For cotton made fabrics , the warp threads are coated wit an adhesive sizing agent to prevent the threads from breaking during weaving. Starch and its derivatives are the most commonsizing agents. After weaving, the size must be removed in order to prepare the fabric for dyeing and finishing. This process is called as desizing and it involves use of chemicals like acids, alkali and oxidising agents in a traditional protocol and also consumption of large amount of energy and water. Biotechnology also offers the potential for new industrial processes that require less energy and are based on renewable raw materials and environmentally healthy practices. Enzymatic desizing using amylase is a very old process for the complete remove sizing starches at milder temperatures with lesser use of caustic and with reduced energy & process water consumption without fiber damage. Nevertheless the effluents contain very low pollutants as the desizing process is very specific and release substances which are bio degradable making it extremely eco friendly. This work represents a review of α-amylase family and the major characteristics, microbial sources, production, properties and explores the potential of this enzyme.
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