SO-CALLED ODOR ELIMINATORS 245 welchem Mechanismus sich die Beseitigung vollzieht. Die •iut•erst schwierigen infrarotspektr0skopischen Untersuchungen zum Nachweis chemischer Bindun- gen geben in keinem Fall einen Hinweis auf Moleki/1-, Ionen- oder Wasser- stoffbriickenbindungen. Mit Versuchen, bei denen die Einwirkung der Ge- ruchsvernichter auf die gasf Srmigen Geruchsstoffe in Form eines Aerosols er- folgte, wurde der Praxis bei Anwendung eines Raumsprays entsprochen. Die Abnahme der Geruchsstoffkonzentration in der Gasphase nach Anwendung yon Geruchsvernichtern und bestimmten L Ssungsmitteln wurde gas-chroma- tisch quantitativ bestimmt. Hierbei ergab sich, daft Selektivit•it der sogenann- ten Geruchsvernichter fiir ,,schlechte Ger6che" nicht besteht, die Geruchsminde- rung auf rein physikalischer L Ssung, also auf einem Auswascheffekt beruht, reit bestimmten L•Ssungsmitteln dieselben Effekte erzielt werden k Snnen und geringfiigig sfiirkere Konzentrationsabnahmen der Geruchsstoffe durch Film- bildner erfolgt, weil sie vermutlich sowohl schwebende Tr Spfchen als auch Gravitationsniederschl•,ige umhiillen und dadurch die Geruchsstoff-Molek[ile fixieren. LITERATUR (1) Lowicki, N., Sidillo, M., und Neunhoeffer, O., oeette, $eifen, Anstrichmitte! 75, 64? (1973) 76, 136 (1974) Kosmetika 1, 45 (1973). (2) Paukner, E., ]. $oc. Cosmetic Chemists 21,801 (1970). (3) Firmenprospekte: Dibutenate, Ecology Systems, Inc., Tokyo 154 Neutrolair gem•ifi USP. 3 074 891, 30 892, 3 077 45?. (4) Glidemeister, E., und Hoffmann, Fr., Herausgeber W. Treibs und D. Merkel, Die •ithe- rischen Ole, 4. Aufiage, Akademle-Verlag Berlin 1966, Bd. III d, p. 482. (5) DOS 1 792 074 (Gr{llo-Werke AD, D-41 Duisburg). (6) USP. 2 544 093 (Chemag, Chemlkalien AG, D-6 Frank{urt/M). (7) Le Khac-Man, Aerosol l•ep. 10, 64 (1971).

1. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 26, 247-254 (May 1975) Isolation and Identification of the Protein Component of Hair Melanin KATHLEEN HALL, B.Sc. and LESZEK J. WOLFRAM, Ph.D.* Synopsis-ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDIES have previously revealed that, in the MELANOCYTE, granules appear to exist in varying stages of development. They represent preliminary synthesis of NONMELANIZED GRANULES and are com- posed of coiled protein filaments or membranes. This protein matrix serves as a substrate for subsequent deposition of the melanin polymer and thus becomes totally encapsulated by the pigqnent. Upon reaching complete melanization, the granules appear uniformly dense, and no internal structure can be resolved by conventional techniques. Previous attempts to identify the MELANO-PROTEIN have been hindered by the chemical inertness of the melanin capsule. A technique for solubilizing the melanin was found and provides a facile method of isolating the protein moiety present in the pigment granule. The chemical composition of this protein has also been determined. I. INTRODUCTION The site of melanin formation in vertebrates is the melanocyte. This is a specialized, distinctive cell characterized by two or more dendritic processes and usually located in a region adjacent to the developing cells endowed with the function of pigment transfer. In the case •of hair follicles, the melanocytes are normally found dispersed among the rapidly dividing cortical cells of the hair bulb at the apex of a small cavity known as the dermal papilla. Pigment granules formed in these melanocytes are transferred to the cortical cells of the forming hair, and during the process of extrusion and keratinization the melanin pigment becomes aligned to the axis of the fiber. The fine structure of both melanocytes and melanosomes has attracted much attention. The pioneering work of Birbeck (1), Drochmans (2), and Moyer (3) has demonstrated the developmental changes in the elaboration of black pigment granules. Two main successive steps in the formation of a ,Gilld•te Company, Personal 'Care Division, Boston, Mass. 02106. 247