The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin was studied using KMnO4-H2SO4 redox system. The maximum graft yield of 64.5% was obtained at the potassium permanganate concentration of 2.00 X 10(-3) mol/L and the optimum temperature of 50degreesC. Activation energy was calculated as 18.6 kcal/mol at the temperature interval of 40-70degreesC. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degradation temperature of gelatin increased as a result of grafting. Moreover, some changes in the properties of methyl methacrylate-grafted samples were also observed. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.