Flax retting by degumming composite enzyme produced by Bacillus licheniformis HDYM-04 and effect on fiber properties

摘要

Flax enzymatic retting with composite enzyme produced by microbes with inexpensive substrates is widely researched due to less contamination and lower cost. Bacillus licheniformis HDYM-04, isolated from a liquid sample of flax retting pool, efficiently produced degumming enzymes after 48h of fermentation with inexpensive konjaku flour, consisted of 587.5 U/mL pectinase, 365.2 U/mL mannanase, and 140.1 U/mL xylanase. Almost half the maximum activity of three above-mentioned degumming enzymes was maintained at pH 4.0-6.0 which demonstrated its stability in pH condition of flax retting. After 120h of retting with this composite enzyme, scanning electronic microscopy showed more significant reduction in gummy components on the fiber surface than those of water retting. The fiber strength was 182.4 +/- 9.3N, 14.3% higher than water-retted samples. The long fiber rate and fiber yield also verified higher fiber productivity. The results permitted this degumming composite enzyme an applicable potential in flax retting.