Shahtoosh, the down hair of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), is a kind of luxury fibre famous for its fineness and softness. Commercial poaching of the animal for its fibre has resulted in a dramatic decline in its population. Microscopic analysis is the most frequently used method for distinguishing shahtoosh, while the PCR-based DNA analysis method is a relatively objective approach. Here, we developed an MALDI-TOF-MS-based protein analysis method for shahtoosh fibre identification. Protein in animal fibres was lysed by SDS/dithiothreitol (DTT)/phosphate buffer. SDS-PAGE was employed to separate and purify the targeted protein. The protein in the gel was enzymatically digested by trypsin and then analysed by MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry. A species-specific peptide marker at 2606 m/z was found for shahtoosh identification. A fibre mixture of 5% shahtoosh mixed with cashmere can be detected with this method. Validation experiments with mixed dyed samples confirmed its ability to detect specific qualitative and quantitative markers. We hope that the method can be widely applied to inspections of shahtoosh and its processed products to minimize the illegal trading of shahtoosh.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111341 | DOI Listing |
Sci Justice
May 2022
Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, 147002, India. Electronic address:
Shahtoosh, the most expensive and sought-after wool in the illegal wildlife trade is obtained from the underfur of a critically endangered species-the Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). It is often adulterated or mixed with the wool of Pashmina goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) for making shawls, scarves and other woolen articles to maximize the profit. The comparable fineness, color and texture, makes it a challenging task in wildlife forensics to differentiate them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFForensic Sci Int
July 2022
West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital), Chengdu 610051, China. Electronic address:
Shahtoosh, the down hair of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), is a kind of luxury fibre famous for its fineness and softness. Commercial poaching of the animal for its fibre has resulted in a dramatic decline in its population. Microscopic analysis is the most frequently used method for distinguishing shahtoosh, while the PCR-based DNA analysis method is a relatively objective approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Res Notes
October 2016
Wildlife Forensic and Conservation Genetics Cell, Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box #18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India.
Background: The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), or chiru, is an endangered antelope, distributed in China [Xinjiang, Xizang, Qinghai, Zhuolaihu Lake (Breeding habitat)], and India (Aksai Chin and Ladakh). There is a global demand for the species prized wool, which is used in weaving shahtoosh shawls. Over the years, the population of the Tibetan antelope has drastically declined from more than a million to a few thousand individuals, mainly due to poaching.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Forensic Sci
May 2014
Shanghai Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Shanghai, P.R.C., No. 1208, Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.
Shahtoosh, the down hair of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), is the noblest and most expensive wool in the world. The population of the animal has declined dramatically due to commercial poaching for the fiber. Traditional inspection for detection of shahtoosh has been performed by microscopic analysis.
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