Studies on Oxidised Wool. I. A Comparison of the Completeness of Oxidation With Peracetic and Performic Acid

Abstract

The oxidation of wool with performic and peracetic acids has been compared by measuring the cysteic acid contents of hydrolysates of the oxidized wool. Whereas virtually complete oxidation takes place with performic acid, the oxidation with peracetic acid is incomplete. Performic acid can also further oxidize the partial oxidation products in wool treated with peracetic acid and it is concluded that performic acid is the more powerful oxidizing agent for wool. For the oxidation of the disulphide bonds prior to the extraction of proteins from wool, performic acid is therefore the better reagent.