Keratinien

Keratinien is a term used in materials science to describe a class of keratin-derived polymers processed for biocompatible materials. The concept covers natural keratin that has been chemically modified to improve processability, as well as synthetic polymers made by polymerizing keratin-like peptides. Keratinien aims to combine keratin's biocompatibility with tunable mechanics.

Structure and properties: Keratinien polymers retain cysteine-rich motifs from keratin, enabling disulfide cross-links that contribute to strength and resilience. Processing conditions influence solubility, crystallinity, and elasticity. Depending on crosslink density, keratinien can form rigid composites or flexible, fibro-elastic matrices.

Production and sources: Raw keratin from feathers, hair, wool, and other keratin-rich wastes provides the feedstock. Processes typically involve reduction to solubilize keratin, followed by controlled refolding, oxidation, or crosslinking to form solid materials. Alternative routes synthesize keratin-inspired peptides that assemble into keratinien-like networks.

Applications: Keratinien is studied for wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, cosmetic formulations, and biodegradable coatings. Its natural origin and compatibility with biological tissues make it attractive for sustainable biomaterials.

Safety and regulation: Because keratin-derived materials may carry allergen risks, purification, sterilization, and regulatory assessment are essential for medical uses. Biocompatibility testing and quality control are standard parts of product development.

History and naming: The term keratinien reflects its keratin-based origin, with the suffix -ien used in some polymer nomenclature. Research on keratin-derived materials has grown since the early 2000s, with ongoing work to optimize processing and functionalization. See also Keratin, Keratin-based biomaterials, Biopolymers.