Quality Improvement of the Human Hair by the Treatment of Protease Extracted from Earthworm

The feasibility of earthworm protease as a new cosmetic material for human hair care was investigated. The effectiveness of the earthworm protease treatment was assessed by thickness change of hairs, optical microscope examination, aminoacid analysis, surface morphology, angular resolution analysis through methylene blue staining method and tensile strength change. The protease treated hair became thinner and the soil on the surface removed in experimental groups unlike control group. Tensile strength decreased in experimental group in which the enzymes may decompose polypeptide bonds.