2006 journal article

Mixed protein mends composed of gelatin and bombyx mori silk fibroin: Effects of so solvent-induced crystallization and composition

BIOMACROMOLECULES, 7(3), 728–735.

By: E. Gil n, D. Frankowski n, M. Bowman n, A. Gozen n, S. Hudson n & R. Spontak n

co-author countries: United States of America 🇺🇸
MeSH headings : Animals; Biocompatible Materials / chemistry; Bombyx; Crystallization; Fibroins / chemistry; Gelatin / chemistry; Hydrogels / chemistry; Macromolecular Substances / chemistry; Molecular Conformation; Proteins / chemistry; Silk / chemistry; Solvents / chemistry
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

Novel protein blends have been prepared by mixing gelatin (G) with Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) and using aqueous methanol (MeOH) to post-induce SF crystallization. When co-cast from solution, amorphous blends of these polymers appear homogeneous, as discerned from visual observation, microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Upon subsequent exposure to aqueous MeOH, SF undergoes a conformational change from random coil to β sheet. This transformation occurs in pure SF, as well as in each of the G/SF blends, according to X-ray diffractometry and thermal calorimetry. The influence of MeOH-induced SF crystallization on structure and property development has been ascertained in terms of preparation history and blend composition. Thermal gravimetric analysis reveals that the presence of β sheets in SF and G/SF blends improves thermal stability, while extensional rheometry confirms that SF crystallization enhances the tensile properties of the blends. By preserving a support scaffold above the G helix-to-coil transition temperature, the formation of crystalline SF networks in G/SF blends can be used to stabilize G-based hydrogels for biomaterial and pharmaceutical purposes. The present study not only examines the properties of G/SF blends before and after SF crystallization, but also establishes the foundation for future research into thermally responsive G/SF bioconjugates.