Oscillation Measurement
Electrostatic trapping measures the oscillation frequencies of ions moving around a central spindle to calculate their precise mass-to-charge ratios. The orbitrap mass analyzer utilizes this technique to generate ultra-high-resolution mass spectra of complex protein mixtures. This design allows for the detection of tiny differences in the mass of peptide molecules.
High Resolution
This system is particularly useful when analyzing animal fibers because the proteins in cashmere, mohair, and sheep wool have highly similar amino acid sequences. Using an orbitrap mass analyzer provides the precision needed to separate peptides that differ by only a fraction of a dalton. This capability eliminates the risk of misidentifying fibers that have similar chemical compositions, ensuring that each wool type is correctly identified even when the fabric has undergone intensive industrial dyeing.
Wool Verification
Spinning mills and garment brands rely on data from these instruments to certify the purity of their premium yarn. The high accuracy of the mass measurements ensures that even minor additions of adulterating sheep wool are detected and quantified. This prevents suppliers from passing off blended fabrics as pure luxury garments.
Analytical Quality
Running samples on this analyzer reduces the need for lengthy chemical preparation steps. The system delivers clear results from small, heavily processed fabric scraps, making it a valuable tool for modern textile laboratories. This advanced analysis helps maintain high standards of authenticity in the fashion industry.
