Keratin
Keratins are fibre-forming structural proteins that give the cell stability and shape. They are rich in cysteine (a sulphur-containing amino acid), which results in a high proportion of disulphide bonds (sulphur bridges = a strong bond between the sulphur atoms of two cysteine amino acids). Disulphide bridges form and stabilise the protein structure and result in great mechanical strength. Keratins are found in hair, skin, hooves, horns, feathers, etc.
Keratin differs from collagen (also a structural protein) in its amino acid composition and in the fact that keratin, while tensile, is also elastic and pliable. In the hoof, the strength of the horn cell is decisively determined by the keratin proteins and the disulphide bridges that cross-link them. To improve hoof quality, it is also essential to feed the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine.
The levels of both amino acids are stated together in feed declarations as ‘Methionine+cysteine’.
See also Methionine, Cysteine
Product recommendations
