Chronuum-induced molecular assemblies and long range ordering in collagenous tissues: A conceptual insight into chromium tanning.

摘要

A molecular insight into the mechanism of stabilisation of collagen against the action of collagenase and wet heat leading to tanning has been gained. The variations in the extent of stabilisation of collagen with the nature of the molecular spocies of chromium(lll) have been demonstrated experimentally. A case has been made to conceive tanning as emerging from an increase in long-range order and chromium(lll)-induced molecular assembly of collagen.