Hydrolytic dissociation of hog-hair by microwave radiation

Abstract

One of the major constituents of hog hair is α-keratin from ectodermal cells. It is a fibrous, water-insoluble protein that has long peptide linkages and a spiral-conformation. This spiral-structure may contribute to the high dielectric constant observed for hog hair. Microwave radiation can penetrate deep into the folding layers of α-keratin to destabilize the bonds between the units and make them twirl rapidly. The microwave radiation promotes the forward hydrolysis, thus generating a more efficient technique than the traditional external heat, acid-solution-methods.