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Guo N, He Y, Lu K, Xu X, Li C, Hu H, Tong X, Tang Y, Cheng L, Dai F. Super silkworm cocoons constructed by multi-silkworm larvae: Promising composites with dense structures and excellent mechanical properties. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128619. [PMID: 38061509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
A normal silkworm cocoon (NSC) with a unique nonwoven structure is usually spun by a single silkworm larva. Notably, there is a special Bombyx mori genetic resource that many (three or more) mature larvae tend to collectively spin into one cocoon, which was named "multi-silkworm cocoon" ("MSC"). However, the MSCs display loose structure and poor mechanical properties which limits their further application. In this study, a series of hybrid silkworm cocoons (HMSCs) are obtained by hybridizing "MSC" with a selected commercial silkworm strain successfully. The morphology, microstructures, and mechanical properties of cocoons constructed by one to three silkworm larvae were characterized and compared. The results indicated that about 48.3 % of silkworm larvae could create double and triple cocoons in the F1 generation of the silkworm hybrid, displaying robust fiber networks and dense structures. The mechanical characteristics of the HMSCs, including the tensile, peeling, compression, and needle penetration resistance properties, exceeded those of MSCs, showing significant application potential for high-performance bio-composites. This study provides a practical approach for obtaining silkworm cocoons with controllable structures and mechanical properties to develop and fabricate natural composite and biomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nangkuo Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Kunpeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chunlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuxia Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Yibin Academy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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