Reduction Mechanism of L-Cysteine on Keratin Fibers Using Microspectrophotometry and Raman Spectroscopy

    August 2005 in “ Biopolymers ”
    Akio Kuzuhara, Teruo Hori
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    TLDR L-cysteine slows down the breaking of bonds in hair due to electrostatic interactions.
    The study investigated the reduction mechanism of L-cysteine (Cys) on keratin fibers in human hair using microspectrophotometry and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that Cys diffused into the hair in a non-Fickian manner, indicating electrostatic interactions between Cys's free amino groups and the anionic ions on the fiber surface. The disconnection of —SS— groups occurred at a slower rate than the diffusion of Cys, particularly at pH 9.0, suggesting that these electrostatic interactions decreased the reaction rate of Cys.
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