Extraction of peace silk fibers using an eco-friendly method.

Abstract

Silk originating from the spittle of an insect is a natural fibrous protein substance. There are two major methods of extracting silk fiber i.e., filament extraction method and the staple (peace) silk extraction method. The filament extraction method or silk production involves the killing of hundreds of thousands silk moths in their pupae stage by heating and boiling and the use of chemical solutions dangerous to the environment for degumming. In silk production, the methods used for degumming silk, are hydrolysis, reactions performed by acids and alkaline but these methods are not eco-friendly and at the same- time they cause fiber damage, Hence the proteolytic enzyme used in this project to solve such problems has showed better result not only in production but also in properties of the resulting flber. Silk is known for its unique characteristics such as luster, softness, compatibility, and eco- friendliness and value addition has Iound extensive use in the textile Industry hence a rise in demand. Production of Thai bombyx mori silk consists of mulberry plant cultivation, silkworm raising, cocoon harvesting and degumming. With the correct methodology followed, degumming experiments: were carried out with sodium carbonate under high temperatures and trypsin enzyme at different temperatures; results show that the use of enzymes for degumming entails savings in terms of water and energy.