Lipase aplicada na remoção de manchas de gordura em substrato têxtil

Abstract

The removal of grease stains from textile substrates presents a challenge; thus, the use of auxiliary agents is highly beneficial in facilitating the cleaning process. Lipase enzymes are widely employed in detergents for the removal of oils and fats (triacylglycerols), as they catalyze the hydrolysis reaction between ester groups present in triacylglycerols and water molecules, producing simpler and more soluble compounds such as fatty acids and glycerol, which are therefore easier to remove from textile substrates. Additionally, enzymes are environmentally friendly due to their biodegradability, in contrast to many conventional chemical agents. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of degreasing treatments applied to chocolate stains—containing triacylglycerols—on cotton and polyester textile substrates, using a lipase solution from Burkholderia lata (BLL) and conventional domestic washing.The enzymatic treatment was carried out at room temperature and pH 7, with 0.3 mL of a previously prepared enzymatic solution applied directly to the stain. This solution consisted of buffer and 30% isopropanol, with a volumetric activity of 23.4 ± 2 U mL⁻¹ (measured via pNPP hydrolysis at 55 °C). Domestic washing was performed at 40 °C for 30 minutes in a lab-scale laundering device using 150 mL of soap solution at 4 g L⁻¹. The cleaning performance was assessed based on color evaluation of the stained area. Enzymatic treatments applied to cotton fabrics did not show significant effectiveness; conventional washing without enzyme use yielded the best stain removal results. In contrast, for polyester fabrics, the most effective approach was the application of the enzyme followed by conventional washing. Therefore, it is concluded that Burkholderia lata lipase was more effective in removing stains from polyester, particularly when combined with soap and washing, highlighting the need for further studies to optimize its application on different textile substrates.