Sericin- A Gift of Nature: Its Applications

Abstract

Natural fibre silk consists of two proteins i.e. sericin and fibroin, which synthesized at the middle and posterior silk gland of silkworm, respectively. Sericin is glue proteins, which envelop the core protein fibroin and constitute about 15-25% of cocoon weight. It is hydrophilic in nature and composed of 18 different kinds of amino acids among these the serine, glycine, aspartic acid and threonine are most dominant one. Sericin possesses tremendous biological properties like antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tyrosinase, UV resistance, anti-cancerous which open a wide scope for its application in various fields. Further, moisturizing ability of sericin serve as valuable ingredients for cosmetic industries for developing hydrating skin creams and protection against ultraviolet radiation as well as it also utilized as therapeutic agent for wound healing. In the present review the medicinal properties and its implication has been discussed.