Degradation of the Copper (II)-Wool Keratin Complex by Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

In the copper(II)-wool keratin complex and hydrogen peroxide system, we have studied the relation between the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the deg radation of wool keratin fiber. We measured the catalytic action of the copper(II)- wool keratin complex in hydrogen peroxide decomposition. The copper(II) ion has a great deal of catalytic activity, while the copper(II)-wool keratin complex exhibits less activity. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurs with the degradation of wool keratin fiber, fragmenting the keratin molecule. The fragments experience a random coil-α-helix transition in ethanol-water mixtures with increasing ethanol component. This behavior is similar to that of charged polyamino acids, but the keratin fragments undergo a less sharp transition in comparison with charged polyamino acids.