Influence of microemulsion structure on cystine reactivity with keratin fibres.

Summary The activity of thioglycolic acid, incorporated in a microemulsion, towards cystine residues present in keratin proteins has been investigated. In an attempt to relate the structural state of the microemulsions to cystine reactivity, an appropriate model system showing a large microemulsion domain with diverse structures was chosen. The realm of preferentially hydrocarbon-continuous microemulsion-type media was found to induce the highest activity.