Chemical-physical characteristics

Appearance	Brownish powder
Solubility in water	Good
Resistance to chemicals	Incompatible with reducing and oxidizing agents, strong acids, alkalis and with other enzymes

Storage of the product
Keep the packages sealed. The product must be stored in a fresh environment, away from sources of heat. Avoid very prolonged storages.

Applications and description of the product
Enzymes are biochemical substances that behave as catalysts toward specific reactions. What makes the enzymes very interesting under a chemical point of view is their high specificity or, in other words, their ability to attack selectively a given substrate. Among the two traditional enzymes used in the treatments of denim garments (amylase to hydrolyze starches and cellulase to degrade in different ways cellulose) there is another enzyme that can be employed to attack selectively the molecule that constitutes the blue indigo color, resulting ineffective on other kind of dyes. Due to these characteristics, this particular enzyme is a perfect candidate for new applications, few of which are listed in the next page.

Super stone wash free from breaks
Since enzymes in Americos Laccase P do not attack the cellulose, it is possible to get a "super stone wash" image on denim garments without typical breaks that normally occurs after prolonged Stone Wash treatments with pumice stones and cellulase enzymes. In this case it is enough to execute a short cycle with Americos Laccase P after a standard Stone Wash. Even the washing time get benefits from the usage of Americos Laccase P, with reductions of about 20 to 30% as shown below.

Exemple

CYCLE 1	CYCLE 2	Total duration
SUPER STONE WASH Treatment (100 min.)		100 min.
STONE WASH Treatment (60 min.)	Laccase P (15 min.)	75 min.

Maximization of the contrast-elimination of the backstaining
The sharp amelioration of the denim garments' image is due to the preferential attack of the enzyme on the color that has already been, somewhat, altered during previous cycles (ex: stone wash). A cycle of few minutes is enough to the product to degrade selectively the indigo color redeposed on external yarns of the fabric, which after the Stone Wash are always rather blue. In these circumstances the product will not affect in a significant way the deeper area of the yarns, where the blue will retain its original dark tone. The result is an extraordinary contrast blue-white, even if "low contrast cellulase" were used in the stone wash bath.

A great advantage of Americos Laccase P is given by the possibility to use an alternative path to highly contrasted denim image. The alternative path, in this case, goes through the cheap "low contrast cellulase" in place of the more expensive "high contrast cellulase". That should not considered a paradox, since Americos Laccase P can, in few minutes, eliminate all the disadvantages typically related with the use of low contrast cellulase (flat image, heavy backstaining).

Medium contrast ecological bleach
Another application in which Laccase P excels is the ecological bleach of denim garments. Thanks to its enzymatic nature, in fact, Laccase P is particularly environmental friendly.

Under this point of view Laccase P over performs even reducing sugars, which notoriously require large amounts of strong alkali and contribute in a significant way to increase values of BOD and COD in waste water. From the point of view of the fabric's image, it is interesting to notice how the enzymatic bleach, differently from the usual bleaches, tends to preserve the original contrast, thus avoiding an excessive "flattening" of the image.

Bleach of elasticized fabrics
Americos Laccase P is virtually non substitutable when the target is to conduct bleach on elasticized fabrics dyed with indigo blue. In this particular case, in fact, traditional bleach agents can't be used since they would affect irreversibly the elasticity. Americos Laccase P, as previously stated, affects selectively only the indigo dye, leaving unaltered the fibres regardless to their nature.

Stone wash and decolourization in a single bath
Enzymes of Americos Laccase P are not compatible with cellulase enzymes, and that makes impossible their use in the stone wash bath. Anyway, it is possible to use Laccase P together with pumice stone. In this case the abrading effect is obtained in a mechanical way, while the enzymatic part of Laccase P enhances the effect of the abrasion and leads simultaneously to a certain degree of decolourization.

Other treatments
Images obtainable using Americos Laccase P are numerous. Being difficult to list all the possible applications, we recommend contacting our technical personnel in way to set up personalized treatments and the related parameters. In the following page are listed some examples of treatments including the use of Laccase P.

Suggestions for the correct usage of the product
Ecological bleach - medium contrast bleach

Dosage :	from 10-20 g/kg fabric.
Ratio liquor/fabric:	5:1 (indicative)
pH :	4.5-5
Temperature	65°C.
Duration of the cycle	from 15-30 minutes.

Maximization of the contrast - elimination of the backstaining - super stone washes effect.

Dosage :	from 10-20 gm/kg
Ratio liquor/fabric:	5:1 (indicative)
pH :	4.5 - 5
Temperature	65°C.
Duration of the cycle	variable in function to the kind of treatment and to the kind of substrate. from 5 - 10 minutes to eliminate the effects of the backstaining from 10 - 15 minutes to enhance the "stone wash" effect from 15 - 25 minutes to get a "super stone wash" effect.

Introduction
Americos Laccase LTC is a special mixture of active laccase enzyme and a control chemical mediator. The fungal laccase is specifically designed to be used for cleaning up back staining, changing color shade and cast, and to bleach denim. The chemical mediator assists the process in order to perform the full reaction chain which results in indigo bleaching.

Advantages:
Versatile:Americos Laccase LTC degrades indigo, resulting in reduction of the blue denim color intensity. This reaction can be controlled to adjust the color of denim to reach different shades and casts. It will create the desired denim look, whether it is a grey cast, high contrast, or highly bleached effect.

Efficient and simple: Americos Laccase LTC works efficiently to change the shade of indigo denim and to bleach it. Process is simple; only one addition of Americos Laccase LTC is needed to achieve the desired looks.

Neutral pH reaction: Americos Laccase LTC works in neutral pH allowing the full chain of denim wet processing to occur in neutral pH range.

Preserve more fabric strength : Americos Laccase LTC bleaches indigo gently, without any strength loss.

Safe bleaching of stretch denim : Americos Laccase LTC is perfect for treatment of elastin containing denim garments. The neutral pH and gentle reaction of Americos Laccase LTC helps protect the elastin component while acting on the indigo.

Robust system : Americos Laccase LTC works well in a wide pH and temperature range, allowing flexible treatment conditions with consistent results.

Stability : Since Americos Laccase LTC is made of granulated enzyme, it shows excellent storage stability. Moreover, the control mediator is a stable, non-toxic organic chemical and so Americos Laccase LTC can be stored at room temperature.

Applications :
Americos Laccase LTC is specifically designed for treatment of denim after stonewashing to clean-up back staining, enhance blue-white contrast, bleach elastin containing garments and to adjust the shade and cast of the denim.

Process Condition :
Preceding process steps:
Desizing: Efficient and complete desizing is required for consistent performance.

Stonewashing: A stone washing step needs to be performed to obtain the desired abrasion level

Americos Laccase LTC :
To achieve a desired effect with Americos Laccase LTC, it is recommended to use it in the following way:

After an abrasion cycle, the garments should be rinsed with hot water or detergent washed to inactivate the remaining cellulose activity. Water should be added for a new bath and the pH should be set to 6.0-7.0. The bath should be heated and Americos Laccase LTC should be added. The indigo breakdown reaction starts immediately, shown by the water color changing into a greenish yellow shade.

The right shade and cast is achieved by adjusting the time and the dosage of Americos Laccase LTC. This process can be achieved in a single dosage at the beginning of the process; it is not necessary to use several consecutive dosages.

Effect of pH and Temperature:
The combination of pH and temperature has the most impact on performance of enzymes. Americos Laccase LTC can be used in a broad temperature range of 50°-70°C within a pH of 5.5 -7.5. Recommended standard conditions are temperature of 60°-70°C and pH 6.0-7.0.



Processing guidelines for Americos Laccase LTC

Process Parameter	Optimal Range	Operational Range
pH	6.0-7.0	5.5-7.5
Liquor Ratio	8:1-15:1	3:1-20:1
Processing Time	Dependant on desired effect, fabric and process variables	15-60 minutes

Dosage guidelines:
Americos Laccase LTC is a carefully designed product combination that is used at low doses. It is recommended that the optimal dosage and conditions for the desired effect be determined by first experimenting with a small amount of garments.

As a standard point, dosage of 1.5 % on weight of garments is recommended. However, dosage will vary according to

• Composition, construction, and weight of the fabric
• Composition, penetration and intensity of dye
• Desired effects
• Treatment time, pH, and temperature
• Liquor ratio
• Auxiliary chemicals
• Type of equipment/mechanical action

Enzyme inactivation :
After the desired effect is obtained, the bath can be dropped and the garments should be rinsed. Any additional processing can then follow to finalize the desired look. No separate inactivation step is needed for Americos Laccase LTC.

Storage :
To ensure extended shelf life, store Americos Laccase LTC at 25°C or below in a sealed container. Exposure of this product to elevated temperature and/or high humidity for prolonged periods of time may result in loss of activity.

Safety & enzyme handling:
Inhalation of enzyme dust and mists should be avoided. In case of contact with the skin or eyes, promptly rinse with water for at least 15 minutes.For detailed handling information, please refer to the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet, the Enzyme Technical Association (ETA) Handbook Working Safety with Enzymes and the Association of Manufacturers and Formulators of Enzyme Products (AMFEP) Handbook Guide to the Safe Handling of Microbial Enzyme Preparations.

Technical Service:
Information covering specific application of this product is available. Americos Industries will work with customers to enhance processes and solve problems. Let us know what you need and we will assist you.

Introduction :
Americos Ptex SL is an oxidatively stable proteolytic enzyme ideal for brightness and clean-up and cellulase inactivation after stonewashing of denim or bio-finishing of cellulosic goods. This enzyme cannot be used with normal bio-polishing and fading enzyme.

Advantages :

• Increase brightness
• Improves clean-up
• Enhance the contrast of abraded denim after cellulase treatment
• It works on low temperature
• Easy to use
• Americos Ptex SL oxidatively stable and may be used with products containing such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.

Properties:

Activity	20000 U/kg minimum
Appearance	Off- white
Size	80 - 100 mesh

Treatment Conditions:

Process Parameter	Operational Range
pH	7 - 10
Temperature	30°-60°C
Dosage	0.01 - 0.10% (owg)
Time	5 - 20 minutes

Americos Ptex SL reduces backstaining caused by cellulase treatment of denim. It enhances the interaction of residual cellulase which is bound to the fabric and is present in the wash liquor retained by the fabric after treatment.



Technical Service:
Information covering specific application of this product is available. Americos Industries will work with customers to enhance processes and solve problems. Let us know what you need and we will assist you

Introduction :
Americos Catalase XL is highly effective in catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. In textiles processing, this is often the most preferred mode of hydrogen peroxide removal after the bleaching step as the enzyme and the breakdown products are totally inert to Reactive dyestuffs.

Americos Catalase XL enzyme accommodates a broad pH and temperature range and remains effective even at high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Advantages

• Enzyme is completely biodegradable
• Highly effective hydrogen peroxide removal
• Effective over a broad temperature range
• Works well at any residual peroxide level
• Reduces water consumption
• Enzyme and the breakdown products (water and oxygen) have no effect on dyestuffs
• Increase dyeing productivity

Properties:

Appearance	Brown liquid
Solubility	Soluble in Water
pH	5.2
Specific gravity	1.17

Process Parameter :

Dosage	0.025 - 0.1g/l
pH	3 - 9
Temperature	30° - 70°C
Time	10 - 20 Minutes

Removing Hydrogen Peroxide with Americos Catalase XL



Americos Catalase XL removes hydrogen peroxide with very simple system with cost effectiveness and reliability Excess reducing chemical used ? H₂O₂ removed but excess reducing chemical affects dyeing Insufficient reducing chemical used ? H₂O₂ not fully removed and affects dyeing

Removal of Hydrogen Peroxide :
Hydrogen peroxide and other peroxy compounds are commonly used for bleaching in preparation of cellulose based fabrics and yarns. If not completely removed, hydrogen peroxide will cause shade change with some fiber Reactive dyes. Even a small amount of residual hydrogen peroxide, particularly left in creases and folds of fabric, causes change in cast of dye resulting in uneven dyeing.

Technical Service :
Information covering specific application of this product is available. Americos Industries will work with customers to enhance processes and solve problems. Let us know what you need and we will assist you.