Circulating solution for the degumming and modification of hemp fiber by the laccase–2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical–hemicellulase system

Hemp fiber, as a kind of renewable textile fiber, has evoked much interest due to its excellent properties in various fields. It has been investigated in just one step to finish the process of chemo-enzymatic degumming and modification of hemp fiber, which is done in acetic acidsodium acetate buffer solution containing laccase (6.0 g), hemicellulase (0.3 g) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (0.3 g) under a mild condition (pH 5, 50C). The degumming effects of different batches of raw hemp fibers were also discussed. We found that the residual rate, fineness, length and tensile strength of degummed fiber were 15–27%, 9.00–24.00 dtex, 14.00–19.00 cm and 3.8–5.1 cN/dtex, respectively. Meanwhile, some of the oxidized functional groups were introduced into degummed fiber, which improved the moisture absorption and water retention value of the hemp fiber. The hemp fiber treated by this process could be further improved and then applied in the textile industry.