Extraction of wool keratin by mercaptoethanol-reduction method

摘要

Extraction of wool keratin by mercaptoethanolreduction method (MERM) was investigated. The effect of concentration of mercaptoethanol (CM) on dissolution ratio of wool was examined. The mean molecular weight of keratin after dissolving was measured by a Mass Spectrometer. The results show that further dissolution did not occur while the CM concentration of solvent system exceeding a certain value. The reaction temperature was an important factor that influencing wool dissolution by MERM, and the dissolution ratio of wool was increased as the reaction temperature rising, meanwhile macromolecule chains of keratin were over-decomposed. The MERM is capable of dissolving wool without over-decomposition to macromolecular chain of keratin when the appropriate temperature is applied.