Protease Based Enzyme Preservation of Aso-Oke Fabrics for Theatre and Film
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Date
2026
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Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja.
Abstract
Aso-oke fabric, a handwoven textile indigenous to the southwestern region of Nigeria, is closely associated with Yoruba cultural heritage. Beyond its aesthetic quality, the fabric is valued for its durability, thermal regulation, high moisture absorption capacity, and relatively low flammability, making it particularly suitable for performance environments, especially those depicting epic and cultural narratives. However, its dense weave structure and organic fiber composition render it vulnerable to microbial infestation, odor retention, and gradual degradation under conditions of actors repeated wear, and perspiration in stage and film productions. These challenges necessitate innovative preservation strategies that will maintain the functional integrity and cultural authenticity of the textile. The study investigates the potential of a protease enzyme, Subtilisin, as a sustainable textile treatment for preserving Aso-oke fabric in order to enhance its physical and aesthetic durability for theatre and film costumes. .Controlled laboratory experiments evaluated the effects of the enzymatic treatment on colour retention, surface morphology, microbial load reduction, and structural resilience following repeated simulated usage cycles, using standard textile testing and microbiological analyses. Key findings include a 95.9% reduction in microbial load (from 2.7 × 10⁴ to 1.1 × 10³ CFU/ml), significantly improved colour stability (meanΔE: 2.10 vs. 6.80 in untreated controls; F(1,18) = 284.62, p < 0.001), a 5–8.3% increase intensile strength, and improved surface morphology scores (4.30 vs. 2.10 for treated and untreated samples, respectively). Visual and tactile assessments by experienced costume professionals further confirmed superior performance in color vibrancy (9.2/10), softness(8.8/10), and ease of drape (9.0/10). The findings indicate that protease-based enzymatic finishing represents a viable, environmentally sustainable approach to preserving indigenous textiles for costume management in the Performing arts.
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Keywords
Enzymatic Preservation, Aso-oke Fabric, Theatre, Film, Subtilisin Protease
Citation
Shuaib, S.O. (2026): Protease Based Enzyme Preservation of Aso-Oke Fabrics for Theatre and Film. African Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences. 6(1) Published by Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja.