Stable Silk Fibroin Formulation via TRIS Buffer Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing and processing silk fibroin lack efficiency in creating stable, solubilized formulations that maintain molecular weight and prevent gel formation, which are essential for various industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a processed silk fibroin solution in a TRIS buffer at specific pH and temperature conditions, with controlled pressure and time, to achieve a stable, solubilized silk fibroin preparation that maintains molecular weight and remains clear, preventing gel formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to process silk fibroin, then production can proceed with standard procedures, but the formulations become unstable and form gels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing pH (maintaining between 5.0-9.0 using Tris buffer), temperature (treating at 100-135°C), and pressure (0-30 psi) conditions during silk fibroin processing. These controlled parameter changes prevent unwanted gel formation while maintaining formulation stability and molecular weight integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If standard processing conditions are applied, then the process is simple and quick, but molecular weight changes by more than 33%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses specific parameter changes including treating at elevated temperatures (100-135°C) for controlled time periods (1-90 minutes) at specific pressures (0-30 psi) to achieve both molecular weight stability (change less than 33%) and reasonable processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Tris buffer as an intermediary substance to maintain pH stability during processing. This intermediary helps control the chemical environment, preventing excessive molecular weight degradation while allowing efficient processing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If silk fibroin is processed without controlled conditions, then processing is faster, but the preparation becomes cloudy and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements controlled parameter changes including maintaining pH 5.0-9.0 with Tris buffer, treating at 100-135°C, and applying 0-30 psi pressure to achieve clear, stable silk fibroin preparations. These controlled conditions prevent cloudiness and instability while maintaining practical processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes methods of preparing stable, solubilized silk fibroin preparations. The methods include providing a processed silk fibroin preparation. preparing a solution of the processed silk fibroin preparation in an aqueous TRIS buffer to provide a fibroin solution, treating the fibroin solution at least at a first pressure of 0 to 30 psi and a first temperature of 100° C. to 135° C. for a first time of 1 to 90 min to provide the stable. solubilized silk fibroin preparation. The stable, solubilized silk fibroin preparation has a molecular weight that changes by less than 33% during the first and optional second treating step, does not form a gel during the first and optional second treating step, remains clear after the first and optional second treating step, or a combination thereof.