Development of a DNA-Analytical Method for the Identification of Animal Hair Fibers in Textiles

In 2009, researchers developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA analysis method to identify different types of animal hair fibers in textiles, addressing the issue of market adulteration and false labeling of luxury fibers like cashmere. The study found the CTAB-chloroform-isopropanol procedure to be the most effective for DNA extraction, suitable for PCR analysis. The new PCR technique proved to be sensitive and specific for detecting goat, sheep, yak, and camel hair fibers in both raw and processed textiles, with a detection limit of about 3% admixture. However, the sensitivity varied with the processing condition and species, and DNA from dyed fibers was only detectable for goat and Bactrian camel. The method was validated according to DIN ISO 17025:2005 and offered a quick and reliable alternative to traditional methods like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which was subjective and less reliable. The study aimed for further optimization to improve sensitivity and establish quantitative analysis, noting that PCR and SEM could complement each other in fiber analysis.