THE CROSS-LINKING OF GELATIN BY A RANGE OF HARDENING AGENTS

Earlier kinetic studies of the crosslinking of gelatin by formaldehyde and glyoxal gave consistent relationships for the concentration depen dence of the reactants. These however required the postulation of more complex chemistry than had been envisaged. Studies of the stoichiomet ry of these and a range of other hardening agents, showed a wide range of molecular efficiencies that did not correlate with the rates of re action. Kinetic studies have now been extended to higher dialdehydes ( Succinaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, 3-methylglutaraldehyde) and other cros slinking agents (2, 3-dihydroxy-1, 4-dioxane, 1, 3-bis-(vinylsulphonyl methyl) ether). The results again show consistent patterns of behaviou r dependent on relatively complex chemistry. Some explanations for the mechanisms involved are advanced together with separate supporting ch emical evidence.