Abstract
THE X-ray pattern of the collagen of animal skin has been shown1,2 to undergo a characteristic alteration on combination of the collagen with various tanning agents. As seen in patterns produced by the ordinary technique (a mass of fibres of random orientation; unfiltered copper radiation; specimen to film distance of from two to five centimetres), this alteration consists of a remarkable diffusion of the originally sharp ‘inner’ ring (the side-chain spacing of 10–12 A.). The resultant diffuse halo extends clear into the central spot, and the periphery of the ring loses its original sharpness. In addition to this, the ‘outer’ ring (the unit backbone spacing of 2.9 A.) becomes greatly diminished in intensity, and in extreme cases disappears completely. The extent of these changes depends upon the proportion of the tanning agent combined with the collagen, the effect being more pronounced with higher tannin fixations.
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References
Jordan Lloyd, D., J. Int. Soc. Leather Trades Chemists, 19, 345 (1935).
Highberger, J. H., and Kersten, H. J., J. Amer. Leather Chem. Assoc., 33, 16, 289 (1938).
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HIGHBERGER, J., KERSTEN, H. Similarity of the X-Ray Patterns of Tanned and Mechanically Deformed Collagen Fibres. Nature 143, 1067 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/1431067b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1431067b0
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