Research from M. Montazer and co-researchers yields new findings on enzyme research.

"This research has explored the effect of laccase (Denilite II S) on the physical properties of the wool fabric and confirms the anti-felting of wool. In the experiment, laccase was applied to a wool fabric and different characteristics including weight loss, strength, alkali solubility, felting shrinkage, water drop absorption, and dye ability with madder were studied," scientists in Iran report (see also Enzyme Research).

"The surface morphology of the wool fabrics was also observed by scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the wool fabric treated with laccase has a higher water drop absorption, lower felting shrinkage, and lower values of a* and b*. Treatment of a wool fabric with 10% or lower percentage of laccase reduced the fabric weight but increased the tensile strength. However, using higher concentration of laccase reduced fabric weight and tensile strength," wrote M. Montazer and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "The dyeing of laccase pre-treated wool fabric with madder indicated a lower lightness."

Montazer and colleagues published their study in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Treatment of Wool with Laccase and Dyeing with Madder. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2009;158(3):685-693).

For more information, contact M. Montazer, Hafez Avenue, Tehran, Iran.

Publisher contact information for the journal Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology is: Humana Press Inc., 999 Riverview Drive Suite 208, Totowa, NJ 07512, USA.

Keywords: Iran, Applied Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Enzyme Research, Laccase, Weight Loss.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.

Source Citation
"Research from M. Montazer and co-researchers yields new findings on enzyme research." Biotech Week 30 Sept. 2009: 883. Academic OneFile. Web. 17 Dec. 2009. .

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