Thermal helix-coil transition in UV irradiated collagen from rat tail tendon

The thermal helix-coil transition in UV irradiated collagen solution, colla gen film and pieces of rat tail tendon (RTT) were compared. Their thermal s tability's were determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and b y viscometric measurements. The denaturation temperatures of collagen solut ion, film and pieces of RTT were different. The helix-coil transition occur near 40 degrees C in collagen solution, near 112 degrees C in collagen fil m, and near 101 degrees C in pieces of RTT. After UV irradiation the therma l helix-coil transition of collagen samples were changed. These changes dep end on the degree of hydratation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.