Wool Quality Improvement Using Thermophilic Crude Proteolytic Microbial Enzymes

Wool textile industry is one of the most promising areas for many countries, but there is no real improvement in the Middle East. Regarding that most of the chemicals used in wool treatment are patently protected and environmentally unfriendly; enzymatic treatment will be the best solution. Proteases are being used to decrease the felting tendency of wool and to improve the feel of the fabrics by imparting soft and smooth handle. Simple methods for wool treatment using proteases from thermophilic Bacillus strains isolated from Egyptian ecosystem were used. The wool quality improvement process has been proved by both enzyme activity and scanning electron microscope study. The scanning electron microscope proved perfectly the improving quality of the wool fiber surface. Using procedures involved in this study is recommended to improve the wool quality and to substitute chemical based treatments specially to save environmental pollutions and to increase national economy resources.