Protein Renaturation in the Gelatin Film Formation Process

The protein collagen is found in gelatin films in its native (crystalline) phase or in its denaturated (amorphous) phase. The denaturated collagen in gelatin undergoes partial renaturation during the process of film formation from solution at room temperature. It is of particular interest to identify the timescale when the structure of the native collagen is restored in the process of the film formation. The present study demonstrates that using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and calorimetric methods in controlled stages of the film formation, it is possible to follow the renaturation transition of collagen during this process. The signature of the transition from the random coil to the collagen-like partial triple-helix structure is observed through the linewidth parameter of the NMR spectra which is further complemented by a differential scanning calorimetry study.