	US 11,946,197 B2
	Method for modifying polyester by swelling agent combined with cutinase
Jiajia Fu, Wuxi (CN); Jundan Feng, Wuxi (CN); Artur Cavaco-paulo, Wuxi (CN); Rong Li, Wuxi (CN); Yuzheng Lu, Wuxi (CN); Xinming Zheng, Wuxi (CN); Ruijuan Han, Wuxi (CN); and Chaoran Meng, Wuxi (CN)
Assigned to JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, Wuxi (CN)
Filed by Jiangnan University, Wuxi (CN)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/226,833.
Claims priority of application No. 202211112899.7 (CN), filed on Sep. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0366145 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. D06M 16/00 (2006.01); C12N 9/18 (2006.01); D06M 13/144 (2006.01); D06M 13/203 (2006.01); D06M 101/32 (2006.01)

CPC D06M 16/003 (2013.01) [D06M 13/144 (2013.01); D06M 13/2035 (2013.01); D06M 2101/32 (2013.01); D06M 2200/00 (2013.01)]

6 Claims

1. A method for increasing hydrophilicity of polyester fibers, which comprises:

a) mixing a swelling agent of phenol solution or an o-vanillin solution with the polyester fibers at a temperature of 90° C. to 120° C. for about 3 to 5 hours to produce swollen polyester fibers, and

b) adding a Humicola insolens cutinase solution comprising 100 U/mL cutinase at a pH of 8 to the swollen polyester fibers at a temperature of about 60° C. for about 24 hours, thereby increasing hydrophilicity of the polyester,

wherein increasing the hydrophilicity of the polyester fibers is measured by release of hydrolysates comprising terephthalic acid (TPA) and mono (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET) during cutinase treatment and comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of ester bonds in the swollen polyester fibers to increase an amount of hydrophilic groups on the swollen polyester fibers, and

wherein the amount of TPA and MHET released by the swollen polyester fibers is increased by 51.7% to 67.5% as compared with polyester fibers not treated with the phenol solution or o-vanillin solution.