Water absorbent keratin and gel formed therefrom
US6316598A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S530/842
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.