2003 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Creation of individualized products from human discard biomaterials
| Project/Area Number |
14593003
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
高分子・繊維材料
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| Research Institution | Shinshu University |
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Principal Investigator |
FUJII Toshihiro Shinshu University, Faculty of Textile Science, Professor, 繊維学部, 教授 (50126702)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2002 – 2003
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| Keywords | human hair / wool / keratin / protein film / natural fiber / individual product / self-reuse / damaged hair |
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| Research Abstract |
We believe that human hair is a valuable resource for producing individualized biocompatible materials. A rapid and convenient protein extraction method was developed for quantifying human hair components and called the "Shindai method". This method was applied to the efficient protein extraction from wool and molecular diagnosis of damaged human hair. Furthermore, we have developed novel procedures for preparing human hair protein films by the combinations of denaturants from human hair protein solution (Pre-cast and Post-cast methods). The light brown films obtained by these procedures were too fragile to apply to human skin. We found that the film was also formed when the hair proteins extracted by the Shindai method were directly exposed to the other solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the surface of the novel protein films was smooth. The protein films mainly consist of α-keratins and matrix proteins. After drying, the films became translucent and flexible against folding operation. These indicate that these protein films have a high potential for practical applications.
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