The Use of sericin as an antioxidant and antimicrobial for polluted air treatment

Abstract

The aim of study was to enhance the properties of air filters by coating the filter with silk sericin, which is mostly discraded in wastewater during silk processing. The antioxidant activities against hydroxyl radical (OH), the antimicrobial activities and the fiber-coated surface were studied in silk sericin from different species of waste cocoon; Polyvltine waste cocoon (Nang Noi), Polyvoltine x Bivoltine waste cocoon (Dok Bua), and Bivoltine waste cocoon (Jul). The concentration of sericin solution in distilled water ranged from 10 to 20%. Among the different species of waste cocoon, the Jul had the highest antioxidant inhibition of OH capacity, while the Dok Bua was second with the Nang Noi having the lowest inhibition activity. For antifungus activity, the Dok Bua and Jul had comparable effective and Nang Noi the lowest capacity. The Dok Bua had the highest inhibition activity in Micrococcus type of bacteria, with Nang Noi second and Jul the lowest capacity. The coated surfaces of sericin on nylon fibers and PET fibers were smooth. This study demonstrates that sericin from the Dok Bua species had the best properties for coating air filters.