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.     

丝厂废水中的丝胶蛋白在超滤过程中的膜污染和膜清洗

采用十种不同的膜清膜方法对超滤丝厂废水后被污染的中性聚砚中空纤维超滤膜进行了研究。结果表明：０．１％ＮａＯＨ、０．５％ＮａＣｌＯ、０．１％渗透剂等组成的碱性溶液对丝胶蛋白造成的膜污染具有最佳清洗效果。     

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。     

柞蚕蛾出茧前吐出液中的水解酶

采用重量法和紫外光谱法对已出蛾与未出蛾的柞蚕茧丝胶含量做了对比研究 ,发现出蛾茧的丝胶含量低于未出蛾茧的丝胶含量。由此表明柞蚕蛾出茧前的吐出液对丝胶有较好的溶解作用。进而又通过红外及紫外光谱法对该吐出液中的水解酶进行了研究 ,发现其中含有α 吡喃阿拉伯糖苷酶及α 吡喃半乳糖苷酶 ,不含有 β 吡喃木糖苷酶     

干茧触蒸丝胶变性机理分析

本文从丝胶的园二色光谱分析,发现干茧经触蒸后丝胶的性质发生了改变,即茧层丝胶的分子构象由无规卷曲向β—折叠结构转化,指出丝胶变性是茧层丝胶胶着力趋于均匀,为提高生丝净度成绩的关键之一.     

我国煮茧技术改造方向探讨

本文通过茧层丝胶溶解膨润机理、茧质和适煮时间关系及调整部温度配置原则的讨论,探讨我国煮茧工艺路线和方针,为设计研制具有我国特色煮茧方法和设备提供理论依据。