Cited by 133Silk-based biomaterials and applicationsSilkworms and Sericulture ResearchDyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers

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Chemical, Thermal, Time, and Enzymatic Stability of Silk Materials with Silk I Structure

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Zhao, Meihui, Qi, Zhenzhen, Tao, Xiaosheng, Newkirk, Chad, Hu, Xiao, Lu, Shenzhou·2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Abstract

The crystalline structure of silk fibroin Silk I is generally considered to be a metastable structure; however, there is no definite conclusion under what circumstances this crystalline structure is stable or the crystal form will change. In this study, silk fibroin solution was prepared from B. Mori silkworm cocoons, and a combined method of freeze-crystallization and freeze-drying at different temperatures was used to obtain stable Silk I crystalline material and uncrystallized silk material, respectively. Different concentrations of methanol and ethanol were used to soak the two materials with different time periods to investigate the effect of immersion treatments on the crystalline structure of silk fibroin materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman scattering spectroscopy (Raman), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the structure of silk fibroin before and after the treatments. The results showed that, after immersion treatments, uncrystallized silk fibroin material with random coil structure was transformed into Silk II crystal structure, while the silk material with dominated Silk I crystal structure showed good long-term stability without obvious transition to Silk II crystal structure. α-chymotrypsin biodegradation study showed that the crystalline structure of silk fibroin Silk I materials is enzymatically degradable with a much lower rate compared to uncrystallized silk materials. The crystalline structure of Silk I materials demonstrate a good long-term stability, endurance to alcohol sterilization without structural changes, and can be applied to many emerging fields, such as biomedical materials, sustainable materials, and biosensors.

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Crossref · 10.3390/ijms22084136

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Figures

Figure 1 Water loss rate of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h.
Figure 1 Water loss rate of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of SF-I and SF-R materials before and after alcohol treatment: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 99% methanol, (d) 75% ethanol, (e) 90% ethanol, (f) 99% ethanol.
Figure 2 X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of SF-I and SF-R materials before and after alcohol treatment: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 99% methanol, (d) 75% ethanol, (e) 90% ethanol, (f) 99% ethanol.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of SF-I and SF-R materials before and after alcohol treatment: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 99% methanol, (d) 75% ethanol, (e) 90% ethanol, (f) 99% ethanol.
Figure 3 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of SF-I and SF-R materials before and after alcohol treatment: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 99% methanol, (d) 75% ethanol, (e) 90% ethanol, (f) 99% ethanol.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Raman spectra of silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after alcohol treatments: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 75% ethanol, (d) 90% ethanol.
Figure 4 Raman spectra of silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after alcohol treatments: (a) 75% methanol, (b) 90% methanol, (c) 75% ethanol, (d) 90% ethanol.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 5 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after 90% methanol (v/v) treatment.
Figure 5 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after 90% methanol (v/v) treatment.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 6 Silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after being placed at room temperature for one year: (a) XRD analysis, (b) FTIR spectra.
Figure 6 Silk fibroin materials (SF-I and SF-R) before and after being placed at room temperature for one year: (a) XRD analysis, (b) FTIR spectra.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 7 Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I, SF-R, and silk fibers).
Figure 7 Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I, SF-R, and silk fibers).CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 8 Enzymatic and PBS degradation curves of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I and silk fibers).
Figure 8 Enzymatic and PBS degradation curves of different silk fibroin materials (SF-I and silk fibers).CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 9 (A) Formation mechanism of SF-R and SF-I materials, and (B) structure of silk fibroin materials (SF-R and SF-I) after methanol or ethanol treatments.
Figure 9 (A) Formation mechanism of SF-R and SF-I materials, and (B) structure of silk fibroin materials (SF-R and SF-I) after methanol or ethanol treatments.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 10 Experimental procedure to prepare (A) Silk I crystalline structure dominated silk materials, and (B) uncrystallized (randomly coils dominated) silk materials.
Figure 10 Experimental procedure to prepare (A) Silk I crystalline structure dominated silk materials, and (B) uncrystallized (randomly coils dominated) silk materials.CC BY · PubMed Central

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Tu, A.T. (1982). Raman Spectroscopie in Biology. Principles and Applications, A Wiley-Interscience Publication, John Wiley and Sons.

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Metadata

Authors
Zhao, M., Qi, Z., Tao, X., Newkirk, C., Hu, X., & Lu, S.
Affiliations
  • Soochow University (CN)
  • Rowan University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Hu, Xiao
  • Lu, Shenzhou
Venue
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-04-16
Volume
22
Issue
8
Pages
4136
ISSN
1422-0067 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3153480078
Cited by
130
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 2
FWCI
3.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Rowan Digitals Works (Rowan University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (51973144)
  • Six Talent Peaks Project in Jiangsu Province (SWYY-038)
  • College Nature Science Research Project of Jiangsu Province (20KJA540002)
  • US Natural Science Foundation Biomaterials Program (DMR-1809541)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Silk-based biomaterials and applications
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Silkworms and Sericulture Research
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Dyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers
Keywords
silk fibroin, freeze crystallization, freeze-drying, random coil, enzymatic degradation, thermal stability, chemical stability, Bombyx mori
MeSH terms
Chymotrypsin, Fibroins, Hot Temperature, Protein Denaturation, Protein Stability, Proteolysis

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