Rational Design of Ag/ZnO Hybrid Nanoparticles on Sericin/Agarose Composite Film for Enhanced Antimicrobial Applications

Silver-based hybrid nanomaterials are receiving increasing attention as potential alternatives for traditional antimicrobial agents. Here, we proposed a simple and eco-friendly strategy to efficiently assemble zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on sericin-agarose composite film to impart superior antimicrobial activity. Based on a layer-by-layer self-assembly strategy, AgNPs and ZnO were immobilized on sericin-agarose films using the adhesion property of polydopamine. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction spectroscopy were used to show the morphology of AgNPs and ZnO on the surface of the composite film and analyze the composition and structure of AgNPs and ZnO, respectively. Water contact angle, swelling ratio, and mechanical property were determined to characterize the hydrophilicity, water absorption ability, and mechanical properties of the composite films. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the composite film was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results showed that the composite film not only has desirable hydrophilicity, high water absorption ability, and favorable mechanical properties but also exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It has shown great potential as a novel antimicrobial biomaterial for wound dressing, artificial skin, and tissue engineering.     

Impregnation of silk sericin into polyester fibers using supercritical carbon dioxide

Silk sericin was impregnated into polyester fabric using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) to overcome polyester hydrophobicity. The effects of sericin molecular weight, pH of sericin, solution and cosolvent types on sericin impregnation were investigated. Enzyme‐hydrolyzed, acid‐, based‐hydrolyzed sericin in SCCO₂, and a 30 kDa sericin in SCCO₂ modified with cosolvents such as water, methanol, 1‐propanol, and acetone; and a modifier: sodium hydroxide solution were used in this work. Impregnation of sericin in polyester was indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) and dyeing with acid dye. Degradation of polyester fibers during SCCO₂ process was indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methylene blue dyeing was used to realize carboxyl group in polyester. The results showed no impregnation of sericin into polyester by using SCCO₂ modified with cosolvents. However, sericin was impregnated into modified surface polyester since hydrophilic groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups were regenerated by alkaline hydrolysis. Samples impregnated with hydrolyzed sericin showed high color strength of Supranolechtbordeaux B acid dye. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Modification of cellulose fiber with silk sericin

Cellulose fiber surface was modified with silk sericin (or simply, sericin). Sericin fixation on cellulose was confirmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR). Sericin content in finished samples was estimated by dyeing treated fabrics with an acid dye, Supranol Bordeaux B, and determining K/S and L values of the dyed fabrics. The treated fabrics were tested for free formaldehyde content, crease recovery, tensile strength, electrical resistance, water retention, and biocidal activity. From ESEM and FTIR‐ATR results, it was found that sericin coated onto cotton surfaces as a film. Increasing sericin content in the finishing solution increased the amount of coated sericin, and a greater depth of color in dyed samples and reduced free formaldehyde content in treated samples were observed. The sericin content in samples was found to have a negligible influence on tensile strength and crease recovery angle. With increasing sericin content, electrical resistivity of the samples dramatically decreased and water retention increased, indicating that sericin‐treated fabrics may be comfortable to wear because of its maintenance of moisture balance with respect to human skin. Because cotton textile coated with sericin exhibited low formaldehyde content and no biocidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, the fabric may reduce skin irritation and disturbance of physiological skin flora arising from textile contact. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1421–1428, 2005     

Silk Sericin Enrichment through Electrodeposition and Carbonous Materials for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution

The recycling and reuse of biomass waste for the preparation of carbon-based adsorbents is a sustainable development strategy that has a positive environmental impact. It is well known that a large amount of silk sericin (SS) is dissolved in the wastewater from the silk industry. Utilizing the SS instead of discharging it into the environment without further treatment would reduce environmental and ecological problems. However, effective enrichment of the SS from the aqueous solution is a challenge. Here, with the help of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), which can form a gel structure under low voltage, an SS/CMCS hydrogel with SS as the major component was prepared via electrodeposition at a 3 V direct-current (DC) voltage for five minutes. Following a carbonization process, an SS-based adsorbent with good performance for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution was prepared. Our results reveal that the SS/CMCS hydrogel maintains a porous architecture before and after carbonization. Such structure provides abundant adsorption sites facilitating the adsorption of MB molecules, with a maximum adsorptive capacity of 231.79 mg/g. In addition, it suggests that the adsorption is an exothermic process, has a good fit with the Langmuir model, and follows the intra-particle diffusion model. The presented work provides an economical and feasible path for the treatment of wastewater from dyeing and printing.     

丝胶蛋白多肽的制备方法

丝胶蛋白是茧丝绸工业的副产品,经过降解处理后可制成丝胶蛋白多肽.介绍了酶水解、酸水解和碱水解等降解处理制备丝胶蛋白多肤的方法,并对丝胶蛋白多肽的功能及应用前景作了简要概述.     

戊二醛固着茧衣丝胶的工艺研究

用戊二醛作固着剂对茧衣进行丝胶固着,通过对戊二醛浓度和固胶温度的探索,得出了在茧衣不明显着色的前提下戊二醛固胶的较优工艺方案。     

酪蛋白在酸性条件下稳定性的研究

在酸性条件下,分析研究丝素蛋白及丝胶蛋白的不同添加顺序及添加量及其他工艺条件对酪蛋白稳定性的影响,通过研究发现:在牛乳溶液中添加0.04%(g/mL)的丝素蛋白后用混合酸调制pH至4.0,所得产品酸甜可口,质地均匀一致,色呈乳白色,蛋白质含量大于1.0%,属于酸性乳饮料。     

丝绸废水中丝胶提取方法的研究

丝绸废水经过真空浓缩和喷雾干燥制成粗粉末。采用酸析法和低温乙醇沉淀法对粗粉末中的丝胶进行提取,结果表明:低温乙醇沉淀法的提取率较高,采用体积分数为75%的乙醇溶液提取率达到64%。理化性质分析结果表明,低温乙醇沉淀法提取的丝胶蛋白含量高达90%以上,溶解度有所下降,灰分含量降低,蚕腥味被去除。应用圆二色光谱和红外光谱研究2种方法提取的丝胶二级结构分子构象的变化,结果显示提取得到的丝胶蛋白分子构象以无规卷曲为主,β转角构象的比例增加。研究结果表明,低温乙醇沉淀法是一种简便有效提取丝胶的方法。     

丝胶蛋白酶解产物抗氧化活性的研究

本实验采用六种蛋白酶对丝胶蛋白进行酶解,并分析其酶解产物清除二苯代苦味酰基 (DPPH) 自由基能力.通过脂质过氧化体系、还原力、金属螯合能力评价其酶解4h酶解产物的抗氧化活性.结果表明:各种酶解产物都呈现一定的清除DPPH自由基的能力,其中以碱性蛋白酶最强 (p＜0.05);各种酶解产物都存在抑制脂质过氧化活性,与其他蛋白酶相比碱性蛋白酶的抑制活性显著的高于其他酶 (p＜0.05);各种蛋白酶解产物具有一定的还原力和金属螯合能力.这些结果表明:六种酶解产物都具有显著的抗氧化活性.