Wool Volatiles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the dominant compounds which contribute to the odor of wool treated by a registered WRONZ scouring procedure, and to propose an appropriate treatment to minimize, neutralize or cover any unpleasant smell of scoured wool. The major organic and sulfur volatile compounds, released from scoured wool have been identified under dry and humid conditions in the range of 20° to 40°C. Their releases increased with rises in temperature and humidity in favor of more odorous compounds. An analytical approach has been developed using the combination of gas chromatography with computerized mass spectrometry, gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection coupled with solid phase micro extraction as a sampling method for wool odourants. Also, a laboratory scouring vessel was constructed to conduct the registered scouring procedure under pilot plant conditions in order to investigate the origin and the mechanism of released wool volatiles during the scouring process. The data obtained indicated that the most dominant wool volatiles originated from wool proteins and residual wool wax. A proposed mechanism of their formation is based on free radical reactions. These findings suggested the application of suitable antioxidants in order to minimize and suppress the release of wool volatiles-both during and after scouring.