Mulberry non-engineered silk gland protein vis-à-vis silk cocoon protein engineered by silkworms as biomaterial matrices.

Silk fibroin from silk gland of Bombyx mori 5th instar larvae was utilized to fabricate films, which may find possible applications as two-dimensional matrices for tissue engineering. Bombyx mori cocoon fibroin is well characterized as potential biomaterial by virtue of its good mechanical strength, water stability, thermal properties, surface roughness and biocompatibility. The present study aims to characterize the biophysical, thermal, mechanical, rheological, swelling properties along with spectroscopic analysis, surface morphology and biocompatibility of the silk gland fibroin films compared with cocoon fibroin. Fibroin solutions showed increased turbidity and shear thinning at higher concentration. The films after methanol treatment swelled moderately and were less hydrophilic compared to the untreated. The spectroscopic analysis of the films illustrated the presence of various amide peaks and conformational transition from random coil to beta sheet on methanol treatment. X-ray diffraction studies also confirmed the secondary structure. Thermogravimetric analysis showed distinct weight loss of the films. The films were mechanically stronger and AFM studies showed surfaces were rougher on methanol treatment. The matrices were biocompatible and supported L929 mouse fibroblast cell growth and proliferation. The results substantiate the silk gland fibroin films as potential biomaterial matrices.