The Molecular Weight At the Air-Water Interface of Some Keratin Derivatives Extracted From Wool

Abstract

Using the monolayer technique, number-average molecular weights have been determined for a series of extracts of wool prepared by successive treatments with alkaline sodium thioglycollate. The molecular weights of these extracts have been discussed in relation to their electrophoretic patterns. The change in the number-average molecular weight in the successive extracts has been correlated with the presence of certain electrophoretic components. The possibility of extraction of lipoidal or other non-protein material from the cortical cell walls is discussed. A reversible dissociation of the major electrophoretic component at high pH was observed.