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Name: Christina
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: Outside U.S.
Country: Australia
Date: Spring 2012
Question:
I have a sample yellow hair from a ferret. What I want to establish is whether or not the colour in the hair sample is due to pigment granules or just skin oils. How can I do that?

Replies:
1. A moderately high resolution optical microscope could probably resolve pigment particles.

2. Skin oils would probably be soluble in a solvent such as acetone or toluene. Generally pigments are not soluble in organic solvents.

Vince Calder



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