Surface Modification of Cellulose Acetate with Cutinase and ...

Chapter 1
15. Conclusions and future prospects
As already mentioned, enzymes can be used in order to develop environmentally
friendly alternative processes regarding almost all steps of textile fibres processing.
There are already some commercial successful applications, like amylases used for
desizing, cellulases and laccases for denim finishing and proteases incorporated in
detergent formulations. Further research is still required for the implementation of
commercial enzyme based processes for the biomodification of synthetic and natural
fibers. Another field of research is the search for new enzyme-producing
microorganisms and enzymes extracted from extremophilic microorganisms
(Schumacher et al., 2001).
Although some types of enzymes already play an important role in some textile
processes, their potential is much greater and their applications in future processes are
likely to increase in the near future.
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