Cutinase—A new tool for biomodification of synthetic fibers

We have shown that cutinase can be used to modify the surface of polyester, polyamide, and acrylic fibers. This enzyme can hydrolyze the esters groups of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) and the vinyl acetate, the comonomer of acrylic fibers. For the first time we have shown that cutinase is able to hydrolyze the amide bonds in polyamide 6.6. Hydroxyl and amine groups are formed at the fiber surface by enzyme action and detected by specific dyeing methods with reactive dyes.