| 摘要 |
The invention relates to a method of obtaining keratin products (soluble keratin and insoluble keratin microfibres) from livestock waste, such as feathers, hair, hide, hooves and horns. The inventive method, which is performed under cold conditions, comprises a series of steps involving crushing, hydrolysis of the waste and oxidation, in order to obtain both of the aforementioned products, followed by specific steps for each of said products. The subsequent steps used to obtain soluble keratin comprise adjustment to neutral pH, ultrafiltration, washing and drying by means of spraying or lyophilisation. The soluble keratin thus obtained has characteristics rendering same suitable for use in the cosmetic industry and the human and animal food industry. The earlier steps used to obtain insoluble keratin microfibres comprise adjustment to acid pH, decantation, adjustment to neutral pH and washing, another decantation step, another washing step, additional decantation and a polymerisation phase such as to obtain larger keratin fibres with greater polymerisation. The insoluble keratin microfibres thus obtained have increased elasticity and strength properties, thereby rendering same suitable for use in the textile industry and in the production of polymers, paper and biomaterials. |
