α-Keratin Assay – Keratin Orange

α-Keratin Assay Keratin Orange

α-keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in all vertebrates in hair, wool, stratum corneum of the skin, horns, nails, claws and hooves.  It is a unique protein due to its insolubility in water.   Its strength is due to a high sulphur content.  Strong disulphide bonds make it insoluble in water and resistant to most chemical agents.  The amino acid composition varies depending on the tissue in which it occurs.

The assay has been designed for use with mammalian hair samples only.  It may be suitable for use with animal tissue but this has not been verified.