Mass Spectrometry Proteomic Profiling for Fine Animal Fiber Verification
LC-MS/MS proteomic profiling quantifies species-specific keratin peptide markers, bypassing optical scale damage to verify fine animal fiber purity.
Mass Spectrometry Proteomic Profiling
Analytical Strategy
Comprehensive mapping of the protein content in a textile sample identifies the animal species used in the fiber blend. Mass spectrometry proteomic profiling works by breaking down the keratin fibers into peptides and measuring their unique mass signatures. This technique provides a detailed look at the molecular makeup of a garment.
It is used to verify luxury claims for cashmere and mohair products.
Spectrometric Scan
High energy beams ionize the peptide fragments so they can be sorted by their weight and charge. During mass spectrometry proteomic profiling, the instrument creates a spectrum that shows the abundance of different proteins. These patterns are compared to a library of reference fibers.
The result is a definitive list of the animals present in the fabric.
Peptide Mapping
Identifying specific sequences of amino acids confirms the presence of certain fiber types. In mass spectrometry proteomic profiling, the focus is on markers that do not change during textile processing. This makes the method reliable for testing finished and dyed goods.
It can even distinguish between different breeds of the same species.
Fiber Purity
Quantifying the ratio of the detected proteins allows for the calculation of the total fiber composition. This level of detail in mass spectrometry proteomic profiling helps brands identify adulteration in their supply chain. If a pure cashmere claim is made, the profile should show no wool markers.
This protects the value of high end textile products.