Optimisation of cotton wax removal using bacteria isolate from gin trash

Abstract

This study was conducted to establish optimal temperature, pH and incubation time for bacteria from gin trash, for enhancing wax removal during cotton bioscouring. Universal Rotatable Experimental Design was used for the process of optimisation and efficiency assessed by the percentage weight loss after solvent extraction of the treated fibres. Optimum wax of 0.765% out of 1.2% present in the fibres was removed at 45°C, pH 8 within 1 h. Minitab 15 and Monte Carlos were used for the parameter modelling and sensitivity analysis. A second-order polynomial regression model was fitted and found adequate with a determination coefficient, R 2 , of 0.94032 (p < 0.005). At 45°C, pH 8, maximum 0.747% wax was removed by the bacteria in pectinase treatment within 1 h. 0.752% wax was removed from bulkier treated fibres, without significant change in fibre strength. Temperature was found to be the most significant variable in the bacterial cotton wax removal.

Influence of gin trash bacteria broth treatment on cotton fibres

“…According to Klapper et al (2002), hydroxyl and carboxylate groups of polysaccharides impart good adhesion to surfaces and form strong cohesive strength. The change could also be associated to the stiffer feel of the bacteria broth treated fibres reported in Mburu et al (2015a).…”

“…Incorporating 5% of bacterial cellulose with wood pulp during paper sheet formation was found to significantly improve kaolin retention, strength and fire resistance as compared to plain paper sheets (Torres et al, 2012). Mburu et al (2015aMburu et al ( , 2015b reported that gram-positive streptobacilli isolated from RJTA 24,3 gin trash soil had activity on cotton fibre wax. Besides degrading 0.765% out of the 1.2% wax present, the treated fibres were found to exhibit a stiffer feel compared to the untreated fibres.…”