Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Yang, Huan Wang, Yuhang Zhou, Lirong Duan, Karl H. Schneider, Zhaozhu Zheng, Fengxuan Han, Xiaoqin Wang, Gang Li
Summary: The present study introduces a silk microfiber reinforced meniscus scaffold (SMRMS) made from silk fibroin (SF) and wool keratin (WK) using electrospinning and freeze-drying technology. The scaffold exhibits a hierarchical fibrous and porous structure with varying pore sizes. It possesses robust mechanical properties, stable biodegradability, and shows no cytotoxicity, making it a promising candidate for meniscal repair engineering.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Yankuan Tian, Qinting Wu, Fang Li, Yuhang Zhou, Di Huang, Ruijuan Xie, Xiaoqin Wang, Zhaozhu Zheng, Gang Li
Summary: The study prepared a porous SF/WK composite scaffold with good biocompatibility and mechanical properties for cartilage tissue engineering, showing potential in this field.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Meng Li, Wei Tian, Yao Zhang, Hui Song, Yangxiao Yu, Xiangshang Chen, Nan Yong, Xiuzhen Li, Yin Yin, Qingmin Fan, Jiannan Wang
Summary: The periosteum is crucial for bone formation and reconstruction. Silk fibroin (SF) and silk sericin (SS) are promising biomaterials in bone tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility and physicochemical properties, but their lack of mechanical properties limits their application. In this study, SF/SS composite films with improved mechanical properties were developed using a boiling water degumming technique. The composite films exhibited enhanced breaking strength and toughness compared to SF films, and promoted faster hydroxyapatite (HAp) deposition. These findings suggest that SF/SS composite films have potential as biomaterials for the repair and regeneration of periosteum.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Zhu, Ning Ma, Shuo Li, Liang Zhang, Xiaoling Tong, Yanyan Shao, Chao Shen, Yeye Wen, Muqiang Jian, Yuanlong Shao, Jin Zhang
Summary: In this study, a continuous wet-spinning strategy is proposed to rebuild wool keratin into compact regenerated bio-fibers with improved strength. By introducing dithiothreitol (DTT) to renovate disulfide linkage inside keratin polypeptide chains, a continuous backbone is formed as mechanical support. The wet-spinning technical parameters have been optimized to ensure the continuous preparation of high-strength regenerated keratin fibers.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Hye Gyeoung Lee, Mi Jin Jang, Byung-Dae Park, In Chul Um
Summary: Silk sericin, with good biocompatibility and high water retention, has attracted the attention of researchers as a promising biomaterial. However, its poor storage stability has limited its extensive use in biorelated applications. This study extracted and dried sericin from silkworm cocoon, and then dissolved it in hot water to improve its storage stability.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shanshan Mei, Bofei Fu, Xianjie Su, Hongbin Chen, Hetong Lin, Zongping Zheng, Congjie Dai, Da-Peng Yang
Summary: This study focuses on designing cost-effective and sustainable edible packaging films with multifunctional activities. By incorporating silk sericin, chitosan, and carbon dots, the bio-nanocomposite films demonstrated enhanced flexibility, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties compared to films made solely of silk sericin. The components were well dispersed within the film matrix network, and the presence of carbon dots allowed the films to exhibit blue fluorescent emission, which could be used as an anticounterfeit label. Furthermore, the fruit-litchi test confirmed the effectiveness of the bio-nanocomposite film in preserving nutritional components. Overall, this study provides insights into the use of silk sericin and carbon dots for the preparation of environmentally friendly edible food packaging films and their application in effective fruit preservation.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Zhao, Hao Lu, Daizong Qi, Antonella Motta, Janine Froehlich-Nowoisky, Jing Chen, Yuling Sun, Mischa Bonn
Summary: This study explores the ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity of silk proteins from Bombyx mori and finds that silk fibroin (SF) has higher IRI activity than silk sericin (SS). SF aqueous solutions perform better in inhibiting ice recrystallization than SF phosphate-buffered saline solutions. This work is significant for broadening the applications of silk proteins in biomedical fields.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ahmed Salama, Vincenzo Guarino
Summary: The use of ionic liquids in the design of bio-based materials offers a promising strategy for creating more effective, safer, and environmentally friendly products. This article provides an overview of the current technological approaches using ionic liquids to manipulate protein-based materials for various bio-sustainable and biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Rosalinda Caringella, Parag Bhavsar, Giulia Dalla Fontana, Alessia Patrucco, Claudio Tonin, Pier Davide Pozzo, Marina Zoccola
Summary: Films of keratoses and sericin were successfully prepared using solution casting method with water as a common solvent and glycerol as a plasticizer. The addition of sericin led to rougher film surfaces, while there was good miscibility between keratoses and plasticizer. However, there were no covalent interactions between the polymers. Glycerol changed the thermal stability of sericin films, but had less impact on keratoses, and adding keratoses improved the mechanical properties of the sericin plasticized films.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinyuan Zhang, Hui Zhang, Wenjun Li, Limeng Yang, Hailiang Wu, Ningtao Mao
Summary: The novel keratin char-TiO2 composite films showed a unique porous structure and high water contact angle after calcination, resulting in strong adsorption capacity towards organic pollutants and high photodegradation efficiency. The main active species in the photodegradation process were O-1(2) radicals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha Bokhari, Asif Ali, Abida Yasmeen, Hamad Khalid, Sher Zaman Safi, Faiza Sharif
Summary: Soft tissue defects can be resolved with coated silk meshes, which have antimicrobial and wound healing properties. The coating alters the pore size and fiber diameter of the mesh, while also improving its mechanical strength. Among the variants tested, MHRJ showed the best cell viability and wound healing effects. In vivo experiments with rat hernia model confirmed the non-toxic nature and wound healing characteristics of the modified mesh. This study suggests that MHRJ could be a valuable biomedical implant.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji-Xin Li, Shu-Xiang Zhao, Yu-Qing Zhang
Summary: This paper describes the use of silk protein for the clean degumming of silk and the preparation of silk protein bioinks for 3D printing of various composite scaffolds. The techniques described here allow for the recycling and utilization of sericin, a waste product of silk processing. The resulting composite scaffolds exhibit improved properties such as enhanced compressive strength and resistance to protease hydrolysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Feng Sang, Xiao Yang, Jiahui Hao, Yuzhen Wang, Xiaoqin Si, Xujian Li, Luqi Pan, Zhaipu Ma, Changcan Shi
Summary: A composite shape memory sponge, WK/ZIF-8, consisting of wool keratin and ZIF-8 nanoparticles, has been developed. The sponge exhibits superior hemostatic performance and antibacterial efficacy, making it a promising solution for rapid bleeding control and wound healing.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Jeongmin Nam, Yujin Hyun, Subin Oh, Jinseok Park, Hyoung-Joon Jin, Hyo Won Kwak
Summary: The fabrication of a functionalized bacterial cellulose-derived nanocrystal on existing sericin films enhances their mechanical properties and develops ultraviolet-blocking, water-resistant, and antioxidant properties.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Shi Yifang, Lingling Huang, Xiao Wang, Yanru Li, Runqing Shen
Summary: It is critical to develop drug carriers for intelligent drug delivery systems. Stimulus-responsive polymers are often used as drug carriers in such systems. However, the biocompatibility of the materials should be considered when selecting drug carriers. In this study, two smart drug systems were developed using natural protein materials (silk and wool) as drug carriers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as a functional additive material. The results showed that the drug release efficiency of the composite films could be controlled by adjusting the crystallinity or temperature, indicating the potential of these systems for controllable drug delivery.
MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING
(2022)
