Biodeterioration of wool during storage

Abstract The physical and chemical parameters influencing the biodegradation of scoured wool and wool/synthetic fibre blends after oiling (woollen spinning) were studied. Under favourable temperature and humidity conditions, more than 10 4 viable bacteria and 10 3 fungi g −1 of wool develop and may cause biodeterioration. Strains that have a proteolytic activity were isolated, and some that could induce deamination after proteolysis. Yellowing of wool occurred when ammonia was released by deamination of amino acids. We have studied methods to suppress biodeterioration and developed simple tests to detect microbial growth during storage. Software that calculates risky conditions of blends storage has also been developed.