Abstract: A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: A textile treatment composition comprises a water insoluble quaternary ammonium salt and a non-ionic surfactant containing at least one long-chain alkyl or fatty acid substituent and a hydrophilic group. The quaternary ammonium compound preferably has three large alkyl substituents of at least carbon atoms each and the surfactant may be selected from phosphine oxides, sulphoxides, or tertiary amine oxides, especially the latter. The compositions may be diluted with water and applied to textile materials especially wool, to give antistatic properties thereto. Compositions of the invention have lower soiling propensity than hitherto available compositions and they may therefore be applied to finished carpets, either in the piece or in situ applications.