Potential applications of silk sericin, a natural protein from textile industry by-products

Waste Manag Res. 2012 Mar;30(3):217-24. doi: 10.1177/0734242X11404733. Epub 2011 May 9.

Abstract

Silk is composed of two major proteins, fibroin (fibrous protein) and sericin (globular, gumming protein). Fibroin has been used in textile manufacturing and for several biomaterial applications, whereas sericin is considered a waste material in the textile industry. Sericin has recently been found to activate the proliferation of several cell-lines and has also shown various biological activities. Sericin can form a gel by itself; however, after mixing with other polymers and cross-linking it can form a film or a scaffold with good characteristics that can be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Sericin is proven to cause no immunological responses, which has resulted in a more acceptable material for biological applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Biocompatible Materials / therapeutic use*
  • Bombyx / chemistry*
  • Bombyx / physiology
  • Fibroins / chemistry
  • Fibroins / isolation & purification
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / pharmacology
  • Insect Proteins / physiology
  • Insect Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Sericins / chemistry
  • Sericins / pharmacology
  • Sericins / physiology
  • Sericins / therapeutic use*
  • Textile Industry
  • Waste Products

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Insect Proteins
  • Sericins
  • Waste Products
  • Fibroins