title: Study on the microstructure of African wild silk cocoon shells and fibers.
abstract: Silk fibers and cocoon shells from four African wild silkmoths Gonometa postica, Anaphe panda, Argema mimosae and Epiphora bauhiniae-were studied to gain insight into the structure-property-function relations and potential commercial application. The surface and cross-section of cocoon shells and fibers revealed the presence of prominent structural variations. Cocoon shells were multilayered and porous structures constructed from highly cross-linked fibers that are densely packed within the sericin/gum. Fibers had fibrillar sub-structures running along the fiber axis and with greater number and size of voids. The ecological significance and implication of these structures for further application are discussed.
authors: icipe-African Insect Science for Food and Health, Nairobi, Kenya. additi09@gmail.com
authors: Addis
authors: A
authors: Teshome
authors: Fritz
authors: F
authors: Vollrath
authors: Suresh K
authors: SK
authors: Raina
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Kabaru
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Onyari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000502:physiology*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D005349:Fibroins / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D011679:Pupa / Q000502:physiology; D047011:Silk / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D047011:Silk; D005349:Fibroins