Investigation of the Silk Fiber Extraction Process from the Vietnam Natural Bombyx Mori Silkworm Cocoon

Abstract

Bombyx mori (B. mori) silkworms content two main protein kinds: the structural core protein, silk fibers, and the glue-like sericin coating. In contrast with silk fibers which are biocompatible, sericin is the main cause of inflammation. Hence, immunogenic sericin coating must be completely removed from silk fibers by degumming method before applying for medical uses. Several degumming processes have been applied with different chemical treatments, pH of degumming solution, time and temperature of degumming process. The purpose of this study was to investigate a new two-step degumming process that was simple, economic and suitable for B. mori silk. This process used solution with different temperatures and times of degumming. Observations under scanning electron microscope showed that there was no sign of either impurities or destruction or damage on the surface of silk fibers. It proved that the new degumming process is appropriate.