Enzymatic method for textile dying

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of dyeing a material which involve contacting the material with a dyeing system which comprises: (a) a mixture of (i) an aromatic diamine and (ii) one or more of a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene and (b) an oxidation system comprising (i) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (ii) an enzyme exibiting oxidase activity on one or more of the compounds of mixture (a). The material may be a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of fur, hide, leather, silk or wool, or made of cationic polysaccharide, cotton, diacetate, flax, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, synthetic polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, triacetate, or viscose.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to methods of dyeing a material, comprising contacting the material with dye intermediates in combination with an enzymatic oxidation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Dyeing of textiles is often considered to be the most important and expensive single step in the manufacturing of textile fabrics and garments. In the textile industry, two major types of processes, batch and continuous, are currently used for dyeing. In the batch process, among others, jets, drums, and vat dyers are used. In continuous processes, among others, padding systems are used. See, e.g., I. D. Rattee, In C. M. Carr (Ed.), “The Chemistry of the Textiles Industry,” Blackie Academic and Professional, Glasgow, 1995, p. 276.

[0004] The major classes of dyes are azo (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.), carbonyl (anthraquinone and indigo derivatives), cyanine, di- and triphenylmethane and phthalocyanine. All these dyes contain chromophoric groups which give rise to color. Two classes of dyes, vat and sulfur dyes, are applied to materials by an oxidation/reduction mechansim. The purpose of the oxidation/reduction step is to change the vat or sulfur dyestuff between an insoluble and a soluble form.

[0005] The dominant chemical class of dyestuffs is azo dyes. Most commonly, azo dyestuffs are manufactured as the dye, then applied to a material to color the material. In a variation of this technology, known as azoic dyeing, coupling between the strongly electrophilic diazonium ion and a nucleophilic compound leads to formation of colored azo compounds in situ on the material. The mechanism and process for azoic dyeing are described, for example, in Colorants and Auxiliaries, Volume 1—Colorants, Society of Dyers and Colourists, West Yorkshire, England, 1990 and Cellulosics Dyeing, Society of Dyers and Colourists, West Yorkshire, England, 1995.

[0006] Oxidoreductases, e.g., oxidases and peroxidases, are well known in the art.

[0007] One class of oxidoreductases is laccases (benzenediol:oxygen oxidoreductases) which are multi-copper containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of phenols and related compounds. Laccase-mediated oxidation results in the production of aromatic radical intermediates from suitable substrates; the ultimate coupling of the intermediates so produced provides a combination of dimeric, oligomeric, and polymeric reaction products. Such reactions are important in nature in biosynthetic pathways which lead to the formation of melanin, alkaloids, toxins, lignins, and humic acids.

[0008] Another class of oxidoreductases are peroxidases, which oxidize compounds in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

[0009] Laccases have been found to be useful for hair dyeing. See, e.g., PCT applications Ser. No. PCT/US95/06815 and PCT/US95/06816. European Patent No. 0504005 discloses that laccases can be used for dyeing wool at a pH in the range of between 6.5 and 8.0.

[0010] Saunders et al., Peroxidase, London, 1964, p. 10 ff. discloses that peroxidases act on various amino and phenolic compounds resulting in the production of a color.

[0011] Kunz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,041, discloses a hair dyeing composition containing a combination of aromatic diamine, e.g. 1,4-phenylenediamine (developer), α-naphthol (coupler), an oxygen-oxido-reductase/substrate system and a peroxidase. Kunz further teaches that the preferred coupler substance comprises a substituted m-phenylenediamine.

[0012] French Patent 2,112,549 discloses dyeing hair with an aqueous solution containing oxidase enzyme and aromatic compounds, such as aromatic diamines, phenols, and derivatives of these, that are precursors for oxidative color. Sulfonated and carboxylated aromatic diamines and phenols are disclosed. The use of laccase is disclosed.

[0013] Roure et al., European Patent 504,005, discloses that 1-naphthol (α-naphthol), 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene are known oxidative couplers for hair dyeing that can be used in combination with aromatic diamines, such as 1,4-phenylenediamine and N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, and with laccase enzyme.

[0014] Peck, U.S. Pat. No. 2,539,202 discloses a method of dyeing animal fibers, such as fur, animal pelts, and the like, comprising the steps of applying to the animal fibers an aqueous solution of a tyrosine or dioxyphenylalanine propigment followed by applying an oxidase, such as tyrosinase or polyphenolase.

[0015] Soloway, U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,742 discloses a method for coloring hair using a polyhydric aromatic compound, aromatic amine, and an oxidation enzyme.

[0016] Yaver et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,531 discloses a dye composition for dyeing hair, wherein the composition contains a laccase and a dye precursor and optional coupler of the types disclosed by Soloway (e.g., phenylenediamine and aminophenol).

[0017] Japanese Patent Application publication no. 6-316874 discloses a method for dyeing cotton comprising treating the cotton with an oxygen-containing medium, wherein an oxidation reduction enzyme selected from ascorbate oxidase, bilirubin oxidase, catalase, laccase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase is used to generate the oxygen.

[0018] WO 91/05839 discloses that oxidases and peroxidases are useful for inhibiting the transfer of textile dyes.

[0019] However, none of these citations suggests or discloses the use of combinations of dye intermediates in which at least one intermediate is an aromatic diamine and at least one intermediate is either a naphthol or an aminonaphthalene, in combination with an oxidizing enzyme, particularly when the naphthol is anything other than unsubstituted α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or unsubstituted dihydroxynapthalene, or when one or more of the dye intermediates is substituted with a sulfonic acid (or salt thereof), a carboxylic acid (or salt thereof), a sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt.

[0020] Thus, there is a need in the art for improved enzymatic methods for dyeing textile materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention provides a method of dyeing a material, which is carried out by contacting the material with a dyeing system which comprises:

[0022] (a) a mixture of dye intermediates comprising (i) at least one aromatic diamine and (ii) at least one compound selected from a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene; and

[0023] (b) an oxidation system comprising (i) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (ii) an enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity on one or more of the compounds of mixture (a), under conditions in which a colored material is produced or the color is altered. In some embodiments, at least one of the compounds of (a)(i) or (a)(ii) is substituted with a sulfonic acid (or salt thereof), a carboxylic acid (or salt thereof), a sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the naphthol is any naphthol other than α(alpha)-naphthol (also referred to as 1-naphthol), halogenated 1-naphthol, or unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene. In some embodiments, either (a) the aromatic diamine is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt or (b) the naphthol is not unsubstituted α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-napthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene. Preferably, the enzyme is a peroxidase or a laccase.

[0024] The presence of the above-cited substituent groups on at least one compound of the dye intermediate mixture improves ease of handling of the dye intermediate compounds, facilitates dyeing of the materials, and improves color performance properties, such as, e.g., by decreasing wash staining.

[0025] The materials to be dyed include, without limitation, a fabric, yam, fiber, garment or film made of fur, hide, leather, silk, wool, cationic polysaccharide, cotton, diacetate, flax, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, synthetic polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, triacetate, or viscose.

[0026] In some embodiments, the aromatic diamine is a compound of formula A, the naphthol is a compound of formula B, and the aminonaphthalene is a compound of formula C as shown below: 1

[0027] wherein X may independently be hydrogen, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, a salt of sulfonic acid, a salt of carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt; R1 and R2 may each independently be one of hydrogen, C1-18-alkyl, C1-18-hydroxyalkyl, phenyl, aryl, azobenzene, amidophenyl, azobenzene substituted with one or more functional groups, and amidophenyl substituted with one or more functional groups; and the remaining positions on the aromatic ring(s) of A, B, and C are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups, including, without limitation, hydrogen, halogen, sulfo, sulfonato, sulfamino, sulfanyl, amino, amido, amidoaryl, nitro, azo, azoaryl, imino, carboxy, cyano, formyl, hydroxy, halocarbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamidoyl, phenyl, aryl, phosphonato, phosphonyl, C1-18-alkyl, C2-18-alkenyl, C2-18-alkynyl, C1-18-alkoxy, C1-18-oxycarbonyl, C1-18-oxoalkyl, C1-18-alkyl sulfanyl, C1-18-alkyl imino, and amino which is substituted with one, two, or three C1-18-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the halogen may be one of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0028] In other embodiments, the naphthol may be a compound of formula D 2

[0029] wherein X may independently be hydrogen, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, a salt of sulfonic acid, a salt of carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt and the remaining positions on the aromatic rings of D are one or more functional groups, including, without limitation, hydrogen, halogen, sulfo, sulfonato, sulfamino, sulfanyl, amino, amido, amidoaryl, nitro, azo, azoaryl, imino, carboxy, cyano, formyl, hydroxy, halocarbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamidoyl, phenyl, aryl, phosphonato, phosphonyl, C1-18-alkyl, C2-18-alkenyl, C2-18-alkynyl, C1-18-alkoxy, C1-18-oxycarbonyl, C1-18-oxoalkyl, C1-18-alkyl sulfanyl, C1-18-alkyl imino, and amino which is substituted with one, two, or three C1-18-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the halogen may be one of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0030] Examples of aromatic diamines useful in practicing the present invention include, without limitation, 2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N-β-methoxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2-methyl-1,3-diamino-benzene, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,5-Diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminopyridine, 1-N-methylsulfonato-4-aminobenzene, 1-methoxy-2,4-diamino-benzene, 1-ethoxy-2,3-diamino-benzene, 1-β-hydroxyethyloxy-2,4-diamino-benzene, 1,4-Phenylenediamine, 2-Chloro-1,4-phenylenediamine, 1,3-Phenylenediamine, 2,3-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, methyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, methyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, methyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, methyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, N,N-dimethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-diethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-dipropyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-dibutyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, Disperse Black 9, Solvent Brown 1 (CI 11285), 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylamine sulfate, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, Disperse Yellow 9, N-phenyl-1,2-phenylenediamine, 1,2-phenylenediamine, and 4′-aminoacetanilide, and N-phenyl-2-aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)-aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, 2,3-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 3,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, and 3,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid.

[0031] Useful naphthols include, without limitation, 4-Chloro-1-naphthol, 4-Bromo-1-naphthol, 4-Methoxy-1-naphthol, 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol, 1-Naphthol-3-sulfonamide, and 1-Naphthol-8-sulfonamide, 4,8-Disulfonato-1-naphthol, 3-Sulfonato-6-amino-1-naphthol, 6,8-Disulfonato-2-naphthol, 4,5-Dihydroxynapthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid, 2-Naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Benzoyl J acid, N-Phenyl J acid, Mordant Black 3 (CI 14640), 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-naphthalene disulphonic acid, Acid Black 52 (CI 15711), Palantine Chrome Black 6BN (CI 15705), Eriochrome Blue Black R, Mordant Black 11, Eriochrome Black T, Naphthol Blue Black, Acid Black 1 (CI 20470), Acid Red 176 (CI 1657), Acid Red 29 (CI 16570), Acid Red 14 (CI 14720), and 1-Naphthol-3-sulfonic acid.

[0032] Useful aminonapthalenes include, without limitation, 1-Amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid, 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid, 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, 8-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-naphthalenedisulphonic acid, 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene, 1,5-Diaminonaphthalene, 1,8-Diaminonaphthalene, 6-Amino-2-naphthol, 3-Amino-2-naphthol, 5-Amino-1-naphthol, Acid Black 1 ( CI 20470), 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-(p-Toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 1,4-Diamino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5,8-Diamino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid.

[0033] In practicing the invention, the material may be contacted simultaneously with the dye intermediates, enzyme, and electron acceptor. In another embodiment, the material may be contacted with one or both of the dye intermediates, after which the second dye intermediate (where applicable), enzyme, and electron acceptor are added. In yet another embodiment, the material is first contacted with the enzyme, after which the dye intermediates and electron acceptor are added.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, the methods of the invention provide dyed materials having an activation ratio (AR) of at least 0.25, preferably at least 1, and most preferably at least 2, where AR is defined as: AR=(L* control−L* enzyme)/L* enzyme and the dye intermediates are used at an aggregate concentration of about 5% o.w.g. (of weight of goods).

[0035] In another aspect, the invention provides dyes produced using the methods described herein.

[0036] In another aspect, the invention provides dyeing kits comprising:

[0037] (a) at least one aromatic diamine;

[0038] (b) at least one of a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene; and

[0039] (c) one or more of a peroxidase and a laccase.

[0040] In some embodiments, the aromatic diamine in the kit is substituted with a sulfonic acid (or salt thereof), a carboyxlic acid (or salt thereof), a sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the aromatic diamine, naphthol, and aminonaphthalene is substituted with a sulfonic acid (or salt thereof), a carboyxlic acid (or salt thereof), a sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the naphthol in the kit is any naphthol other than α(alpha)-napthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene. In some embodiments, either (a) the aromatic diamine is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt or (b) the naphthol is not unsubstituted oc(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-napthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene. In preferred embodiments, the aromatic diamine is one of: 1,4-Phenylenediamine, N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, and 2-5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; the naphthol or aminonaphthalene is one of 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Phenyl J acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid; and the oxidation enzyme is a laccase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The use of oxidoreductases for dyeing materials has several significant advantages. For example, the dyeing system used in the process of the present invention utilizes inexpensive color precursors and couplers. Moreover, the mild conditions in the process result in less damage to the fabric.

[0042] The methods of the present invention can be used to dye materials such as fabrics, yarns, fibers, garments and films. The material, without limitation, may be made of fur, hide, leather, silk or wool; synthetic polyamide, such as nylon 6.6 or nylon 6; a cationic polymer, such as a cationic polysaccharide, diacetate, or triacetate; a material containing a high percentage of cellulose, such as, e.g., cotton, flax, linen, lyocel, ramie, rayon, or viscose; or an anionic polymer, such as polyacrylic or may be polyester. The material may be coated, coextruded, or made together in an intimate mix with a cationic polymer. The material may be a blend of any of the foregoing materials.

[0043] In practicing the invention, the material to be dyed is treated sequentially or simultaneously with at least two dye intermediate compounds and at least one oxidoreductase enzyme in the presence of a suitable electron acceptor. At least one dye intermediate is an aromatic diamine and the second is at least one of a naphthol or an aminonaphthalene. In some embodiments, the diamine, naphthol, and/or aminonaphthalene may be substituted with one or more of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the naphthol is anything other than α(alpha)-napthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene.

[0044] In one embodiment, the dye intermediates, enzyme, and electron acceptor are combined first and then contacted with the material. In another embodiment, the dye intermediates are combined first and then contacted with the material, followed by the enzyme and electron acceptor. In yet another embodiment, the material is contacted first with one dye intermediate, after which the second dye intermediate, enzyme, and electron acceptor are added, simultaneously or sequentially. In yet another embodiment, the material is contacted first with the enzyme, after which the dye intermediates and electron acceptor are added, simultaneously or sequentially.

[0045] Dye Intermediates:

[0046] The dye intermediate compounds useful in practicing the present invention (which are also referred to as precursor and coupler compounds), include, without limitation, aromatic diamines of formula A, naphthols of formula B, and aminonaphthalenes of formula C as shown below: 3

[0047] wherein X may independently be hydrogen, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, a salt of sulfonic acid, a salt of carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt; R1 and R2 may each independently be one of hydrogen, C1-18-alkyl, C1-18-hydroxyalkyl, phenyl, aryl, azobenzene, amidophenyl, azobenzene substituted with one or more functional groups, and amidophenyl substituted with one or more functional groups; and the remaining positions on the aromatic ring(s) of A, B, and C are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups, including, without limitation, hydrogen, halogen, sulfo, sulfonato, sulfamino, sulfanyl, amino, amido, amidoaryl, nitro, azo, azoaryl, imino, carboxy, cyano, formyl, hydroxy, halocarbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamidoyl, phenyl, aryl, phosphonato, phosphonyl, C1-18-alkyl, C2-18-alkenyl, C2-18-alkynyl, C1-18-alkoxy, C1-18-oxycarbonyl, C1-18-oxoalkyl, C1-18-alkyl sulfanyl, C1-18-alkyl imino, and amino which is substituted with one, two, or three C1-18-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the halogen may be one of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0048] In other embodiments, the naphthol may be a compound of formula D 4

[0049] wherein X may independently be hydrogen, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, a salt of sulfonic acid, a salt of carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt and the remaining positions on the aromatic rings of D are one or more functional groups, including, without limitation, hydrogen, halogen, sulfo, sulfonato, sulfamino, sulfanyl, amino, amido, amidoaryl, nitro, azo, azoaryl, imino, carboxy, cyano, formyl, hydroxy, halocarbonyl, carbamoyl, carbamidoyl, phenyl, aryl, phosphonato, phosphonyl, C1-18-alkyl, C2-18-alkenyl, C2-18-alkynyl, C1-18-alkoxy, C1-18-oxycarbonyl, C1-18-oxoalkyl, C1-18-alkyl sulfanyl, C1-18-alkyl imino, and amino which is substituted with one, two, or three C1-18-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the halogen may be one of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0050] The dye intermediate compounds useful in practicing the present invention are preferably substituted with a water-solubilizing functional group. Water soluble compounds are easy to handle in the dyeing process and tend to be less toxic than the corresponding water-insoluble compounds. In one series of embodiments, the water-solubilizing functional group(s) of one or more dye intermediate compounds can form ionic bonds with the material being dyed. Ionic attraction between the material and the dye intermediate compounds serves to enhance dye affinity for the material and improve color fastness properties. Depending on the ionic charge of the material, ionic attraction can occur when the dye intermediate carries a negative charge, such as conferred by sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid groups or their salts, or a positive charge, such as conferred by quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0051] In one series of embodiments, the first dye intermediate is selected from an aromatic diamine, a substituted aromatic diamine, a sulfonated aromatic diamine, a carboxylated aromatic diamine, a halogenated aromatic diamine, an alkoxylated aromatic diamine, an N-alkyl-substituted aromatic diamine, an N-hydroxyalkyl-substituted aromatic diamine, and an N-aryl-substituted aromatic diamine, and the second dye intermediate is selected from a substituted naphthol, a sulfonated naphthol, a sulfonamide-substituted naphthol, a carboxylated naphthol, a naphthylamine, a substituted naphthylamine, a sulfonated naphthylamine, a sulfonamide-substituted naphthylamine, or a carboxylated naphthylamine.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first dye intermediate is one of a sulfonated aromatic diamine, a carboxylated aromatic diamine, a halogenated aromatic diamine, an N-alkyl-substituted aromatic diamine, or an N-aryl-substituted aromatic diamine; the second dye intermediate is one of a sulfonated naphthol, a carboxylated naphthol, a sulfonated naphthylamine, or a carboxylated naphthylamine; and the oxidoreductase enzyme is one of peroxidase or laccase.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the first dye intermediate is a sulfonated aromatic diamine or a carboxylated aromatic diamine and the second dye intermediate is one or more of a naphthol, a substituted naphthol, a sulfonated naphthol, a carboxylated naphthol, a halogenated naphthol, a naphthylamine, a substituted naphthylamine, a sulfonated naphthylamine, a carboxylated naphthylamine, or a halogenated naphthylamine.

[0054] Dye intermediate compounds useful in practicing the present invention, include, without limitation, those described in Tables 1 through 8.

TABLE 1
Precursor Compounds Based on Aromatic Amine and Derivatives (I).
	(I)
5
Code	R1	R2	R3	R4
P5		—OH
P19		—OCH2CH3	—OCH2CH3
P30			—SO3H
P31	—COOH
P32			—COOH
P183	—OH			—CH3
P184	—OCH2CH3			—CH3
P185	—OCH2CH2CH3			—CH3
P186	—O(CH2)4CH3			—CH3
P187	—OCH2CH2OH			—CH3
P188	—O(CH2)3OH			—CH3
P189	—O(CH2)5OH			—CH3
P190	—OH		—CH3
P191	—OCH2CH3		—CH3
P192	—OCH2CH2CH3		—CH3
P193	—O(CH2)4CH3		—CH3
P194	—OCH2CH2OH		—CH3
P195	—O(CH2)3OH		—CH3
P196	—O(CH2)5OH		—CH3
P197	—OCH2CH3			—OCH3
P198	—OCH2CH2CH3			—OCH3
P199	—OCH2CH2OH			—OCH3
P200	—O(CH2)3OH			—OCH3
P201	—O(CH2)5OH			—OCH3
P205	—OCH3
P206			—OCH3
P207	—OCH2CH3
P208	—OCH3		—OCH3
P209			—OCH2CH3
P216		—OCH2CH2CH3	—OCH2CH2-
			CH3
P217		—O(CH2)4CH3	—O(CH2)4-
			CH3
P218		—O(CH2)5OH	—O(CH2)5OH
P219	—OH			—Ph
P220	—OCH2CH3			—Ph
P221	—OCH2CH2CH3			—Ph
P222	—O(CH2)4CH3			—Ph
P223	—OCH2CH2OH			—Ph
P224	—O(CH2)3OH			—Ph
P225	—O(CH2)5OH			—Ph
P226	—OH			—OCH3
P227	—O(CH2)4CH3			—OCH3
Ph = phenyl

[0055]

TABLE 2
Precursor Compounds Based on Aromatic Diamine and
Derivatives (II).
	(II)
6
Code	R1	R2	R3	R4
P1			—NH2
P3	Cl		—NH2
P16	—NH2		—COOH
P17		—NH2		—COOH
P46			—N═N—Ph—4—N(CH2CH2OH)2
P74			—NH—Ph—NH2
P75			—NH—Ph
P78			—N(CH3)2
P79			—N(CH2CH3)2
P80			—N═N—Ph—4-(NO2)
P81			—NH—Ph—2,4-(NO2)2
P83	—NH—Ph
P182		—SO3H	—NH—Ph
P203		—SO3H	—NH2
P230	—NH—Ph—2-(SO3H)
P231	—NH—Ph—3-(SO3H)
P236			—NH—Ph—2-(NO2)—4-(SO3H)
P247			—NH—Ph—4-(OCH3)
P248	—OCH3		—NH—Ph
P276	—NH—Ph—4-(SO3H)
P284			—NH—Ph—4-(SO3H)
Ph = phenyl

[0056]

TABLE 3
Precursor Compounds Based on Derivatives of Phenol (III).
	(III)
7
Code	R1	R2	R3	R4
P9		—OH	—Cl
P11	—OH	—OH
P11		—OH
P12*	—OH
P13	—CH═CHCOOH
P14		—CH═CHCOOH
P15			—CH═CH—
			COOH
P20	—OH	—CHO

[0057]

TABLE 4
Coupler Compounds Based on 1-Naphthol and Derivatives (IV).
	(IV)
8
Code	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7
P8
P18		—Cl
P28	—NH2		—SO3H
P29	—OH			—SO3H	—SO3H
P33					—SO3H	—NH2
P36	—NH2		—SO3H	—SO3H
P37		—SO3H
P38				—NH2	—SO3H
P40				—NH—CO—Ph	—SO3H
P41				—NH—Ph	—SO3H
P62			—OH
P286							—COOH
P292		—Br
P293		—OCH3
P294							—NO
P295					—SO2NH2
P296	—SO2NH2
P297					—SO3H

[0058]

TABLE 5
Coupler Compounds Based on Derivatives of 2-Naphthol (V).
	(V)
9
	Code	R1	R2
	P35	—SO3H	—SO3H
	P44	—COOH
	P45	—CONH—Ph
	P47	—CONH—Ph—2-OCH3
	P48	—CONH—PH—2-OC2H5
	P49	—CONH—Ph—2-CH3—5—Cl
	P50	—CONH—Ph—3-NO2
	P51	—CONH—Ph—2-CH3
	P63		—OH
	P64	—OH

[0059]

TABLE 6
Coupler Compounds Based on Derivatives of 1-Aminonaphthalene (VI).
	(VI)
10
Code	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8
P34				—OH		—SO3H
P39	—SO3H
P42*		—SO3H
P43			—SO3H
P53	—OH		—SO3H			—SO3H
P68	—NH2
P287	—SO3H							—Ph
P288	—SO3H							—Ph—4-(CH3)
P289					—NH2		—SO3H
P290		—SO3H			—NH2
P291						—SO3H
Ph = phenyl

[0060]

TABLE 7
Coupler Compounds Based on Derivatives of Anthraguinone (VII).
	(VII)
11
	Code	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5
	P98	—OH	—OH
	P100	—NH2
	P101
	P102		—OH			—OH
	P103	—OH			—OH
	P112	—OH		—OH

[0061]

TABLE 8
Coupler Compounds Based on Derivatives of Pyridine (VIII).
	(VIII)
12
	Code	R1	R2	R3	R4
	P104		—CONH2
	P105		—COOH
	P120	—OH		—COOH	—OH

[0062] Also encompassed by the present invention are aromatic diamines and their derivatives as disclosed in French Patent 2,112,549.

[0063] Examples of dye intermediate compounds suitable for use in the present invention include, without limitation:

[0064] 3,4-diethoxyaniline

[0065] 2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine,

[0066] 1-amino-4-b-methoxyethylamino-benzene (N-b-methoxyethyl p-phenylenediamine),

[0067] 1-amino-4-bis-(b-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene (N,N-bis-(b-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine),

[0068] 2-methyl-1,3-diamino-benzene (2,6-diaminotoluene),

[0069] 2,4-diaminotoluene,

[0070] 2,6-diaminopyridine,

[0071] 1-amino-4-sulfonato-benzene,

[0072] 1-N-methylsulfonato-4-aminobenzene,

[0073] 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-amino-benzene (3-amino o-cresol),

[0074] 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-b-hydroxyethylamino-benzene (2-hydroxy-4-b-hydroxyethylamino-toluene),

[0075] 1-hydroxy-4-methylamino-benzene (p-methylaminophenol),

[0076] 1-methoxy-2,4-diamino-benzene (2,4-diaminoanisole),

[0077] 1-ethoxy-2,3-diamino-benzene (2,4-diaminophenetole),

[0078] 1-b-hydroxyethyloxy-2,4-diamino-benzene (2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol),

[0079] 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene (2-methyl resorcinol),

[0080] 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene,

[0081] 1,2,4-trihydroxy-5-methylbenzene (2,4,5-trihydroxytoluene),

[0082] 2,3,5-trihydroxytoluene,

[0083] 4,8-disulfonato-1-naphtol,

[0084] 3-sulfonato-6-amino-1-naphtol (J acid),

[0085] 6,8-disulfonato-2-naphtol,

[0086] 1,4-Phenylenediamine

[0087] 2,5-Diaminotoluene

[0088] 2-Chloro-1,4-phenylenediamine

[0089] 2-Aminophenol

[0090] 3-Aminophenol

[0091] 4-Aminophenol

[0092] 1,3-Phenylenediamine

[0093] 1-Naphthol

[0094] 2-Naphthol

[0095] 4-Chlororesorcinol

[0096] 1,2,3-benzenetriol (Pyrogallol)

[0097] 1,3-Benzenediol (Resorcinol)

[0098] 1,2-Benzenediol (Pyrocatechol)

[0099] 2-Hydroxy-cinnamic acid

[0100] 3-Hydroxy-cinnamic acid

[0101] 4-Hydroxy-cinnamic acid

[0102] 2,3-diaminobenzoic acid

[0103] 2,4-diaminobenzoic acid

[0104] 2,5-diaminobenzoic acid

[0105] 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid

[0106] 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid

[0107] Methyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate

[0108] Ethyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate

[0109] Isopropyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate

[0110] Methyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate

[0111] Ethyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate

[0112] Isopropyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate

[0113] Methyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate

[0114] Ethyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate

[0115] Isopropyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate

[0116] Methyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate

[0117] Ethyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate

[0118] Isopropyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate

[0119] N,N-dimethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide

[0120] N,N-diethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide

[0121] N,N-dipropyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide

[0122] N,N-dibutyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide

[0123] 4-Chloro-1-naphthol

[0124] N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine

[0125] 3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde

[0126] Pyrrole

[0127] Pyrrole-2-isoimidazole

[0128] 1,2,3-Triazole

[0129] Benzotriazole

[0130] Benzimidazole

[0131] Imidazole

[0132] Indole

[0133] 1-Amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid (S acid)

[0134] 4,5-Dihydroxynapthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid (Chromotropic acid)

[0135] Anthranilic acid

[0136] 4-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

[0137] 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid (Gamma acid)

[0138] 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid (M acid)

[0139] 2-Naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid (R acid)

[0140] 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid (Chicago acid)

[0141] 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid (Neville-winther acid)

[0142] 8-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (Peri acid)

[0143] 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (N-Phenyl Peri acid)

[0144] N-Benzoyl J acid

[0145] N-Phenyl J acid

[0146] 8-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (1,7-Cleves acid)

[0147] 5-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (1,6-Cleves acid)

[0148] 3-Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (Bon acid)

[0149] Naphthol AS, Azoic Coupling Compound 2 (CI 37505)

[0150] Disperse Black 9

[0151] Naphthol AS OL, Azoic Coupling Compound 20 (CI 37530)

[0152] Naphthol AS PH, Azoic Coupling Compound 14 (CI 37558)

[0153] Naphthol AS KB, Azoic Coupling Compound 21 (CI 37526)

[0154] Naphthol AS BS, Azoic Coupling Compound 17 (CI 37515)

[0155] Naphthol AS D, Azoic Coupling Compound 18 (CI 37520)

[0156] Naphthol AS B1

[0157] Mordant Black 3 CI 14640 (Eriochrome Blue Black B)

[0158] 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-Naphthalene Disulphonic acid (H acid)

[0159] Fat Brown RR Solvent Brown 1 (CI 11285)

[0160] Hydroquinone

[0161] Mandelic Acid

[0162] Melamine

[0163] o-Nitrobenzaldehyde

[0164] 1,5-Dihydroxynaphthalene

[0165] 2,6-Dihydroxynaphthalene

[0166] 2,3-Dihydroxynaphthalene

[0167] Benzylimidazole

[0168] 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene

[0169] 1,5-Diaminonaphthalene

[0170] 1,8-Diaminonaphthalene

[0171] Salicylic acid

[0172] 3-aminosalicylic acid

[0173] 4-aminosalicylic acid

[0174] 5-aminosalicylic acid

[0175] Methyl-3-aminosalicylate

[0176] Methyl-4-aminosalicylate

[0177] Methyl-5-aminosalicylate

[0178] Ethyl-3-aminosalicylate

[0179] Ethyl-4-aminosalicylate

[0180] Ethyl-5-aminosalicylate

[0181] Propyl-3-aminosalicylate

[0182] Propyl-4-aminosalicylate

[0183] Propyl-5-aminosalicylate

[0184] Salicylic amide

[0185] 4-Aminothiophenol

[0186] 4-Hydroxythiophenol

[0187] Aniline

[0188] 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylamine sulfate

[0189] 4-Phenylazoaniline

[0190] 4-Nitroaniline

[0191] N,N-Dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine

[0192] N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine

[0193] Disperse Orange 3

[0194] Disperse Yellow 9

[0195] Disperse Blue 1

[0196] N-Phenyl-1,2-phenylenediamine

[0197] 6-Amino-2-naphthol

[0198] 3-Amino-2-naphthol

[0199] 5-Amino-1-naphthol

[0200] 1,2-Phenylenediamine

[0201] 2-Aminopyrimidine

[0202] 4-Aminoquinaldine

[0203] 2-Nitroaniline

[0204] 3-Nitroaniline

[0205] 2-Chloroaniline

[0206] 3-Chloroaniline

[0207] 4-Chloroaniline

[0208] 4-(phenylazo)resorcinol (Sudan Orange G, CI 11920)

[0209] Sudan Red B, CI 26110

[0210] Sudan Red 7B, CI 26050

[0211] 4′-Aminoacetanilide

[0212] Alizarin

[0213] 1-Anthramine (1-Aminoanthracene)

[0214] 1-Aminoanthraquinone

[0215] Anthraquinone

[0216] 2,6-Dihydroxyanthraquinone (Anthraflavic Acid)

[0217] 1,5-Dihydroxyanthraquinone (Anthrarufin)

[0218] 3-Amidopyridine (Nicotinamide)

[0219] Pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (Nicotinic Acid)

[0220] Mordant Yellow 1, Alizarin Yellow GG, CI 14025

[0221] Coomassie Grey, Acid Black 48, CI 65005

[0222] Palantine Fast Black WAN, Acid Black 52, CI 15711

[0223] Palantine Chrome Black 6BN, CI 15705, Eriochrome Blue Black R

[0224] Mordant Black 11, Eriochrome Black T

[0225] Naphthol Blue Black, Acid Black 1, CI 20470

[0226] 1,4-Dihydroxyanthraquinone (Quinizarin)

[0227] 4-Hydroxycoumarin

[0228] Umbelliferone, 7-Hydroxycoumarin

[0229] Esculetin 6,7-Dihydroxycoumarin

[0230] Coumarin

[0231] Chromotrope 2B Acid Red 176, CI 16575

[0232] Chromotrope 2R Acid Red 29, CI 16570

[0233] Chromotrope FB Acid Red 14, CI 14720

[0234] 2,6-Dihydroxyisonicotinic acid, Citrazinic acid

[0235] 2,5-Dichloroaniline

[0236] 2-Amino-4-chlorotoluene

[0237] 2-Nitro-4-chloroaniline

[0238] 2-Methoxy-4-nitroaniline and

[0239] p-Bromophenol.

[0240] Enzymatic Oxidizing Systems:

[0241] In the methods of the present invention, the dye intermediate compound(s) may be oxidized by (a) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (b) an enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity on at least one of the compounds in the mixture. Enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity include, but are not limited to, peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) and haloperoxidase, e.g., chloro—(EC 1.11.1.10), bromo—(EC 1.11.1) and iodoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.8). Enzymes exhibiting oxidase activity are preferably copper oxidases (e.g., blue copper oxidases), which include, but are not limited to, bilirubin oxidase (EC 1.3.3.5), catechol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1), laccase (EC 1.10.3.2), o-aminophenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.4), polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.2), ascorbate oxidase (EC 1.10.3.3), and ceruloplasmin. Assays for determining the activity of these enzymes are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

[0242] When the one or more enzymes employed in the invention are oxidases, an oxygen source, e.g., air, must be used. In one embodiment, oxygen is supplied by simply aerating the solution that comes into contact with the enzyme.

[0243] Oxygen may also be supplied by chemical means. For example, oxygen may be supplied by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, inorganic peroxides, and organic peroxides. Suitable inorganic and organic peroxides are described, for example, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 18, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 1995, pp. 202-310. Decomposition of peroxides to yield oxygen may be catalyzed by the presence of metal ions, including ferrous, ferric, cuprous, cupric, chromate, dichromate, molybdate, tungstate, and vanadate; by the presence of halide ions; and by catalytic surfaces including copper, mild steel, iron, silver, palladium, platinum, and oxides of iron, lead, nickel, manganese, and mercury (Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 13, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 1995, pp. 964-965). Oxygen may also be supplied by treating hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalase enzyme (E.C. 1.11.1.6).

[0244] When the enzyme employed in the invention is a peroxidase, a hydrogen peroxide source, such as, e.g., hydrogen peroxide itself, must be used. The hydrogen peroxide source may be added at the beginning or during the process, e.g., at a concentration of about 0.001-100 mM, particularly 0.01-50 mM.

[0245] One source of hydrogen peroxide includes precursors of hydrogen peroxide, such as, e.g., a perborate or a percarbonate. Another source of hydrogen peroxide includes enzymes which are able to convert molecular oxygen and an organic or inorganic substrate into hydrogen peroxide and the oxidized substrate, respectively. These enzymes produce only low levels of hydrogen peroxide, but they may be employed to great advantage in the process of the invention as the presence of peroxidase ensures an efficient utilization of the hydrogen peroxide produced. Examples of enzymes which are capable of producing hydrogen peroxide include, but are not limited to, glucose oxidase, urate oxidase, galactose oxidase, alcohol oxidase, amine oxidase, amino acid oxidase and cholesterol oxidase.

[0246] The laccase may be a plant, microbial, insect, or mammalian laccase.

[0247] In one embodiment, the laccase is a plant laccase. For example, the laccase may be lacquer, mango, mung bean, peach, pine, poplar, prune, sycamore, or tobaco laccase.

[0248] In another embodiment, the laccase is an insect laccase. For example, the laccase may be a Bombyx, Calliphora, Diploptera, Drosophila, Lucilia, Manduca, Musca, Oryctes, Papilio, Phorma, Rhodnius, Sarcophaga, Schistocerca, or Tenebrio laccase.

[0249] The laccase is preferably a microbial laccase, such as a bacterial or a fungal laccase. Bacterial laccases include, without limitation, an Acetobacter, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Comamonas, Clostridium, Gluconobacter, Halobacterium, Mycobacterium, Rhizobium, Salmonella, Serratia, Streptomyces, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Wolinella, or methylotrophic bacterial laccase.

[0250] In one embodiment, the laccase is an Azospirillum lipoferum laccase.

[0251] In another embodiment, the laccase is a fungal laccase. Fungal laccases include, without limitation, yeast laccases such as a Candida, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Schizosaceharomyces, or Yarrowia laccases; or filamentous fungal laccases such as Acremonium, Agaricus, Antrodiella, Armillaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Bjerkandera, Botrytis, Cerrena, Chaetomium, Chrysosporium, Collybia, Coprinus, Cryptococcus, Cryphonectria, Curvularia, Cyathus, Daedalea, Filibasidium, Fomes, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Halosarpheia, Humicola, Junghuhnia, Lactarius, Lentinus, Magnaporthe, Monilia, Monocillium, Mucor, Myceliophthora, Neocallimastix, Neurospora, Paecilomyces, Panus, Penicillium, Phanerochaete, Phellinus, Phlebia, Pholiota Piromyces, Pleurotus, Podospora, Pycnoporus, Polyporus (Trametes), Pyricularia, Rhizoctonia, Rigidoporus, Schizophyllum, Sclerotium, Scytalidium, Sordaria, Sporotrichum, Stagonospora, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Tolypocladium, or Trichoderma laccases.

[0252] Preferably, the enzyme is a laccase obtained from a genus selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus, Botrytis, Collybia, Fomes, Lentinus, Myceliophthora, Neurospora, Pleurotus, Podospora, Polyporus (Trametes), Scytalidium, and Rhizoctonia.

[0253] In one series of embodiments, the laccase is obtained from a species selected from Coprinus cinereus, Humicola brevis var. thermoidea, Humicola brevispora, Humicola grisea var. thermoidea, Humicola insolens, and Humicola lanuginosa (also known as Thermomyces lanuginosus), Myceliophthora thermophila, Myceliophthora vellerea, Polyporus pinsitus (also known as Trametes villosa), Scytalidium thermophila, Scytalidium indonesiacum, and Torula thermophila. The laccase may be obtained from other species of Scytalidium, such as Scytalidium acidophilum, Scytalidium album, Scytalidium aurantiacum, Scytalidium circinatum, Scytalidium flaveobrunneum, Scytalidium hyalinum, Scytalidium lignicola, and Scytalidium uredinicolum. The laccase may be obtained from a species of Polyporus, such as Polyporus zonatus, Polyporus alveolaris, Polyporus arcularius, Polyporus australiensis, Polyporus badius, Polyporus biformis, Polyporus brumalis, Polyporus ciliatus, Polyporus colensoi, Polyporus eucalyptorum, Polyporus meridionalis, Polyporus varius, Polyporus palustris, Polyporus rhizophilus, Polyporus rugulosus, Polyporus squamosus, Polyporus tuberaster, and Polyporus tumulosus. The laccase may also be obtained from a species of Rhizoctonia, e.g., Rhizoctonia solani. The laccase may also be a modified laccase by at least one amino acid residue in a Type I (T1) copper site, wherein the modified oxidase possesses an altered pH and/or specific activity relative to the wild-type oxidase. For example, the modified laccase could be modified in segment (a) of the T1 copper site.

[0254] The peroxidase may be a plant, microbial, insect, or mammalian peroxidase.

[0255] Peroxidases which may be employed for the present purpose may be isolated from and are producible by plants (e.g., horseradish peroxidase and soybean peroxidase) or microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria. Some preferred fungi include strains belonging to the subdivision Deuteromycotina, class Hyphomycetes, e.g., Fusarium, Humicola, Trichoderma, Myrothecium, Verticillum, Arthromyces, Caldariomyces, Ulocladium, Embellisia, Cladosporium or Dreschlera, in particular Fusarium oxysporum (DSM 2672), Humicola insolens, Trichoderma resii, Myrothecium verrucana (IFO 6113), Verticillum alboatrum, Verticillum dahlie, Arthromyces ramosus (FERM P-7754), Caldariomyces fumago, Ulocladium chartarum, Embellisia alli or Dreschlera halodes.

[0256] Other preferred fungi include strains belonging to the subdivision Basidiomycotina, class Basidiomycetes, e.g., Coprinus, Phanerochaete, Coriolus or Trametes, in particular Coprinus cinereus f. microsporus (IFO 8371), Coprinus macrorhizus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (e.g., NA-12) or Coriolus versicolor (e.g., PR4 28-A).

[0257] Further preferred fungi include strains belonging to the subdivision Zygomycotina, class Mycoraceae, e.g., Rhizopus or Mucor, in particular Mucor hiemalis.

[0258] Some preferred bacteria include strains of the order Actinomycetales, e.g., Streptomyces spheroides (ATTC 23965), Streptomyces thermoviolaceus (IFO 12382) or Streptoverticillum verticillium ssp. verticillium.

[0259] Other preferred bacteria include Bacillus pumillus (ATCC 12905), Bacillus stearothermophilus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodomonas palustri, Streptococcus lactis, Pseudomonas purrocinia (ATCC 15958) or Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-11).

[0260] Other potential sources of peroxidases are listed in B. C. Saunders et al., op. cit., pp. 41-43.

[0261] Methods of producing enzymes to be used according to the invention are described in the art, e.g., FEBS Letters 1625, 173(1), Applied and Environmental Microbiology, February 1985, pp. 273-278, Applied Microbiol. Biotechnol. 26, 1987, pp. 158-163, Biotechnology Letters 9(5), 1987, pp. 357-360, Nature 326, Apr. 2, 1987, FEBS Letters—4270, 209(2), p. 321, EP 179 486, EP 200 565, GB 2 167 421, EP 171 074, and Agric. Biol._Chem. 50(1), 1986, p. 247.

[0262] Particularly preferred enzymes are those which are active at a pH in the range of about 2.5 to about 12.0, preferably in the range of about 4 to about 10, more preferably in the range of about 4.0 to about 7.0 or in the range of about 7.0 to about 10.0. Such enzymes may be isolated by screening for the relevant enzyme production by alkalophilic microorganisms, e.g., using the ABTS assay described in R. E. Childs and W. G. Bardsley, Biochem. J. 145, 1975, pp. 93-103.

[0263] Other preferred enzymes are those which exhibit a good thermostability as well as a good stability towards commonly used dyeing additives such as non-ionic, cationic, or anionic surfactants, chelating agents, salts, polymers, etc.

[0264] The enzymes may be wild-type (i.e., native) enzymes, or may be naturally produced or recombinant variants containing substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions relative to a wild-type parent. The enzymes may be fusion proteins or may be synthetic, shuffled, or designed proteins. Such proteins may be produced using conventional methods for in vivo or in vitro mutagenesis and gene construction.

[0265] The enzymes, whether wild-type or variant, may also be produced by a method comprising (a) cultivating a host cell transformed with a recombinant DNA vector which carries a DNA sequence encoding said enzyme as well as DNA sequences encoding functions permitting the expression of the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme, in a culture medium under conditions permitting the expression of the enzyme and recovering the enzyme from the culture; and (b) recovering the enzyme from the culture.

[0266] A DNA fragment encoding the enzyme may, for instance, be isolated by establishing a cDNA or genomic library of a microorganism producing the enzyme of interest, such as one of the organisms mentioned above, and screening for positive clones by conventional procedures such as by hybridization to oligonucleotide probes synthesized on the basis of the full or partial amino acid sequence of the enzyme, or by selecting for clones expressing the appropriate enzyme activity, or by selecting for clones producing a protein which is reactive with an antibody against the native enzyme.

[0267] Once selected, the DNA sequence, before or after sequence manipulation using recombinant DNA techniques, may be inserted into a suitable replicable expression vector comprising appropriate promoter, operator and terminator sequences permitting the enzyme to be expressed in a particular host organism, as well as an origin of replication enabling the vector to replicate in the host organism in question.

[0268] The resulting expression vector may then be transformed into a suitable host cell, such as a fungal cell, preferred examples of which are a species of Aspergillus, most preferably Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus niger. Fungal cells may be transformed by a process involving protoplast formation and transformation of the protoplasts followed by regeneration of the cell wall in a manner known per se. The use of Aspergillus as a host microorganism is described in EP 238,023 (of Novo Industri A/S), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0269] Alternatively, the host organisms may be a bacterium, in particular strains of Streptomyces, Bacillus, or E. coli. The transformation of bacterial cells may be performed according to conventional methods, e.g., as described in T. Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, 1982.

[0270] The screening of appropriate DNA sequences and construction of vectors may also be carried out by standard procedures, cf. T. Maniatis et al., op. cit.

[0271] The medium used to cultivate the transformed host cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cells in question. The expressed enzyme may conveniently be secreted into the culture medium and may be recovered therefrom by well-known procedures including separating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a salt such as ammonium sulphate, followed by chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

[0272] Dyeing Methods:

[0273] In one series of embodiments, the material to be dyed is first soaked in an aqueous solution with the dye intermediate compounds, after which the soaked material is treated in an aqueous solution with (a) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (b) an enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity on at least one of the color intermediate compounds. The same aqueous solution may be used to soak and dye the material. In another series of embodiments, the material to be dyed is contacted simultaneously with an aqueous solution comprising the dye intermediate compounds, oxidizing enzyme, and electron acceptor. In another series of embodiments, the material to be dyed is contacted with one dye intermediate, and contacted subsequently with the second dye intermediate, enzyme, and electron acceptor. In another series of embodiments, the material to be dyed is contacted with the enzyme, after which the dye intermediates and electron acceptor are added.

[0274] The dye intermediates are typically used in an amount between about 0.05% and 15% on weight of goods (o.w.g.), preferably between about 0.1% and 10% o.w.g., and more preferably between about 0.5% and 8% o.w.g.

[0275] The aqueous solution, i.e., the dye liquor, used to dye the material in the methods of the present invention may have a water (“liquor” or “bath”):material ratio (by weight) in the range of about 0.5:1 to about 200:1, preferably about 1:1 to 30:1, and most preferably about 5:1 to about 20:1.

[0276] In one embodiment, a pattern can be obtained on the material to be dyed by applying to the material a viscous paste containing at least one of the dye intermediate compounds using a brush, print screen, engraved roller or any application technique known in the art. The material is optionally dried. Then, the material is treated with an aqueous solution containing (a) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (b) an enzyme exibiting oxidase activity on at least one of the dye intermediate compounds (and containing at least one suitable dye intermediate compound, if this was not present in the viscous paste). Polymeric thickeners known in the art, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, can be used to prepare the viscous paste.

[0277] In the methods of the present invention, the material is dyed at a temperature between about 5 to about 120?C., preferably between about 30 and about 100?C., more preferably between about 50 and about 100?C., and most preferably between about 60 and about 95° C.; and at a pH between about 2.5 and about 12, preferably between about 4 and about 10, more preferably between about 4.0 and about 7.0 or between about 7.0 and about 10.0. In some embodiments, a pH below 6.5 (e.g., a pH in the range of 3-6, preferably in the range of 4-6 and most preferably in the range of 4.5-5.5) or above 8.0 (e.g., a pH in the range of 8-10, preferably in the range of 8.5-10 and most preferably in the range of 9-10), is used. Surprisingly, the colors of the materials dyed by the methods of the present invention at a pH below 6.5 and above 8.0 are different than the colors of the same materials dyed by methods at a pH in the range of 6.5-8.0. In one embodiment, a temperature and pH near the temperature and pH optima of the enzyme, respectively, are used.

[0278] In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention further comprise adding to the aqueous solution a mono- or divalent ion which includes, but is not limited to, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium ions (0-3 M, preferably 25 mM-1 M); a polymer including, but not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyaspartate, polyvinylamide, polyethelene oxide (0-50 g/l, preferably 1-500 mg/l); and a surfactant (0.01-5 g/l).

[0279] Useful surfactants include without limitation anionic surfactants such as carboxylates, for example, a metal carboxylate of a long chain fatty acid; N-acylsarcosinates; mono or di-esters of phosphoric acid with fatty alcohol ethoxylates or salts of such esters; fatty alcohol sulphates such as sodium dodecyl sulphate, sodium octadecyl sulphate or sodium cetyl sulphate; ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulphates; ethoxylated alkylphenol sulphates; lignin sulphonates; petroleum sulphonates; alkyl aryl sulphonates such as alkyl-benzene sulphonates or lower alkylnaphthalene sulphonates, e.g., butyl-naphthalene sulphonate; salts or sulphonated naphthalene-formaldehyde condensates; salts of sulphonated phenol-formaldehyde condensates; or more complex sulphonates such as amide sulphonates, e.g., the sulphonated condensation product of oleic acid and N-methyl taurine or the dialkyl sulphosuccinates, e.g., the sodium sulphonate or dioctyl succinate. Further examples of such surfactants are non-ionic surfactants such as condensation products of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid amides or fatty-alkyl- or alkenyl-substituted phenols with ethylene oxide, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, acetylenic glycols such as 2,4,7,9-tetraethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol, or ethoxylated acetylenic glycols. Further examples of such surfactants are cationic surfactants such as aliphatic mono-, di-, or polyamines such as acetates, naphthenates or oleates; oxygen-containing amines such as an amine oxide of polyoxyethylene alkylamine; amide-linked amines prepared by the condensation of a carboxylic acid with a di- or polyamine; or quaternary ammonium salts.

[0280] The methods of the present invention further comprise adding to the aqueous solution an agent which enhances the activity of the enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or the enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity. Enhancing agents are well known in the art. For example, the organic chemical compounds disclosed in WO 95/01426 are known to enhance the activity of a laccase. Furthermore, the chemical compounds disclosed in WO 94/12619 and WO 94/12621 are known to enhance the activity of a peroxidase.

[0281] The methods of the present invention further comprise simultaneously or sequentially treating the material with one or more traditional pre-formed dyestuffs of a type suitable for the material. Traditional pre-formed dyestuffs are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of dyeing. Examples of traditional dyestuffs are acid, basic, direct, disperse, mordant, pigment, reactive, solvent, and vat, as described in Colorants and Auxiliaries, Vol. 1, John Shore, ed., Society of Dyers and Colorists, 1990, Chapter 1 and subsequent. Examples of traditional dyestuffs classified by chemical class include unmetallized azo, metal-complex azo, thiazole, stilbene, anthraquinone, indigoid, quinophthalone, aminoketone, phthalocyanine, formazan, methine, nitroso, triarylmethane, xanthene, acridine, azine, oxazine, and thiazine. Specific examples of dyes belonging to these classes and suggested methods for their application are found in Colour Index International, 3rd Edition, Society of Dyers and Colourists, CD-ROM version, AATCC Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. Specific commercial dyestuffs may be found, for example, in the AATCC Buyer's Guide published annually by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. Treatment of a material with said traditional dyestuff in addition to treatment by the method of the present invention provides a means for adjusting the color of the material, such as may be desired for color shade matching. In a preferred embodiment, said traditional dyestuff is compatible with and is applied together in the same process as treatment by the method of the present invention.

[0282] The methods of the present invention further comprise treatment of the material with one or more dyeing auxiliaries. Dyeing auxiliaries include, without limitation, electrolytes, sequestering agents. e.g. polyphosphates, dispersing agents, e.g. ligninsulfonates and formaldehyde-arylsulfonic acid condensation products, solubilizing agents, levelling agents, e.g. poly(oxyethylene) adducts and amphoteric betaine compounds, retarding agents, thickening agents, e.g. guar gum and carboxymethyl cellulose, migration inhibitors, hydrotropic agents, e.g. urea, syntans, formaldehyde, metal salts, e.g. copper(II) sulfate and sodium dichromate, cationic surfactants, e.g. quaternary ammonium compounds, formaldehyde-melamine condensation product, polyamine-cyanuric chloride condensation product, chloroalkane-poly(ethylene imine) condensation product, epichlorohydrin, alkaline scour agents, e.g. sodium carbonate with olive oil, foaming agents, e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, lauryl alcohol poly(oxyethylene), decyl alcohol poly(oxyethylene), and tridecyl alcohol poly(oxyethylene), defoaming agents, e.g. poly(dimethylsiloxane), lubricants, softeners, antistatic agents, soil release agents, soil repellent agents, and fluorescent brighteners. Dyeing auxiliaries are often specifically formulated for the type of material being dyed. Further examples of useful dyeing auxiliaries are given in Colorants and Auxiliaries, Vol. 2, John Shore, ed., Society of Dyers and Colourists, 1990, especially chapters 10 and 12. In a preferred embodiment, said dyeing auxiliaries increase the depth of color and color fastness properties of the material treated by the method of the present invention.

[0283] The present invention provides enzymatic dyeing methods whose efficacy can be monitored by determining the activation ratio (AR), which is a normalized measure of the difference in depth of color between control and enzyme-treated swatches. AR is expressed by equation (1).

AR= (L*control−L*enzyme)/L*enzyme   Eqn. (1)

[0284] where L* is a measure of lightness in the CIEL*a*b* color coordinate system. A high activation ratio is obtained when the dyeing system remains essentially colorless unless enzyme is added. Dyeing systems with a low activation ratio either produce no or limited color (even in the presence of enzyme), or produce nearly the same level of color without enzyme (by auto-oxidation) as with enzyme.

[0285] In the present invention, dyeing systems that give dark colors with high activation ratios are preferred because these systems are more stable and easier to handle and package than dyeing systems giving dark colors, but with low activation ratios. An activation ratio (AR) greater than 1 (when the dye intermediates are used in an aggregate amount of about 5% o.w.g) indicates a distinct difference between the depth of color on the control versus the enzyme-treated fabric, and typically indicates that little to no color has formed on the fabric in the control treatment.

[0286] The methods of the present invention preferably provide AR values (when the dye intermediates are used in an aggregate amount of about 5% o.w.g) greater than about 0.25, more preferably greater than about 1, and most preferably greater than about 2.

[0287] In the present invention, most preferred dyeing systems are those that give high activation ratios combined with good color fastness properties and ease of chemical handling.

[0288] Dyeing Kits:

[0289] The present invention provides kits for use in dyeing materials. The kits comprise:

[0290] (a) at least one aromatic diamine;

[0291] (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene; and

[0292] (c) an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a peroxidase and a laccase.

[0293] In some embodiments, the aromatic diamine in the kit is substituted with a sulfonic acid (or salt thereof), a carboyxlic acid (or salt thereof), a sulfonamide, or a quaternary ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the naphthol in the kit is any naphthol other than α(alpha)-napthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene. In preferred embodiments, the aromatic diamine of (a) is one of: 1,4-Phenylenediamine, N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, and 2-5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; the compound of (b) is one of 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Phenyl J acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid; and the enzyme is a laccase.

[0294] The kits may further comprise appropriate buffers for solubilizing the components and directions for using the components to dye material.

[0295] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0296] Methods

[0297] Chemicals used as buffers and substrates were commercial products. The commercial wetting agent Intravon FW 75, dyeing auxiliary Intratex CWR, and surfactant Intravon NF were obtained from Crompton & Knowles Colors Incorporated, Charlotte, N.C. 28233. Style 526 worsted wool flannel, Style 530 chlorinated wool, and Style 1 multifiber fabric (containing spun cellulose acetate, bleached cotton, spun Nylon 6.6, spun silk, spun viscose, and worsted wool) were obtained from Testfabrics, Inc., West Pittston, Pa. 18643. Style 522 worsted wool gabardine was obtained from Textile Innovators Corporation, Windsor, N.C. 27983.

[0298] Determination of Laccase Activity

[0299] Laccase activity was determined from the oxidation of syringaldazine under aerobic conditions. The violet color produced was measured by spectrophotometry at 530 nm. The analytical conditions were 19 ?M syringaldazine, 23.2 mM acetate buffer, pH 5.5 or pH 7.5, 30?C., and 1 minute reaction time. One laccase unit is the amount of enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 1 ?mole syringaldazine per minute at the given analytical conditions. For measurements made at pH 5.5 the activity units are labeled LACU. For measurements made at pH 7.5 the activity units are labeled LAMU.

[0300] Determination of Peroxidase Activity

[0301] One peroxidase unit (POXU) is the amount of enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 1 ?mol hydrogen peroxide per minute at the following analytical conditions: 0.88 mM hydrogen peroxide, 1.67 mM 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate), 0.1 M phosphate buffer (containing Triton X405 (1.5 g/1000 ml)), pH 7.0, incubated at 30?C., photometrically followed at 418 nm (extinction coefficient of ABTS is set to 3.6 l/mmol*mm).

[0302] Evaluation of Color Fastness

[0303] Upon dyeing, the color and color fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were evaluated. The parameters “L”, “a”, and “b” and K/S were used to quantify color and color strength and are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art of color science. See, for example, Billmeyer and Saltzman, Principles of Color Technology, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981, pages 59, 63, and 183. Color fastness is an important parameter for evaluation of dyed textiles and there are many standard methods known in the art for evaluating color fastness properties (see e.g. AATCC Technical Manual, Vol. 71, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1996). Color fastness was evaluated with respect to wash fastness, light fastness, and crock fastness as described below.

[0304] Wash Fastness Evaluation (W)

[0305] The AATCC Color Fastness to Laundering Test Method 61-2A (1989) was followed. CIEL*a*b* measurements were made on the original dyed and then washed samples using a Macbeth ColorEye 7000 Spectrophotometer (Macbeth, New Windsor, N.Y.), set with large area view, 10° observer, D65 illuminant, and average of two measurements, according to the manufacturer's instructions. (See, for example, Billmeyer and Saltzman, Principles of Color Technology, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981, page 63, for an explanation of the CIEL*a*b* color coordinate system).

[0306] A gray scale rating was assigned based on the value of the CIEL*a*b* total color difference (ΔE*=(ΔL*+Δa*+Δb*)0.5) between the dyed and the washed samples (AATCC Gray Scale Ranking Table, AATCC, Research Triangle Park, NC, see also Table 9).

TABLE 9
AATCC Gray Scale Ranking Table
Conversion of ΔE values to Gray Scale Rating
Delta
E
(ΔE)	0	0.4	1.25	2.1	2.95	4.1	5.8	8.2	11.6	13.6
Gray	5	4-5	4	3-4	3	2-3	2	1-2	1	<1
Scale
(GS)

[0307] Light Fastness Evaluation

[0308] Light fastness (L) was measured following the AATCC Light Fastness Test Method 16 (1993), Option E. Dyed swatches (4 cm×4 cm) were stapled to the black side of a Fade-O-Meter Test Mask No. SL-8A (Atlas Electric Devices Co., Chicago, Ill., Part No. 12-7123-01). The mask was placed in a Suntest CPS+ (Slaughter Machinery Company, Lancaster, S.C.) and exposed to a Xenon light source at an irradiance of 756 W/m2 for 20 hours according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0309] ΔE* and gray scale ratings were generated as described above, except only single measurements were made on the exposed fabric face.

[0310] Crock Fastness Evaluation

[0311] The AATCC Color Fastness to Crocking Test Method 8-1989 was followed for dry crock (DC) and wet (WC) crock fastness.

[0312] Wet AATCC crock cloth squares were prepared by pressing each water-saturated crock cloth between AATCC blotting paper under an 18 g weight for 5 seconds to yield approximately 65±5% moisture.

[0313] A visual rating (5=best) was assigned using the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale (AATCC, Research Triangle Park, NC) while viewing the samples in a Macbeth SpectraLight II light box (Macbeth, Newburgh, N.Y.) under daylight.

EXAMPLE 1

[0314] Five mg of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine (“A”), p-tolulenediamine (“B”), or o-aminophenol (“C”)) and 5 mg of a second compound (m-phenylenediamine (“D”), ?-naphthol (“E”), or 4-chlororesorcinol (“F”)) (or 10 mg of the first compound in experiments without the second compound) were dissolved in 10 ml of 0.1 M K2HPO4, pH 7.0, buffer. A Polyporus pinsitus laccase (“PpL”) with an activity of 71.7 LACU/ml (deposited with the Centraal Bureau voor Schimmelcultures and given accession number CBS 678.70) or a Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (deposited with the Centraal Bureau voor Schimmelcultures and given accession number CBS 117.65)) was diluted in the same buffer to an activity of 10 LACU/ml.

[0315] Multifiber swatches Style 10A (4×10 cm) obtained from Test Fabrics Inc. (Middlesex, N.J.) were rolled up and placed in a test tube. The swatches contained a strip of a fiber made of wool. 4.5 ml of the precursor/coupler solution and 1 ml of the laccase solution were added to the test tube. The test tube was closed, mixed and mounted in a test tube shaker and incubated for 60 minutes in a dark cabinet. After incubation the swatches were rinsed in running hot tap water for about 30 seconds.

[0316] The results of the experiment are provided in the following tables:

TABLE 10
FABRIC	A alone	A + D	A + E	A + F
wool	gray brown	dark blue	dark purple	brown

[0317]

TABLE 11
FABRIC	B alone	B + D	B + E	B + F
wool	brown	dark blue	blue brown	yellow/brown

[0318]

TABLE 12
FABRIC	C alone	C + D	C + E	C + F
wool	orange/red	strong	strong orange	strong orange
		orange/red

[0319] The results demonstrate that color is formed on wool in the presence of precursor and Polyporus pinsitus laccase. Similar results were obtained with the Myceliophthora thermophila laccase.

EXAMPLE 2

[0320] Various materials were dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for 1 hour at a pH in the range of 4-10. The materials dyed (all obtained from Test Fabrics Inc.) were worsted wool (Style 526, 7 cm×7 cm) and chlorinated worsted wool (Style 530, 7 cm×7 cm).

[0321] A 0.1 M Britton-Robinson buffer solution was prepared at the appropriate pH by mixing solution A (0.1 M H3PO4, 0.1 M CH3COOH, 0.1 M H3BO3) and B (0.5 M NaOH). In order to produce buffer solutions at pH's 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, 806 ml, 742 ml, 706 ml, 656 ml, 624 ml, 596 ml and 562 ml of solution A, respectively, were diluted to one liter with solution B.

[0322] To 75 ml of each buffer solution was added 0.5 mg/ml of a compound selected from p-phenylenediamine, o-aminophenol and m-phenylenediamine. The pH was checked and adjusted if necessary. The 75 ml buffer/compound solutions were combined to form 150 ml of each buffer/compound combination solution which was added to a LOM beaker.

[0323] Swatches of the materials were then soaked in each buffer/compound combination solution. A volume corresponding to the volume of laccase to be added was then withdrawn. A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml was diluted in the buffer solution to an activity of 300 LACU/ml. 2 LACU/ml was added for each pH, except pH 7.0. At pH 7.0, 0, 1, 2, and 4 LACU/ml was added for the dosing profile. The LOM beakers were then mounted on the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The liquid was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in the beaker in running deionized water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried and the CIEL*a*b* values measured using a ColorEye 7000 instrument. The CIEL*a*b* results are given in Tables 13-16.

TABLE 13
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and
m-phenylenediamine (pH-profile, 2 LACU/ml)
							pH
	pH 4	pH 5	pH 6	pH 7	pH 8	pH 9	10
Worsted	L*	41.57	28.21	20.25	14.73	18.94	35.06	13.52
Wool	a*	2.71	1.24	0.43	1.63	3.56	−1.92	1.79
	b*	−0.75	−2.09	−5.76	−5.84	−17.52	−14.05	−4.28
Chlorinated	L*	18.46	16.05	15.04	14.19	15.47	31.44	13.84
Wool	a*	2.32	1.01	0.88	1.83	2.78	−3.05	2.97
	b*	0.09	0.87	1.03	1.53	−11.43	−13.27	2.06

[0324]

TABLE 14
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and m-phenylenediamine
(Dosing profile - pH 7)
	0 LACU/mL	1 LACU/mL	4 LACU/mL
Worsted Wool	L*	54.97	14.52	14.27
	a*	1.48	1.55	1.49
	b*	1.26	−6.09	−5.6
Chlorinated Wool	L*	43.2	14.42	14.33
	a*	1.79	1.75	1.69
	b*	1.61	1.5	1.65

[0325]

TABLE 15
Dyeing with precursors o-aminophenol and
m-phenylenediamine (pH-profile, 2 LACU/ml)
	pH 4	pH 5	pH 6	pH 7	pH 8	pH 9	pH 10
Worsted	L*	33.68	33.05	35.96	37.42	42.55	59.24	49.65
Wool	a*	3.77	5.35	8.56	10.07	8.75	10.53	8.63
	b*	8.26	11.03	18.83	22.33	22.82	37.2	34.81
Chlorinated	L*	21.07	19.11	21.01	24.7	34.42	59.9	48.74
Wool	a*	3.14	2.77	4.82	7.22	6.88	10.08	10.4
	b*	4.23	4.31	8.04	12.64	18.08	36.78	34.76

[0326]

TABLE 16
Dyeing with precursors o-aminophenol and m-phenylenediamine
(Dosing profile - pH 7)
	0 LACU/mL	1 LACU/mL	4 LACU/mL
Worsted Wool	L*	80.23	38.57	36.18
	a*	1.1	9.21	10.8
	b*	20.09	21.33	22.76
Chlorinated Wool	L*	77.36	27.1	26.33
	a*	0.86	7.92	6.92
	b*	19.53	14.8	13.5

[0327] The results show that worsted wool and chlorinated worsted wool were dyed at all pH's, with strong shades ranging from gray at low pH to marine blue and black at high pH with the combination of p-phenylenediamine and m-phenylenediamine and shades from brown at low pH to orange/yellow at high pH with the combination of o-aminophenol and m-phenylenediamine.

[0328] In all dosing experiments, no notable difference was seen from dosing 1, 2 or 4 LACU/ml. The control experiment with 0 LACU/ml clearly demonstrates that dyeing is catalyzed by the laccase.

EXAMPLE 3

[0329] The time profile for dyeing was determined using the procedure described in Example 2 except the experiments were conducted only at pH 5.0 and 8.0 over time intervals of 0, 5, 15, 35 and 55 minutes. In each experiment, 2 LACU/ml of the Myceliophthora thermophila laccase was added. The results are shown in Tables 17-20.

TABLE 17
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and
m-phenylenediamine Time profile, 2 LACU/ml, pH 5
	0 min	5 min	15 min	35 min	55 min
Worsted	L*	76.48	52.08	36.3	27.02	26.56
Wool	a*	0.02	1.35	1.96	1.3	1.18
	b*	8	−0.02	−1.39	−1.68	−2.03
Chlorinated	L*	63.73	19.23	16.81	16.48	16.75
Wool	a*	0.1	1.86	1.28	0.77	1.11
	b*	10.3	−0.68	0.49	1.04	1.03

[0330]

TABLE 18
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and
m-phenylenediamine Time profile, 2 LACU/ml, pH 8
	0 min	5 min	15 min	35 min	55 min
Worsted	L*	64.43	23.66	14.57	13.11	13.06
Wool	a*	−3.03	1.05	2.14	1.49	1.2
	b*	−3.32	−15.45	−8.72	−4.52	−3.68
Chlorinated	L*	58.96	17.36	14.09	13.89	13.66
Wool	a*	−1.66	0.57	1.9	2.71	2.64
	b*	2.68	−3.98	0.14	2.21	1.99

[0331]

TABLE 19
Dyeing with precursors o-aminophenol and m-phenylenediamine
Time profile, 2 LACU/ml, pH 5
	0 min	5 min	15 min	35 min	55 min
Worsted	L*	79.4	50.67	35.94	32.4	32.89
Wool	a*	1.54	6.47	7.11	6.08	5.98
	b*	16.02	20.88	18.43	14.28	12.52
Chlorinated	L*	76.72	39.53	22.12	18.82	19.58
Wool	a*	2.33	6.81	4.21	2.88	3.1
	b*	18.26	16.48	8.23	4.89	4.77

[0332]

TABLE 20
Dyeing with precursors o-aminophenol and m-phenylenediamine
Time profile, 2 LACU/ml, pH 8
	0 min	5 min	15 min	35 min	55 min
Worsted	L*	80.06	63.03	49.37	42.51	41.24
Wool	a*	1.63	15.71	17.1	12.32	9.97
	b*	25.87	43.37	38.69	30.26	25.78
Chlorinated	L*	79.6	62.87	47.88	36.72	33.62
Wool	a*	0.57	13.17	14.46	10.26	7.88
	b*	24.63	41.64	34.34	24.47	19.7

[0333] The results show that most of the color forms within the first 15 minutes. Worsted wool and chlorinated worsted wool were dyed at both pH's.

EXAMPLE 4

[0334] Wool was dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for one hour at pH 5.5. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was worsted wool (style 526, 8 cm×8cm).

[0335] A 0.5 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.5 mg/ml solution of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) was prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 100 ml “A” was added to one beaker and 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in a second beaker. Swatches of the materials listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (80 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 12.5 mg/l. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 21 and 22.

TABLE 21
Dyeing with precursor p-phenylenediamine (pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	30.93	61.66	10.10

[0336]

TABLE 22
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylnediamine and 1-naphthol
(pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	30.70	61.12	−4.28

[0337] The results show that wool can be dyed (brown using A, purple using A/B) using precursor and Myceliophthora thermophila laccase.

EXAMPLE 5

[0338] Wool was dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for one hour at pH 5.5. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was worsted wool (style 526, 8 cm×8 cm).

[0339] A 0.5 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.5 mg/ml solution of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) was prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 100 ml “A” was added to one beaker and 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in a second beaker. Swatches of the materials listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. A Polyporus pinsitus laccase (“PpL”) with an activity of 70 LACU/ml (100 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 12.5 mg/l. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 23 and 24.

TABLE 23
Dyeing with precursor p-phenylenediamine (pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l PpL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	36.06	70.46	8.49

[0340]

TABLE 24
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and 1-naphthol
(pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l PpL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	37.92	58.71	−2.23

[0341] The results show that wool can be dyed (brown using A, purple using A/B) using precursor and Polyporous pinsitus laccase.

EXAMPLE 6

[0342] Wool was dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for one hour at pH 5.5. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was worsted wool (style 526, 8 cm×8 cm).

[0343] A 0.5 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.5 mg/ml solution of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) was prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 100 ml “A” was added to one beaker and 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in a second beaker. Swatches of the materials listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. A Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase (“BiO”) with an activity of 0.04 LACU/mg (1 mg/ml) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 12.5 mg/l. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 25 and 26.

TABLE 25
Dyeing with precursor p-phenylenediamine
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	27.54	80.84	−2.13

[0344]

TABLE 26
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylenediamine and 1-naphthol
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	40.21	87.73	−13.47

[0345] The results show that wool can be dyed (brown using A, purple using A/B) using precursor and bilirubin oxidase.

EXAMPLE 7

[0346] Wool was dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for one hour at pH 5.5. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was worsted wool (style 526, 8 cm×8 cm).

[0347] A 0.5 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.5 mg/ml solution of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) was prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 100 ml “A” was added to one beaker and 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in a second beaker. Swatches of the materials listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. A Rhizoctonia solani laccase (“RsL”) with an activity of 5.2 LACU/ml (2 mg/ml) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 12.5 mg/l. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIEL*a*b* values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 27 and 28.

TABLE 27
Dyeing with precursor p-phenylenediamine (pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l RsL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	27.89	58.97	1.59

[0348]

TABLE 28
Dyeing with precursors p-phenylnediamine and 1-naphthol
(pH 5.5, 12.5 mg/l RsL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	29.03	63.94	−3.65

[0349] The results show that wool can be dyed (brown using A, purple using A/B) using precursor and Rhizoctonia solani laccase.

EXAMPLE 8

[0350] The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics Inc.) was Wool (Style 526, 8 cm×8 cm) in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 60?C. and pH 5.5.

[0351] A 0.25 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.25 mg/ml solution of a second compound (2-aminophenol, “B”) were prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of a 2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in an LOM beaker. Swatches of the material listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After a 10, 15, or 30 minute incubation time in the LOM (42 RPM), the LOM was stopped and a Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (80 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 1 LACU/ml. After 50, 45 or 30 minutes at 42 RPM and 60?C., the LOM was stopped and the sample was removed. Two controls without preincubation were made by adding the precursor solution, swatches, and enzyme to LOM beakers. The beakers were mounted in the LOM. After 30 minutes at 42 RPM and 60?C., one beaker was removed. The other control was run for a total of 60 minutes at 42 RPM and 60?C. and then removed. The spent liquor was poured off the samples and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 29-33.

TABLE 29
Control Dyeing with precursors A and B, 0 min./30 min.
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	36.26	2.01	7.28

[0352]

TABLE 30
Control Dyeing with precursors A and B, 0 min./60 min.
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	36.49	2.28	7.42

[0353]

TABLE 31
Dyeing with precursors A and B, 10 min./50 min.
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	32.95	2.41	10.16

[0354]

TABLE 32
Dyeing with precursors A and B, 15 min./45 min.
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	33.20	2.65	10.80

[0355]

TABLE 33
Dyeing with precursors A and B, 30 min./30 min.
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	33.45	2.87	11.59

[0356] The colorfastness to laundering (washfastness) for these swatches was evaluated using the American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorist (AATCC) Test Method 61-1989, 2A. The Launder-O-Meter was preheated to 49?C. and 200 ml 0.2% AATCC Standard Reference Detergent WOB (without optical brightener) and 50 steel balls were placed in each LOM beaker. The beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM and run at 42 RPM for 2 minutes to preheat the beakers to the test temperature. The rotor was stopped and the beakers were unclamped. The swatches were added to the beakers and the LOM was run for 45 minutes. The beakers were removed and the swatches rinsed in hot tap water for 5 minutes, with occasional squeezing. The swatches were then dried at room temperature and evaluated by the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. A gray scale rating (1-5) was assigned to each swatch using the AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1, Gray Scale for Color Change. The results are given in Tables 34-38.

TABLE 34
Washfastness Results for A and B, 0 min./30 min.
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	40.10	2.06	3.53	3

[0357]

TABLE 35
Washfastness Results for A and B, 0 min./60 min.
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	39.93	2.27	4.25	3

[0358]

TABLE 36
Washfastness Results for A and B, 15 min./45 min.
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	36.02	2.70	4.93	3-4

[0359]

TABLE 37
Washfastness Results for A and B, 10 min./50 min.
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	35.09	2.62	4.45	4

[0360]

TABLE 38
Washfastness Results for A and B, 30 min./30 min.
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	35.86	2.89	5.38	4

[0361] The results show that wool can be dyed using precursor and Myceliophthora thermophila laccase. Both from the L* and the gray scale rating, it is evident that color intensity and washfastness are improved by incubating the swatches in the precursor solution before adding the enzyme.

EXAMPLE 9

[0362] The materials dyed (all obtained from Test Fabrics Inc.) were worsted wool (Style 526, 7 cm×7 cm) and chlorinated worsted wool (Style 530, 7 cm×7 cm) in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 40?C. for one hour at a pH 5.5.

[0363] Two mediators were evaluated in this experiment and each was dissolved in a buffer solution. Three buffer solutions were made: a 2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer (“1”), a 2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer containing 100 ?M 10-propionic acid-phenothiazine (PPT) (“2”), and a 2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer containing 100 ?M methyl syringate (“3”).

[0364] Three 0.25 mg/ml solutions of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and three 0.25 mg/ml solutions of a second compound (m-phenylenediamine, “B”) were prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of buffer (1, 2 or 3). A total volume of 120 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 60 ml of A and 60 ml of B were combined to form 120 ml (for each buffer: 1, 2, or 3). Swatches of the materials listed above were wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 10 minutes at 42 RPM and 40?C., the LOM was stopped. A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (80 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at an activity of 0.174 LACU/ml. The beakers were once again sealed and mounted in LOM and run (42 RPM) for 50 minutes at 40?C. The beakers were removed and the spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 39-41.

TABLE 39
Dyeing with precursors A and B (2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	47.93	0.45	−0.05
	Chlorinated Wool	27.80	2.94	−0.06

[0365]

TABLE 40
Dyeing with precursors A and B
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M PPT, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	42.11	1.52	−5.95
	Chlorinated Wool	24.48	2.76	−2.15

[0366]

TABLE 41
Dyeing with precursors A and B
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M methyl syringate, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	47.83	0.99	−0.14
	Chlorinated Wool	25.77	3.37	−0.99

[0367] The colorfastness to laundering (washfastness) for these swatches was evaluated using the American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorist (AATCC) Test Method 61-1989, 2A. A gray scale rating (1-5) was assigned to each swatch using the AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1, Gray Scale for Color Change. The results are given in Tables 42-44.

TABLE 42
Washfastness Results for precursors A and B
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	50.59	1.11	7.07	3-4
Chlorinated Wool	31.74	2.83	7.09	3

[0368]

TABLE 43
Washfastness results for precursors A and B
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M PPT, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	48.38	−0.48	4.61	2-3
Chlorinated Wool	31.56	1.06	4.86	2

[0369]

TABLE 44
Washfastness Results for precursors A and B
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M methyl syringate, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	52.02	0.06	6.59	3
Chlorinated Wool	32.17	2.02	6.08	2-3

[0370] The same experiment was repeated, except that a third compound (2-aminophenol, “C”) and a fourth compound (m-phenylenediamine, “D”) were used. The temperature used was 50?C. The results are given in Tables 45-50.

TABLE 45
Dyeing with precursors C and D (2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	53.52	5.92	18.19
	Chlorinated Wool	47.79	4.73	17.08

[0371]

TABLE 46
Dyeing with precursors C and D
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M PPT, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	52.38	6.70	21.84
	Chlorinated Wool	46.86	5.55	17.87

[0372]

TABLE 47
Dyeing with precursors C and D
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M methyl syringate, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	57.09	8.10	24.44
	Chlorinated Wool	48.69	7.82	19.40

[0373]

TABLE 48
Washfastness Results for precursors C and D
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	57.38	7.23	10.97	3
Chlorinated Wool	51.35	7.04	13.16	3

[0374]

TABLE 49
Washfastness results for precursors C and D)
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M PPT, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	51.37	8.18	12.33	5
Chlorinated Wool	46.86	5.55	17.87	2

[0375]

TABLE 50
Washfastness Results for precursor C
(2 g/L CH3COONa, pH 5.5, 100 ?M methyl syringate, MtL)
	L*	a*	b*	Gray Scale Rating
Wool	59.61	7.24	11.89	4
Chlorinated Wool	50.01	7.94	14.38	4-5

[0376] The results from these two sets of experiments show that a chemical mediator that can transport electrons may be used for dyeing and for obtaining improved washfastness. In both experiments, worsted wool and chlorinated worsted wool were dyed at pH 5.5 in a CH3COONa buffer, in a CH3COONa buffer containing PPT, and in a CH3COONa buffer containing methyl syringate. However, a mediator resulted in improved washfastness only in the second experiment.

EXAMPLE 10

[0377] Wool was dyed in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (“LOM”) at 30?C. for one hour at pH 5.5. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was worsted wool (Style 526, 8 cm×8 cm).

[0378] A 0.5 mg/ml solution of a first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) and a 0.5 mg/ml solution of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) was prepared by dissolving the compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M CH3COONa, pH 5.5, buffer. A total volume of 100 ml was used in each LOM beaker. 100 ml “A”was added to one beaker and 50 ml “A” and 50 ml “B” were combined to form 100 ml in a second beaker. Swatches of the material listed above were then wetted in DI water and soaked in the precursor solutions. A Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CiP) with an activity of 180,000 POXU/ml was added to each beaker at a concentration of 0.05 POXU/ml. Either 200 or 500 ?M hydrogen peroxide was added to each LOM beaker. The LOM beakers were sealed and mounted in the LOM. After 1 hour at 42 RPM and 30?C., the LOM was stopped. The spent liquor was poured off and the swatches were rinsed in cold tap water for about 15 minutes. The swatches were dried at room temperature and CIELAB values were measured for all of the swatches using the Macbeth ColorEye 7000. The results are given in Tables 51-54.

TABLE 51
Dyeing with precursor A, 200 ?M H2O2
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	54.84	1.70	−2.18

[0379]

TABLE 52
Dyeing with precursor A, 500 ?M H2O2
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	43.58	2.50	−4.62

[0380]

TABLE 53
Dyeing with precursors A and B, 200 ?M H2O2
	L*	a*	b *
	Wool	56.19	2.60	−9.44

[0381]

TABLE 54
Dyeing with precursors A and B, 500 ?M H2O2
	L*	a*	b*
	Wool	50.48	4.14	−11.68

[0382] The results show that wool can be dyed (purple shades with A and A/B) using precursor, peroxide and Coprinus cinereus (CiP) peroxidase.

EXAMPLE 11

[0383] Chromed blue stock leather (Prime Tanning Corp., St. Joseph, Mo.) was dyed in a test tube at room temperature for 16 hours at pH 5, 7 and 9.

[0384] Three 0.5 mg/ml solutions of first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”), (pH 5, 7, and 9), three 0.5 mg/ml solutions of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”), and three 0.5 mg/ml solutions of a third compound (4-hydroxycinnamic acid, “C”) were prepared by dissolving each compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M Britten-Robinson Buffer (B-R buffer).

[0385] The leather substrate (1.5 cm×4 cm) was rolled up and placed in a four inch test tube. A total volume of 7 ml was used in each test tube. 6 ml of A (or 6 ml of C) was added to one test tube and 3 ml of A and 3 ml of B (or 3 ml of A and 3 ml of C) were combined to form 6 ml in a second test tube. A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (80 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 2 LACU/ml (1 ml enzyme solution added to each test tube to give a total of 7 ml per test tube). The test tubes were closed, mixed and mounted on a test tube rotator. The test tubes were incubated for 16 hours in a dark cabinet at room temperature. After incubation, the swatches were rinsed in running cold tap water for 1 minute and dried at room temperature.

[0386] The results of the experiments are provided in Table 55:

TABLE 55
FABRIC	PRECURSOR	pH 5	pH 7	pH 9
Leather	A	Purple	Brown	Brown
Leather	A/B	Dark Purple	Purple	Purple
Leather	C	Light Green	Green	Green
Leather	A/C	Light Brown	Light Brown	Light Brown

[0387] These results demonstrate that colorant forms on leather in the presence of Myceliophthora thermophila laccase and different types of precursors over a range of pH conditions.

EXAMPLE 12

[0388] Silk was dyed in a test tube at ambient temperature for 16 hours at pH 5, 7 and 9. The material dyed (obtained from Test Fabrics, Inc.) was silk crepe de chine (Style 601, 1.5 cm×4 cm).

[0389] Three 0.5 mg/ml solutions of first compound (p-phenylenediamine, “A”) (pH 5, 7, and 9) and three 0.5 mg/ml solutions of a second compound (1-naphthol, “B”) were prepared by dissolving each compound in the appropriate amount of 0.1 M Britton-Robinson Buffer (B-R buffer).

[0390] The silk substrate was rolled up and placed in a four inch test tube. A total volume of 7 ml was used in each test tube. 6 ml of A was added to one test tube and 3 ml of A and 3 ml of B were combined to form 6 ml in a second test tube. A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (“MtL”) with an activity of 690 LACU/ml (80 LACU/mg) was added to each beaker at a concentration of 2 LACU/ml (1 ml enzyme solution added to each test tube to give a total of 7 ml per test tube). The test tubes were closed, mixed and mounted on a test tube rotator. The test tubes were incubated for 16 hours in a dark cabinet at room temperature. After incubation, the swatches were rinsed in running cold tap water for 1 minute and dried at room temperature. The results of the experiments are shown in Table 56.

TABLE 56
FABRIC	PRECURSOR	pH 5	pH 7	pH 9
Silk	A	Dark Brown	Dark Brown	Dark Purple
Silk	A/B	Dark Brown	Dark Brown	Dark Brown

[0391] These results demonstrate that colorant forms on silk in the presence of Myceliophthora thermophila laccase and different types of precursors over a range of pH conditions.

EXAMPLE 13

[0392] A print paste is made by dissolving 5 mg/ml of paraphenylenediamine in 0.1 M sodium phosphate, pH 5.5, buffer and adding 2.5% gum arabic. The print paste is manually transferred to a wool fabric using a printing screen and a scraper. The portions of the fabric which are not to be printed are covered by a mask.

[0393] The fabric is then steamed for 10 minutes in a steam chamber and allowed to dry.

[0394] Color is developed by dipping the fabric into a 2 LACU/ml laccase solution followed by a one hour incubation.

EXAMPLE 14

[0395] A mono-, di- or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic compound may be applied to the material by padding. For example, 0.5 mg/ml of p-phenylenediamine is dissolved in 500 ml of 0.1 M K2PO4, pH 7, buffer. A laccase is diluted in the same buffer. The p-phenylenediamine solution is padded on the material using a standard laboratory pad at 60?C. The fabric is steamed for 10 minutes. The steamed material may then be padded a second time with the enzyme solution. The dye is allowed to develop by incubating the swatches at 40?C. After incubation, the swatches are rinsed in running hot tap water for about 30 seconds.

EXAMPLE 15

[0396] Worsted wool fabric swatches (0.35 g; Style 526, TestFabrics, Inc., Box 26, West Pittston, Pa. 18643) were soaked for 5 minutes in a nonionic polyoxyethylene ether wetting agent (0.1% Diadavin UFN, Bayer, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15205-9741). One swatch of worsted wool was placed in a flask with 20 parts 0.1 M buffer (pH 5 or pH 8). Stock dye precursor and coupler solutions were prepared by dissolving compounds listed in Tables 1-8 in suitable solvents. A 10 mM total concentration was obtained in the bath by adding either a single precursor stock solution to give the 10 mM level, or by adding one stock precursor and one stock coupler solution at a one to one mole ratio to give the total 10 mM level. Myceliophthora thermophilia laccase was added to each flask at a 3.4 LAMU/mL level. Flasks were incubated for 60 minutes at 60° C. with gentle shaking. After incubation, swatches were rinsed for 1 minute in cold tap water, then air dried. Wool swatches were evaluated visually for color. Results are reported in Tables 57-70.

TABLE 57
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated Precursor Combinations at pH 5.
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79	P83
P3	Dk. Brown	Grn./Brown	Gray Purple	Gray Br.	Brown	Maroon
P5		Brown Gray	Lt. Maroon	Gray	Dk. Gray	Rust Br.
P16	Brown	Brown	Rust Red	Brown	Yel./Br.	Rust Br.
P17	Brown	Br. Stain	Gray	Pink St.	Maroon	Dk. Brown
P19			Brown	Gray	Gray	Dk. Red
P30	Lt. Purple	Tan	Pk. Gray	Gray	Gray	Rust Red
P31	Gray Pk.	Tan	Pk. Gray	Gray	Green	Pk. Brown
P32	Brown	Lt. Br./Yel.	Mar.	Br./Green	Olive	Red
P46	Brown	Dk. Brown	Brown	Dk. Br.	Brown	Dk. Brown
P74	Pur./Red	Dk. Purple	Dk. Purple	Dk. Mar.	Maroon	Dk. Brown
P75				Dk. Brown	Gray	Brown
P78	Brown	Dk. Green	Green	Dk. Gray	Gray	Dk. Brown
P79					Dk. Brown	Purple
P80	Lt. Br.	Orange	Brown	Br./Grn.	Grn./Br.	Rust Br.
P81	Lt. Br.	Curry Yel.	Brown	Br./Grn.	Grn./Br.	Red
P83						Dk. Red/Br.

[0397]

TABLE 58
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated Precursor Combinations at pH 8.
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79	P83
P3	Dk. Brown	Brown	Pur. Gray	Pur. Gray	Brown	Maroon
P5		Brown Gray	Pink	Purple	Blue	Rust Br.
P16	Brown	Br. Yellow	Salmon	Brown	Brown	Brown
P17	Olive	Stain	Pk. Gray	Yel./Br.	Red	Dk. Brown
P19			Brown	Dk. Brown	Dk. Gray	Maroon
P30	Lt. Purple	Lt. Tan	Pk. Gray	Brown	Pk. Brown	Rust Br.
P31	Gray Pk.	Lt. Tan	Pk. Gray	Brown	Blue Gray	Pk. Brown
P32	Brown	Lt. Br./Yel.	Red/Br.	Brown	Brown	Rust Br.
P46	Brown	Brown	Brown	Brown	Gray	Brown
P74	Dk. Br.	Dk. Purple	Dk. Pur/Br.	Dk. Brown	Dk. Gray	Dk. Brown
P75				Dk. Brown	Dk. Gray	Brown
P78	Dk. Br.	Dk. Blue	Dk. Blue	Dk. Br/Blk.	Dk. Gray	Dk. Brown
P79					Dk. Brown	Gray
P80	Lt. Br.	Orange	Brown	Brown	Brown	Rust Br.
P81	Lt. Br.	Curry Yel.	Brown	Brown	Gr./Br.	Rust Br.
P83						Dk. Red/Br.

[0398]

TABLE 59
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P9	Brown	Tan	Brown	Pk. Stain	Pk. Gray	Red
P10	Br./Yel.	Tan	Olive	Br. Yel.	Br. Yel.	Brown
P11	Lt. Brown	Tan	Brown	Gray St.	Pk. Gray	Red
P12	Gray	Brown	Brown	Gray	Gray	Rust Red
			St.
P13	Pk. Gray	Tan	Lt. Mar.	Green	Green	Wine Red
P14	Pk. Gray	Tan	Lt. Mar.	Green	Purple	Red
P15	Rust Br.	Tan	Lt. Mar.	Green	Lt. Gray	Red
P20	Lt. Brown	Rust Br.	Br. St.	Gray	Olive	Rust Red

[0399]

TABLE 60
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated Precursor Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79	P83
P9	Olive	Lt. Tan	Olive	Pk. Stain	Pk. Stain	Pk. Gray
P10	Tan	Lt. Olive	Gray	Br. Yel.	Tan	Pk. Gray
P11	Brown	Lt. Tan	Tan	Pk. Stain	Pk. Stain	Pk. Brown
P12	Brown	Yel./Br.	Tan	Gray St.	Gray	Olive
P13	Pk.	Lt. Tan	Pink	Blue	Teal	Dk. Pink
	Gray
P14	Blue	Tan	Pink	Br. Stain	Gray	Dk. Pink
P15	Br. Yel.	Lt. Tan	Lt. Pink	Br. Stain	Lt. Orange	Pk. Br.
P20	Lt.	Gray Pk.	Br. Yel.	Brown	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown
	Brown

[0400]

TABLE 61
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P8	Purple	Gray St.	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Red
P18	Purple	Stain	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Rust Red
P28	Purple	Stain	Lt. Gray	Blue	Purple	Pink
P29	Lt.	Stain	Lt. Purple	Gray	Lt. Gray	Pk. Red
	Brown
P33	Gray	Br./	Gray/Mar.	Gray	Gray St.	Rust Br.
		Gray
P36	Brown	Lt. B/	Tan/Pk.	Brown	Gray	Rose Pk.
		Gray
P37	Purple	Salmon	Maroon	Blue	Turqs.	Wine Red
P38	Olive	Olive	Olive	Green	Olive	Brown
P40	Grn./Br.	Lt.	Pur./Gray	Green	Lt. Green	Rose Pk.
		Brown
P41	Grn./Br.	Lt. Br./	Grn./Br.	Dk. Grn./	Br./Green	Rose Pk.
		Grn		Br.
P62	Lt.	Curry	Red/Br.	Gray st.	Green	Red
	Purple	St.

[0401]

TABLE 62
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P8	Purple	Gray St.	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Gray
P18	Purple	Gray St.	Lt. Purple	Gray	Blue	Lt. Pink
				Blue
P28	Lt.	Stain	Lt. Gray	Gray	Blue	Pk. Br.
	Purple
P29	Brown	Lt. Tan	Pk. Gray	Br.	Gray	Dk. Pink
				Stain
P33	Lt.	Tan	Tan	Gray	Gray	Rust Br.
	Brown
P36	Lt.	Gray	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Lt. Brown
	Brown
P37	Purple	Lt.	Rose Pk.	Purple	Blue	Orange
		Salmon
P38	Olive	Lt. Green	Tan	Olive	Olive	Brown
P40	Brown	Lt. Green	Rose Pk.	Gray	Lt. Green	Rose Pk.
P41	Grn./Br.	Lt. Green	Olive	Brown	Br./Green	Green
P62	Dk.	Br./Grn.	Rose Pk.	Dk.	Green St.	Brown
	Brown			Brown

[0402]

TABLE 63
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P35	Brown	Lt. Br. Yel.	Maroon	Gray	Rose Pk.	Red
P44	Brown	Lt. Br. St.	Maroon	Dk. Gray	Dk. Purple	Rose
						Pk.
P45	Lt. Brown	Lt. Br. St.	Maroon	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P47	Lt. Brown	Lt. Br. Sr.	Maroon	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P48	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Gray/Grn.	Red
P49	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P50	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P51	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P63	Brown	Pur./Gray	Rose	Br. St.	Lt. Gray	Red
			Pk.
P64	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Gray	Green	Wine
						Red

[0403]

TABLE 64
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P35	Tan	Tan	Rose Pk.	Blue/	Lt.	Brown
				Gray	Brown
P44	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Brown
P45	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Brown
						St.
P47	Lt. Brown	Lt. Br./Yel.	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Brown
						St.
P48	Lt. Brown	Lt. Br. Yel.	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Brown
P49	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Tan St.
P50	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Brown
P51	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Brown
P63	Brown	Green	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Brown
					St.
P64	Olive	Tan	Lt. Brown	Brown	Green	Brown
					St.

[0404]

TABLE 65
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P34	Dk.	Lt. Brown	Maroon	Dk. Blue	Dk. Blue	Red
	Purple
P39	Lt.	Rose Pk.	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Red
	Purple
P42*	Purple	Rose Pk.	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Wine
						Red
P43	Purple	Rose Pk.	Lt. Purple	Blue	Blue	Red
P53	Tan	Rose Pk.	Rose Pk.	Br./Gray	Lt. Rose	Rose
						Pk.
P68	Brown	Gray St.	Brown	Dk. Blue	Dk. Gray	Red/Br.

[0405]

TABLE 66
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P34	Dk.	Gray	Rose Pk.	Brown	Blue	Red
	Gray
P39	Purple	Lt. Br.	Pur./Rose	Blue	Blue	Wine Red
		Yel.
P42*	Purple	Tan	Maroon	Purple	Blue	Wine Red
P43	Purple	Tan	Maroon	Purple	Blue	Red/Br.
P53	Tan	Tan	Lt. Rose	Lt. Br.	Lt. Rose	Brown
P68	Dk.	Br. St.	Rose Pk.	Dk. Purple	Dk. Blue	Brown
	Brown

[0406]

TABLE 67
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P98	Lt. Brown	Tan	Brown	Br./Grn.	Gray	Red
P100	Lt. Brown	Tan	Rose Pk.	Br./Grn.	Gray	Red
P101	Lt. Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Br,/Gray	Gray	Red
P102	Br. St.	Tan	Brown	Green	Grn./Gray	Red
P103	Brown	Lt. Curry	Brown	Br./Grn.	Grn./Gray	Red
P112	Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Br./Grn.	Grn./Gray	Red

[0407]

TABLE 68
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P98	Brown	Brown	Brown	Brown	Brown	Brown
P100	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Rust Br.
P101	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Brown	Rust Br.
P102	Brown	Orange	Brown	Brown	Brown St.	Brown
P103	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Brown
P112	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Rose Pk.

[0408]

TABLE 69
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated
Precursor/Coupler Combinations at pH 5
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P104	Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Grn./Gray	Red
P105	Brown	Lt. Brown	Brown	Dk. Gray	Gray	Red
P120	Lt.	Lt. Brown	Curry Yel.	Green	Green	Brown
	Purple

[0409]

TABLE 70
Color on Wool for Laccase-treated Precursor/Coupler
Combinations at pH 8
	P3	P5	P19	P75	P79*	P83
P104	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Brown
P105	Brown	Lt. Brown	Rose Pk.	Brown	Gray	Brown
P120	Curry Yel.	Lt. Yel.	Lt. Rose	Lt. Gray	Green	Yel./Br.

EXAMPLE 16

[0410] Chlorinated wool fabric swatches (5 g; Style 530, TestFabrics, Inc., Box 26, West Pittston, Pa. 18643) were soaked for 10 minutes in 1% o.w.f. of a commercial wetting agent (Intravon FW 75, Crompton & Knowles Colors Inc., Box 33188 Charlotte, N.C. 28233). Soaked wool swatches were placed in stainless steel containers with 20 parts 0.1 M Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 5) to which was added 2% o.w.f. of a dyeing auxiliary (Intratex CWR, Crompton & Knowles Colors Inc., Box 33188 Charlotte, N.C. 28233). Stock dye precursor and stock dye coupler solutions were prepared by dissolving compounds selected from the groups listed in Tables 1-8 in suitable solvents. A 10 mM total concentration was obtained in the bath by adding either a single precursor stock solution to give the 10 mM level, or by adding one stock precursor solution and one stock coupler solution at a one to one mole ratio to give the total 10 mM level. Myceliophthora thermophilia laccase was added to each test container at a 3.4 LAMU/mL level. Control treatments were made by adding an equivalent amount of buffer to the test container in place of the enzyme. Containers were sealed and rotated for 60 minutes at 60° C. in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (Atlas Electronic Devices Company, Chicago, Ill. 60613). After treatment, swatches were rinsed in cold tap water, then air dried. Swatch color was evaluated visually and instrumentally. Dyed swatches were evaluated for color fastness with respect to wash fastness, light fastness, and crock fastness by standard methods as described previously. CIEL*a*b* color values for control and enzyme-treated swatches were measured on a Macbeth ColorEye 2000 (Macbeth, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553-6148) and are shown in Tables 71 and 72.

TABLE 71
CIE L*a*b* of Control and Enzymatic Dyed Chlorinated Wool.
		P75	P78	P79	P1
	Treatment	L*	a*	b*	L*	a*	b*	L*	a*	b*	L*	a*	b*
Prec.	Control	55.14	1.05	18.87	58.95	0.34	11.23	71.92	−0.87	9.85	68.79	0.35	15.00
	Enz.	17.08	0.44	0.88	15.54	1.78	1.32	16.24	0.81	1.03	15.74	1.38	2.85
P5	Control	63.6	−0.73	16.4	61.9	−0.31	9.49	72.3	−1.29	7.81	67.8	0.41	11.4
	Enz.	17.1	5.21	−0.43	15.9	1.47	−1.43	17.1	−0.53	−3.12	18.7	3.75	4.77
P7	Control	43.4	3.95	13.3	58.8	1.267	12.1	57.5	3.70	14.9	62.9	1.68	13.6
	Enz.	15.3	0.90	0.41	16.6	2.20	1.15	16.1	1.75	−1.96	18.0	4.94	5.22
P8	Control	63.3	−0.65	16.4	63.1	1.12	10.8	73.5	−1.11	8.67	70.0	−0.16	13.5
	Enz.	25.0	−0.57	0.04	19.5	1.17	−6.03	23.8	−0.18	−11.1	19.2	5.53	4.44
P11	Control	59.8	−1.01	13.5	50.7	−8.19	−1.24	66.5	−5.94	3.85	53.7	1.76	1.62
	Enz.	22.3	−0.92	−9.02	20.1	−2.89	−6.29	28.3	−7.56	−4.92	16.1	3.552	−2.72
P17	Control	61.6	0.42	16.0	52.6	6.90	6.74	56.0	5.17	8.23	65.6	2.98	13.9
	Enz.	18.9	7.01	3.145	17.1	9.60	−3.40	15.0	8.80	−2.90	16.7	5.619	4.87
P18	Control	61.3	0.29	15.4	56.9	−5.32	4.10	67.2	−5.26	5.34	52.8	2.17	−0.09
	Enz.	24.4	−1.94	−10.7	20.1	−2.13	−9.96	24.4	−6.32	−5.90	15.8	4.389	−5.18
P29	Control	59.13	0.12	17.73	58.64	0.98	11.50	68.10	0.40	9.47	61.78	1.95	12.74
	Enz.	28.28	1.40	6.20	37.37	2.76	12.22	43.00	2.25	17.70	29.53	8.53	7.71
P33	Control	54.82	0.01	14.64	36.64	2.00	4.27	49.15	2.33	6.50	40.29	2.44	8.10
	Enz.	23.94	5.00	4.41	30.89	4.69	6.28	25.40	3.79	5.56	26.82	7.27	9.97
P37	Control	58.93	0.29	17.16	56.93	−3.31	3.64	71.74	−1.62	6.28	51.69	2.81	0.43
	Enz.	22.22	−1.96	−4.57	17.80	−1.16	−4.44	22.22	−5.60	−1.31	15.34	3.88	−3.30
P38	Control	50.56	1.51	15.57	27.81	−4.41	5.78	38.33	0.53	4.17	30.88	−3.49	9.37
	Enz.	22.84	4.09	8.55	27.39	−4.30	9.49	25.98	−0.94	10.18	21.58	0.93	8.18
P39	Control	48.82	−0.54	9.38	23.72	−2.40	−11.6	68.64	−3.27	7.99	23.04	6.83	−0.16
	Enz.	17.23	0.71	−3.15	19.36	−0.26	−0.31	23.59	−3.05	−1.63	16.47	3.26	−1.86
P40	Control	62.75	0.42	18.79	59.64	−0.01	9.95	69.67	0.04	8.70	65.17	0.82	13.57
	Enz.	23.63	2.27	6.08	27.09	0.92	6.62	26.97	0.09	5.63	25.74	8.55	8.48
P41	Control	52.36	0.40	14.83	35.89	−0.76	2.60	50.82	−1.66	4.65	42.61	1.00	9.73
	Enz.	14.92	1.77	2.00	19.78	1.52	8.31	17.63	−0.87	5.58	18.58	2.54	6.91
P42	Control	57.14	−0.03	16.59	35.70	−5.09	−6.03	66.76	−0.71	8.18	51.73	2.49	5.97
	Enz.	16.39	−1.05	−5.22	19.36	−3.87	−6.29	24.90	−9.23	−3.95	20.72	4.89	−1.88
P43	Control	59.12	0.43	17.55	27.92	−4.14	−6.64	58.86	−1.95	5.78	41.46	3.53	2.72
	Enz.	16.41	−0.32	−6.25	20.75	−4.28	−6.27	26.01	−9.49	−3.75	21.99	4.47	−2.16
P70	Control	63.6	−0.34	17.5	66.1	0.07	13.2	73.7	−1.18	8.52	71.0	−0.56	13.8
	Enz.	17.7	6.39	3.11	19.9	2.79	3.12	19.7	2.79	3.243	19.4	5.65	5.49
P127	Control	61.9	−0.55	17.6	58.3	−3.44	7.90	71.4	−3.52	9.04	65.0	−1.07	8.99
	Enz.	14.9	−0.55	−1.76	17.8	−4.90	−0.68	18.2	−9.67	−5.06	15.6	1.16	−0.15
P202	Control	63.3	−0.22	17.5	64.9	0.50	13.5	73.7	−0.98	8.68	70.7	−0.28	13.6
	Enz.	16.0	5.62	2.08	15.9	7.98	−0.20	14.53	7.2	−1.60	19.4	14.4	9.22

[0411]

TABLE 72
CIE L*a*b* of Control and Enzymatic Dyed Chlorinated Wool.
		P203	P236	P182
	Treatment	L*	a*	b*	L*	a*	b*	L*	a*	b*
Prec.	Control	66.77	2.24	9.65	34.52	22.72	30.24	57.85	0.92	9.54
	Enz.	28.41	15.15	16.09	27.16	17.84	21.41	16.30	7.40	4.79
P5	Control	69.1	−0.90	9.93	41.5	21.4	33.6	63.5	−0.48	8.46
	Enz.	24.3	6.29	8.94	23.3	13.9	15.0	18.9	0.43	3.51
P7	Control	56.8	3.36	13.6	39.5	21.6	32.8	55.9	2.28	12.5
	Enz.	31.6	15.6	12.6	26.6	11.9	17.8	17.9	3.52	−0.51
P8	Control	67.4	1.58	5.92	42.1	21.2	33.5	65.6	0.28	8.30
	Enz.	17.3	5.92	−4.73	22.9	16.7	12.8	14.4	3.26	−8.41
P11	Control	69.9	−0.12	10.9	40.5	22.3	33.7	64.8	−0.39	9.16
	Enz.	31.3	9.77	15.2	35.2	17.4	30.8	22.4	12.6	9.05
P17	Control	59.4	14.9	8.07	39.8	21.0	30.9	60.1	2.46	7.46
	Enz.	17.7	14.8	3.46	32.5	15.0	23.5	16.2	10.1	−0.54
P18	Control	64.6	2.36	4.36	40.9	21.4	33.1	64.6	0.06	10.3
	Enz.	16.4	5.14	−4.28	22.1	16.1	12.1	14.4	2.62	−6.48
P29	Control	69.56	0.70	10.37	43.00	21.50	33.86	63.23	−0.35	11.43
	Enz.	31.16	8.71	−0.56	35.39	18.84	28.37	27.98	5.93	4.51
P33	Control	54.42	0.39	5.91	41.45	19.16	30.59	53.35	−0.99	6.48
	Enz.	35.38	8.11	18.00	37.83	19.48	31.77	28.55	9.77	8.62
P37	Control	67.35	1.35	6.52	41.62	22.21	34.34	63.05	−0.52	9.46
	Enz.	19.01	6.40	−4.68	25.50	18.39	16.48	15.28	3.73	−5.09
P38	Control	58.42	3.24	8.75	38.38	18.81	29.23	52.52	3.05	4.89
	Enz.	34.35	11.79	24.26	32.69	17.66	27.43	25.40	11.39	14.39
P39	Control	67.87	−0.14	8.94	40.29	21.57	33.21	60.33	1.01	7.38
	Enz.	21.54	7.28	−1.65	24.51	18.72	15.29	16.23	2.74	−5.47
P40	Control	70.98	0.23	10.62	42.39	21.13	33.85	63.35	0.07	10.90
	Enz.	35.01	12.54	13.67	34.92	20.80	29.35	23.51	9.96	9.28
P41	Control	54.47	3.72	5.51	39.92	19.47	31.13	50.76	1.83	4.89
	Enz.	25.11	11.31	16.41	22.08	12.57	14.18	17.62	6.34	6.19
P42	Control	69.57	0.76	9.31	39.67	22.17	33.48	65.73	−0.84	9.03
	Enz.	20.53	4.65	−8.78	24.52	18.91	14.32	16.82	1.92	−12.0
P43	Control	69.23	1.01	9.50	40.52	22.22	33.64	64.67	0.02	8.98
	Enz.	20.90	4.51	−9.18	24.91	17.83	14.23	16.44	2.17	−11.7
P70	Control	69.3	−0.62	11.0	40.9	21.5	33.2	65.2	−0.51	9.70
	Enz.	26.2	10.6	11.5	31.4	17.8	26.4	17.8	−1.47	−2.35
P127	Control	69.3	−0.91	9.60	42.0	21.8	34.2	64.2	−0.43	9.73
	Enz.	16.7	−0.52	−1.94	21.3	6.67	10.4	19.4	−1.87	−2.15
P202	Control	71.4	0.61	11.4	40.9	22.3	34.0	65.2	−0.45	10.0
	Enz.	30.1	25.5	18.6	47.4	17.8	34.8	15.4	7.79	0.15

[0412] L* is a measure of the lightness of a color. Therefore, a high L* value corresponds to a lighter color, whereas a low L* value corresponds to a darker color. In the current invention, a darker color (lower L*) compared to the control is preferred. In each case, the results show that the control treatment produced a lighter (higher L*) color than the corresponding enzyme treatment. This demonstrates the importance of the enzyme in catalyzing the color-forming reaction. This is particularly important in cases where the difference between the L* of the control and the L* of the enzyme treatment is large. The CIEL*a*b* of untreated chlorinated wool was L* 88.5, a* −0.86, b* 15.7, which corresponds to a pale off-white color.

[0413] Visual color and color fastness results for enzyme-treated samples are shown in Table 73. Wash fastness (W), light fastness (L), and dry and wet crock fastness (C) were measured as described previously, and are reported on a scale from 1 (worst) to 5 (best). Two instruments, a Suntest CPS+ and an Atlas Weather-O-Meter, were used for light exposure of light fastness samples. Both results are reported. Dry and wet crock fastness were evaluated visually by a single observer.

[0414] A normalized measure of the difference in depth of color between the control and enzyme treated swatches was defined as the activation ratio (AR), equation (1).

AR= (L*control−L*enzyme)/L*enzyme   Eqn. (1)

[0415] A high activation ratio is obtained when the dyeing system remains essentially colorless unless enzyme is added. Dyeing systems with a low activation ratio either produce no or limited color (even in the presence of enzyme), or produce nearly the same level of color without enzyme (by auto-oxidation) as with enzyme.

[0416] In the present invention, dyeing systems that give dark colors with high activation ratios are preferred because these systems are more stable and easy to handle and package than dyeing systems giving dark colors, but with low activation ratios for the given experimental conditions. An activation ratio (AR) greater than 1 indicates a distinct difference between the depth of color on the control versus the enzyme-treated fabric, and typically indicates that little to no color has formed on the fabric in the control treatment.

[0417] In the present invention, most preferred dyeing systems are those that give high activation ratios combined with good color fastness properties and ease of chemical handling.

[0418] Chemical handling is improved by substituting precursor or coupler compounds with solubilizing functional groups that allow easy dissolution of the compounds in aqueous dyebaths, and that can contribute to increased affinity between the dye product and the material being dyed. Examples of anionic solubilizing groups are sulfonic acid or salts of sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid or salts of carboxylic acid. Examples of cationic solubilizing groups are quaternary ammonium groups. The presence of anionic solubilizing groups contributes to enhanced affinity of the dye product for materials with cationic charge, such as nylon, wool, silk, leather, and cationic polysaccharides. The presence of cationic solubilizing groups contributes to enhanced affinity of the dye product for materials with anionic charge, such as polyacrylic.

TABLE 73
Color Properties of Enzymatic Dyed Chlorinated Wool.
	P75	P78	P79	P1	P203	P236	P182
Prec.	black	dk brown	black	dk brown	brown	brown	dk brown
alone	AR 2.23	AR 2.79	AR 3.43	AR 3.37	AR 1.35	AR 0.27	AR 2.55
	W 3	W 3	W 2-3	W 2	W 1	W 2	W 1-2
	L 4-5/4-5	L 4-5/4-5	L 2-3/3	L 4/4	L 2-3/3	L 3-4/3	L 4-5/4-5
	C 4/1	C 4/1	C 4/1	C 2/1	C 4/1	C 4-5/3	C 4-5/1-2
P5	purple	black	dk gray	brown	tan	brown	dk olive
	AR 2.71	AR 2.90	AR 3.23	AR 2.63	AR 1.82	AR 0.78	AR 2.35
	W 2-3	W 2	W 3	W 2	W 1-2	W 1-2	W 1-2
	L 2-3/2-3	L 4/4	L 3/3-4	L 2/3-4	L 2/2-3	L 2/3-4	L 2-3/2-3
	C 4/1	C 4/1	C 3-4/1	C 4/1	C 5/4	C 5/3	C 5/2-3
P7	dk brown	dk brown	dk purple	brown	peach	tan	pink gray
	AR 1.83	AR 2.54	AR 2.56	AR 2.48	AR 0.80	AR 0.48	AR 2.12
	W 2-3	W 2	W 2	W 2	W 1	W 1-2	W 1-2
	L 4-5/4	L 3-4/3-4	L 2-3/3	L 4/4	L 2/3	L 1-2/2	L 2/3
	C 2-3/1	C 3-4/1	C 4/1	C 4-5/1	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/2
P8	gray	gray blue	lt blue	brown	purple	rust	dk blue
	AR 1.54	AR 2.23	AR 2.09	AR 2.65	AR 2.89	AR 0.84	AR 3.55
	W 2	W 2-3	W 2	W 1-2	W 2	W 2	W 3
	L 3/4	L 4/3	L 2/2-3	L 2-3/4-5	L 4/4-5	L 3-4/3-4	L 4-5/4-5
	C 4-5/1	C 4-5/1-2	C 4/1	C 5/1	C 5/4-5	C 5/4-5	C 5/3
P11	lt blue	teal	lt teal	purple	tan	tan	brown
	AR 1.68	AR 1.53	AR 1.35	AR 2.33	AR 1.23	AR 0.15	AR 1.89
	W 2	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 1-2	W 3	W 1-2
	L 3/3	L 3/3	L 3-4/3	L 4-5/3	L 2/3	L 2-3/3-4	L 2-3/2-3
	C 3-4/1-2	C 4/2	C 3-4/2	C 4-5/2-3	C 5/4	C 5/4-5	C 5/3-4
			dk
P17	lt rust	magenta	magenta	brown	burgundy	tan	magenta
	AR 2.27	AR 2.08	AR 2.74	AR 2.93	AR 2.35	AR 0.22	AR 2.72
	W 1-2	W 1	W 1	W 1	W 1	W 1-2	W 1
	L 2/2	L 2-3/2-3	L 2-3/3	L 4/4-5	L 3/3-4	L 3-4/3-4	L 2-3/2-3
	C 4-5/1	C 4-5/1-2	C 4-5/1-2	C 3-4/1	C 5/3-4	C 4-5/2-3	C 5/1-2
P18	lt blue	blue	lt teal	purple	purple	brown	dk blue
	AR 1.51	AR 1.83	AR 1.76	AR 2.34	AR 2.94	AR 0.85	AR 3.48
	W 2-3	W 3-4	W 2-3	W 3-4	W 2	W 1-2	W 2-3
	L 3/3-4	L 4/4	L 3/3-4	L 3-4/4-5	L 4/4-5	L 3-4/4	L 4-5/4-5
	C 4/2	C 4/2	C 4/1-2	C 4-5/1-2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/3
P29	gray	olive	tan	lt purple	lt purple	orange	gray
	AR 1.09	AR 0.57	AR 0.58	AR 1.09	AR 1.23	AR 0.21	AR 1.26
	W 2	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2	W 1	W 2	W 2
	L 4/4	L 3/5	L 3-4/3	L 3-4/4	L 3-4/3-4	L 4-5/4-5	L 3/3-4
	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 4-5/4	C 5/4-5	C 5/4	C 5/4
P33	brown	pink-gray	brown	brown	tan	orange	lt gray
	AR 1.29	AR 0.19	AR 0.93	AR 0.50	AR 2.54	AR 0.10	AR 0.87
	W 1-2	W 2	W 1-2	W 2-3	W 2	W 1-2	W 1-2
	L 2-3/3	L 2/3	L 3-4/3	L 3/3-4	L 4/4	L 4-5/4-5	L 2-3/2-3
	C 5/1-2	C 5/2-3	C 4-5/1-2	C 5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/3-4
P37	blue-gray	dk blue	blue-green	dk purple	purple	rust	dk purple
	AR 1.65	AR 2.20	AR 2.23	AR 2.37	AR 2.54	AR 0.63	AR 3.13
	W 2-3	W 3-4	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2	W 2	W 2
	L 3/3-4	L 4/4	L 3-4/3-4	L 4-5/4-5	L 3-4/4-5	L 4/4	L 3-4/4
	C 4-5/3	C 4-5/3	C 5/2	C 4-5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/3-4
				green-
P38	brown	green	dk olive	gray	brown	orange	brown
	AR 1.21	AR 0.02	AR 0.48	AR 0.43	AR 0.70	AR 0.17	AR 1.07
	W 2	W 1	W 1-2	W 1	W 1-2	W 1	W 1-2
	L 3/4	L 1-2/2-3	L 3/3-4	L 2/3	L 2-3/3	L 4/3	L 2-3/3-4
	C 5/3	C 5/3	C 5/1-2	C 4-5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/3-4
P39	dk blue	dk gray	blue-gray	purple	purple	rust	dk purple
	AR 1.83	AR 0.23	AR 1.91	AR 0.40	AR 2.15	AR 0.64	AR 2.72
	W 2	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 1-2	W 2
	L 4/4	L 3/3-4	L 2-3/4	L 4-5/4-5	L 4/4	L 4-5/5	L 4-5/5
	C 5/1-2	C 5/1-2	C 5/2-3	C 4-5/1-2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/4
			gray
P40	brown	brown	brown	brown	brown	orange	brown
	AR 1.66	AR 1.20	AR 1.58	AR 1.53	AR 1.03	AR 0.21	AR 1.70
	W 1-2	W 1	W 1	W 1-2	W 2	W 1-2	W 1
	L 4/4-5	L 1-2/2-3	L 1-2/2-3	L 4/4-5	L 3/3-4	L 3-4/4	L 2-3/2-3
	C 5/3-4	C 5/3	C 4-5/3	C 5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/4-5
				v. dk
P41	dk brown	brown	v. dk olive	olive	brown	brown	brown
	AR 2.51	AR 0.81	AR 1.88	AR 1.29	AR 1.17	AR 0.81	AR 1.88
	W 2	W 1	W 1	W 1	W 2	W 1	W 1
	L 4/4	L 2/3	L 2/3	L 2-3/4	L 3-4/4	L 3-4/3	L 4/4
	C 5/2	C 4/2-3	C 5/2-3	C 5/1-2	C 5/4	C 5/3-4	C 5/3-4
P42	dk blue	dk blue	teal blue	purple	purple	rust	dk blue
	AR 2.49	AR 0.84	AR 1.68	AR 1.50	AR 2.39	AR 0.62	AR 2.91
	W 3	W 3	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2	W 2-3
	L 4-5/4	L 4-5/3-4	L 3-4/3	L 3-4/4	L 4-5/4-5	L 3-4/4-5	L 4/4
	C 5/1-2	C 5/3	C 5/3-4	C 5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 4-5/4
P43	dk blue	dk blue	teal blue	purple	purple	rust	dk blue
	AR 2.60	AR 0.35	AR 1.26	AR 0.89	AR 2.31	AR 0.63	AR 2.93
	W 2-3	W 3	W 3-4	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2	W 2-3
	L 4/4-5	L 4/4	L 3-4/3-4	L 4-5/4-5	L 4-5/4-5	L 4-5/4-5	L 4-5/4-5
	C 5/1-2	C 5/3-4	C 5/3-4	C 5/2	C 5/4	C 5/4	C 5/4
P70	brown	brown	brown	tan	tan	tan	teal blue
	AR 2.59	AR 2.33	AR 2.74	AR 2.66	AR 1.64	AR 0.30	AR 2.66
	W 2-3	W 2	W 1-2	W 1-2	W 1	W 2	W 1-2
	L 3-4/3-4	L 3-4/3	L 2-3/2-3	L 3/3	L 1-2/2-3	L 3-4/4-5	L 3-4/4
	C 4/1	C 4-5/1-2	C 4-5/1	C 4-5/1	C 5/4-5	C 5/4-5	C 4-5/3-4
						dk
P127	black	green	teal	black	dk teal	brown	teal blue
	AR 3.15	AR 2.27	AR 2.91	AR 3.16	AR 3.16	AR 0.97	AR 2.30
	W 2-3	W 2-3	W 2	W 2-3	W 1-2	W 1-2	W 2
	L 4-5/4	L 3-4/3	L 2-3/2-3	L 4/4	L 3/3-4	L 3-4/3-4	L 3-4/3-4
	C 3-4/1	C 4-5/1-2	C 4-5/1-2	C 5/1	C 5/3	C 4-5/3-4	C 4-5/3-4
P202	brown	magenta	purple	rust	orange	yellow	dk brown
	AR 2.97	AR 3.07	AR 4.07	AR 2.65	AR 1.37	AR 0.14	AR 3.23
	W 1-2	W 1-2	W 1	W 1	W 1	W 2	W 1
	L 2-3/3-4	L 1-2/2	L 2/1-2	L 3/3	L 1-2/1-2	L 3-4/3	L 3/3-4
	C 4-5/1-2	C 3-4/2-3	C 5/2-3	C 5/2	C 5/4-5	C 5/5	C 5/3-4

EXAMPLE 17

[0419] The dyeing effect of a substituted aromatic diamine precursor combined with a sulfonated naphthylamine was tested on filament nylon knit (Testfabrics Style #322) and chlorinated wool (Testfabrics Style #530) at pH 5 and 60° C. The enzyme used was Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (P75) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201.

[0420] Nylon and chlorinated wool swatches (15 g) were pre-wetted for 10 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% o.w.f Intravon FW 75. Britton-Robinson buffer (0.1 M, pH 5) and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to each beaker to give a dyeing liquor ratios of 15:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P75), then pre-wetted swatches, and enzyme last. The enzyme dose was 2.2 LAMU/mL. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 50/50 mole %. The beakers were capped and run in an Atlas Launder-O-meter (LOM) for 75 minutes at 60° C. Swatches were removed from the dyebaths, squeezed to remove excess dye, then were overflow rinsed in a bucket with cold tap water for 15 minutes, squeezed and air dried flat. Color and wash fastness of the swatches was measured as described previously, and is reported in Table 74. The results show that chlorinated wool dyed to a blue gray color, and nylon dyed to a bright blue color. The difference in CIEL*a*b* between the enzyme-treated and no-enzyme control shows the importance of laccase in generating color.

TABLE 74
CIEL*a*b* Color Values Nylon and Chlorinated Wool
after Dyeing with P75/P43 in the Presence and
Absence of Laccase, and after Wash Fastness Testing.
	Sample	L*	a*	b*
	Control Nylon	58.4	2.32	−5.63
	Enzyme-treated Nylon	28.6	5.60	−26.1
	Washed Nylon	30.9	5.96	−28.0
	Control Cl-Wool	72.2	0.80	22.8
	Enzyme-treated Cl-Wool	27.8	−2.54	−7.19
	Washed Cl-Wool	33.3	−3.22	−7.48

EXAMPLE 18

[0421] The ability to dye a material with pre-formed product from enzyme catalyzed reaction of dye intermediates was tested and compared to a material dyed in situ with the same dye intermediates and enzyme. Buffer (100 mL, pH 5, 0.1 M Britton-Robinson), commercial dyeing auxiliary (0.1% o.w.b. Intratex CWR, Crompton & Knowles Colors, Inc., Box 33188, Charlotte, N.C. 28233), precursor (5 mM 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201), coupler (5 mM 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201), and enzyme (3.4 LAMU/mL Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark) were combined in a stainless steel container. The beaker was sealed and rotated for 60 minutes at 60° C. in an Atlas Launder-O-Meter (LOM). The dark blue dyebath was freeze-dried to yield a powder containing the dye products, buffer salts, and residual dye auxiliaries. The freeze-dried powder was diluted in a stainless steel beaker to its original volume with Britton-Robinson buffer (0.1 M, pH 5). A 5 g swatch of chlorinated wool, pre-wetted in 1% o.w.f. commercial wetting agent (Intravon FW 75, Crompton & Knowles Colors, Inc., Box 33188, Charlotte, N.C. 28233) was added. The beaker was sealed and rotated for 60 minutes at 60° C. in a LOM. After treatment, swatches were rinsed in cold tap water, then air dried. Dyed swatches were evaluated for color and wash fastness as described previously. CIEL*a*b* color values and wash fastness for chlorinated wool dyed with preformed dye product are shown in Table 75. For comparison, color data for in situ dyed chlorinated wool is also shown. Results show that it is possible to dye a material with dye products pre-formed by a enzyme mediated reaction. In this example, the in situ dyeing gave a deeper (lower L*), bluer (more negative b*) color on the fabric than the pre-formed dye. The measured wash fastness for the in situ dyed wool (ΔE 5.77, GS 2-3) was slightly better than for the wool dyed with pre-formed product (ΔE 6.28, GS 2). It is anticipated that process optimization when using pre-formed dye products, such as isolation and formulation of the dye products, and adjustments of the temperature, time, pH, and dyeing auxiliaries used for dyeing, would lead to improved dyeing results with the pre-formed products.

TABLE 75
Color Values for Chlorinated Wool Dyed In Situ
or with Dye Product Pre-formed
from Laccase Mediated Reaction of P182 with P43.
	Swatch Treatment	L*	a*	b*
	Pre-formed Dye Product	20.5	1.26	−10.7
	Washed Pre-Formed Dye Product	26.7	1.06	−10.2
	In Situ Dyed	16.4	2.17	−11.7
	Washed In Situ Dyed	21.9	1.30	−13.2

EXAMPLE 19

[0422] The effects of buffer strength and liquor ratio were tested on wool at pH 5 and 80° C. The enzyme used was Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201.

[0423] Wool swatches (10 g) were pre-wetted for 10 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% o.w.f. Intravon FW 75. Sodium acetate buffer (pH 5), at different buffer strength, and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to each beaker to give a dyeing liquor ratios of 10:1, 15:1, and 20:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P182), then pre-wetted wool swatches, and enzyme last. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 50/50 mole %. The beakers were capped and run in an Atlas Launder-O-meter (LOM) for 60 minutes at 80° C. Sulfuric acid was added to lower the pH to ˜pH 2, and the beakers were run at 80° C. for 30 minutes. Wool swatches were removed from the dyebaths, squeezed to remove excess dye, transferred to LOM beakers pre-filled to a liquor ratio of 20:1 with 0.1% w/v Intravon NF, and run in a LOM at 40° C. for 15 minutes to post-wash the fabric and remove surface dye. Swatches were then overflow rinsed in a bucket with cold tap water for 15 minutes, squeezed and air dried flat. Color on wool was measured as described previously, and is reported in Table 76. The results show that a similar color and depth of shade was obtained across a range of different liquor ratios and buffer strengths.

TABLE 76
CIEL*a*b* Color for Wool Treated with 3% o.w.f.
Total P182/P43 at pH 5, and 1 LAMU/mL Laccase at
Different Levels of Liquor Ratio and Buffer Strength.
Liquor Ratio	Buffer Strength (M)	L*	a*	b*
10:1	0.1	16.3	1.49	−7.28
15:1	0.1	16.2	1.98	−7.48
20:1	0.1	16.4	2.34	−7.78
10:1	0.01	16.8	2.26	−7.76
10:1	0.05	16.4	1.54	−6.96
10:1	0.1	16.4	1.46	−7.40

EXAMPLE 20

[0424] The effect of increasing the total combined precursor and coupler level was tested on three types of wool at pH 5 and 80° C. The enzyme used was Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201.

[0425] Wool swatches (5 g) were pre-wetted for 10 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% o.w.f. Intravon FW 75. Britton-Robinson buffer (0.1 M, pH 5) and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to each beaker to give a dyeing liquor ratio of 20:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P182), then pre-wetted wool swatches, and enzyme last. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 55/45 mole %. The beakers were capped and run in an Atlas Launder-O-meter (LOM) for 60 minutes at the relevant temperature. Wool swatches were removed from the dyebaths, squeezed to remove excess dye, transferred to LOM beakers pre-filled to a liquor ratio of 40:1 with 0.1 % w/v Intravon NF, and run in a LOM at 40° C. for 15 minutes to post-wash the fabric and remove surface dye. Swatches were then overflow rinsed in a bucket with cold tap water for 15 minutes, squeezed and air dried flat. Color fastness was measured as described previously. Depth of the blue color obtained was measured as K/S at 580nm, where K/S increases as depth of color increases. The color and fastness results are shown in Tables 77 and 78. The results show that an increased depth of color is obtained on the fabric with increased total precursor/coupler level.

TABLE 77
K/S Color Strength for Three Types of Wool
Treated with 2 LAMU/mL Laccase and Different
Levels of Total P182/P43 at pH 5 and 80° C.
Total P182/P43
(mM)	Wool Gabardine	Wool Flannel	Chlorinated Wool
6	22.06	22.97	26.12
4	19.03	19.17	20.71
2	11.63	11.80	9.78

[0426]

TABLE 78
Gray Scale Light (L) and Wash (W) Fastness for Three
Types of Wool Treated with 2 LAMU/mL Laccase and
Different Levels of Total P182/P43 at pH 5 and 80° C.
	Wool	Wool	Chlorinated
Total P182/P43	Gabardine	Flannel	Wool
(mM)	L	W	L	W	L	W
6	4.5	4	4.5	4.5	4	2.5
4	4.5	4.5	4.5	2.5	3.5	2.5
2	3.5	4.5	4	4.5	3.5	2

EXAMPLE 21

[0427] The effect of increasing temperature was tested on three types of wool at pH 5 with 1% o.w.f. total precursor/coupler. The enzyme used was Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201. The dyeing procedure and test methods described in Example 20 were used. The color and color fastness results are shown in Tables 79 and 80. The results show that an increased depth of color is obtained on the fabric with increased temperature.

TABLE 79
K/S Color Strength for Three Types of Wool
Treated with 2 LAMU/mL Laccase at Different
Temperatures with 1% o.w.f. Total P182/P43 at pH 5.
Temperature
(° C.)	Wool Gabardine	Wool Flannel	Chlorinated Wool
60	10.61	9.65	7.17
70	12.89	13.19	10.57
80	13.66	11.92	11.89

[0428]

TABLE 80
Gray Scale Light (L) and Wash (W) Fastness for Three
Types of Wool Treated with 2 LAMU/mL Laccase at
Different Temperatures with 1% o.w.f. Total P182/P43
at pH 5.
	Wool	Wool	Chlorinated
Temperature	Gabardine	Flannel	Wool
(° C.)	L	W	L	W	L	W
60	3	3.5	3.5	4.5	—	2.5
70	4.5	4.5	4	4	—	2
80	4	4.5	4	4	—	2.5

EXAMPLE 22

[0429] The effect of peroxidase as a catalyst for enzymatic dyeing was tested on wool at pH 5 with 3% o.w.f. total precursor/coupler. The enzyme used was Coprinus cinereus peroxidase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201.

[0430] Wool swatches (10 g) were pre-wetted for 10 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% o.w.f. Intravon FW 75. Britton-Robinson buffer (0.1 M, pH 5) and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to each beaker to give a dyeing liquor ratio of 15:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P182), then pre-wetted wool swatches, and enzyme last. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 50/50 mole %. The beakers were capped and run in an Atlas Launder-O-meter (LOM) for 60 minutes at 80° C. Sulfuric acid (0.3% o.w.b.) was added to lower the pH and exhaust the dyebath. The beakers were run in the LOM for 30 minutes at 80° C. Wool swatches were removed from the dyebaths, squeezed to remove excess dye, transferred to LOM beakers pre-filled to a liquor ratio of 40:1 with 0.1% w/v Intravon NF, and run in a LOM at 40° C. for 15 minutes to post-wash the fabric and remove surface dye. Swatches were then overflow rinsed in a bucket with cold tap water for 15 minutes, squeezed and air dried flat. Color on the fabric was measured as CIEL*a*b*. Results reported in Table 81 show that a reddish-blue color is produced on wool. The depth of color increased with increasing peroxide dose.

TABLE 81
CIEL*a*b* Color for Wool Treated with
3% o.w.f. Total P182/P43 at pH 5, and with 1.2 POXU/mL
Peroxidase and Different Levels of Hydrogen Peroxide.
	H2O2 (mM)	L*	a*	b*
	0.5	27.6	2.81	−9.08
	1	21.4	3.07	−9.77
	2	18.5	3.40	−9.08
	3	19.1	3.48	−8.77

EXAMPLE 23

[0431] The color produced on wool by a sulfonated aromatic diamine precursor combined with two different sulfonated aminonaphthalenes in the presence of two different oxidoreductases was measured. The enzymes used were Coprinus cenerius peroxidase and Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the couplers used were 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43) and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P287), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201. Precursor and coupler were dosed at 3% o.w.f at a 1:1 molar ratio.

[0432] The dyeing procedure and test methods described in Example 22 were used. Color on the fabric was measured as CIEL*a*b*. Results reported in Table 82 show that the same precursor can give different colors with different couplers. The results show that with the same precursor/coupler system, treatment with peroxidase and laccase can yield colors within the same quadrant of CIEL*a*b* color space.

TABLE 82
CIEL*a*b* Color for Wool Treated with 3% o.w.f.
Total Precursor/Coupler at pH 5, with either 1.2 POXU/mL
Peroxidase plus 1 mM H2O2 or 2 LAMU/mL Laccase.
	Precursor/Coupler	Enzyme	L*	a*	b*
	P182/P43	Peroxidase	21.4	3.07	−9.77
	P182/P43	Laccase	18.5	1.30	−4.68
	P182/P287	Peroxidase	27.6	1.79	5.54
	P182/P287	Laccase	16.9	1.75	0.27

EXAMPLE 24

[0433] Multifiber fabric swatches (0.85 g; Style 1, TestFabrics, Inc., Box 26, West Pittsboro, Pa. 18643), containing spun diacetate, bleached cotton, spun polyamide (nylon 6.6), spun silk, spun viscose, and worsted wool, were soaked for 5 minutes in a nonionic polyoxyethylene ether wetting agent (0.1% Diadavin UFN, Bayer, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15205-9741). One multifiber fabric swatch was placed in a flask with 20 parts 0.1 M buffer (pH 5 or pH 8). Stock dye precursor and coupler solutions were prepared by dissolving compounds listed in Tables 1-8 in suitable solvents. A 10 mM total concentration was obtained in the bath by adding either a single precursor or coupler stock solution to give the 10 mM level, or by adding one stock precursor and one stock coupler solution at a one to one mole ratio to give the total 10 mM level. Myceliophthora thermophilia laccase was added to each flask at a 3.4 LAMU/mL level. Flasks were incubated for 60 minutes at 60° C. with gentle shaking. After incubation, swatches were rinsed for 1 minute in cold tap water, then air dried. Multifiber swatches were evaluated visually for color. Results are reported in Table 83 for colors produced by single precursors or couplers, and results are reported in Table 84 for colors produced by precursor-coupler combinations. Results show that different colors are obtained when the precursors or couplers are used alone, compared to when they are used in combination. Results also show that colors can be obtained on a range of different fiber types.

TABLE 83
Colors Produced on Different Fiber Types by Single Compounds
Treated with Laccase.
Single
Compound	pH	Wool	Viscose	Silk	Nylon 6.6	Cotton	Diacetate
P3	5	brown	brown st.	black	brown	brown	brown
P3	8	brown	brown st.	black	brown	brown	lt. brown
P5	5	lt. brown	brown st.	lt. brown	lt. brown	brown	lt. brown
	8	lt. brown	brown st.	lt. brown	lt. brown	brown	lt. brown
P16	5	brown	brown	brown	brown	lt. brown	lt. st.
	8	lt. st.	brown	lt. st.	n.c.	tan	n.c.
P17	5	gray	gray	gray	gray	dk. gray	gray
	8	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	lt. pink	n.c.
P19	8	brown	pink st.	dk. maroon	mauve	mauve	lt. brown
P28*	8	lt. st.	olive	lt. st.	n.c.	olive	n.c.
P36*	5	pink	olive	olive	pink	olive	n.c.
	8	lt. st.	dk. olive	lt. gray	n.c.	olive	n.c.
P37	5	lt. st.	n.c.	lt. st.	lt. st.	n.c.	n.c.
	8	lt. st.	n.c.	lt. st.	lt. st.	n.c.	n.c.
P39	5	lt. gray	lt. purple	purple	beige	lt. st.	n.c.
	8	beige	lt. olive	beige	lt. st.	lt. st.	n.c.
P42	5	pink	pink st.	dk. pink	pink	pink st.	n.c.
	8	lt. pink	pink st.	lt. pink	lt. st.	n.c.	n.c.
P43	5	pink	pink st.	dk. pink	pink	pink st.	n.c.
	8	lt. peach	pink st.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.
P75	5	black	purple	black	dk. purple	purple	black
	8	black	purple	black	black	mauve	black
P78	5	gray	lt. purple	dk. purple	lt. brown	purple	lt. brown
P79	5	brown	lt. st.	dk. brown	lt. st.	lt. brown	lt. st
	8	brown	dk. st.	dk. brown	brown	brown	brown
P83	5	rust red	pink st.	dk. red	lt. orange	pink st.	lt. orange
	8	brown	tan	rust red	rust red	beige	rust red
P120	8	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.	n.c.
P157	5	lt. st.	n.c.	lt. st.	n.c.	n.c.	lt. st.
Key to Abbreviations:
lt. = light;
dk. = dark;
st. = stain;
n.c. = no color;
*= colors similar to those reported in the table were also obtained in the absence of enzyme (if no asterisk, no or less color obtained in the absence of enzyme).

[0434]

TABLE 84
Colors Produced on Different Fiber Types by Compound Combinations
Treated with Laccase.
Precursor/
Coupler	pH	Wool	Viscose	Silk	Nylon 6.6	Cotton	Diacetate
P5/P16	5	brown	brown st.	brown	brown	mauve	lt. st.
	8	dk. gold	rust br.	gold	lt. orange	dk. mauve	n.c.
P3/P17	8	gold	lt. brown	brown	mauve	brown	lt. st.
P79/P17	5	maroon	purple st.	maroon	dk. pink	purple	pink
	8	brown	pink st.	maroon	pink	blue	lt. peach
P83/P17	5	brown	purple	dk. brown	gray st.	purple	lt. st.
P5/P28	8	lt. st.	olive	lt. st.	n.c.	olive	n.c.
P19/P28	8	lt. gray	olive	lt. gray	n.c.	olive	lt. st.
P75/P28	8	dk. gray	green	dk. blue	dk. blue	gray	brown
P79/P28	8	dk. gray	lt. blue	dk. blue	blue gray	gray	gray st.
P3/P36	5	dk. gray	lt. st.	dk. purple	brown	lt. st.	gold
	8	gray	lt. st.	dk. mauve	lt. brown	n.c.	yellow
P75/P36	8	dk. gray	lt. gray	black	dk. gray	lt. gray	brown
P3/P37	5	dk.	purple st.	dk. purple	dk. purple	purple st.	purple
		purple
	8	dk.	purple st.	dk. purple	dk. purple	purple st.	purple
		purple
P75/P37	5	dk. blue	lt. st.	dk. blue	purple	lt. st.	purple
	8	purple	lt. st.	purple	purple	lt. st.	purple
P79/P37	5	green	lt. st.	dk. blue	blue	lt. st.	blue
	8	blue	lt. st.	dk. blue	blue	lt. st.	blue
P83/P39	5	red	pink	dk. red	red	pink	pink
	8	dk. red	lt. purple	maroon	dk. pink	lt. purple	pink
P79/P42	5	blue	n.c.	dk. blue	blue	n.c.	n.c.
	8	blue	n.c.	dk. blue	blue	n.c.	n.c.
P79/P43	5	blue	n.c.	dk. blue	blue	n.c.	blue st.
	8	blue	n.c.	dk. blue	blue	n.c.	blue st.
P3/P120	8	gold	n.c.	gold	orange	n.c.	yellow
P79/P157	5	dk. blue	purple st.	dk. blue	lt. purple	purple st.	lt. purple

EXAMPLE 25

[0435] The ability of the enzyme-mediated dyeing system to produce color on a cationic polysaccharide was tested by applying the dyeing system to a chitosan film. Chitosan is a heteropolysaccaride composed mainly of b-(1,4)-2-deoxy-2-amino-D-glucopyranose units and partially of b-(1,4)-2-deoxy-2-acetamido-D-glucopyranose. Under acidic conditions, chitosan acquires a cationic character by virtue of the substituent amino groups along the polymer backbone.

[0436] Transparent, colorless, chitosan film was dyed with 1:1 mole ratio P79/P43 at a total precursor/coupler level of 6% o.w.f.. The dyeing conditions were pH 5; LR 20:1; 90° C. for 45 minutes; with 4 LAMU/mL of Myceliophthora thermophila laccase to produce a blue colored film with the following color coordinates: L* 26.8, a* −1.52, b* −14.9.

EXAMPLE 26

[0437] Multifiber fabric (Style 1, TestFabrics, Inc., Box 26, West Pittsboro, Pa. 18643), containing spun diacetate, bleached cotton, spun polyamide (nylon 6.6), spun silk, spun viscose, and worsted wool, was treated with 10 mM 4-(4′-N,N-di-(2-hydroxyethyl))-phenylazoaniline (P46) as described in Example 26, in the presence and absence of 3.4 LAMU/mL Myceliophthora thermophilia laccase. Swatches were evaluated visually for color. Results are reported in Table 85. Results show that an aromatic diamine type precursor that already has color by virtue of its extended conjugated aromatic system can react in the presence of laccase to produce a different color.

TABLE 85
Color Produced on Different Fiber Types by 4-(4′-N,N-di-
(2-hydroxyethyl))-phenylazoaniline in the Presence and Absence
of Laccase.
Laccase	pH	Wool	Viscose	Silk	Nylon 6.6	Cotton	Diacetate
No	5	orange	yellow	gold	orange	lt. yellow	orange
Yes	5	dk. brown	brown	black	brown	dk. brown	dk. gray
No	8	orange	yellow	gold	orange	lt. yellow	orange
Yes	8	dk. brown	brown	black	brown	dk. brown	black

EXAMPLE 27

[0438] Multifiber fabric (Style 1, TestFabrics, Inc., Box 26, West Pittsboro, Pa. 18643), containing spun diacetate, bleached cotton, spun polyamide (nylon 6.6), spun silk, spun viscose, and worsted wool, was treated with 10 mM 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine sulfate (P74) as described in Example 26, in the presence and absence of 3.4 LAMU/mL Myceliophthora thermophilia laccase. Swatches were evaluated visually for color. Results are reported in Table 86. Results show that laccase can enhance the color forming reaction of compounds that auto-oxidize under the dyeing conditions. In this example, the effect is seen particularly on viscose and cotton.

TABLE 86
Color Produced on Different Fiber Types by
4,4′-Diaminodiphenylamine Sulfate in the Presence and Absence
of Laccase.
Laccase	pH	Wool	Viscose	Silk	Nylon 6.6	Cotton	Diacetate
No	5	purple	purple st.	purple	lt. purple	purple st.	purple
Yes	5	purple	purple	black	purple	dk. purple	purple
No	8	dk. purple	purple st.	dk. purple	dk. purple	purple st.	black
Yes	8	dk. purple	purple	black	black	dk. purple	black

EXAMPLE 28

[0439] The ability of laccase to produce color with a mixture of sulfonated aromatic diamine and sulfonated aminonaphthalene dye intermediates was tested on raw hide leather at pH 5 and 80° C., and compared to the performance without laccase. The enzyme used was Myceliophthora thermophila laccase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201.

[0440] Raw hide leather swatches (10 g) were washed three times in boiling water containing 1% o.w.g. (“on weight of goods”) commercial wetting agent, Intravon FW 75. Sodium acetate buffer (0.1 M, pH 5), Intravon FW75 (1% o.w.g.), and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to 150 mL LOM beakers to give a dyeing liquor ratio of 15:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P182), then pre-wetted leather swatches. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 50/50 mole %. The beakers were rotated in a LOM at 80° C. for 10 minutes. Laccase (0.8 LAMU/mL) was added, and the beakers were rotated for an additional 50 minutes at 80° C. Concentrated formic acid (5% o.w.g.) was added to each beaker, and the beakers were rotated at 80° C. for 30 minutes. Swatches were removed from the dyebaths, rinsed with copious warm water, and air dried. Color was measured as described previously, and is reported in Table 87 as an average of four readings. The initial, untreated color of the raw hide leather was L* 83.7, a* −1.11, and b* 20.4. The results show that laccase treatment produced darker color (lower final L* value) on the leather swatches compared to the no-enzyme control.

TABLE 87
CIEL*a*b* Color Values for Laccase
Treated and Control Leather Swatches.
	Treatment	L*	a*	b*
	Laccase	24.2	1.04	−5.10
	Control	33.8	1.34	−7.48

EXAMPLE 29

[0441] The ability of peroxide alone and peroxide combined with peroxidase to produce color with a mixture of sulfonated aromatic diamine and sulfonated aminonaphthalene dye intermediates was tested on wool at pH 5 and 80° C., and compared to the performance with laccase. The enzymes used were Myceliophthora thermophila laccase and Coprinus cinereus peroxidase obtained from Novo Nordisk A/S (2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The precursor used was 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid (P182) and the coupler used was 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (P43), each obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201. Reagent grade aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution was obtained from Fisher Scientific, Fair Lawn, N.J. 07410.

[0442] Wool swatches (10 g) were pre-wetted for 10 minutes in an aqueous solution containing 1% o.w.f. Intravon FW 75. Sodium acetate buffer (0.1 M, pH 5), and Intratex CWR (2% o.w.f.) were added to 150 mL LOM beakers to give a dyeing liquor ratio of 15:1. The following were added in order: coupler (P43), then precursor (P182), then pre-wetted wool swatches. Laccase (2 LAMU/mL), hydrogen peroxide (15-300 mM) or a combination of peroxidase (3 POXU/mL) and peroxide (15 mM) was added last. The ratio of precursor to coupler was 50/50 mole %. The beakers were capped and run in an Atlas Launder-O-meter (LOM) for 60 minutes at 80° C. Sulfuric acid was added to lower the pH to ˜pH 2, and the beakers were run at 80° C. for 30 minutes. Wool swatches were removed from the dyebaths, squeezed to remove excess dye, transferred to LOM beakers pre-filled to a liquor ratio of 20:1 with 0.1% w/v Intravon NF, and run in a LOM at 40° C. for 15 minutes to post-wash the fabric and remove surface dye. Swatches were then overflow rinsed in a bucket with cold tap water for 15 minutes, squeezed and air dried flat. Depth of color on wool was measured as K/S at 580 nm, and is reported in Table 88. The results show that the deepest color on wool (highest K/S) is obtained with the laccase or peroxidase/peroxide systems. Peroxide alone gave a similar color though a lower depth of shade across a range of peroxide levels. Wash fastness tests gave mixed results, however the laccase-treated sample had much better light fastness (lower dE Light) than the peroxide-only or peroxide/peroxidase treated samples.

TABLE 88
K/S Depth of Shade and Wash and Light
Fastness for Wool Treated with P182/P43 and
Peroxide, Peroxide/Peroxidase, or Laccase.
				dE Light
Enzyme	Peroxide (mM)	K/S at 580 nm	dE Wash	(40 hour)
	15	16.3	—	—
	45	20.9	0.75	3.81
	75	20.2	—	—
	100	21.2	1.78	3.61
	300	11.4	—	—
Peroxidase	15	22.4	1.95	3.20
Laccase	0	23.8	1.68	1.97

[0443] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. In the case of conflict, the present disclosure including definitions will control.

[0444] Various references are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Claims

1. A method for dyeing a material, said method comprising contacting the material with a dyeing system which comprises: (a) a mixture of (i) at least one aromatic diamine and (ii) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a naphthol and an aminonapthalene; and (b) an oxidation system comprising (i) a hydrogen peroxide source and an enzyme exhibiting peroxidase activity or (ii) an enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity on one or more of the compounds of mixture (a), under conditions in which a colored material is produced.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is a fabric, yam, fiber, garment or film made of a material selected from the group consisting of fur, hide, leather, silk, wool, cationic polysaccharide, cotton, diacetate, flax, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, synthetic polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, triacetate, and viscose.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said naphthol is not unsubstituted α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said aromatic diamine is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein either (a) said aromatic diamine is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt or (b) said naphthol is not unsubstituted α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said aromatic diamine is a compound of formula A, said naphthol is a compound of formula B, and said aminonaphthalene is a compound of formula C

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the halogen is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said naphthol is a compound of formula D

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said aromatic diamine is selected from the group consisting of 2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-β-methoxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2-methyl-1,3-diamino-benzene, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,5-Diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminopyridine, 1-N-methylsulfonato-4-aminobenzene, 1-methoxy-2,4-diamino-benzene, 1-ethoxy-2,3-diamino-benzene, 1-β-hydroxyethyloxy-2,4-diamino-benzene, 1,4-Phenylenediamine, 2-Chloro-1,4-phenylenediamine, 1,3-Phenylenediamine, 2,3-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, methyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 2,3-diaminobenzoate, methyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 2,4-diaminobenzoate, methyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 3,4-diaminobenzoate, methyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, ethyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, isopropyl 3,5-diaminobenzoate, N,N-dimethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-diethyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-dipropyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N,N-dibutyl-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid amide, N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, Disperse Black 9, Solvent Brown 1 (CI 11285), 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylamine sulfate, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, Disperse Yellow 9, N-phenyl-1,2-phenylenediamine, 1,2-phenylenediamine, and 4′-aminoacetanilide, and N-phenyl-2-aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, and 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said naphthol is selected from the group consisting of 4-Chloro-1-naphthol, 4-Bromo-1-naphthol, 4-Methoxy-1-naphthol, 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol, 1-Naphthol-3 -sulfonamide, 1-Naphthol-8-sulfonamide, 4,8-Disulfonato-1-naphthol, 3-Sulfonato-6-amino-1-naphthol, 6,8-Disulfonato-2-naphthol, 4,5-Dihydroxynapthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid, 2-Naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Benzoyl J acid, N-Phenyl J acid, Mordant Black 3 (CI 14640), 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-naphthalene disulphonic acid, Acid Black 52 (CI 15711), Palantine Chrome Black 6BN (CI 15705), Eriochrome Blue Black R, Mordant Black 11, Eriochrome Black T, Naphthol Blue Black, Acid Black 1 (CI 20470), Acid Red 176 (CI 1657), Acid Red 29 (CI 16570), Acid Red 14 (CI 14720), and 1-Naphthol-3-sulfonic acid.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said aminonaphthalene is selected from the group consisting of 1-Amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid, 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid, 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, 8-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-Amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-naphthalenedisulphonic acid, 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene, 1,5-Diaminonaphthalene, 1,8-Diaminonaphthalene, 6-Amino-2-naphthol, 3-Amino-2-naphthol, 5-Amino-1-naphthol, Acid Black 1 ( CI 20470), 4-Amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-(p-Toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 1,4-Diamino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5,8-Diamino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the aromatic diamine of (a) (i) is selected from the group consisting of 2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N-β-methoxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, 1-N-methylsulfonato-4-aminobenzene, 1,4-Phenylenediamine, 2,5-Diaminotoluene, 2-Chloro-1,4-phenylenediamine, N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, Disperse Black 9, N,N-Dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, N-phenyl-2-aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, 2,3-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,3-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, and 3,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; and the compound of (a) (ii) is selected from the group consisting of 3-sulfonato-6-amino-1-naphthol, 4,5-Dihydroxynapthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, 2-Amino-8-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, 5-Amino-1-naphthol-3-sulfonic acid, 2-Naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, 1-Amino-8-naphthol-2,4-disulfonic acid, 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Benzoyl J acid, N-Phenyl J acid, 4-Amino-5-hydroxy-2,6-naphthalene disulphonic acid, 1-Amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4,8-disulfonato-1-naphthol, and 6,8-disulfonato-2-naphthol.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the aromatic diamine of (a) (i) is selected from the group consisting of: 1,4-Phenylenediamine, N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, and 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; and the compound of (a) (ii) is selected from the group consisting of: 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Phenyl J acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the aromatic diamine of (a)(i) is selected from the group consisting of: 2,3-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 2,5-diaminobenzoic acid, 4-aminophenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, N-phenyl-2-aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, 2,3-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 2,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, 3,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, and 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid; and the compound of (a)(ii) is selected from the group consisting of: 1-naphthol, 4-chloro-1-naphthol, 4-bromo-1-naphthol, 4-methoxy-1-naphthol, 2-nitro-1-naphthol, 1-naphthol, 1-naphthol-3-sulfonamide, and 1-naphthol-8-sulfonamide.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the enzyme of (b) (ii) is a laccase.

16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the enzyme of (a)(i) is a peroxidase or haloperoxidase.

17. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is contacted simultaneously with (a) and (b).

18. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is contacted first with the compounds of (a), simultaneously or sequentially, and subsequently with the oxidation system of (b).

19. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is contacted first with the oxidation system of (b) and subsequently with the mixture of (a).

20. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is contacted first with said aromatic diamine of (a)(i) and subsequently with a compound of (a)(ii) and the oxidation system of (b).

21. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said material after dyeing exhibits an activation ratio (AR) of at least about 0.25.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein said AR is at least about 1.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein said AR is at least about 2.

24. A dye produced using a method as defined in claim 1.

25. A dyeing kit comprising: (a) at least one aromatic diamine; (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a naphthol and an aminonaphthalene; and (c) an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a peroxidase and a laccase.

26. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein said naphthol is not α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-naphthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene.

27. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein at least one of the compounds of (a)or (b) is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt.

28. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein either (a) said aromatic diamine is substituted with a functional group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, a salt of a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, a sulfonamide, and a quaternary ammonium salt or (b) said naphthol is not unsubstituted α(alpha)-naphthol, halogenated 1-napthol, or an unsubstituted dihydroxynaphthalene.

29. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein said aromatic diamine is selected from the group consisting of: 1,4-Phenylenediamine, N-Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-Diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine-2-sulfonic acid, N-(4′-aminophenyl)aminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid, and 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid.

30. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein said compound of (b) is selected from the group consisting of: 1-Naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, N-Phenyl J acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid.

31. A kit as defined in claim 25, wherein said enzyme is a laccase.