High-quality fibres from wheat proteins

Fibers made from wheat proteins are developed by the researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The group dissolves one or more wheat proteins in at least one of an alkali, acid, alcohol, reducing agent, amino acid, chemical additive or salt, in ratios of about 0.5-50% by weight. They age the dissolved proteins at temperatures between -30°C to 150°C for about 1-80 hours creating the spinning solution. The dissolved proteins are extruded into a coagulation bath to precipitate the fibers. The fibers are then subjected to a variety of after treatments.