Textile and Other Industrial Applications of Keratin Biomaterial

Abstract:

Keratin is a fibrous protein available in hair, nails, horn, hoofs, wool, hair, feathers and epithelial cells

in the outermost layers of skin. It is subdivided into alpha-keratins and beta-keratins, based on the

structure of polypeptide chains. Keratin can be extracted by several methods viz., chemical hydrolysis,

enzymatic and microbial treatment, dissolution in ionic liquids, microwave process, steam explosion,

and thermal hydrolysis. It is a natural protein polymeric biomaterial and has been used in the fields of

textile fibre, textile finishing & auxiliaries, film, hydrogel, sponges and scaffolds, and cosmetics. The

underutilized coarser and waste wool, and other hair fibres can be used for extraction of keratin, while

addressing the sustainable management of such bio-wastes. Keratin biomaterial has many advantages

over the conventional biomolecules, namely unique chemistry due to its high sulphur content, notable

biocompatibility, propensity for self-assembly, and intrinsic cellular recognition. Keratin polymer-based

biofibres are strong and elastic, and have requisite moisture wicking properties, making them a new class

of material for textile application. Substrates developed using keratin and blends show hypoallergenic and

antimicrobial properties, making them a preferred a choice for clothing and other applications. Properties

of paper produced from the feather fibre and wood pulp were compared with the hand-sheets, made

of 100% wood pulp. This paper reviews the characteristic of keratin biomaterial, its extraction process

and different end applications.