Formation of Fibroin Microspheres by Molecular Cohesion and Association in Water-in-oil Emulsion

초록

Fibroin is an insoluble protein polymer of silk fiber but undergo solubilization in a hot salt solution. The fibroin-salt solution was dialyzed to obtain an unstable aqueous fibroin, eventually turned to gel. Molecular association of aqueous fibroin and their growth were detected by dynamic light scattering. Fibroin microspheres were prepared by dehydration of W/O emulsion from aqueous fibroin, mixed with decane and detergents. Scanning electron microscopy showed that fibroin microspheres have the smooth surface. The fibroin microspheres remain insoluble in water as well as in saline without any significant swelling. FTIR and XRD were used to detect the presence of beta-sheet structure formed by hydrogen bonds between fibroin molecules in an orderly manner.

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