Cashmere/yak blends: A vexing analytical problem

In order to address shortcomings in the microscopic techniques based on Scanning Electron in analyzing cashmere/yak blends, a method was developed as alternative and corroborating methods to the microscopy of individual fiber snippets. Two well-investigated representatives of this type of method are protein and DNA-analysis. Protein analysis of animal hair through the combination of animal hair through the combination with mass spectrometry has been developed into a highly sensitive and versatile tool. However, when applied in practice, they tend to fail due to the application of a bulk method is based on fibrous components with well-known properties. Bulk methods currently in practice is only useful to corroborate microscopic findings. In addition, such analysis are expensive, hence, are limited in use.