Characterization of Proteinaceous Contaminants Extracted from Scoured Wool and Wool Top

Abstract

This study presents a combination of methods by which the proteinaceous contam inants (PC) removed from scoured wool and wool top are characterized. The com ponent analysis of PC reveals that keratinized skin proteins (stratum corneum) are mainly present on industrially scoured wool. The composition of PC on scoured wool is different from that on raw wool, indicating different mechanisms of removal for the PC components (skin flakes and stratum corneum). The proteinaceous material re moved from wool tops with a low brightness consists mainly of skin flakes. The results suggest that these skin flakes serve as an adsorption matrix for fine mineral dirt. By the methods presented in this study, it is possible to distinguish between PC components and cuticle removed from wool and to evaluate the importance of PC in relation to the properties of scoured wool and wool tops.