Abstract: A surface active agent based upon polypeptides is disclosed. The surface active agent is comprised of the reaction product of an alkyl phenylsulfonic acid and a polypeptide at an acidic pH. The surface active agents produced in accordance with the invention are particularly useful in cosmetic applications as in shampoos and the like and in industrial applications such as in textile processing and the like.

Abstract: A soluble elastin partial hydrolyzate is comprised of polypeptides having at least 3.5 desmosine and isodesmosine residues/1,000 amino acid residues.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable sheet material is comprised of a homogeneous admixture of a synthetic polymer material and a protein derivative. The sheet material is moisture vapor permeable and nonpenetrable by liquid water. The sheet material additionally can have coated thereon a pressure sensitive adhesive which is comprised of a synthetic organic polymer adhesive and a soluble protein derivative in solid solution. Sheet material is formed by providing a homogeneous fluid solution of a soluble protein derivative and a synthetic organic polymer in a solvent. The protein derivative has a pH level compatible with the pH level of the organic polymer. Film is formed from the homogeneous fluid solution and the solvent is removed from the film to form the sheet material which is moisture vapor permeable. When the sheet material includes an adhesive, the adhesive is coated as a fluid solution in a solvent on one side of the sheet material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coherent porous collagen sheet material is comprised of forming natural insoluble particulate collagen in substantially pure form and suspending the particulate collagen in a weak aqueous organic acid solution while maintaining the collagen in particulate form. The suspension is freeze-dried to form a coherent porous native collagen sheet material which is useful as a wound dressing, burn dressing, hemostatic sheet or the like.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is comprised of the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and tanned leather scrap. The product is capable of being sawed and nailed in much the same manner and has similar characteristics to particle board.

Abstract: Macromolecular reconstituted collagen is prepared by treating natural insoluble collagen with an aqueous solution comprised of an alkali sulfate salt and an alkali metal hydroxide for at least 48 hours to saponify fats suspended within the natural insoluble collagen. The fat free collagen is then treated with an aqueous solution comprised of an alkali metal sulfate for at least four hours to stabilize the interfibular bonds between individual polypeptide chains. The collagen is then dissolved in an aqueous acid solution and frozen at a rate of -20.degree. C./hour. The frozen collagen is vacuum dried at 10.sup.-3 to 10.sup.-5 torr for at least 16 hours to produce a biologically active collagen article. Various biologically active materials may be added to the aqueous acid solution prior to freezing. The collagen product may then be implanted into an animal or the like and the medication slowly released.

Abstract: A method of preparing soluble partially hydrolyzed elastin is disclosed. The method involves treating insoluble elastin with a peroxide and subsequently partially hydrolyzing the treated elastin and recovering substantially pure soluble partially hydrolyzed elastin.

Abstract: A polyurethane is comprised of the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyreactive hydrogen compound having a polypeptide admixed therewith.

Abstract: A method of forming soluble collagen fibers from raw animal hides is disclosed. Raw animal hides are treated with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and a dehydrating agent to remove the hair and fat therefrom to yield a substantially fat-free corium. The interfibular bonds of the collagen in the corium are stabilized with an aqueous solution of an alkali sulfate. The corium is neutralized and dissolved in an aqueous acid solution to yield a collagen solution. The pH of the aqueous collagen solution is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the collagen to precipitate the collagen fibers from the solution. The collagen fibers are dried. The collagen fibers so produced are useful in edible food, may be redissolved and further processed for a plurality of uses.

Abstract: A leather tanning composition comprises a sufficient amount of the reaction product of a polyaldehydic compound and a secondary amine to increase the shrinkage temperature of a hide.

Abstract: A method of preparing oligopeptides from collagen is disclosed. Collagen containing material is treated with an aqueous solution of a member selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide and mixtures thereof in the presence of an agent which prevents overswelling of the collagen. The treatment removes substantially all of the hair and fat from the collagen. The remaining non-collagenous material is removed by treating the dehaired and defatted collagen with an aqueous solution which acts as a solvent for the non-collagenous material. The collagen is neutralized and residual salts are removed therefrom. The collagen is heated under pressure in the presence of water to hydrolyze polypeptide chains to form oligopeptides having a molecular weight of between about 5,000 and 20,000. The recovered oligopeptides are particularly useful as a trophic agent for feeding animals.

Abstract: Macromolecular reconstituted collagen is prepared by treating natural insoluble collagen with an aqueous solution comprised of an alkali sulfate salt and an alkali metal hydroxide for at least 48 hours to saponify fats suspended within the natural insoluble collagen. The fat free collagen is then treated with an aqueous solution comprised of an alkali metal sulfate for at least four hours to stabilize the interfibular bonds between individual polypeptide chains. The collagen is then dissolved in an aqueous acid solution and frozen at a rate of -20.degree. C./hour. The frozen collagen is vacuum dried at 10.sup.-3 to 10.sup.-5 torr for at least 16 hours to produce a biologically active collagen article. Various biologically active materials may be added to the aqueous acid solution prior to freezing. The collagen product may then be implanted into an animal or the like and the medication slowly released.

Abstract: A leather tanning composition is comprised of the reaction product of a polyaldehydic compound, a secondary amine and a monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: Manufacture of grain and split leather is simplified by pre-tanning hide with a chromium-free tan until its shrinkage temperature is about 170.degree. to about 185.degree. F, splitting the pre-tanned hide to provide a grain intermediate and a split intermediate, shaving at least one of these intermediates, and chrome-tanning the shaved intermediate. Shavings contain no chromium and can be disposed of by dumping, without significant environmental impact. Before splitting, the hide can also be pickled to improve the splitting and shaving and make the unfinished hide better suited for shipping to remote geographical areas. Entire hide treatment sequence can be effected with two stages in which batches of hides are loaded in a container such as tumbling drum; unhairing, bating and pre-tanning with or without a pickle, all in one stage, and final tanning, coloring and fat-liquoring in another stage.

Abstract: A plastic laminate and shaped article having a polyurethane film substrate, a fabric superstrate and an intermediate layer of polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam layer is cast upon the polyurethane film to provide a substantially integral laminate. The fabric layer is also bonded to the foam layer, preferably prior to complete curing, permitting the use of unnapped fabrics.