Halloysite/Keratin Nanocomposite for Human Hair Photoprotection Coating

Abstract

We propose a novel keratin treatment of human hair by its aqueous mixtures with natural halloysite clay nanotubes. The loaded clay nanotubes together with free keratin produce micrometer-thick protective coating on hair. First, colloidal and structural properties of halloysite/keratin dispersions and the nanotube loaded with this protein were investigated. Above the keratin isoelectric point (pH = 4), the protein adsorption into the positive halloysite lumen is favored because of the electrostatic attractions. The ζ-potential magnitude of these core–shell particles increased from −35 (in pristine form) to −43 mV allowing for an enhanced colloidal stability (15 h at pH = 6). This keratin-clay tubule nanocomposite was used for the immersion treatment of hair. Three-dimensional-measuring laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that 50–60% of the hair surface coverage can be achieved with 1 wt % suspension application. Hair samples have been exposed to UV irradiation for times up to 72 h to explore the protection capacity of this coating by monitoring the cysteine oxidation products. The nanocomposites of halloysite and keratin prevent the deterioration of human hair as evident by significant inhibition of cysteic acid. The successful hair structure protection was also visually confirmed by atomic force microscopy and dark-field hyperspectral microscopy. The proposed formulation represents a promising strategy for a sustainable medical coating on the hair, which remediates UV irradiation stress.

Halloysite Nanotubes Coated by Chitosan for the Controlled Release of Khellin

“…Interestingly, the inside/outside surfaces of halloysite are oppositely charged within the pH interval between 2 and 8 [ 55 ]. This peculiarity was exploited for the targeted functionalization of halloysite nanotubes through ionic molecules, such as polyelectrolytes [ 30 , 56 ], proteins [ 57 , 58 ] and surfactants [ 43 , 59 ]. Structural investigations by electric birefringence and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy evidenced that the cationic chitosan wraps the clay nanotubes as a consequence of its selective adsorption onto the negative external surface of halloysite [ 56 ].…”

Facile Fabrication of Natural Polyelectrolyte-Nanoclay Composites: Halloysite Nanotubes, Nucleotides and DNA Study

“…Clay-based composite materials have found numerous applications in recent years, opening new opportunities in materials science and biomedicine [1] Tailoring various biopolymers to clay particles allows for controllable self-assembly on planar and three-dimensional surfaces and fabrication of porous clay-doped polymer composites, which can be utilised in tissue engineering [2], artificial cell shellization [3] and hair surface engineering [4]. The invention of gene therapy is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine because of its potential of overcoming cancer and serious inherited illnesses (such as neurodegenerative diseases or blood and immune disorders) that once were believed to be incurable.…”

“…It turned out to be an effective protector for orally administered DNA from stomach acidic environments and DNA-degrading enzymes, enabling a successful plasmid DNA delivery into mural small intestine cells [14]. DNA-binding properties of halloysite are not studied well so far, if compared with other clays, although halloysite nanotubes have already been reported as a promising drug and cosmetic carriers [4,[15][16][17] and successfully used for tissue engineering applications [18]. Halloysite nanotubes constitute a clay mineral with unique properties because of the oppositely charged outer and inner surfaces both of which can be used for binding various macromolecules.…”

Bionanocomposite Films Containing Halloysite Nanotubes and Natural Antioxidants with Enhanced Performance and Durability as Promising Materials for Cultural Heritage Protection

“…The introduction of natural additives, such as reinforcement agents, cross-linking agents, and antioxidants, to single biopolymers or biopolymer blends favors the formulation of sustainable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic materials, having a beneficial effect on human health and the environment [ 27 ]. Among natural fillers, halloysite represents an emerging nanomaterial for the fabrication of bionanocomposites useful in numerous applications, such as food packaging [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], tissue engineering [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], delivery systems [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], photo-protection [ 39 , 40 ], and restoration [ 41 , 42 ]. As examples, the filling of pectin with halloysite nanotubes containing rosemary essential oil generated nanocomposite films with antimicrobial and antioxidative functionalities [ 28 ], while the combination of chitosan and halloysite loaded with diclofenac was exploited to fabricate tablets with controlled release properties [ 37 ].…”