High Beta-Sheet Sericin Water Structuring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formulations in water-based cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and detergents face challenges in controlling rheological properties, as sericin, a waste product from silk production, was previously underutilized due to its limited beta-sheet structure and required irradiation for enhanced properties.
Innovation Solution
A method to isolate sericin with an extremely high proportion (>80%) of beta-sheet structure from silkworm cocoons without irradiation, using a process involving washing, heating, and centrifugation, which enables its use as an effective water structurant in aqueous phases of various products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional sericin isolation methods are used, then sericin can be obtained from silk cocoons, but the beta-sheet structure proportion is limited to less than 50% and additional irradiation is required to enhance properties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the isolation parameters by using alkaline treatment (pH 9-11) combined with controlled heating (40-100°C) and specific time durations (5-30 minutes). This parameter optimization transforms the sericin structure to achieve >80% beta-sheet content without requiring additional irradiation steps, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high beta-sheet proportion and maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/physical irradiation method with a chemical-thermal process using alkaline solutions and heat. This substitution eliminates the need for complex irradiation equipment while achieving the desired structural transformation, thereby reducing device complexity while improving beta-sheet proportion.
2Reliability
If sericin is used as a water structurant, then rheological properties can be controlled, but the water structuring capability is insufficient without high beta-sheet structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the sericin structure by controlling the alkaline treatment parameters (pH, temperature, time) to achieve >80% beta-sheet content. This structural transformation directly enhances the water structuring capability, allowing sericin to effectively control rheological properties in aqueous formulations without requiring additional modifications.
3Reliability
If irradiation is applied to sericin to improve antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory abilities, then functional properties are enhanced, but the process complexity and potential degradation are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the irradiation method with an alkaline-heat treatment process that achieves the same functional enhancement (antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory abilities) through structural modification. This substitution eliminates the need for complex irradiation equipment and reduces the risk of radiation-induced degradation, thereby improving reliability while reducing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses controlled alkaline treatment parameters (pH 9-11, temperature 40-100°C, time 5-30 minutes) to modify sericin structure and enhance functional properties. This parameter-based approach achieves the desired functional improvement without the complexities and risks associated with irradiation, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and process complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The high beta-sheet sericin effectively structures aqueous phases, allowing for tunable rheological properties by adjusting pH and multivalent cation concentrations, enhancing its water structuring capability and usability in a wide range of products.
Implementation Method 1
Sericin, a component of silk, is a protein that can act as a water structurant. Depending on the nature of the water structurant, the composition of the aqueous and the concentration of the water structurant applied, these rheological properties can vary widely.
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the cocoons to a first washing treatment with de-mineralized water (demi-water) at approximately 25° C.; subjecting the cocoons to a second washing treatment with demi-water at approximately 70° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising 5 to 100 wt. % of a structured aqueous phase wherein the composition contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % sericin by weight of water, said sericin having a proportion of beta-sheet in the secondary structure that exceeds 80%. It was found that sericin having a proportion of beta-sheet in the secondary structure that exceeds 80% is an excellent water structurant and can suitably be used to structure the aqueous phase of a wide range of products, such as cosmetic products, pharmaceutical products, food products and detergent compositions.