INSOLUBLE REDUCED PROTEIN DERIVED FROM ANIMAL CUTICULAR CELL, ITS PRODUCTION AND MOLDED ARTICLE REDUCED PROTEIN DERIVED FROM CUTICULAR CELL AS RAW MATERIAL

摘要

PURPOSE: To effectively use a protein derived from a cuticular cell of body hair of higher animal such as human hair, animal hair or feather. ;CONSTITUTION: Body hair of higher animal such as human hair, animal hair or feather is reduced with a reducing agent in the presence of a protein modifier in an aqueous medium, a soluble part is removed, the prepared insoluble part is washed with water and a water-soluble substance remaining in the insoluble part is removed to produce an insoluble reduced protein derived from an animal cuticular cell containing 2-20 cysteine residues based on 100 amino acids. Since the insoluble reduced protein derived from the animal cuticular cell has active thiol group, forms disulfide bond by oxidation and is polymerized, a molded article of polymer such as film, sheet, capsule, sponge or tube can be prepared by using the insoluble reduced protein as a raw material. The molded article of polymer has biodegradability and is useful for protecting a natural environment.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1994,JPO