Inhibitory Effect of Protein Filling Agent from Bovine Hair on the Oxidation of Cr(III)

Abstract

In consideration of the fact that the hydrolysate of hair contains antioxidant and free radical scavenging groups, the inhibitory effect of protein filling agent prepared from bovine hair (HPFA) on the oxidation of Cr(III) was investigated. The results demonstrated that HPFA possessed remarkable reducing ability to transfer Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in solution when pH was lower than 6.0. The reduction reaction was enhanced with rise of temperature, extension of reaction time and increase of HPFA dosage. Meanwhile, the HPFA also presented a high activity to inhibit the oxidation of Cr(III) in chrome liquor in the presence of unsaturated fish oil fatliquor. More interestingly, the HPFA achieved satisfactory inhibitory effect on Cr(III) oxidation in leather in the temperature range from 20oC to 100oC. Its inhibitory activity was much higher than that of commercial protein filling agent made from collagen hydrolysate. All the results suggested that bovine hair could be used as a potential resource for preparing protein filling agent with both filling and Cr(III) oxidation inhibiting properties.