Abstract: Improved sunscreen compositions and their methods of manufacture are provided. The sunscreen compositions include extracts of cereal plants and an optional sunscreen blocking agent. The compositions optionally also may include dihydroxycinnamic derivatives.

Abstract: Cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions and methods comprising delivery systems for the controlled release and enhanced penetration of biologically active materials (e.g., Vitamin A) to the skin. The delivery systems comprise cholesteric liquid crystals wherein the active material is retained within the lamellar molecular structure (i.e., between the molecular sheets) of the cholesteric liquid crystal.

Abstract: A flexible continuous film is comprised of a physical admixture of a polypeptide, a plasticizer and a film-forming flexible polymer. When the film is moistened, the polypeptides exude therefrom.

Abstract: A flexible continuous film is comprised of a physical admixture of a polypeptide, a plasticizer and a film-forming flexible polymer. When the film is moistened, the polypeptides exude therefrom.

Abstract: A surface active agent is comprised of lignin sulfonic acids, and optionally, an alkylaryl sulfonic free acid with at least 10 carbon atoms and a polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 2,500 to about 15,000. In addition, a disperse dye composition is provided which includes solid particles of a dye or pigment which have a particle size of less than 2 microns with the surface active agent disposed at the surface of the particles.

Abstract: A method of forming a collagen-thrombin hemostatic composition is comprised of forming a homogeneous aqueous admixture of collagen and thrombin at a basic pH and lyophilizing the collagen-thrombin admixture to form a stable collagen sponge having thrombin therein. The collagen utilized in the process is absorbable when placed in vivo. Additionally, a lyophilized collagen product is comprised of collagen which is absorbable when placed in vivo and thrombin distributed within the collagen. The collagen product is storage stable.

Abstract: A surface active agent is comprised of lignin sulfonic acids, and optionally, an alkylaryl sulfonic free acid with at least 10 carbon atoms and a polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 2,500 to about 15,000. In addition, a disperse dye composition is provided which includes solid particles of a dye or pigment which have a particle size of less than 2 microns with the surface active agent disposed at the surface of the particles.

Abstract: A method of fining and clarifying alcoholic beverages is disclosed. The method includes admixing particulate native collagen with an alcoholic beverage subsequent to fermentation. The admixture is aged for a sufficient time to allow the collagen to complex haze causing material in the beverage, and the collagen complexed with the haze causing material is separated by filtration or the like to produce a clear alcoholic beverage.

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 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 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 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: Collagen-based medicinal dressings are produced by freezing a collagen aqueous polydispersion obtained from cattle hide in a concentration of 0.66 to 2% by weight at a temperature of at most -65.degree.C and subjecting the frozen polydispersion to vacuum at a pressure of 10.sup.-.sup.3 to 10.sup.-.sup.5 torr for a period of 24 to 48 hours while maintaining a temperature thereof of at most +35.degree.C. The resulting spongy mass has a density of 0.03 to 0.06 gram/cm.sup.3.