The Biodegradation of Acrylic-Coated Woven Fabrics by Gordonia alkanivorans S7: A Novel Approach for Sustainable Textile Waste Management

TL;DR

This paper explores using bacteria to break down acrylic coatings on synthetic fabrics, offering a sustainable way to manage textile waste.

Contribution

The study introduces the use of Gordonia alkanivorans S7 for biodegrading acrylic-coated textiles, a novel approach for recycling synthetic fibers.

Findings

Biodegradation reduced the mass of acrylic-coated fabric by up to 7 wt%.

FTIR analysis confirmed the removal of acrylic resin from the fabric.

The process showed increased emulsifying and esterase activities over 72 hours.

Abstract

The increasing environmental issue related to textile waste, especially synthetic fibers treated with acrylic resins, demands the creation of sustainable recycling techniques. Biotechnological methods, such as microbial degradation, present a viable solution for the elimination of these coatings and the recovery of important fibers. This study investigates the potential of a biotechnological approach for the removal of acrylic resins from coated woven textile wastes. The biodegradation process of coated woven fabric after the pretreatment at a high temperature (121 °C) or 6% H2O2 was performed using the hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strain Gordonia alkanivorans S7. Over a 72 h biodegradation period, an increase in emulsifying and esterase activities was observed. A reduction mass of the coated textile waste by up to 7 wt% was achieved, and the elimination of acrylic resin was confirmed through FTIR analysis. The findings indicate the usefulness of the biotechnological method in eliminating acrylic resin from textile waste, presenting a viable strategy for polyester fiber recovery and substantially mitigating its environmental impact.

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