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S. Adeel et al.
1 Introduction
Textile industries have been considered among major sectors with a striking in the
expansion of human civilization since the discovery of synthetic dyes. Technological
developments have led to a rapid extension of cotton output, throughout the globe [1].
White or industrial biotechnology involving enzymes or biomolecules applications
in textile industries acquiesces the development of eco-friendly technologies in fiber
processing whereas elaborates strategies for the final product quality improvement
[2]. Rising awareness about environmental concerns due to the disposal of chemicals, effluents or smoke into the landfills produced by the utilization of expensive
raw material, huge amounts of energy has compelled the scientists to apply white
biotechnology in the textile industry [3]. Besides the environmental burdens, chemical processing of textile items are concerned with economic as well as fabric quality
loses [4]. In addition to chemical processing, expensive and massive chemicals are
being practiced for the neutralization of textile effluents [5]. The obstinate temperament of dye-based diverse preparations or different synthetic dyes has influenced the
liabilities to withstand environmental regulations and legislation [6]. Biomolecules or
green catalysts play an alternative role in chemical processing and accouters the perfect elucidation for pollution control. Undoubtedly, lowering the overall cost, these
biomolecules or green catalysts are processing convivial and environment-friendly
[7]. Application of green catalysts or biomolecules in textiles is not considered a
new; anachronized in the mid of the nineteenth century [8]. In 1857, biomolecules or
green catalysts were the first time used for de-sizing in the textile industry. However,
due to its poor efficiency, acid-based desizing was preferred over it for a long time.
In 1900s, malt extract was introduced in wet processing, while later in 1912, many
textile industries successfully adopted bio-engineered green catalysts [9]. Biotechnology revolutionized the finishing sector by reducing water consumption by 17–
18%. Overall 30–50% of water consumption has been reduced in the textile sector
by using biotechnology [10]. Hence these days’ green catalysts are considered as an
integral component of the textile sector [11].
There are two well-established sectors for the applications of green catalysts:
(i) Preparatory sector; amylases are commonly applied in this sector
(ii) Finishing sector; cellulases are commonly applied for bio-stoning, softening
and to reduce pilling propensity [12].
Recently lipases, catalases, xylanases, pectinase, etc. (Table 1) are commonly
applied in textile industries for finishing, bio-scouring, fading, decolorization, and
bio-polishing, etc. [13]. Ambitious research to explore new green catalysts that cover
almost all cotton processing steps in the textile industry is the need of the hour [14].
The schematic of processing involved in the woven sector of cotton textile at the
commercial level has been designed in Fig. 1.
This chapter explains the sources of green catalysts, their mode of action, thermodynamics, specificity, retention, engineered green using biotechnological tools and
promising areas concerning textile industries. Table 1 gives an overview of Overall
processing steps and t related enzymes in enzymatic processing of fibers.
S. Adeel et al.
1 Introduction
Textile industries have been considered among major sectors with a striking in the
expansion of human civilization since the discovery of synthetic dyes. Technological
developments have led to a rapid extension of cotton output, throughout the globe [1].
White or industrial biotechnology involving enzymes or biomolecules applications
in textile industries acquiesces the development of eco-friendly technologies in fiber
processing whereas elaborates strategies for the final product quality improvement
[2]. Rising awareness about environmental concerns due to the disposal of chemicals, effluents or smoke into the landfills produced by the utilization of expensive
raw material, huge amounts of energy has compelled the scientists to apply white
biotechnology in the textile industry [3]. Besides the environmental burdens, chemical processing of textile items are concerned with economic as well as fabric quality
loses [4]. In addition to chemical processing, expensive and massive chemicals are
being practiced for the neutralization of textile effluents [5]. The obstinate temperament of dye-based diverse preparations or different synthetic dyes has influenced the
liabilities to withstand environmental regulations and legislation [6]. Biomolecules or
green catalysts play an alternative role in chemical processing and accouters the perfect elucidation for pollution control. Undoubtedly, lowering the overall cost, these
biomolecules or green catalysts are processing convivial and environment-friendly
[7]. Application of green catalysts or biomolecules in textiles is not considered a
new; anachronized in the mid of the nineteenth century [8]. In 1857, biomolecules or
green catalysts were the first time used for de-sizing in the textile industry. However,
due to its poor efficiency, acid-based desizing was preferred over it for a long time.
In 1900s, malt extract was introduced in wet processing, while later in 1912, many
textile industries successfully adopted bio-engineered green catalysts [9]. Biotechnology revolutionized the finishing sector by reducing water consumption by 17–
18%. Overall 30–50% of water consumption has been reduced in the textile sector
by using biotechnology [10]. Hence these days’ green catalysts are considered as an
integral component of the textile sector [11].
There are two well-established sectors for the applications of green catalysts:
(i) Preparatory sector; amylases are commonly applied in this sector
(ii) Finishing sector; cellulases are commonly applied for bio-stoning, softening
and to reduce pilling propensity [12].
Recently lipases, catalases, xylanases, pectinase, etc. (Table 1) are commonly
applied in textile industries for finishing, bio-scouring, fading, decolorization, and
bio-polishing, etc. [13]. Ambitious research to explore new green catalysts that cover
almost all cotton processing steps in the textile industry is the need of the hour [14].
The schematic of processing involved in the woven sector of cotton textile at the
commercial level has been designed in Fig. 1.
This chapter explains the sources of green catalysts, their mode of action, thermodynamics, specificity, retention, engineered green using biotechnological tools and
promising areas concerning textile industries. Table 1 gives an overview of Overall
processing steps and t related enzymes in enzymatic processing of fibers.