Distribution of Cystine in the Cortex of Wool

Abstract

The paracortex (more stable fraction) of the wool fiber, as isolated by enzymatic digestion of partially supercontracted fibers, contains considerably more cystine than the orthocortex (less stable fraction). This preponderance of cystine on one side of the fiber has also been demon strated by means of a histochemical method involving the deposition of metallic sulfides. Experiments have been carried out which indicate that the ( A + B)—or more reactive- fraction of the cystine reported by other investigators occurs predominantly on the orthocortical side of the fiber.