Fabrication and characterization of biomaterial film from gland silk of muga and eri silkworms

Abstract

This study discusses the possibilities of liquid silk (Silk gland silk) of Muga and Eri silk, the indigenous non mulberry silkworms of North Eastern region of India, as potential biomaterials. Silk protein fibroin of Bombyx mori, commonly known as mulberry silkworm, has been extensively studied as a versatile biomaterial. As properties of different silk-based biomaterials vary significantly, it is important to characterize the non mulberry silkworms also in this aspect. Fibroin was extracted from the posterior silk gland of full grown fifth instars larvae, and 2D film was fabricated using standard methods. The films were characterized using SEM, Dynamic contact angle test, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and TGA and compared with respective silk fibers. SEM images of films reveal presence of some globules and filamentous structure. Films of both the silkworms were found to be amorphous with random coil conformation, hydrophobic in nature, and resistant to organic solvents. Non mulberry silk films had higher thermal resistance than mulberry silk. Fibers were thermally more stable than the films. This study provides insight into the new arena of research in application of liquid silk of non mulberry silkworms as biomaterials.

Milled non-mulberry silk fibroin microparticles as biomaterial for biomedical applications

“…In A. assamensis, P. ricini and A. mylitta silk fibroin microparticles, the first weight loss was found at around 100-105 • C and the second weight loss at around 350-360 • C. However, in B. mori silk fibroin microparticles, the first weight loss peak was also observed at around 100-105 • C but the second weight loss peak was observed at 266 • C. Taken together, the enhanced thermal stability of the A. assamensis, P. ricini and A. mylitta fibroin microparticles than B. mori silk fibroin microparticles demonstrates a greater chemical stability of the non-mulberry fibroin based microparticles. These results are in agreement with the previous reports with films and fibers [21,51].…”

“…6A). This result was in agreement with the recent work carried out on A. assamensis and P. ricini silk fibroin film [21,51]. In contrast, B. mori silk fibroin microparticles showed a similar moisture peak at 105-109 • C but decomposition peak was at a lower temperature of 300 • C (Fig.…”

Physico-Chemical Studies on Raw and Processed Moth Caterpillar Silks from the Mega Biodiversity Hotspots of India

“…The presence of calcium oxalate may help keep the tasar silk cocoon dry from the inside, even though it is found in the moisture-rich northern Western Ghats region. XRD results are consistent with those reported in the literature 26,27 . Figure 2 a shows TG curves of undegummed silk samples.…”

Facts and myths of antibacterial properties of silk

“…It is also important to understand whether major cocoon components such as fiber forming fibroin, sericin or crystals have inherent antibacterial properties. Silkworm silk is being used to produce new materials well suited for biomedical applications . Therefore, finding bacterial resistant properties in silk can broaden the applicability of produced materials.…”