Genencor International, Inc.

Geoffrey L Weiss

Kathleen A Clarkson

Edmund A Larenas

Edward Larenas

Pushkaraj J Lad

Jeffrey D Lorch

Michael C Ward

Benjamin S Bower

Sharon Shoemaker

Nancy S Bjork

Curran M Simpson

M M Mullins

Lindsay Jacobs

Katheen A Clarkson

Kathy Collier

M Margaret Mullins

Sharon P Shoemaker

During the desizing and enzymatic stonewashing of denim fabric and/or garments, redeposition of blue color often occurs back onto the surfaces of the denim. The invention relates to a redepositing or backstain inhibiting composition and a method requiring the inclusion of an added protease prior to, during or subsequent to the stonewashing process which reduces the redeposition of the blue dye and hence improves the stonewashing process when using redepositing or backstaining cellulases to give an appearance closer to that when using stones alone or nonredepositing cellulases in the stonewashing process.

Enzymatic compositions and methods for producing stonewashed look on indigo-dyed denim fabric and garments

Disclosed are cellulase compositions containing one or more endoglucanase components and less than about 5 weight percent of CBH I type components. When incorporated into detergent compositions and used in acidic, neutral, or alkaline washing media, such cellulase compositions impart color retention/restoration properties as well as improved softening properties to cotton-containing fabrics. Additionally, such compositions impart reduced strength loss to cotton-containing fabrics as compared to cellulase compositions containing greater amounts of CBH I type components.

Detergent compositions containing cellulase compositions deficient in

Disclosed are detergent compositions containing a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants and from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of substantially pure EG III cellulase. Preferably, the detergent composition contains no more than about 5 weight percent of CBH I type components based on the total weight of cellulase proteins. When employed in aqueous wash media, the detergent compositions impart color retention/restoration properties as well as improved softening and feel properties to cotton-containing fabrics.

Detergent compositions containing substantially pure EG III cellulase

The present invention is directed to purified EG III cellulase enzyme isolated from Trichoderma longibrachiatum and the amino acid sequence of the secreted (mature) and non-secreted (preprotein) forms. The present invention is further directed to the DNA fragment and sequence that encodes the EG III cellulase enzyme. Also disclosed are methods for isolating either purified or highly enriched EG III cellulase obtained from Trichoderma spp. or genetically modified strains of Trichoderma spp.

Trichoderma longibrachiatum EGIII cellulase

Disclosed are detergent compositions containing a combination of exo-cellobiohydrolase I type cellulase components and endoglucanase type components wherein the exo-cellobiohydrolase I type cellulase components are enriched relative to the endoglucanase type components. The detergent compositions of this invention provide cleaning and softening of cotton garments while also providing substantially reduced degradation of the cotton fabric in the garment.

Degradation resistant detergent compositions based on cellulase enzymes

Disclosed are improved methods for treating cotton-containing fabrics as well as the fabrics produced from these methods. In particular, the disclosed methods are directed to contacting cotton-containing fabrics with an aqueous solution containing a fungal cellulase composition which comprises CBH I type components and one or more EG type components wherein said cellulase composition has a protein weight ratio of CBH I type components to all EG type components of greater than 10:1. Cotton-containing fabrics so treated possess decreased strength loss as compared to fabrics treated with a complete cellulase composition.

Methods for treating cotton-containing fabrics with CBH I enriched

Disclosed are improved methods for treating cotton-containing fabrics as well as the fabrics produced from these methods. In particular, the disclosed methods are directed to contacting cotton-containing fabrics with an aqueous solution containing a fungal cellulase composition which comprises one or more EG type components and one or more CBH I type components wherein said cellulase composition has a protein weight ratio of all EG type components to all CBH I type components of greater than 5:1. Cotton-containing fabrics so treated possess decreased strength loss as compared to fabrics treated with a cellulase composition containing greater amounts of CBH I type components.

Methods for treating cotton containing fabrics with cellulase

Disclosed are improved aqueous processes and compositions for obtaining a 'stonewashed', look in colored fabric while reducing the amount of redeposition of colorant onto the fabric, as well as the fabrics produced from these methods. In particular, the disclosed methods as directed to contacting fabrics with fungal cellulase composition which is substantially free of CBH type components. Fabrics so treated show reduced redeposition of colorant.

Methods for stonewashing fabrics using endoglucanases

Disclosed are improved methods for treating cotton-containing fabrics and non-cotton containing cellulosic fabrics as well as the fabrics produced from these methods. In particular, the disclosed methods are directed to contacting cotton-containing fabrics and non-cotton containing cellulosic fabrics with a cellulase solution containing a fungal cellulase composition which is substantially free of all CBH I type cellulase components. Cotton-containing fabrics so treated possess decreased strength loss as compared to fabrics treated with a cellulase solution containing a complete cellulase composition.

Methods for treating cotton-containing fabric with cellulase composition

DNA sequence encoding endoglucanase III cellulase

Disclosed are detergent compositions containing a cleaning effective amount of a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants and from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of substantially pure EG III cellulase. Preferably, the detergent composition contains no more than about 5 weight percent of CBH I type components based on the total weight of cellulase proteins. When employed in aqueous wash media, the detergent compositions impart color retention/restoration properties to cotton-containing fabrics.

Methods for isolating EG III cellulase component and enriched EG III cellulase in polyethylene glycol are disclosed. The methods comprise adding an inorganic salt and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to 10,000 to an aqueous mixture of cellulase proteins under conditions to create a two-phase system. Next, the cellulase proteins other than EG III are separated in an EG III-poor aqueous phase while EG III cellulase component is retained in an EG III-rich polyethylene glycol phase. Lastly, the EG III component can be separated from the polyethylene glycol. The preferred method of separation is alcohol precipitation.

Methods for isolating EG III cellulase component and EG III cellulase in

Detergent composition for treating cotton-containing fabrics containing

Disclosed are improved methods for treating cotton-containing fabrics as well as the fabrics produced from these methods. In particular, the disclosed methods are directed to contacting cotton-containing fabrics with a cellulase solution containing a fungal cellulase composition which is substantially free of all CBH I type cellulase components. Cotton-containing fabrics so treated possess decreased strength loss as compared to fabrics treated with a cellulase solution containing a complete cellulase composition.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Geoffrey L Weiss