Ultrasound‐assisted bioscouring of cotton

In this study, the effects of ultrasound on the bioscouring of cotton by alkaline pectinase were examined. Conventional alkaline scouring was considered as the control treatment, and two different sources of ultrasound, an ultrasonic bath and an ultrasonic homogeniser, were tested, along with the enzymatic scouring process. Results indicated a clear increase in the efficiency of the enzymatic scouring process when the ultrasonic homogeniser was used: wettability time and wicking distance after ultrasonic homogeniser‐assisted bioscouring were much better than for enzymatic scouring without the use of ultrasound energy and almost the same as when conventional alkaline scouring was employed. Ultrasonic bath‐assisted enzymatic bioscouring gave slightly better results than enzymatic scouring without sonication. Reasons for the difference in efficacy of the ultrasound sources were postulated. Weight loss was increased by the use of ultrasonic equipment during enzymatic scouring. Fabric thickness and fabric strength was not significantly affected by the scouring processes. The environmental impact of the processes was also monitored by chemical oxygen demand measurement of the treatment liquors. Conventional alkaline scouring resulted in the highest environmental impact. Ultrasonic homogeniser‐assisted bioscouring also led to slightly higher chemical oxygen demand loads than other enzymatic processes owing to the more efficient removal of impurities.