Extraction and antioxidant activity of sericin, a protein from silk

Abstract

Sericin is a globular protein that represents 20% to 30% of the silk fiber from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoon. This protein is usually removed from the raw fiber and discarded by silk producers, a process known as degumming. However, sericin possesses significant biological properties that allows its application in various fields. The antioxidant activity is one of its most relevant benefits. Several authors have reported its anti-tyrosinase activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition and free radical neutralization. The antioxidant potential of sericin protein varies according to the extraction method used. Even though a wide variety of extraction techniques have been studied, simple technics including water at high temperature have exhibited efficient results. Furthermore, this method does not interfere with the safety of sericin for subsequent applications in food.

Sericin based nanoformulations: a comprehensive review on molecular mechanisms of interaction with organisms to biological applications

“…Antibacterial materials have gained prominence in the last years due to its use in medical devices and implants [ 55 ]. Although the use of silver nanoparticles is already well known in this area, current studies show that the association of sericin with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may increase the antibacterial activity of these materials, since SER has antimicrobial and antioxidant activity [ 10 , 56 ]. Moreover, SER has been used as a dispersant and stabilizing agent of some nanoparticles synthesis [ 57 ].…”

Physicochemical Analysis, Elemental and Amino Acid Composition of Wool and Silk

“…We used an analytical balance, a muffle furnace, and a desiccator. The ash content was determined by burning a sample in a muffle at a temperature of 600-8000 C, for 2-3 hours, until the presence of organic substances in the ash disappeared in the form of black particles [11][12][13]. The ash content was determined by the difference between the crucible mass before and after calcination in the muffle, expressed as a percentage of the initial sample, according to the formula: where, М 1 is the mass of the crucible with a sample before drying, gr.…”

“…Woolen fibers and natural silk are mainly composed of protein. Many works are devoted to the isolation of individual proteins from wool and silk, as well as to the study of their amino acid composition and structure [2,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Synthesis of Biogenic Gold Nanoparticles by Using Sericin Protein from Bombyx mori Silk Cocoon and Investigation of Its Wound Healing, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Potentials

“…It possesses various biological activities such as antitumor activities, immunomodulatory, suppression of elastase, UVresistant and moisture absorbing properties, antioxidation, kinase activity, and tyrosinase activity; it also promotes cell growth, wound healing, anticancer and anticoagulant properties. 13,16,[23][24][25][26] Owing to their biodegradation, biocompatibility, and strong ability to stimulate cell differentiation, it is appropriate for bone filling applications and it has the prospect to provide therapeutic medicine. As it supports cell viability, the sericin compounds have potential in boneassociated applications and tumor therapy as drug delivery systems.…”