The washing of fabrics after bleaching is one of the processing steps that consumes more water, since all hydrogen peroxide has to be removed to avoid problems in subsequent dyeing. H2O2 would oxidise and decolourise the dyes over a fabric. Catalases enzymes would be the best candidates to remove the residual hydrogen peroxide after bleaching processes of textile materials. However, low temperature and pH-stabilities do not allow the application of catalases in continuous processes where immobilised enzymes acting at high pH (9-11) and high temperatures (>60°C) would be required. Several commercial products have been introduced but pH and temperature adjustment compromised the success of catalases in the industry.

We conducted several studies in order to stabilise the catalase enzymes towards high pH and high temperatures. For that, we successfully used transglutaminases to create new cross-links in the protein improving thermostability, stability at alkaline pHs and stability of catalases em presence of the substrate itself. Comparative changes of the enzyme stability are shown in solution and in immobilised form.