Biological Degumming of Silk Fabrics with Proteolytic Enzymes

ABSTRACT

The biological degumming of silk fibers was studied using alkaline proteases such as Savinase and Alcalase, comparing with conventional alkaline treatments. Degumming efficiency was evaluated by measuring the residual silk sericin in terms of weight loss and surface staining with reactive dye. The water absorbency and tensile strength were measured to characterize surface and physical properties, and the results are presented. The dosage was the decisive factor in enzymatic degumming process. Finally, the morphology of silk fibers was researched by scanning electronic microscopy, and the regular removal of sericin and less damage to fibroin were detected in enzymatically treated fibers.

摘要

本文研究碱性蛋白酶（如赛威蛋白酶和过氧化氢酶）的使用对蚕丝纤维生物脱胶的影响，并与传统的碱处理进行比较。脱胶效率通过用活性染料测量残余丝胶的重量损失和表面染色来评价。然后通过测定吸水性和抗拉强度来表征表面和物理性质，并给出了结果。剂量是酶促脱胶过程中的决定性因素。最后，用扫描电子显微术研究蚕丝纤维的形态，在经过酶处理的纤维中检测到均匀去除了丝胶且减少了对丝心蛋白的损害。

KEYWORDS:

• Degumming agent
• degumming efficiency
• morphology of silk fibers
• residual silk sericin
• Savinase
• tensile strength

关键词:

• 脱胶剂
• 脱胶效率
• 蚕丝纤维形态
• 残余丝胶
• 赛威蛋白酶
• 抗拉强度

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the financial support of Banwall and Shiwha regional innovative cluster and Nam Kyung Silk.