A method of treating a sunflower plant stems

Abstract

A method of treating a sunflower plant stem is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: selecting a sunflower plant, removing the flower head and leaves from the stem and preparing the stem for enzymatic treatment by slitting the stem lengthways, removing the inner core from the stem; a) treating the cut stem with a pectinase containing a first buffer solution, for 24 hours with shaking at a pH of 3.8-8.5, and at a temperature of from 20-60° C.; b) removing the stem and washing with water, c) placing the stems into a second buffer solution containing xylanase, at a pH of from 7.0-8.0 and at a temperature of from 37-50° C. for 24 hours with shaking; d) removing the stems and washing with water e) placing the stems into a third buffer solution containing feruloyl esterase, at a pH of 7.2-8.0 containing 0.01-0.05% feruloyl esterase, at a temperature of from 37-50° C. for up to 24 hours, f) removing the stems and washing with water, g) pressing the stems to remove unwanted plant matter.

1 . A method of treating a sunflower plant stem, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) selecting a sunflower plant, removing the flower head and leaves from the stem and preparing the stem for enzymatic treatment by slitting the stem lengthways, removing the inner core from the stem;   b) treating the cut stem with a pectinase containing a first buffer solution, for 24 hours with shaking at a pH of 3.8-8.5, and at a temperature of from 20-60° C.;   c) removing the stem and washing with water,   d) placing the stems into a second buffer solution containing xylanase, at a pH of from 7.0-8.0 and at a temperature of from 37-50° C. for 24 hours with shaking;   e) removing the stems and washing with water   f) placing the stems into a third buffer solution containing feruloyl esterase, at a pH of 7.2-8.0 containing 0.01-0.05% feruloyl esterase, at a temperature of from 37-50° C. for up to 24 hours,   g) removing the stems and washing with water,   h) pressing the stems to remove unwanted plant matter.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the following is selected to break open the stem: mechanical rollers, hydrothermal or enzymatic. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first buffer solution is a tris-buffer solution containing 0.01-0.20% pectinase. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the pectinase is from  Aspergillus niger.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first buffer solution is at a pH of 7.2. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is maintained during step b) at a temperature of 26° C. 
     
     
         7 . A method according  claim 1 , wherein the second buffer solution is a Tris-buffer solution containing a xylanase. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the pH of the second buffer solution is 8.0. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is maintained during step d) at 37° C. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the third buffer solution is a Tris-buffer solution containing a feruloyl esterase. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the feruloyl esterase is from  Anaeromyces mucronatus.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the stems are maintained in the third buffer solution for up to 48 hours. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step h) is carried out using a roller. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressed stems are treated with a basic solution for 12 hours at 30° C. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the washing in step g) is carried out with boiling water. 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a fibre yarn with a wax obtained from a sunflower seed to waterproof a yarn, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) pre-treating the fabric with a water wash and drying the fabric;   b) contacting the fabric with a solution of a cationic starch at a concentration of 2-10 g/l,   c) applying a layer of a sunflower wax suspension in water to the fabric, by soaking or by spraying, the particles of wax having a particle size of from 100-160 μm;   d) repeating the application of a starch layer and wax layer alternately, preferably to give four layers of each of the starch and the wax;   e) curing the fabric.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of the starch is 5 g/l. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 or claim 17 , wherein the a fabric rinse step with water is included after the first application of cationic starch solution. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claims 16-18 , wherein the curing step is carried out at a temperature of from 72-85° C. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claims 16-19 , wherein the curing step is carried out for 20-45 minutes. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claims 16-20 , wherein the fabric is contacted by soaking with the cationic starch solution. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the fabric is rinsed with water following the soaking step. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to claims— 16 - 20 , wherein the fabric is contacted by spraying with the cationic starch solution. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claims 16-23 , wherein the fabric is contacted by soaking with the wax suspension. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claims 24 , wherein the fabric is rinsed with water following the soaking step. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to claims— 16 - 23 , wherein the fabric is contacted by spraying with the wax suspension.