Studies on the effects of the enzymatic treatment on silk fine powder

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In this study, the silk treated by steam explosion was pulverized into fine powder with a mean particle size of 1.829 m, then the feasibility of the application of the protease treatment to produce finer and more uniform silk powder was investigated. The results indicated that after the enzymatic treatment, the mean diameter of the silk powder was reduced from 1.829 to 1.546 m and the equivalent diameter distribution became more concentrated; thus, the uniformity of the particles was improved. The infrared spectra analysis demonstrated that the silk powder remained the ␤-sheet crystalline structure. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the crystallinity of the polished silk powder was very slightly strengthened. It was found that the treatment reduced some polar amino acid in the sericin; however, the composition of the kinds of the amino acids did not change. In addition, the hot water-solubility and moisture regain of the polished silk powder declined very slightly.

Molecular weight and secondary structure change in eri silk during alkali degumming and powdering

“…This is referred to as “normal degumming” in this work. Before milling, it is a common practice to use pre‐treatments (e.g., alkali, acid, radiation, or steam explosion), which substantially reduce fiber strength to improve milling efficiency 38–41. Harsher alkaline degumming conditions than that commonly used for commercial silk degumming were used to reduce fiber strength in this work.…”

Bombyx moriSilk Fibers: An Outstanding Family of Materials

“…A deep understanding about degradation and clearing mechanisms of silk will boost the development of silk as an imperative biodegradable and bioresorbable material. Silk biodegradation is usually studied by mass loss, change in morphology and analysis of degraded products in vitro (usually using enzymatic experiments with α‐chymotrypsin, collagenase IA, and protease XIV, where the rate of enzymatic degradation can be further regulated by gamma‐radiation), but also by testing silk‐based materials in animal models . Degradation of silk was confirmed in several works and, once again, the mode of processing and the corresponding silk secondary structure of produced biomaterial are cited as being directly connected with the biodegradation behavior …”

Evaluation of the toxicity effects of silk fibroin on human lymphocytes and monocytes

“…Among natural polymers, silk fibroin (SFNPs) is a hetero dimeric protein (5,507 amino acid) with repeats sequences of Gly‐Ala‐Gly‐Ala‐Gly‐Ser, which is used in three‐dimensional scaffolds, hydrogels, electrospun fibers, and microspheres as a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering . Besides, it has been utilized as food additive, cosmetics, and as moisture absorption in skin . Pharmacological application of SFNPs has been reported in diabetic, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and wound healing therapy .…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Besides, it has been utilized as food additive, cosmetics, and as moisture absorption in skin. [6] Pharmacological application of SFNPs has been reported in diabetic, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and wound healing therapy. [7] Moreover, various studies have been applied in preclinical researches such as antioxidant, immune-regulatory, hair protecting action, antihangover, anti-HIV virus, and anti-tumor effect.…”