Patent Application
20080004423
The invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying Drawings in which:
The hard alpha keratin proteins such as those derived from human hair, wool, animal fibres, horns, hooves or other mammalian sources, can be classified into particular components according to their biochemical properties, specifically their molecular weight and amino acid composition. Table 1 illustrates the amino acid composition determined by conventional analytical methods of typical keratin protein fractions known in the art and also the subject of this invention. This involves acid hydrolysis of the analyte which converts all cystine and labile cysteine derivatives to cysteine, typically recorded as half-cysteine.
Table 1 illustrates an amino acid composition of keratin fractions: S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein (SIFP), peptides derived from S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein (SIFP-pep), S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein (SHSP), peptides derived from S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein (SHSP-pep), S-sulfonated keratin peptide (SPEP) as used in the invention. Intermediate filament protein (IFP), high sulfur protein (HSP), high glycine-tyrosine protein (HGTP) and whole wool courtesy of Gillespie and Marshall, Variability in the proteins of wool and hair, Proc. Sixth Int. Wool Text. Res. Conf., Pretoria, 2, 67-77, 1980. All residues expressed as mol %. S-sulfocysteine, cystine and cysteine are measured as S-carboxymethyl cysteine following reduction and alkylation, and reported as cys.
Table 2 illustrates the molecular weight determined by conventional analytical methods of typical keratin protein fractions known in the art and also the subject of this invention. Conventional analysis involves cleavage of cystine bonds within the keratin using reduction so that the protein mass is determined in its native, uncrosslinked state, most similar to the unkeratinised state of the protein. Mass is determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the case of the peptide SPEP mass is determined using mass spectrometry. Using these methods the keratin is made soluble without any hydrolysis of peptide bonds and an accurate measure of molecular weight is determined.
Table 2: Molecular weight of keratin fractions: S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein (SIFP), peptides derived from S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein (SIFP-pep), S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein (SHSP), peptides derived from S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein (SHSP-pep), S-sulfonated keratin peptide (SPEP) as used in the invention. Intermediate filament protein (IFS), high sulfur protein (HSP) high glycine-tyrosine protein (HGTP) and whole wool courtesy of Gillespie and Marshall, Variability in the proteins of wool and hair, Proc. Sixth Int. Wool Text. Res. Conf., Pretoria, 2, 67-77, 1980.
Both amino acid composition and molecular weight varies across keratin types, between species and also within breeds of one species, for example between wools from different breeds of sheep. The figures given in tables 1 and 2 are indicative for the keratin source stated. However, individual types of keratin proteins, or keratin protein fractions, have distinctive characteristics, particularly molecular weight and amino acid content.
The subject of the invention is materials containing intact S-sulfonated keratin protein fractions. “Intact” refers to proteins that have not been significantly hydrolysed, with hydrolysis being defined as the cleavage of bonds through the addition of water. Gillespie (Biochemistry and physiology of the skin, vol 1, Ed. Goldsmith Oxford University Press, London, 1983, pp 475-510) considers “intact” to refer to proteins in the keratinized polymeric state and further refers to polypeptide subunits which complex to form intact keratins in wool and hair. For the purpose of this invention “intact” refers to the polypeptide subunits described by Gillespie. These are equivalent to the keratin proteins in their native form without the disulfide crosslinks formed through the process of keratinisation.
Keratin protein fractions are distinct groups from within the keratin protein family, such as the intermediate filament proteins, the high sulfur proteins or the high glycine-tyrosine proteins well known in the art. Intermediate filament proteins are described in detail by Orwin et al (Structure and Biochemistry of Mammalian Hard Keratin, Electron Microscopy Reviews, 4, 47, 1991) and also referred to as low sulphur proteins by Gilliespie (Biochemistry and physiology of the skin, vol 1, Ed. Goldsmith Oxford University Press, London, 1983, pp 475-510). Key characteristics of this protein family are molecular weight in the range 40-60 kD and a cysteine content (measured as half cystine) of around 4%. The high sulfur protein family are also well described by Orwin and Gillispie in the same publications. This protein family has a large degree of heterogeity but can be characteristed as having a molecular weight in the range 10-30 kD and a cysteine content of greater than 10%. The subset of this family, the ultra high sulfur proteins can have a cysteine content of up to 34%. The high glycine-tryosine protein family are also well described by Orwin and Gillespie in the same publications. This family is also referred to as the high tryrosine proteins and has characteristics of a molecular weight less than 10 kD, a tyrosine content typically greater than 10% and a glycine content typically greater than 20%.
For the purpose of this invention a “keratin protein fraction” is a purified form of keratin that contains predominantly, although not entirely, one distinct protein group as described above. In the context of this invention S-Sulfonated keratins have cysteine/cystine present predominantly in the form S-sulfocysteine, commonly known as the Bunte salt. This highly polar group imparts a degree of solubility to proteins. Whilst being stable in solution, the S-sulfo group is a labile cysteine derivative, highly reactive towards thiols, such as cysteine, and other reducing agents. Reaction with reducing agents leads to conversion of the S-sulfo cysteine group back to cysteine. S-sulfo cysteine is chemically different to cysteic acid, although both groups contain the SO3− group. Cysteic acid is produced irreversibly by the oxidation of cysteine or cystine and once formed cannot form disulfide crosslinks back to cysteine. S-sulfocysteine is reactive towards cysteine and readily forms disulfide crosslinks.
SIFP can be prepared by methods such as those described in WO03011894.
The broadest feature of the invention includes materials that combine keratin proteins and other polymers or copolymers. Once created the materials are processed into films, membranes, coatings or fibres.
Composite films or membranes are formed from S-sulfonated keratin protein fractions. Intimately mixed solutions of S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins (SIFP) (for example 5%) and water soluble polymers such as, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) (up to 10% solids) are cast and the solution solvents evaporated to leave a keratin-polymer composite film or membrane. The solvent can be aqueous based and include some percentage of organic based aqueous miscible solven, such as an alcohol.
The physical and mechanical properties of the composite materials can be readily improved through a variety of methods. One method involves treatment with a reducing reagent such as ammonium thioglycolate solution at PH=7.0 for 1 hour in order to remove the sulfonate functionality from S-sulfonate keratin and introduce cystine disulfides as crosslinks. This causes significant improvement in the mechanical properties particularly wet strength of the films or membranes materials. Conversion is confirmed using Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopic studies as the S-sulfonated group gives rise to a strong and sharp absorbance at 1022 cm−1 which is observed to disappear on exposure of the S-sulfonated to the reagents described. Another method for the improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of the keratin-co-polymer composites is to increase the hydrogen bonding network between the keratin protein and PVA or PVP using a freezing-thawing process during the constructing composite films or membranes. This is confirmed by the composites insolubility in aqueous solvent, after having been made as an intimate blending keratin protein and polymers from an aqueous solvent (i.e., water).
In addition, the toughness or strength of the keratin based composite films or membrane can be increased by standard protein cross-linking methods including using, typical chemical cross-linkers such as, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, carbodiimides, e.g., 1-ethyl-3-(dimethyaminopropyl)carbodiimide, 2,5-hexanedione, diimidates, e.g., dimethylsuberimidate, or bisacrylamides, e.g., N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide.
Keratin derivatives can be synthesized which involve chemical bonds forming between the keratin proteins and synthetic monomers; such as those from the vinyl family including, acrylates and epoxy acrylates-based monomers (
Composite fibres are prepared through the intimate mixing of a keratin solution with a water soluble polymer, such as PVA or PVP, followed by extrusion into an appropriate coagulation solution in which both components are insoluble. Subsequent strengthening of the composite fibres occurs by introducing a cross-linking reagent, or heat treatment in order to raise the crystallinity of the materials through removal of residual water and the formation of new hydrogen bond between the molecules.
This invention is further illustrated by the following examples which in no way should be construed as being further limiting. The contents of all cited references (including literature references, issued patents, published patent applications, and co-pending patent applications) cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
A 5% S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein (SIFP) solution was prepared using 8.34 gm of wool keratin protein powder (containing 60% solid) dissolved in 100 mL distilled water with 1M NaOH for 2 hours. The PH was maintained in the range 8.0-9.5, and adjusted to 8.5. The keratin protein solution was centrifuged using high speed centrifuging equipment at 27000 g, 12-16° C. for 10 mins. A 10% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution was prepared with 100 mL distilled water at 90° C. with stirring. Alternatively, a 10% poly vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution was prepared. A 20 mL SIFP solution was mixed with 6 mL of PVA or 4 mL of PVP solution in a 250 mL beaker, and intimately blended together over 1 hr. The PH of the blended mixture was 7.8. The blended solution was centrifuged in order to degas. The blended solution was poured into a square petri dish (10 cm×10 cm×1 cm) and left in a flat area for 24 hrs to remove solvent under atmospheric conditions. The composite film or membrane was characterized through analysis of mechanical properties such as wet and dry strength using INSTRON tensile testing equipment. Test results are shown in Table 3. Flexibility of keratin films or membranes was increased by incorporating 2% (i.e., 0.2 g per 1.0 gm of keratin protein) of plasticizer(s) such as glycerol or polyethylene glycol (PEG) into the keratin protein solution prior to casting the film or membrane.
In order to improve the mechanical properties especially of materials produced as described in Example 1, films or membranes were treated with reductants to induce chemical cross-linking. 0.25M ammonium thioglycollate solution at adjusted PH 7.0 was used to remove the sulfonate group from the S-sulfonated keratin protein, and allow the formation of disulfide bonds (—S—S—).
Example 3a. An alternative approach to crosslinking was applied to materials prepared according to Example 1. 20 mL SIFP solution was mixed with 6 mL of PVA and 4 mL of PVP solution in a 250 mL beaker for 1 hr. The PH of the blended mixture was 7.8. The blended solution was centrifuged at 27000 g, 12-16° C. for 10 mins to degas. 10%-20% of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) or glycol diglycidyl ether acrylate (GDEA) was added into the blended solution and stirred for 10 mins. The blended solution was poured into a square size petri dish (10 cm×10 cm×1 cm) and dried at 50° C. for 18 hours.
Example 3b Keratin films were treated with dianhydride cross-linking agents. For example, films prepared by the method outline in example one were immersed at room temperature in a solvent (THF or acetone) solution of BTDA (3,3′,4,4′ benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride) or PMDA (pyromellitic dianhydride; 1,2,3,4,5 benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) (1%). The films were left to soak for a set period of time after which they were removed, washed with a further portion of solvent and allowed to dry.
The resulting chemically cross-linked composite film or membrane was characterized particularly by assessment of the mechanical properties, such as wet and dry strength using INSTRON tensile testing equipment instrument. Test results are shown in Table 3.
42.0 mL (3.0 g keratin solid) of SIFP solution, 6.031 g of glycidal methacrylate (GMA) and 0.6 g of Na2S2O3 were loaded in a glass reactor. 20 mL water was added to the reaction mixture with stirring. Reaction temperature was elevated up to 60° C. with continued stirring for 24 hrs.
A yellowish white precipitate was obtained after completion of the reaction, which was filtered and repeatedly washed with water to remove excess GMA and reaction catalyst. Filtered product was dried over night under vacuum conditions at 50° C. and subsequently freeze-dried for 24 hrs. The resulting keratin derivative was characterized using a variety of test, including the Ninhydrin test for detecting the absence of amine functionality, and spectroscopic analysis techniques such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, Solid state NMR and DSC.
1.2 g of keratin derivative, prepared as described in example 5, and 0.012 g of AIBN copolymer free radical initiator was added 50 mL of N-methylpyrolidone solvent in a glass reactor. The reaction was heated to 60° C. with stirring for 24 hrs. (
In a variation of Example 4a, various keratin based copolymer materials were synthesized with other vinyl monomers including glycidal methacrylate (GMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) as detailed in Example 4, using similar free radiation initiator (AIBN) and reaction conditions. Copolymers products were purified and characterized as similar, example 4a (in
Example 4c In these reactions keratin based co-polymers are synthesised in a solvent system using tin octoate as the catalyst. For example dried keratin SIFP, (3 g) was suspended in toluene (100 ml) in a RB flask under a flow of N2. Lactide (2 g) was added and nitrogen purging continued. Tin octoate (45 mg) was added and the temperature of the mixture was raised to 80° C. and maintained for 96 hours. The final material was washed extensively with methanol and dried in a vacuum oven. The final material weighed 4.4 g, an increase of almost 50%. A similar process can be used for the copolymerisation with caprolactone. The copolymers materials were characterised as previously described.
A spinning dope was prepared with SIFP solution, poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA or poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP using a similar method to that described in Example 1, with a variation of concentration in the range 10%-15% and subsequent variation in viscosity for the extrusion of copolymer fibers. Following centrifuging to remove solids and air bubbles, dope was forced through a spinnerette using a positive displacement pump into a coagulation bath. The coagulation bath had a composition of aqueous sodium sulfate solution and 0.25M ammonium thioglycolate set to pH 6.5. Bath temperature was kept up at 60° C. during extrusion of copolymer fibers coatining keratin protein.
The invention provides a film, membrane or fibre material that comprises a mixture of keratin protein and a polymer and that has a wide range of desirable properties over known materials.
The materials may be used as naturally derived alternatives to 100% synthetic polymer materials, for example in the manufacture of consumer and industrial goods. The materials may be further used to bind undesirable agents that are known to interact strongly with proteins, for example heavy metals and biologicals.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ528353 | Sep 2003 | NZ | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NZ04/00216 | 9/13/2004 | WO | 00 | 8/14/2007 |
