US 12,522,632 B2 · Method for extracting keratin from wool/natural fibers using ionic liquids reinforced with sonication

Abstract

A method for extracting keratin from wool fibers is described. The method includes treating the wool fibers in a solvent, washing, and drying to form cleaned wool fibers. The method incudes cutting the cleaned wool fibers and dispersing in an ionic liquid to form a slurry. The method further includes sonicating the slurry to form a first composition containing dissolved keratin. The method also includes mixing the first composition with water to precipitate the keratin from the first composition. Additionally, the method involves separating and collecting the precipitated keratin from the first composition, washing, and drying to form the keratin. The method for extracting keratin from natural fibers is also described.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for extracting keratin from wool fibers, comprising:

treating the wool fibers in a solvent, washing and drying to form cleaned wool fibers;
cutting the cleaned wool fibers and dispersing the cut cleaned wool fibers in a solution consisting of 30 wt. % to 50 wt. % tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide and water to form a slurry;
sonicating the slurry at a temperature of from 30° C. to 80° C. to form a first composition containing dissolved keratin;
mixing the first composition with water to precipitate the keratin from the first composition;
and
separating and collecting the precipitated keratin from the first composition, washing, and drying to form the keratin,
wherein the sonicating is conducted by a probe sonicator for 5 to 60 minutes.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for extracting keratin from wool/natural fibers using ionic liquids reinforced with sonication

Life of this patent

Method for extracting keratin from wool/natural fibers using ionic liquids reinforced with sonication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13