BACKGROUND: Previous research reveals that, the morphous, structure, physicochemical property and mechanical characteristics of matrix in buffalo cornu all contribute to the biomaterials in the field of orthopaedics.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the duration of matrix in buffalo cornu soaked in 30% hydrogen peroxide and the antigenicity, the biomechanical intensity of matrix in buffalo cornu treated by deproteinization.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Measurement experiments were performed in the Mechanics Laboratory, Kunming University of Science and Technology (Kunming, Yunnan, China) from February to March in 2000.MATERIALS: Buffalo was provided by Luxi Abattoir of Yunnan Province (China), and then processed into test pieces at a nominal thickness.METHODS: The metric test pieces were rinsed with distilled water and soaked by chloroform-methyl alcohol at a ratio of 1:1 for 48 hours, then in 30% hydrogen peroxide for 24 and 48 hours, which served as the experimental group. While those remaining untreated were taken as controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The modulus of elasticity and compressive strength were measured by electric measurement method and direct pressurization method, respectively.RESULTS: The modulus of elasticity between the experimental group and the control group had no significant difference (P>0.05). The compressive strength in the control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences between the experimental group treated for 24 hours and the experimental group treated for 48 hours (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Subsequent to soaking in 30% hydrogen peroxide for 48 hours, the matrix in buffalo cornu maintains better biomechanicai intensity.