Dynamic mechanical properties of collagen film and collagen film containing β-galactosidase

The dynamic mechanical properties of strips of film prepared from cattle hide collagen film impregnated with the enzyme, β-galactosidase, were studied as a function of water content and temperature using a torsion pendulum at 0.4–1 Hz. In the temperature range of 120 to 300 °K four mechanical loss peaks are observed for collagen and the collagen-enzyme system. The temperature, position, and magnitude of these peaks depend on the water content and the presence of the enzyme. The results of this study are compared with those obtained earlier on various types of collagen. The molecular assignments for the four peaks and the location and behavior of the β-galactosidase in the system are discussed.