What type of biochemical substance is keratin

Keratin has some inherent ability to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, and regeneration of the tissue, therefore keratin biomaterials can provide a biocompatible matrix for regrowth and regeneration of the defective tissue. Additionally, due to its amino acid constituents, keratin can be tailored and finely tuned to meet the exact requirement of degradation, drug release or incorporation of different hydrophobic or hydrophilic tails. This review discusses the various methods available for the dissolution and extraction of keratin with emphasis on their advantages and limitations.

The impacts of various methods and chemicals used on the structure and the properties of keratin are discussed with the aim of highlighting options available toward commercial keratin production. This review also reports the properties of various keratin-based biomaterials and critically examines how these materials are influenced by the keratin extraction procedure, discussing the features that make them effective as biomedical applications, as well as some of the mechanisms of action and physiological roles of keratin.

Particular attention is given to the practical application of keratin biomaterials, namely addressing the advantages and limitations on the use of keratin films, 3D composite scaffolds and keratin hydrogels for tissue engineering, wound healing, hemostatic and controlled drug release. Shavandi, T. Silva, A. Bekhit and A. Bekhit, Biomater. To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page. If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

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Issue 9, From the journal: Biomaterials Science. Keratin is synthesized by keratinocytes and is insoluble in water, thus ensuring impermeability and protection for the hair. Some 18 amino acids can be found in the hair, such as proline, threonine, leucine and arginine. Keratin is particularly rich in cysteine a type of sulfurated amino acid , which forms disulfide bonds between molecules, adding rigidity and resistance to the entire structure.

It is highly keratinized, composed of cells shaped like scales that are layered one over the other, measuring about 60 micrometers long and about 6 micrometers wide. The cells of the cortex are joined together by an intercellular cement rich in lipids and proteins.

Each cell is composed of bundles that lie in the direction of the hair length: these are macrofibrils which are made up of microfibrils, which in turn contain protofibrils. The hair cortex also contains melanin. Made by specialised cells named melanocytes, melanin is the pigment responsible for the hair color. Situated near the hair bulb the melanocytes inject pigments into keratinocytes of the new hair shaft.