Abstract
To optimize a method for dissolving whole silkworm cocoon proteins, we pretreated cocoons with 70% ethanol and different concentrations of lithium bromide (LiBr) in solubilizing solution. Pretreatment with 70% ethanol improved the dissolution of the proteins in 9 M LiBr solution. LiBr solution at concentrations of 7.5 to 9.5 M buffered with 0.1 M Tris·HCl at pH 9.0 could dissolve whole proteins efficiently. The efficiency of dissolution was the same among different cocoons.
