摘要
The wool fibers contain more than 18 amino acid groups linked together and formed polypeptide chains named keratin. Keratin's unique chemical and biological properties led to the development of methods for its extraction. Reduction, oxidation, microwave irradiation, alkali extraction, steam explosion, sulfitolysis, ionic liquids, and microbial and enzymatic methods are the most well-known methods to extract keratin. Biodegradability, biocompatibility, propensity for self-assembly, variety of functional groups, and high sulfur content have made keratin the sole candidate for various applications. Keratin can facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue regeneration, making it a great biocompatible matrix for tissue regeneration, drug delivering, and wound healing. The hands-on effectiveness of the substance in pollutants sorption, cosmetics, agriculture, food industry, and sensors has recently received much attention from scientists. In conclusion, in this chapter, various methods of keratin extraction from wool and their advantages and limitations are studied. Indeed, different applications of extracted keratin are discussed.