2002 Annual Report 4.What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? D. Progress Report: This report documents research conducted under a Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the American Sheep Industry Association. Additional details of this research can be found in the report for 1935-41440-011-00D, entitled Biocatalytic Methods for the Processing of Hides, Leather and Wool. The cuticle, a layer of scales that surround the wool fiber on its surface and stiffen the fiber, causes a prickly sensation that consumers find undesirable. Cuticular alteration can impart favorable handle to wool fabric, diminish prickle, and convey shrink resistance. Traditional methods of cuticular alteration, however, use chemicals of environmental concern. In cooperation with Novozyme North America, the effects on cuticle structure of treatment with Novozyme commercial enzymes and an enzyme extracted from a fungus that ARS scientists found growing on wool were compared. The cuticular layer of wool's scales was altered by each of the enzymes studied. Although the extent of the alterations and the characteristics of the resulting fibers varied, the observable effects hold promise for enzymatic treatments as alternatives to conventional scale alteration by chlorination. In cooperation with Novozyme, ARS scientists are working to modify a patented Novozyme North America enzymatic system for scale alteration that incorporates an organic solvent system. Textile mills do not favor organic media for processing. Thus we are developing a formulated water system to replace the organic medium system. The success of this work will enable producers of domestic woolen textiles to satisfy the consumer's desire for a more comfortable product in an environmentally benign way.