Increase in dye pick‐up of wool caused by the Maillard reaction

Abstract

Glucose molecules may enter into a Maillard reaction with reactive amino groups present in wool, transforming these groups to their N ‐glycoside derivatives. No changes to the physical or mechanical properties of wool fibres following glucose treatment have been observed. However, an increase in the pick‐up of reactive and acid dyes was recorded after wool was pretreated with an aqueous glucose solution.