtex. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a percent maturity value that is higher than a percent maturity value of the untreated cotton. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a micronaire value that is lower than a micronaire value of the untreated cotton. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated cotton has a fineness value that is lower than a fineness value of the untreated cotton. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the untreated cotton is waste cotton, raw cotton, immature cotton, coarse cotton, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 - 39 . (canceled)