Systematically investigating dissolution properties of silk sericin from industrialized silkworm rearing cocoons

Artificial diet-rearing silkworms are strongly developed due to climate constraints and market demand. However, research on the industrialized artificial diet-rearing silkworms at all industrialized silkworm rearing) remains relatively limited. This study comprehensively investigated the dissolution properties of sericin derived from industrialized silkworm rearing cocoons. The physicochemical features were systematically characterized through amino acid analyses, molecular weight distribution tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Under identical degumming conditions, the sericin from industrialized silkworm rearing cocoons exhibited superior dissolution properties, particularly faster dissolution speed and less remaining sericin content than that from mulberry leaf-rearing silkworm cocoons. In comparison, no significant differences were observed in amino acid composition, secondary structure, and thermal stability between sericin samples from these two cocoons. Importantly, for industrialized silkworm rearing cocoons, degumming treatment and sericin extraction will consume less energy, aligning with the principles of low-carbon production and environmental protection. Additionally, this work highlights the broad development potential and application prospects of industrialized silkworm rearing and the resulting sericin. Graphical abstract