Effect of methyl alcohol on the morphology and conformational characteristics of silk sericin

Int J Biol Macromol. 2003 Nov;33(1-3):75-80. doi: 10.1016/s0141-8130(03)00069-2.

Abstract

Effects of methyl alcohol on the morphology and conformational characteristics of silk sericin (SS) were studied. Scanning electron microscope showed that morphology of SS lyophilized was dramatically changed from sponge-like structure to spherical fine particle type. X-ray diffraction method, infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the conformation of SS was random coil structure regardless of the addition of methyl alcohol. On the other hand, circular dichroism showed that the molecular states of SS were more densely packed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning / methods
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry*
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Sericins
  • Silk
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared / methods
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Sericins
  • Silk
  • Methanol