2.2. Methods
2.2.1. Fabrication of keratin-silica hydrogel
2.2.1.1. Preparation of keratin solution.
Keratin from bovine hooves was extracted as per procedure detailed elsewhere. Briefly, 10 g of defatted raw bovine hooves was subjected to reduction using 7 mol
Urea, 6 g sodium dodecyl sulphate and 15 ml 2-mercaptoethanol
at 60 °C for 12–14 h.
The supernatant was then dialyzed against water to obtain reduced keratin.
Extracted lyophilized (powdered) hoof keratin was solubilized in PBS (pH 7.4) to make a stock solution with the concentration of 5 mg/ml.