Heat Treatment of Cotton: Effect on Endotoxin Content, Fiber and Yarn Properties, and Processability

摘要

A specially designed device is used to heat several hundred pounds of cotton at temperatures previously shown to reduce endotoxin content during small-scale treatment of cotton lint. Dust from heated and unheated (control) cotton is captured during processing in a pilot plant textile mill. The endotoxin content of fibers, bulk dust, and fine dust is reduced by the heating, compared to the unheated bale. The effect of heat treatment on fiber physical properties and processability is monitored to provide an assessment of the effect of heating on the market value of the cotton. Results from dust from heated fibers distributed to other researchers for in vivo and in vitro evaluation of physiological activity are discussed.