MODELING TECHNOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR BREAKDOWN OF WASTE SHEEP WOOL

The contribution deals with hydrolytic processing of sheep wool in two stages (alkaline pre-processing and enzymatic hydrolysis) into keratin hydrolysate. Employed proteolytic enzymes were Esperase 6.0 T and Everlase 6.0 T. Modeling technological conditions for breakdown proceeded applying the method of factor tests of 2 3 type, in which factors under study were additions of Ca(OH) 2 (3-9 %, w/w), temperatures in first processing stage (40-80 o C) and temperatures in second processing stage (40-60 o C) influencing quantity of broken down wool (determined through gravimetric analysis). When using enzyme Esperase 6.0 T quantities of broken down wool were 8.4-59.2 % wool; with enzyme Everlase 6.0 T 4.7-39.6 % wool (depending on conditions of hydrolysis). Results were statistically processed and statistic significance of factors under study was analyzed. Results of sheep wool breakdown presented graphically in contour charts indicate the influence of two most significant factors with a selected level of third factor and show the possibility to model breakdown conditions in such manner that keratin hydrolysate of required properties is obtained.