Hydrolyzed Keratin Peptide

Description

Keratin Protein Hydrolyzed

Keratin is the basic building material for most of the vis­ible parts of the body. Both the stratum corneum (of the skin) as well as hair fibers are composed primarily of keratin. Keratin exists naturally as a cross-linked helical structure. It is the cross-linkage that accounts for the strength and extensibility of the individual hair fibers. The cross-linking occurs at disulfide bridges which an­neal adjacent cysteine residues to form cystine, a feature that makes keratin unique amongst structural proteins. The disulfide bonds are the strongest bonds found in the hair and may be manipulated to either straighten or wave (perm) the hair.

Keratin can be hydrolyzed like any other protein and modified thereafter to achieve a variety of different functions. The hydrolysates can be modified to increase their subsantivity similar to quaternized proteins or condensed with fatty acids to alter their surface activity. Further reaction of the condensate with an alkaline material will result in a salt that can be utilized as a mild surfactant.

Produced by a combination of alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysis, Keratin Hydrolysate is an aqueous so­lution with an average molecular weight of approximately 2000 Daltons. Because of its molecular weight, hydro­lyzed keratin does not penetrate the skin or hair, but rather plates out to form tenacious films. This combination of properties makes Keratin Hydrolysate an ideal ingredient where conditioning benefits are desired. The presence of hydrolyzed protein films on hair directly translates to increased shine and improved feel.

Because hydrolyzed proteins exist in solution as colloids, they are capable of interacting with anionic surfactants in such a way to form tightly bound protein-surfactant complexes.

The presence of these complexes in personal care formulations greatly reduces the irritation and defatting potential of the surfactant. With surfactant systems, the film forming properties of Keratin Hydrolysate translates into longer-lasting and more stable foam structures. The addition of Keratin Hydrolysate  to a cosmetic formulation may provide real consumer perceivable benefits such as reduced irritation, conditioning, film-forming and sustained foam capabilities.

SPECIFICATIONS

The above information is for general research purposes only and is not a representation or warranty of any kind. This material is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The user of this material is solely responsible for determining fitness for any particular use; requesting and reviewing the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet; and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Terms and conditions apply