Yuan JIN, Yao-peng ZHANG, Yi-chun HANG, Jie LUO, Hui-li SHAO, Xue-chao HU. Studies on the Structures and Properties of Silk Fibroin Solution in Different Divisions of Silk Gland of Silkworm[J]. Polymer Bulletin, 2012,25(5):76-81.
Yuan JIN, Yao-peng ZHANG, Yi-chun HANG, Jie LUO, Hui-li SHAO, Xue-chao HU. Studies on the Structures and Properties of Silk Fibroin Solution in Different Divisions of Silk Gland of Silkworm[J]. Polymer Bulletin, 2012,25(5):76-81.DOI:
the properties of silk fibroin solution from different divisions of silk gland of silkworm (including the anterior
the middle and the posterior divisions) were investigated by polarized microscope. Meantime
Raman spectrum and rotational rheometer were used to analyze the structures and rheological properties of silk fibroin solutions in the different parts of the middle division (including the anterior
the middle and the posterior parts). It was found that only the anterior division and the anterior part of the middle division showed birefringence. Furthermore
with flowing from the posterior part to the anterior part in the middle division of silkworm
the silk fibroin was gradually transfered from random coil into α-helix conformation and then into β-sheet
the viscosity and elasticity of the silk fibroin solution decreased. These results implied that the liquid crystal state structure had been possibly formed in the anterior part of the middle silk gland of silkworm.