Enzymatic Phosphorylation of Hair Keratin Enhances Fast Adsorption of Cationic Moieties

The study successfully demonstrated the enzymatic phosphorylation of human hair keratin using protein kinase A, which significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity for cationic moieties like methylene blue by 2.5 times within the first 10 minutes. This modification was confirmed using 31P NMR and DRIFT techniques. The findings suggested potential applications in hair care products, such as shampoos and conditioners, where rapid adsorption of cationic components is beneficial. The research opened avenues for further exploration into the enzymatic stability and specificity of phosphorylated keratins, potentially diversifying their use in various natural materials.