WOOL FATS Flashcards
What is the botanical source of wool fats
Ovis aries L.
Family bovidae
What are the common names
Animal wool
Sheep’s wool
Wool fats
What is the geographical source of wool fats
It can be summarized in the abbreviation RAAIA
Russia
Argentina
America
India
Australia
Define wool fats
Focus on the purified wax like product
Therefore wool fat is the purified wax-like product gotten from the protective covering or fleece of the wool of Ovis aries L. Bovidae
How is wool fats preparaed
Summary of the process is spreading, beating, washing, squeezing, removal of wool grease, drying, losing, carded and spurn to yarn
Characteristics of wool fats
Microscopy of it shows irregular masses of grease and it is usually defatted with chloroform or ether before mounting
It is insoluble in warm hcl and cold conc h2so4
The length and quality of the hair varies, this is why the process of spreading the fleece on a framed wired net is important to separate it based on quality and size
The outermost surface has a cuticle, and wool has an elastic and smooth hair that is slippery to touch
What are the chemical constituents of wool fats
Main constituent is cholesterol greater than equal to 30 percentage
Other constituents are
Isocholesterol
Lanoceric acid
Lanopalmitic acid
What is the chemical nature of raw or crude wool
Based on the properties on crude wool
Wool fibres 31p
Wool sweat or suint composed of potassium salts of fatty acids 32p
Dirt’s and dust
Wool grease or crude lanolin
How is hydrous wool fat produced
By mixing of wool fat with 30p of water
How is the Identification test carried out for wool fat
Based on the presence of cholesterol and soluble
Wool fats are insoluble in water
They are soluble in chloroform and ether with separation of water
For the presence of cholesterol
0.5g of wool fats dissolved in chloroform plus 1ml of acetic anhydride plus few drops of H2SO4 to give a deep green color that indicates the presence of cholesterol
Uses of wool fats
Base for ointment and creams due to emollient prop
Water absorbable ointment base
Crepe bandages and surgical dressings
Filtration and staining
Properties and characteristics of wool fat
Based on water content, physical properties and solubility
Hydrous wool fats or lanolin. 25 to 30p of water
Anhydrous lanolin. Greater than 0.25p of water and should be obtained by dehydration through purification and bleaching
Pale yellow color and characteristic smell
Soluble in chloroform and ether
What is the difference between Hydrous wool fat and Anhydrous wool fat
Hydrous wool fat is the greasy substance obtained from the wool of the sheep. It is used as an emollient base for creams and ointments
Anhydrous wool fats are purified fat-like substances prepared from the wool of sheep. It is used as moisturizers to treat itchy, rough and dry skin
