ENZYMATIC MODIFICATION OF THE SURFACE OF A POLYESTER FIBER OR ARTICLE

摘要

A method is provided for improving the uptake of a cationic compound onto apolyester article starting material,comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a polyesterase enzyme; (b) contactingsaid polyesterase enzyme with said polyester articlestarting material under conditions and for a time suitable for saidpolyesterase to produce surface modification of said polyesterarticle starting material and produce a surface modified polyester; (c)contacting said modified polyester article, subsequently orsimultaneously with said step (b) with a cationic compound whereby adherenceof said cationic compound to said modified polyesteris increased compared to said polyester starting material. Also disclosed is amethod for increasing the hydrophilicity of a polyesterto improve fabric characteristics such as stain resistance, wettability and/ordyeability.