Hydratable form of keratin for use as a soil amendment
AssigneeKeraplast Technologies, Ltd.
InventorsRobert Allen Smith, Scott F. Timmons, Mark E. Van Dyke, Cheryl R. Blanchard, Arlene J. Siller-Jackson
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Abstract
A hydratable oxidized keratin composition comprising one or more metal ion species capable of absorbing water to form a hydrogel. The keratin material is useful as a soil amendment providing organic and inorganic nutrients. The keratin material is also useful as a nutrient source in the bioremediation of toxic contaminants soils and liquids.
Claims23
A method for increasing the water retention properties of soil, comprising addition to soil of an insoluble hydratable keratin material at an amount from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight effective to increase the water retention of soil.
A method for increasing the water retention properties of soil, comprising mixing soil with a composition comprising a hydratable keratin solid, or a keratin hydrogel, at an amount from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight effective to increase the water retention of soil, wherein said hydratable keratin solid or keratin hydrogel includes a keratin protein associated with one or more cationic species.
A method for increasing the water retention properties of soil, comprising mixing soil with a composition comprising a keratin hydrogel or a hydratable keratin solid at an amount from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight effective to increase the water retention of soil, wherein said keratin hydrogel or hydratable keratin solid is obtained from hair, includes sulfonate groups and is associated with one or more metal ion species.
A method for increasing the water retention properties of soil, comprising mixing soil with a composition comprising an oxidized hydratable keratin at an amount from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight effective to increase the water retention of soil, wherein the composition is made by the process comprising:
- (a) oxidizing disulfide bonds in a keratin material with an oxidizing agent to obtain an oxidized keratin solid having sulfonic acid residues;
- (b) contacting said oxidized keratin solid with a neutral or slightly alkaline water-miscible solvent containing one or more metal ion species, such that said one or more metal ion species are associated with said oxidized keratin solid;
- and
- (c) removing substantially all of said water-miscible solvent to obtain an oxidized hydratable keratin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.