Keratin from wool: nanofibers for biomedical applications and films for packaging

Keratin is a biocompatible and biodegradable protein as main component of wool and animal hair fibers. It is characterized by inter-chain disulphide bonds. Keratin-based materials support fibroblasts and osteoblasts growth. Keratin has been extracted by sulphitolysis, a green method (not harmful chemicals) with a yield of 38-45%. Molecular weight are 60-45 kDa and 22-8 kDa.