Effects of lipase on poly(lactic acid) fibers

Two types of lipases, L3126 and Lipex 100L, were used to modify the surface of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber by measuring weight loss percentage and wettability of the fiber in this work. The influence factors were discussed and optimized based on single-factor experiments. The optimal conditions for the modification of poly(lactic acid) fiber with lipases were determined as follows: incubation with lipase L3126 of 0.5 g/l at 45 °C and pH 8.5 for 8 hours and incubation with lipase of 10 ml/l at 40 °C and pH 7.5 for 10 hours. Lipase L3126 showed higher biodegradation ability to poly(lactic acid) fiber than lipase Lipex 100L. The scanning electron microscopy confirmed that both of the two lipases could lead to the formation of etching characters on treated poly(lactic acid) fibers in comparison with the blank samples. Furthermore, the wettability of the fibers treated with the lipases was evidently improved, especially Lipase L3126.