Development and utilization of a bovine type I collagen microfibril model.

The structure of fibrous collagen, a long triple helix that self-associates in a staggered array to form a matrix of fibrils, fibers and fiber bundles, makes it uniquely suitable as a scaffold for biomaterial engineering. A major challenge for this application is to stabilize collagen structure by means that are acceptable for the end use. The bovine type I collagen microfibril model, built by computer assisted modeling, comprised of five right-handed triple helices in a left-handed super coil containing gap and overlap regions as well as the nonhelical telopeptides is a tool for predicting or visualizing chemistry to stabilize the matrix, insert an active agent, or otherwise modify collagen.

Keratin capped silver nanoparticles--synthesis and characterization of a nanomaterial with desirable handling properties.

We report for the first time the stabilization of silver nanoparticles in good yield, average diameter 3.5 nm, using wool keratin hydrolysates as stabilizers. The nanoparticles are extremely stable as a suspension and can be lyophilized into a powder and easily reconstituted in solvent with no change in spectral properties relative to the initial suspension.

Properties of biopolymers produced by transglutaminase treatment of whey protein isolate and gelatin.

Byproduct utilization is an important consideration in the development of sustainable processes. Whey protein isolate (WPI), a byproduct of the cheese industry, and gelatin, a byproduct of the leather industry, were reacted individually and in blends with microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) at pH 7.5 and 45 degrees C.

Enzyme-catalyzed gel formation of gelatin and chitosan: potential for in situ applications.

We compared the ability of two enzymes to catalyze the formation of gels from solutions of gelatin and chitosan. A microbial transglutaminase, currently under investigation for food applications, was observed to catalyze the formation of strong and permanent gels from gelatin solutions. Chitosan was not required for transglutaminase-catalyzed gel formation, although gel formation was faster, and the resulting gels were stronger if reactions were performed in the presence of this polysaccharide.