Investigation of the Alkaline Modification of Wool Using New Analytical Methods for the Determination of Degradation

In order to meet the requirements for brilliant colours and high wet fastness, the cotton component of wool/cotton blends is often dyed with reactive dyes under strongly alkaline conditions. A modified enzymatic method has been used to determine dehydroalanine residues formed in wool during commercial dyeing treatments. Reaction mechanisms of cystine degradation have been studied on the basis of the amounts of dehydroalanine present. Hydrogen sulphide could be determined quantitatively in wool and in dyebaths using an improved method that minimises further cystine degradation and hydrogen sulphide oxidation.