Peptide Profiling Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Animal Fibers.

Identification of fibers for verification of their specific animal origin is necessary for maintaining quality and value in the clothing industry. In order to examine adulteration in animal fibers, there is a commercially accepted method of microscopy analysis. However, this method is subjective and time-consuming due to its reliance on an operator identifying magnified fibers from their scale image and other features. Therefore, alternative reliable identification methods are required. In this study, peptide analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) is presented and used to distinguish between cashmere, wool, mohair, yak, camel, angora, and alpaca in untreated and treated fibers (dyed, chlorinated wool). Typical m/z values for each specific type of animal fiber were identified. Predictive models that could identify seven types of animal fibers as well as 50% blended samples were successfully constructed using multivariate analyses such as PCA and PLS regression. This technique is therefore extremely useful for complementing the conventional tests for detecting adulteration in animal fiber fabrics and clothing.