Confocal Laser Raman Microprobe Studies of Keratin Fibers

Abstract

A laser-based Raman microprobe/confocal microscope has been used to provide structural information on the constituent proteins in several keratins including wool, human hair, and feathers. Depth-profiling studies have revealed differences between the outer (cuticle) and inner ( cortex ) regions of human hair fibers with respect to the molecular orientation and chemical composition of the constituent proteins. Raman microprobe measurements are applied to the identification and distribution analysis of textile auxiliaries on wool fibers. The advantages and utility of the Raman micro probe technique for investigating single textile fibers are also discussed.