Publication Type
Journal Article
Journal Name
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
Silk fibers and cocoon shells from four African wild silkmoths Gonometa postica, Anaphe panda, Argema mimosae and Epiphora bauhiniae-were studied to gain insight into the structure-property-function relations and potential commercial application. The surface and cross-section of cocoon shells and fibers revealed the presence of prominent structural variations. Cocoon shells were multilayered and porous structures constructed from highly cross-linked fibers that are densely packed within the sericin/gum. Fibers had fibrillar sub-structures running along the fiber axis and with greater number and size of voids. The ecological significance and implication of these structures for further application are discussed. © 2011.
Keywords
SEM, Voids, Wild silkmoth
PubMed ID
21986544
Recommended Citation
Teshome, A., Vollrath, F., Raina, S., Kabaru, J., & Onyari, J. (2012). Study on the microstructure of African wild silk cocoon shells and fibers. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 50 (1), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2011.09.025