METHOD FOR MODIFYING MOISTURE ABSORBING/RELEASING PROPERTIES OF CELLULOSIC FIBERS

摘要

A method for modifying cellulosic fibers by improving the moisture absorbing/releasing properties of the fibers without sacrificing the handle inherent therein and without embrittling the same; and cellulosic fibers improved in the moisture absorbing/releasing properties by the above method. The method comprises treating cellulosic fibers with an endo cellulase having a cellulose-bonded water content variation activity value as defined below of at least 105 and an Avicelase activity of at most 10<-2> unit per unit of the CMCase activity. Cellulose-bonded water content variation activity value. This is a relative value of an initial variation in the bonded water content of a cotton powder used as the substrate treated with the cellulase by presuming the bonded water content of a non-cellulase-treated cotton powder to be 100.