Sericin Bombyx mori (silkworm)

Sericin, a water-soluble globular glycoprotein, is derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori. It is rich in serine, aspartic acid, and glycine. Sericin is localized around the fibroin fibers with successive sticky layers, to form the cocoon. It constitutes 20%-30% of the total cocoon mass. Sericin is composed of 18 types of amino acids of which most of them contain strong polar (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino) side groups.

Sericin Bombyx mori (silkworm) has been used:

• as a standard to evaluate the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the crude sericin extracts
• as a growth medium supplement to culture to study its effect on the production of infectious Zika virus (ZIKV) particles by C6/36 and Vero cells, compared to serum-free cultures and cultures supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)
• in the development and optimization of a bio-origami film for skin regeneration

Sericin acts as a gum binder to maintain the intact structure of the cocoon. The strong polar side groups of sericin affect its physical and biological properties. Studies show that sericin exhibits various biological functions such as antioxidant and antityrosinase activities, collagen production that is essential in wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, anti-aging, and antimicrobial actions. It is known to promote stability and prolong the release of controlled drug-releasing biomaterials. Sericin has several beneficial characteristics for culturing mammalian cells.