Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Protein gels prepared by keratin extracted from chicken feathers show potential applications as engineered materials. Feathers are an abundant waste material, whose principal component is keratin, which may have gelling properties not yet sufficiently studied so far which are strongly dependent on the extraction method adopted. The aim of the study is to explore the properties of gels obtained through mercaptoethanol extraction and dialysis process and to evaluate their structural characteristics. The keratin hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy through which it was possible to identify the secondary structure of the protein on hydrated and dry gel. Moreover, the morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with the rheological analysis showed how the consistency of the gels is maintained on a wide range of loads and frequencies. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the gels was investigated for the release of subcutaneous drugs using curcumin, an antioxidant polyphenol compound. The fastest release was obtained at pH 7.4, corresponding to physiological conditions.
DOI: 10.1002/pat.6605
Authors: Sara Mattiello, Alessandro Guzzini, Diego Romano Perinelli, Giulia Bonacucina, Roberto Gunnella, Giulio Lupidi, Carlo Santulli
Institution: Università di Camerino
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4403404750