Microbiological Degradation of Wool

Abstract

Approximately 100 species of bacteria, Streptomycetes and fungi were tested for ability to decompose wool. A medium containing casein hydrolysate, glucose, yeast extract and minerals was used. The wool was prepared and sterilized by procedures designed to avoid denaturation. The course of the pH during incubation and the occurrence of protease in the culture medium was determined for 40 species. Isolates from widely differing orders in the 3 major groups of disintegrated wool suggesting that the ability to decompose keratin may be a necessary but not the only condition for pathogenicity, and alkalinity is necessary for microbiological degradation of keratins. This suggests that cultural conditions may govern the capacity to decompose keratin. Some difficulties of interpreting data from in vitro systems are discussed in relation to natural saprophytism and parasitism of keratinous tissues.