1987 Volume 34 Issue 3 Pages 190-196
A process for preparing spun protein fibers from Antarctic krill (Euphauia superba) muscle was described. Na-alginate, NaOH solution and deionized water were mixed to make spinning dopes which were extruded into a calcium coagulation solution to produce the fibers. The relationships between the composition of dopes and their spinnability were studied. Spinnability of dopes were classified into five grades and dopes with good spinnability were those which could be taken up at avelocity of 35m/min when extruded into a calcium coagulation solution (pH 5 or 7.6). The nature, pH and temperature of the coagulation solution also affected the spinnability of the dopes. The optimum conditions for obtaining the most adequate fibers were 3.8% (w/v) of CaCl2 and 15-25°C of temperature of the coagulation solution. At 45°C of temperature of the coagulation solution, there was a decrease in the fiber strength. Protein recovery fiber-making from the antarctic krill muscle was about 70%. Fibers with adequate strength could also be obtained by extrusion of the dopes into sea water containing 3.8% (w/v) of CaCl2.
