Fractionation of Regenerated Silk Fibroin and Characterization of the Fractions

The molecular weight (MW) of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) decreases during degumming and dissolving processes. Although MW and the MW distribution generally affect polymer material processability and properties, few reports have described studies examining the influences of MW and the distribution...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2021-10, Vol.26 (20), p.6317
Main Authors: Aoki, Masaaki, Masuda, Yu, Ishikawa, Kota, Tamada, Yasushi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonium
Ammonium sulfate
Aqueous solutions
Cell proliferation
Cellulose
Degumming
Dialysis
Electrophoresis
Fractionation
Fractions
Gel electrophoresis
Hemodialysis
Influence
Liquid chromatography
Low temperature
Mechanical properties
Methods
Molecular weight
nanofiber
Nanofibers
Physical properties
Polyacrylamide
Polyethylene
Polymer blends
Polymer melts
Polymers
porous structure
Protein structure
Proteins
Rheology
Secondary structure
Silk fibroin
Surface properties
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Summary:The molecular weight (MW) of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) decreases during degumming and dissolving processes. Although MW and the MW distribution generally affect polymer material processability and properties, few reports have described studies examining the influences of MW and the distribution on silk fibroin (SF) material. To prepare different MW SF fractions, the appropriate conditions for fractionation of RSF by ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation process were investigated. The MW and the distribution of each fraction were found using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). After films of the fractionated SFs formed, the secondary structure, surface properties, and cell proliferation of films were evaluated. Nanofiber nonwoven mats and 3D porous sponges were fabricated using the fractionated SF aqueous solution. Then, their structures and mechanical properties were analyzed. The results showed AS precipitation using a dialysis membrane at low temperature to be a suitable fractionation method for RSF. Moreover, MW affects the nanofiber and sponge morphology and mechanical properties, although no influence of MW was observed on the secondary structure or crystallinity of the fabricated materials.
ISSN:1420-3049
1420-3049
DOI:10.3390/molecules26206317