Biopolymer materials
Molded articles of pure keratin protein, keratin copolymers or crosslinked keratin proteins are produced from a wetted protein powder by application of compression and optionally heat. Stabile materials can be molded or machined.
1. A process for producing an article of manufacture comprising;
subjecting is keratin source to chemical fractionation effective to break cystine-cystine bonds to obtain a solution of substantially intact keratin fractions;
filtering the solution of keratin fractions and retaining the soluble portion;
acidifying the soluble portion to obtain an acidified keratin fraction;
drying the acidified keratin fraction to obtain a dry powder keratin preparation;
hydrating the dry powder keratin preparation at a ratio of water to keratin of 1-4 to achieve a water hydrated keratin protein preparation; and
applying pressure and optionally heat to the hydrated keratin protein preparation sufficient to reach the glass transition state of the keratin protein preparation to obtain a shapeable or moldable keratin material for an article of manufacture.
2. The process of claim 1 , including confining the keratin protein preparation in a mold to produce a molded article.
3. The process of claim 1 , including extruding the keratin protein preparation.
4. The process of claim 3 , further comprising shaping the extruded product.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is subject to a pressure from about 3 MPa to about 700 MPa.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is subject to a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 170° C.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially a single protein fraction.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially intermediate filament protein.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially high sulfur protein.
10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially high glycine, high tyrosine protein.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially sulfonated.
12. The process claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially oxidized.
13. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is substantially reduced.
14. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is treated with a cross-linker or an acid before compression.
15. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is treated with a cross-linker or acid after compression.
16. The process of claim 1 , wherein the keratin protein preparation is plasticized.