Low protein percentage gelling compositions
Described herein are low protein concentration gelling compositions comprising keratin proteins.
1. A composition comprising keratose, kerateine or a combination thereof, wherein said composition forms a hydrogel at a protein concentration of less than 20%,
wherein said keratose, kerateine or combination thereof is prepared by a method including dialyzing said keratose, kerateine or combination thereof at a transmembrane pressure of from about 30 psi to about 70 psi, and
wherein said hydrogel exhibits a dynamic complex viscosity of at least 113.9 Pascals as measured at 25.degree. Celsius at a frequency of 1 Hertz.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said composition is substantially free of gamma-keratose or gamma-kerateine.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said composition is substantially free of biomaterial adjuncts or crosslinking agents.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said protein concentration is 15% or less.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said protein concentration is 10% or less.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said hydrogel is formed between about 25° C. and about 37° C.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said hydrogel is stable at about 25° C. to about 37° C.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein total protein in said hydrogel comprises at least 90% or more keratose.
9. The composition of claim 8 , wherein said hydrogel is substantially free of kerateine.
10. The composition of claim 8 , wherein said hydrogel is substantially free of disulfide bonds.
11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein total protein in said hydrogel comprises at least 90% or more kerateine.
12. The composition of claim 10 , wherein said hydrogel is substantially free of keratose.
13. The composition of any of claim 1 , wherein said keratose, kerateine or combination thereof is derived from a human keratin source.
14. The composition of claim 13 , wherein said human keratin source is hair.
15. A method of forming a hydrogel comprising:
a. providing keratose, kerateine, or a combination thereof, at a concentration of less than 20% weight to volume in an aqueous medium;
b. mixing said keratose, kerateine, or a combination thereof in said aqueous medium; and
c. allowing the hydrogel to form;
wherein said keratose, keratein or combination thereof have been previously subjected to dialysis at a transmembrane pressure of from about 30 psi to about 70 psi.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said keratose, kerateine, or a combination thereof have previously been lyophilized.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein said keratose, kerateine or combination thereof have been previously subjected to dialysis.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein said keratose, kerateine or a combination thereof is provided as a ground protein powder.
19. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said transmembrane pressure is from about 30 psi to about 40 psi.
20. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said transmembrane pressure is from about 60 psi to about 70 psi.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein said dialysis is carried out at a transmembrane pressure of from about 30 psi to about 70 psi.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein said dialysis is carried out at a transmembrane pressure of from about 30 psi to about 40 psi.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein said dialysis is carried out at a transmembrane pressure of from about 60 psi to about 70 psi.
24. The method of claim 17 , wherein said dialysis is carried out at a temperature of from about 4° C. to about 20° C.
25. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said dialysis is carried out at a temperature of from about 4° C. to about 20° C.