Studies on the Depilatory Activity of Sodium Sulphide and Some Related Compounds

Abstract

The depilatory action of sodium sulphide on sheepskin has been investigated by measuring the pull required to remove wool from skin, the swelling of wool root shafts, and the mechanical strength of wool. The rate of action is augmented by increase in temperature, pH value, and concentration of sulphide in the solution employed up to 1.0M, but is reduced by increase to higher concentrations. The reciprocal action of the hydroxyl and hydrosulphide ions in digesting keratin is explained in Appendix I in terms of the ionization of sulphydryl groups.