Sericin

What Is Sericin Powder?

Sericin is a natural macromolecular protein wrapped on the surface of silk fibre. It is mainly secreted by the silk glands of silkworms and is one of the main proteins that make up silkworm cocoons. Sericin is widely used in the back of fabrics because of its good water solubility, promoting cell adhesion and proliferation activity, lower immunogenicity, and unique in situ fluorescence, antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibition. Finishing coatings, cosmetic additives, and food, medicine, and functional biomaterials.

Structure

Sericin is a water-soluble globular protein, and its molecular weight in solution is affected by temperature, pH, etc. It consists of 18 kinds of amino acid residues, of which the main amino acid residues are serine (Ser), aspartic acid (Asp), and glycine (Gly), and their contents are about 33%, 20% and 14%, respectively. Amino acid residues contain a large number of strong polar groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups, and the polar side chain amino acids in sericin account for more than 70%.

When the combined hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions on the protein reach equilibrium and the net charge on the protein is zero, the pH of the solution at this time is the isoelectric point of the protein. When the pH value of the solution is low, sericin exists in the form of positive ions, and when the pH value of the solution is high, sericin exists in the form of negative ions. Sericin is a globular protein, its polypeptide chain is tightly folded, the hydrophobic amino acid side chain is located inside the molecule, and the hydrophilic amino acid side chain is exposed to the water solvent outside, so the globular protein has good solubility in water solvent . However, the molecular weight of sericin has a great influence on its solubility. Small molecular sericin can dissolve in cold water, and large molecular sericin can dissolve in hot water. Sericin is a natural biopolymer with a large molecular weight, so the particle size of sericin is generally between 1 and 100nm, which belongs to the range of colloidal particles, so the sericin solution will also show dialysis, coagulation, gelation, etc. properties of colloidal solutions such as gelation and peptization.

Nature

1. Amphoteric properties and isoelectric point of sericin Sericin contains free shuttle groups and amino groups, which can interact to form bipolar ions and have amphoteric properties. In a solution with a lower pH value, sericin exists in the form of positive ions; in a solution with a higher pH value, sericin exists in the form of negative ions. The isoelectric point of sericin is: 3.8-4.5.
2. Colloidal properties of sericin Sericin is a polymer compound with a large molecular weight and a particle diameter of 1-100nm. Since the particle size is within the range of colloidal particles, it shows the unique characteristics of dialysis, coagulation, Gelling and peptizing properties.
3. Sericin denaturation When sericin molecules are affected by some external physical or chemical factors, their properties often change, but these changes do not involve changes in the primary structure, and the covalent bonds of the skin chains are not broken. A change in molecular conformation occurs, which causes a change in properties. Its main manifestations are changes in physical properties, chemical properties, and loss of biological activity. The most prominent performance is a decrease in solubility, which will greatly reduce its use value. The main factors causing sericin denaturation are temperature, pH value and organic solvent.
4. Swelling and dissolving of sericin Sericin is a kind of macromolecule, when it comes in contact with appropriate liquid, it will automatically absorb liquid and swell and become soft, and it can be dissolved in liquid after infinite swelling. In general, silk fibroin can only swell but not dissolve in water, but sericin can dissolve in hot water. This is the most important property of sericin, and it is also the basis for people to use water to make silk and degumming.

What Are The Benefits?

Moisturizing and Humidity Control Function

Sericin has very similar ingredients to the natural moisturizing factor contained in the human body, so it not only moisturizes but also regulates the moisture in the skin, allowing the skin to maintain moisture and elasticity. At the same time, its hydrolyzate is also a natural antioxidant. The ability to inhibit oxidation is similar to that of VC.

Skin anti-inflammatory effect

Water-soluble sericin has obvious effects on some skin diseases and is a good medicine for skin inflammation. It can reduce inflammation and play a good role in aging skin and weak elasticity.

sun protection

Silk fibroin is rich in tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine, as is sericin. They can absorb ultraviolet rays, prevent ultraviolet rays from causing damage and aging to the skin, and are excellent ingredients for sunscreen~

Application Direction

Cosmetics

Normal skin cutin needs to contain 10%-20% moisture to ensure the elasticity and plumpness of the skin. The natural moisturizing factor rich in sericin is a perfect ingredient that combines moisturizing and humidity control. Now it has been widely used in skin care products such as cleansing, lotion, lotion, and cream.

Food field

The amino acids contained in sericin are not only essential amino acids for the human body, but 90% of them can be directly absorbed by the human body. Different amino acids correspond to different effects. At the same time, these two are also a nutritional factor that can improve memory and prevent dementia.

Company Introduction And Certificates Obtained

Shaanxi Yuantai Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in 2014, mainly supplying herbal extracts, functional cosmetic raw materials, organic products, etc. We have our own factories, R&D and quality inspection teams, and have the conditions for development, production, and quality assurance. At present, we have obtained ISO9001, ISO22000, HALAL, KOSHER, HACCP, FDA and other certificates. Therefore, the quality of our products is guaranteed, and it is our original intention to bring high-quality products to customers.