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Abstract

This study shows that using a combination of physical and chemical approaches, wool fiber can be systematically broken down to its constituent components. From this it was possible to investigate the antibacterial nature of wool and its two major subcomponents, the cuticle scales and cortical cells. Wool and its constituent components were subjected to two methods of antibacterial testing, with excess and limited amounts of liquid. From this it was shown that the presence of excess water has a significant impact on the antibacterial properties of the wool fiber and its components. Furthermore, the study shows that on treatment with thioglycolic acid, which cleaves disulfide bonds, the fibers exhibit antibacterial activity.

Keywords

antibacterial keratin formic acid wool fibre

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An investigation into the possible antibacterial properties of wool fibers

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