Thermal properties of sericin prepared by various methods were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy, DTA and ultramicro-electrophoresis.
The following results were obtained.
1) On X-ray and IR-spectrum studies no significant difference was observed among sericin fractions prepared by modified Mosher methods with various times and temperatures. But the isoelectric points differed a little among these sample, and the isoelectric point of A-fraction prepared with shorter time was in an alkaline side compared to those of others.
2) The thermal decomposition of sericins began to occur at 200_??_220°C. In an earlier stage of decomposition, the increase of absorption intensity of 1720cm
-1 and the decrease of solubility were observed. The absorption intensities at 1230cm
-1 and 1060cm
-1 and the absorption intensity ratio of Amide (II/I) remarkably decreased when the crystallites were broken.
3) The sericins prepared by modified Mosher method decomposed thermally at about 260_??_270°C. The decomposition temperature of B-fractions were about 10°C higher than those of A-fractions and that of sericin prepared with the shortest time was about 10°C lower than those of others.
4) The cocoon layer of nd silkworm decomposed thermally at 258°C, but its powder had double endothermic peaks at 232°C and 266°C as well as the sericins prepared by modified Mosher methods.
5) The sericin extracted from the silkgland of nd×Taizo silkworm had double endothermic peaks at 286°C and 308°C. These correspond to the patial degradation and the weak crystal transition.
6) The sericin separated by stirring aqueous silk protein solution showed β-structure, and the thermal decomposition occured at 314°C.
From the above results, it is concluded that the decomposition temperatures depends on the crystallinity, and the sericins prepared from the silkgland and aqueous silk protein solution shows higher decomposition temperature due to contamination of fibroin.
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