Physicochemical Analysis, Elemental and Amino Acid Composition of Wool and Silk

The ash content of wool and silk was determined by burning the corresponding samples. The elemental composition of wool and silk was determined by ICP-mass spectral analysis, 26 macro- and microelements were found. Phosphorus has the maximum content in wool and silk samples, magnesium has the minimum content for wool, and potassium for silk. Chromato-mass spectrometry revealed 17 amino acids in wool and silk samples. Wool is characterized by a high content of phenylalanine, glycine, tyrosine, while silk is characterized by a high content of serine, glycine and threonine. Wool and silk proteins are also balanced in terms of nonessential amino acids. The analysis of the obtained IR spectra of proteins from wool and silk is carried out, absorption bands for the corresponding groups are marked. The corresponding vibrations of the amino groups of the carbonyl group are shown, which have an essential role in the structure of proteins.