Hygroscopicity and dyeing affinity of raw silk and silk yarn from silkworm larvae reared on an artificial diet supplemented with tofu cake powder

Abstract

The raw silk and silk yarn obtained from silkworm larvae reared on an artificial diet which contained tofu (made of soy beans) cake powder in the ratio of 50% were analyzed for some physical properties. The values of hygroscopicity at different RHs were little or less larger than those of the control specimens from larvae reared on a standard artificial diet without tofu cake. Similarly, the values of water absorption property and affinity to the dyes Orange II, Methylene Blue and Benzopurpurine 4B were a little larger compared to the control.