| abstract |
A polypeptide extract is obtained by treating animal fibre with a protease and a reducing agent. The polypeptide extract is applied to wool, which has preferably been scoured with an alkali carbonate. Preferably the animal fibre is wool, the reducing agent is sodium sulphite or sodium hydrosulphite, the enzyme is serine-type protease. The polypeptide is preferably denatured. Preferably the treated wool is cross-linked with glycerol diglycidyl ether, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride or 1,4-butandiol diglycidyl ether. The treated wool can be used in machine washable, woven or knitted garments. |