Degradation Of Human Hair By Papain
November 1965
in “
Textile research journal
”
TLDR Papain and bisulfite break down human hair by dissolving parts of it.
The study demonstrated that papain/bisulfite disintegrated the cuticle of human hair by dissolving the endocuticle. Ethanol extraction removed cell membrane material, facilitating enzyme access and accelerating hair disintegration. Additionally, hot ethanol extraction removed a thin electron-transparent layer from the hair surface, likely the epicuticle. The origin and nature of this material were discussed.
