Gentle process for conversion of cystine in keratin-containing materials to lanthionine
Useful materials are produced from keratin containing raw materials by a process that includes gentle lanthionization of cystine disulfide bonds. Hydratable materials are produced for use in medical and cosmetic applications.
1. A bandage comprising a layer of dried, lanthionized, ion-exchanged keratin material.
2. The bandage of claim 1 comprising a layer of cotton gauze and a layer of dried, lanthionized, ion-exchanged keratin material.
3. The bandage of claim 2 , comprising a second layer of cotton gauze.
4. The bandage of any of claims 1 - 3 , further comprising a backing material.
5. The bandage of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the keratin material is oxidized.
6. A method of producing a hydratable keratin material comprising:
(a) incubating a keratin protein material in a solution of 1.5% KOH in an alcohol or aprotic solvent at a temperature of 20-30° C. for a time of about 18-24 hours and removing the solvent to obtain a lanthionized keratin protein material; and
(b) incubating the lanthionized keratin protein material in a solution of 0.1M NH 4 OH for a period of about 8-12 hours and drying the keratin protein material to obtain a hydratable keratin protein material.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the keratin protein material is produced by isolating water insoluble keratin proteins from a keratin raw material.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising incubating the keratin protein material in a solution of 2% H 2 O 2 at 100° C. for 1.5 hours.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the incubation in 2% H 2 O 2 is done prior to step (a).