Abstract
Hydrolysis of Keratin using caustic soda was carried out. The foaming capacity of the products was found to depend on the reaction time. The reaction time of 1 hr and 20 min, at which the foaming capacity was maximum, was selected in the present study. The molecular weight distribution of the products and the average molecular weights were determined by Gel Filtrations using Sephadex G-150 and G-200. It was found that the molecular weight distribution extended over a wide range (from 5.5×103 to 1.5×105), and the number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight were 1.49×104 and 2.93×104, respectively.
