Conversion of Globular to Oriented Fibrous Proteins

Abstract

Several globular proteins were converted at room temp. to the fibrous form by heating in the presence of water and subjection to high shear stress, or (2) soaking protein filaments in aq. solns. of various reagents, followed by stretching. The reagent conc. is not critical, and the time of soaking ranges from a few mins. to several hrs. Stretching to a draw ratio of about 5 gives good orientation if internal friction is moderate. Chemical treatment surpasses heat in its effect upon the degree of ordering of the peptide chains.