UNLABELLED Cocoon-derived semi-domesticated Eri silk fibers still lack exploitation for tissue engineering applications due to their poor solubility using conventional methods. The present work explores the ability to process cocoon fibers of non-mulberry Eri silk (Samia/Philosamia ricini) into sponges through a green approach using ionic liquid (IL)--1-buthyl-imidazolium acetate as a solvent. ...

Final-instar larvae of weaver ants (Oecophylla longinoda) use their silk for nest construction rather than for cocoon spinning; this commitment represents a shift from entirely selfish to entirely cooperative behavior that occurred after the emergence of the phylogenetically advanced subfamily Formicinae. Male larvae were found to have smaller silk glands and to contribute substantially less si...

Silkworm cocoons are multi-layered composite structures comprised of high strength silk fiber and sericin, and their mechanical properties have been naturally selected to protect pupas during metamorphosis from various types of external attacks. The present study attempts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of cocoon shell materials from wild silkworm species Anth...

The larvae of the giant silk moth (Hyalophora cecropia) spin strikingly dimorphic, multilayered cocoons that are either large and fluffy (baggy) or significantly smaller and tightly woven (compact). Although these cocoon-morphs share the same function (i.e., housing for pupal to adult development during overwintering), previous work has been unable to determine why cocoon dimorphism exists. We ...

Silk sericin (SS) is a glue-like protein from silkworm cocoon. With its outstanding moisturization and activation collagen synthesis properties, silk protein is applied for wound healing. Since wound dressing in film preparation can facilitate patients’ convenience and reduce risk of wound contraction, SS and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were prepared with various concentrations of SS. Their p...

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of 10 silk protein ingredients, which function primarily as skin and hair conditioning agents and bulking agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that 8 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, a...

Owing to the growing global environmental problems, demands for environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable sustainable composites have substantially increased across various industries. Inspired by the composite structure of cocoon silk, we fabricated a fully green composite fiber (GCF) that is based on the lotus fiber (LF) and a biodegradable polymer, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). After...

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is one of the most serious pests of wheat worldwide. It overwinters as cocooned larvae in diapause and non-diapause forms. The cocoon is made of silk from the salivary glands. The silk glands, therefore, play an important role in the S. mosellana diapause. In the present study, the ultra-structures of the silk glands betw...

INTRODUCTION Since the genus Rhynchosciara belongs, like Chironomus, to the suborder Nematocera it will be very interesting to see if the formation of its salivary secretion proteins is similar to that of Chironomus secretion or to Bombyx silk biosynthesis . Moreover, this work will be of importance for a better understanding of the hemolymph protein function and will provide a basis for improv...

INTRODUCTION Since the genus Rhynchosciara belongs, like Chironomus, to the suborder Nematocera it will be very interesting to see if the formation of its salivary secretion proteins is similar to that of Chironomus secretion or to Bombyx silk biosynthesis . Moreover, this work will be of importance for a better understanding of the hemolymph protein function and will provide a basis for improv...