Peak Pattern
Natural elemental variations generate a characteristic pattern of multiple peaks in a mass spectrum for any given peptide molecular ion. This isotopic distribution reflects the relative abundance of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopes within the protein of the textile fiber. It acts as a unique signature that varies depending on the amino acid sequence of the animal hair.
Identification Precision
High-resolution spectrometers measure these patterns to confirm the chemical formula of peptide markers extracted from wool garments. When the observed isotopic distribution matches the theoretical calculation, the analyst is certain of the peptide identity. This eliminates false positives during the detection of cheap filler fibers in cashmere sweaters.
Adulteration Detection
Because animals raised in different regions eat different diets, their protein fibers can show slight variations in their carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. Testing the isotopic distribution helps trace the geographical origin of expensive wools like cashmere or merino. This prevents factories from blending cheap local wool and passing it off as imported premium material.
The geographical signature is a robust barrier against counterfeiting in the global supply chain, ensuring that protected regional names remain secure.
Technical Verification
Quality managers use these pattern results to audit the declarations of fiber mills. The analysis is performed on bulk raw materials before they are spun into yarn or dyed. This ensures that the original material is authentic and hasn’t been mixed with lower-grade fibers.
